Hi, guys, is cocoa powder known to darken hair? I did a LHC inspired treatment a few months ago with coconut milk, honey, and maybe something else, can't remember now ;) But I also added a couple of spoonfuls of cocoa powder to make it smell yummier, and afterwards my hair seemed a bit darker than usual and my sunbleached highlights were less noticeable. It doesn't seem to have been a permenant effect. Has anyone else heard of cocoa darkening hair? Google suggests "yes", but I haven't found anything concrete.

Thanks!

COOL! I'm certainly interested in that.

That would be really cool to figure out! I wonder what you would mix it with to make it really stick to your hair and become a sort-of dye. Hmm....

Hmm...sounds interesting! It would be awesome if it really worked.

I'll have to give it another try, maybe this weekend and see what happens. I wish I could remember everything I used, but as I recall, I was just sort of adding this and that. I did find a couple of things thru web searches that suggested it would highlight dark hair, so maybe it is depositing a little color. The effects don't seem to have been permenant, unless the sun has re-bleached mine. Just revisting LHC and reading all of the recent honey and cinnamon threads made me think of it. I'll report back :)

Considering how badly cocoa powder and chocolate stain cloth, I wouldn't be surprised if it did something to hair.

Good point, nienna42.

I look forward to hearing back from you, Somethingwicked.
I have cocoa powder, but not coconut milk. Have any other suggestions on what I could mix the cocoa powder with?

People mix henna and indigo with conditioner to do glosses, and the color still deposits just fine that way. Seems like it might work with cocoa powder, too.

People mix henna and indigo with conditioner to do glosses, and the color still deposits just fine that way. Seems like it might work with cocoa powder, too.

You know, I have all I need to do this experiment tomorrow. Do you have any hints? Should I just wash, mix conditioner with cocoa powder, apply, and leave it in for how long do you think?

Would anything help the color hold, like vinegar?

I'm new to experimenting. Normally I'm one of those "by the book" gals that needs instructions. :shrug:;)

You know, I have all I need to do this experiment tomorrow. Do you have any hints? Should I just wash, mix conditioner with cocoa powder, apply, and leave it in for how long do you think?

Would anything help the color hold, like vinegar?

I'm new to experimenting. Normally I'm one of those "by the book" gals that needs instructions. :shrug:;)

Make sure you take before and after photos!

-- Natalie

Sounds like you have the right idea. I have no clue how long you'd need to leave the concoction on your hair. Maybe start with half an hour? That seems to be about the minimum for most herbal coloring to work.

Good luck! I am very curious about this, but I don't especially want to make my hair any browner, so I'm hesitant to start experimenting with it myself. Hmm...perhaps I could use shed hair.

I'm new to experimenting. Normally I'm one of those "by the book" gals that needs instructions. :shrug:;)

Heh, I have done I don't know how many SMTs, and goodness knows that's a simple enough recipe, yet I still double check the proportions every time I do one.

I'll do that, Nat242. :)