HOW TO MAKE VIBRANT NATURALLY DYED EASTER EGGS

When it comes to decorating Easter eggs, there are countless amazing ideas out there, many of which could keep you busy crafting for days. But if you’re more into a simple, rustic approach, you’re in luck—it’s super easy to make your own natural egg dyes using ingredients you probably already have at home. The best part? These dyes are totally edible, so you can enjoy the eggs afterwards without worry!

Years ago, I shared a method for dyeing eggs with onion skins, which creates a beautiful, rich color. The results are especially stunning if you rub the eggs with a bit of oil afterward to give them a lovely shine. Inspired by that, I decided to expand my natural dyeing techniques and experiment with a wider palette using vegetable scraps and other kitchen staples. Here’s everything you need to know about creating your own natural egg dyes using ingredients like beets, cabbage, turmeric, onion skins, and more.

How to Create the Perfect Colors for Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

Here’s a handy guide to naturally dyeing your Easter eggs with ingredients you probably already have at home:

MATERIALS:

  • Hard-boiled eggs (white or brown)
  • 2 cups of one of the following dye ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar (per cup of dye liquid)

STEPS:

  1. Prepare the Dye: Pick one of the ingredients below and simmer with 2 cups of water (covered) for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Beets (2 cups shredded) = reddish pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs
  • Red Onion Skins (2 cups) = reddish orange on white eggs, red on brown eggs
  • Yellow Onion Skins (2 cups) = orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs
  • Turmeric (1/4 cup ground) = yellow eggs
  • Purple Cabbage & Turmeric (2 cups cabbage + 1/4 cup turmeric, two separate soaks) = green eggs
  • Purple Cabbage (2 cups chopped) = blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs
  • Blueberries (2 cups) = blue eggs
  • Dried Hibiscus Flowers (2 cups) = lavender or indigo eggs
  1. Strain the Dye: After simmering, strain out the plant matter and add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar for every 1 cup of strained dye liquid. This helps the color set better.
  2. Soak the Eggs: Soak your hard-boiled eggs in the dye liquid and refrigerate. Note: 2 cups of dye liquid will dye around 6 eggs. You can experiment with how long you leave them in the dye, but remember: the more dips, the deeper the color!
  3. Dry and Polish: Once the eggs are fully dyed, let them dry completely. For extra shine, you can rub a little oil (like olive oil) on the eggs to give them a polished finish.

PRO TIP:

The key to getting the perfect color is not necessarily how long you soak the eggs, but how many times you dip them in the dye. The more dips, the richer the color will be, so feel free to experiment with different soaking times for varied shades.

Happy dyeing! Your natural Easter eggs are sure to be both beautiful and edible.

INGREDIENTS:

For the Eggs, Dyeing, and Finishing:

  • 6 unpeeled, hard-boiled white or brown eggs (at room temperature, not fresh)
  • 2 cups water
  • Distilled white vinegar (1 tablespoon per cup of dye liquid)
  • Neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed (for polishing)

Dye Options (per 2 cups water):

  • 2 cups shredded red beets (for pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs)
  • 2 cups red onion skins (for lavender on white eggs, red on brown eggs)
  • 2 cups yellow onion skins (for orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs)
  • 1/4 cup ground turmeric (for yellow eggs)
  • 2 cups chopped purple cabbage (for blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs)
  • 2 cups blueberries (for blue eggs)
  • 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers (for indigo or lavender eggs)

EQUIPMENT:

  • Saucepan with lid
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • A second saucepan or bowl
  • Baking dish or other container for soaking eggs
  • Paper towels (for drying)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine 2 cups of water and your chosen dye ingredient (such as purple cabbage, onion skins, etc.) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the color is a few shades darker than you want your egg to be. To check the color, drip a small amount of dye onto a white dish and adjust the simmering time if needed.

Remove the pan from the heat and let the dye cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer set over another saucepan or bowl. Press the solids in the strainer to extract as much liquid as possible, then discard the remaining contents.

Measure the amount of strained liquid and add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar for every 1 cup of liquid. Stir well to combine.

Place 6 room-temperature, hard-boiled eggs in a medium bowl or quart-sized container (like a yogurt container). Carefully pour the cooled dye over the eggs, ensuring they are completely submerged.

Refrigerate the eggs in the dye until they are chilled and have reached the desired color, which can take a few hours or up to overnight. Once they’re ready, remove the eggs from the dye and dry them with paper towels. For a more vibrant color, you can give the eggs multiple soaks in the dye, ensuring you dry them between each dip to build up the intensity.

Once the eggs are dyed to your desired color, dry each one thoroughly with a paper towel. Gently rub a small amount of neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed oil) into each egg to give them a shiny finish. Then, polish the eggs with a clean paper towel. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use or display them.

Try experimenting with different natural ingredients to create a variety of beautiful colors on your eggs — and the best part is, they’re all completely safe to eat! From vibrant pinks to deep blues, these natural dyes offer a fun and edible way to add color to your Easter eggs.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, dyeing Easter eggs with natural ingredients is a creative and fun way to celebrate the season while keeping things simple, safe, and eco-friendly. Whether you opt for vibrant beets, earthy turmeric, or calming cabbage, the results are not only beautiful but also completely edible. With just a few natural ingredients and a bit of time, you can create a stunning array of colorful eggs to enjoy and share with family and friends. Happy dyeing!

HOW TO STYLE A CHAMBRAY SHIRT

Chambray shirts are truly the definition of versatility, aren’t they? They’re perfect for dressing up or down, and you can wear them in so many ways depending on the occasion. You can pair a button-down chambray shirt with tailored slacks and heels for a polished office look, or throw it over a bikini with denim shorts for a laid-back beach vibe. It’s like getting two shirts in one! Plus, you can easily layer them, tie them at the waist, or even tuck them into a skirt for a different look every time. A chambray shirt is definitely a wardrobe hero!

Chambray Shirt Outfit Ideas

WHITE JEANS CHAMBRAY SHIRT OUTFIT

You can never go wrong with the timeless combo of white jeans and a chambray shirt! It’s such an effortlessly chic look that works for almost any occasion. The white jeans give it a fresh, clean vibe, while the chambray shirt keeps things casual yet polished. I totally agree—adding a pop of color with a pink Longchamp bag takes it to the next level, but a neutral brown bag is just as versatile and sophisticated for a more understated style. It’s one of those outfits you can wear to work or for a weekend outing and still look put-together. Definitely a wardrobe go-to!

SHORT SLEEVE CHAMBRAY SHIRT

That’s such a win! Finding the perfect short-sleeve chambray shirt after two years of searching is definitely worth the wait, especially when it’s soft, comfy, and affordable. Sounds like it was a great find, and sizing down is always good advice for those who want a more fitted look. And those jeans under $20? Major steal! It’s awesome when you find a pair that fits true to size and is cute too—nothing beats an affordable, flattering outfit like that!

Khaki Pants with Chambray Shirt Work Outfit

Absolutely! A chambray shirt and khaki pants are such a classic combo, perfect for a polished yet relaxed work look. The neutral tones of khaki pair beautifully with the soft blue of chambray, making it a timeless outfit that’s always in style. And you’re so right—since chambray is so versatile, you can swap it for other colors or fabrics and still achieve that effortlessly chic vibe. Whether you go for a light chambray or try a different shade, it’s an easy, stylish option that works in so many settings!

Chambray Shirt With Black Skirt Outfit

I totally get that! The “Canadian Tuxedo” look can be a bit much for some, but your compromise is genius. Pairing a chambray shirt with a black denim skirt strikes the perfect balance of denim on denim without being too matchy-matchy. The black denim adds a sleek edge, and the chambray keeps it casual and fresh. It’s a great way to embrace the trend in a more subtle way! And for a more polished, conservative twist, swapping the denim skirt for a pencil skirt is a fantastic idea—still stylish but definitely office-friendly. This is such a clever take on the denim trend!

With Linen Shorts

Linen shorts are the perfect summer staple—light, breathable, and so comfy! It sounds like you’ve really found your go-to pair with the Amazon Essentials ones; I love how versatile they are, especially when you have them in multiple colors. And it’s awesome that Walmart has a similar option for even more variety. Linen shorts work great as a beach outfit too, and tossing them over a swimsuit is such an easy and chic way to go from beach to boardwalk. I’m sure your blog post on styling them has tons of great tips for mixing and matching—such a smart way to get the most out of a summer essential!

Open With Stripe Tee and Linen Pants

That sounds like such a laid-back yet elevated look! Linen pants paired with a basic tee are already a winning combo, but adding a striped tee underneath and throwing a chambray shirt over it as a light jacket takes it to the next level. The stripes add a fun pop of pattern without overpowering the simplicity of the linen, and the chambray shirt gives the outfit that effortless, cool vibe. It’s perfect for a stylish day out or even a casual work look. You get that easy, breezy feel while still looking put-together!

Chambray Shirt with Black Jeggings Outfit

Jeggings are such a wardrobe game-changer, and I love that you’ve found a knit pair that works for both more formal settings like church and casual work environments! The fact that they’re not made of denim gives them such a versatile, polished feel while still being comfy. Your blog post with outfit ideas sounds like a must-read! The way you can dress them up with flats or heels for a more sophisticated look, or go casual with sneakers for errands, makes them such a go-to piece for every occasion. It’s the perfect balance of chic and comfort—definitely a style win!

Chambray Shirt with Olive Jeans Outfit

Olive jeans are definitely trending right now, and I love how you’ve put a unique spin on them by pairing them with cowboy boots! The mix of olive with the rugged vibe of cowboy boots adds such a cool, unexpected twist to a preppy staple. It’s an awesome way to make a classic look feel fresh and current. And black cowboy boots are such a versatile choice—they pair well with everything and, if they’re comfortable too, that’s even better! It’s the perfect combo of trendy and laid-back style. You’ve definitely nailed it!

Chambray Shirt With Vest Outfit

A puffer vest is such a perfect piece for those in-between chilly days! I love that you’ve found some great options on Amazon—puffer vests are not only super cozy but also add a bit of extra style to your outfit. Layering one over a chambray shirt is such a cute look—chambray adds a nice casual touch, while the puffer vest keeps things warm and practical. It’s the ideal combo for staying comfortable and stylish when the weather’s not quite cold enough for a full jacket. Plus, the versatility of puffer vests makes them a go-to for layering!

Chambray Shirt With a Maxi Dress Outfit

That’s such a stylish way to wear a chambray shirt! Tying it at the waist over a maxi dress is a great alternative to the classic denim jacket—it adds a bit of structure while still keeping the outfit light and breezy. The relaxed vibe of the chambray shirt contrasts beautifully with the flowiness of the maxi dress, and the tied waist gives it a fun, laid-back look. It’s perfect for transitioning between seasons too, as it adds just the right amount of warmth without being too heavy. Such a cute and effortless combo!

conclusion

In conclusion, the chambray shirt is an incredibly versatile wardrobe staple that can be styled in countless ways for every occasion. Whether layered over a maxi dress, paired with khaki pants for work, or tied at the waist over a swimsuit, it adds a laid-back yet polished touch to any outfit. From casual weekends to more polished work environments, the chambray shirt seamlessly blends comfort and style, making it a must-have for any wardrobe. The key is finding the right balance, whether it’s mixing it with denim, adding a fun accessory like a colorful bag, or layering it in creative ways to keep your outfits fresh and fashionable.