Natural Hair Coloring - by Christine Shahin (Paperback)

About the Book

This book offers in-depth instruction in using plant pigments to safely create stunning customized hair color, without harmful chemicals or the cost of expensive dyes.

Book Synopsis

Commercial hair dyes contain thousands of different chemicals, some of which are reported to be carcinogenic -- but you don't have to choose between gorgeous color and good health. Natural hair care expert Christine Shahin shows you how to use nontoxic plant pigments -- henna, indigo, amla, and cassia -- to color your hair naturally, whatever your hair type or ethnicity, with beautiful results! These pigments are readily available at natural food stores and online, and they're simple, safe, easy to use, and cost-effective. With clearly written instructions and step-by-step photography, Shahin shows you exactly how to apply these pigments, alone or in combinations, to achieve a full range of shades of brown, black, and red. She also includes instructions for transitioning from chemical dyes to natural ones and for using chemical and natural dyes together.

From the Back Cover

Earthly Dyes for Heavenly Hair

These generous herbs -- henna, indigo, cassia, and amla -- have been used for coloring and healing since ancient times and offer a gorgeous, all-natural alternative to synthetic hair colorants. Easy to procure and easy to use (simply mix herb powder with a liquid to form a mud), all-plant dyes are gentle and safe, can be applied over chemical dyes, and actually nourish the hair instead of depleting it. Beauty expert Christine Shahin offers her special formulas for a broad range of hues from blond to black, along with guidance on how to cover gray hair and achieve unique color effects.

Review Quotes

"Revelatory! Who knew hair could look this good with all-natural plant pigments? A healthy godsend."
-- Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn physician and New York Times bestselling author

"Christine Shahin shares effective, plant-based formulas that are 100 percent chemical free and work with your unique hair color to blend grays or simply transform your hair with beautiful, complimentary tones. The result will be glossy, silky, nourished hair with texture and health that only nature can create!"
-- Stephanie Tourles, author of Organic Body Care Recipes

"Absolutely the best book on natural hair care and coloring I've ever come across ... Christine is a coloring maestro who has had years of experience using natural colorants, and she shares her knowledge generously and warmly."
-- from the Foreword by Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author

"This highly recommended, comprehensive guide ties together fine instruction and great illustrations to create a distinct offering for readers interested in alternative hair-dyeing techniques."
-- Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Christine Shahin, author of Natural Hair Coloring, is a licensed cosmetologist and holistic beauty practitioner who owns and operates a popular eco-salon/spa that attracts clients from across the United States. She has a conventional cosmetology license, though her interest and focus have always been on introducing natural, safe, ecologically responsible approaches to self care. She continues to offer classes on natural hair and skin care topics, including coloring hair with pure plant pigments.

Rosemary Gladstar has been practicing, living, learning, teaching, and writing about herbs for over 50 years. Considered a star figure in the modern herbal movement and often referred to as the "godmother of American herbalism", Rosemary is the author of twelve books including Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginners Guide, Herbs for Children's Health, Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, Herbal Healing for Women, and Herbal Healing for Men. She is the co-founder and former director of both The International Herb Symposium and The New England Women's Herbal Conference, the Founding President of United Plant Savers, and the co-founder and original formulator of Traditional Medicinal Tea Company.

She is also the author and teacher of the popular home study course, The Science and Art of Herbalism, which continues to inspire and teach many thousands of students around the world. In 2018 Rosemary was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her life's work from the National University of Naturopathic Medicine. She recently moved from her home at Sage Mountain an herbal retreat center and botanical sanctuary where she lived for 30 years to a smaller haven where she plans to write more, tend to her new gardens, and spend more time with the plants.