Complete Guide | How to Color Your Hair with Henna and Indigo

Want to naturally color your hair? Get rid of those stubborn greys? How about ditching cancer-causing chemicals? We got you! 

This is the complete guide to dyeing your hair (and greys), without chemicals, using henna and indigo including the methods to get the best long lasting coverage. Your hair will not only be healthier but will be left soft, manageable and moisturized.

Even if you have locs, are chemically dyeing your hair, relaxed hair, or use perms, you can safely color your hair with henna (YES! seriously). This guide applies to all hair textures, and hair types. 

First, when using any new hair product it is always recommended that you do hair strand tests first, or a skin patch test. Even natural products can cause allergic reactions. Test before use, always. 

Important: Please keep in mind that everyone has their own unique hair texture and hair type. Henna and Ayurvedic treatments can be drying for some, and it is recommended that you add aloe vera powder or one of our hair oils to your recipe for best results. You can also deep condition 5-7 days after your color has settled. We recommend that all of our clients make adjustments to their henna hair coloring recipe and/or treatments based on their hair needs, and focus. Use the recipe that works best for you and your hair. 

Before you start, know the total amount of powder you should use:

• Above ear length: 50-75 grams
• Shoulder length: 100-125 grams
• Bra strap length or mid-back: 150-175 grams
• Lower back (above hips): 200 to 225 grams
• Hip/Waist length: 250 to 300 grams

Every henna powder has it’s own dye release time (this is the needed amount of time that your henna needs to sit to reach ideal ready to use).

Please follow our guide:

• Moroccan Henna Powder 1-2 hours
• Red Raj, Rajasthani Indian henna, Jamila and Yemeni henna 3-4 hours

Recommended Liquids (warm to hot in temperature, never boiling):

• Water (such as distilled)
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Green Tea

Please Note: for coloring treatments do not use heavy liquids such as yoghurt, shea/cocoa butters, conditioners, etc…as they dilute the color, and won’t yield best color coverage. We do not recommend lemon juice for hair coloring recipes as this would be much too harsh and drying to your hair.

Here are the proportions you'll need to achieve the color you want:

• red tones is 100% henna only
• reddish brown achieved when using proportions of 70% henna and 30% organic indigo (3 parts henna to 1 part indigo)
• brown tones achieved when using proportions of 50% organic indigo and 50% henna
• dark chocolate brown tones achieved when using proportions of 70% indigo and 30% henna (1 part henna to 3 parts indigo)
• black tones achieved when you use henna first at 100%, and then second step of indigo at 100%

We have all the steps you need to mix your henna and indigo in this article but if you are more visual then we highly recommend you watch this video:

How to Mix and use Henna:

1. Mix henna with one or more of our recommended liquids
2. Allow the paste to sit for dye release according to recommended time
3. Add enough liquid to make a paste the consistency of pancake batter. We don’t measure as each batch of henna can absorb varying amounts of liquid each time
4. After dye release has been achieved, then apply the henna paste to your (damp or dry freshly washed hair) hair by sections starting from the front and moving towards the back. Make sure to wear gloves when applying henna, as it will stain your hands
5. Wrap your hair and allow henna to dye your hair 3-4 hours
6. Rinse the henna paste out using our Cleansing CoWash (make sure to use a strong shower head to ensure all of the paste comes out)
7. You can then moisturize, dry and style as usual
8. Allow your hair's color to settle which will take 2-3 days

Variations

• For redder tones you may add our hibiscus petal powder, beet juice, red tea or paprika
• For browner tones you may add coffee, black tea or our organic amla powder (indigo works best as is the strongest of these options)
• Create your own henna gloss. You can do this by adding some henna powder to your conditioner and let it sit in your hair for 30 minutes as a deep conditioning treatment with a slight reddish tint (not recommended to use a henna gloss recipe if you plan on using indigo as the henna won't be a strong enough base to allow the indigo to stick well to the hair strands)
• Add our essential oils to your henna to leave your hair smelling great, and with shine
• Too Drying? Add our Organic Aloe Vera powder to your henna and indigo powders (only 5% is needed which is about 1-2 tsp per 100 grams of powder used) or one of our hair oils for added moisture
• What if your scalp gets very itchy after your hair coloring? It could be that you're allergic but usually what it often can be, is that not all the herbs have gotten washed out properly and are still in your hair and scalp. Make sure to use a high pressure shower head when rinsing out your henna hair dye

How to mix Indigo for black tones (2 step process)

Important: You must henna your hair before indigo in order to create black tones. If you only use indigo alone it will give your hair a green hue.
Please make sure to do indigo within 72 hours of henna application (right after or next day included). Indigo does not always work the first time for clients and repeated application(s) may be necessary.

1. Follow the instructions on how to henna your hair first (see above)
2. Mix indigo with warm to hot water and allow dye to release for 15-20 minutes. Add enough water to make the paste the consistency of pancake batter. Optional, add salt (1 tbsp per 50 grams of indigo) to help the indigo stick to resistant hair strands. You can also add 1-2 tsp per 100 grams of indigo used if your hair is dry
3. Make sure to wash your hair before applying with our Hair Wash or Shampoo bars (stubborn hair should clarify with our Soapnut shampoo/hair wash)
4. Apply the indigo paste to your hair by sections (on dry or damp strands) starting from the front and moving towards the back. Make sure you wear gloves when applying indigo, as it will stain your hands.
5. Wrap your hair and allow to dye your hair 3-4 hours
6. Gently rinse the paste out with our Cleansing CoWash, so as not pull an of the color out
7. You can use a light leave in (moisturize), dry and style as usual
8. Your hair’s color will settle over the next 2-3 days

Mixing Indigo for brown hair (1 step process):

Organic indigo is used for reddish brown to medium brown tones.
Indigo for Hair is best for grey coverage, resistant hair and brown to black tones. Just accordingly to your hair needs for best results.

1. Prepare the henna paste as directed
2. Once henna is ready, mix your indigo as directed above in separate bowl
3. Mix the henna and indigo together to combine the two colors (like paints)
4. Make sure to wash your hair before applying with our Hair Wash or Shampoo bars (stubborn hair should clarify with our Soapnut shampoo/hair wash)
5. Apply the paste to your hair by sections starting from the front and moving towards the back. Make sure you wear gloves, as it will stain your hands.
6. Wrap your hair and allow to dye your hair for 3-4 hours
7. Gently rinse the paste out with our Cleansing CoWash, so as not pull an of the color out
8. You can use a light leave in (moisturize), dry and style as usual
9. Your hair’s color will settle over the next 2-3 days

Storage:

• Henna Powder and Paste: cool dark place or can be placed in the fridge or freezer
• Indigo Powder: cool dark place or can be placed in the fridge or freezer
• Indigo Paste: must be thrown out after use, even when mixed with henna

Important! Please read.

Should you still have any issues with getting your color the way you'd like, plesae call our hair experts at 1-833-811-7667 or go to our live chat for further assistance. We do offer one on one hair consultations through BOOK NOW.

We also recommend if you are aiming for black tones and your recipe still isn't working, to try this: use henna alone in your first step, do a 50/50 brown hair tone recipe using henna and indigo isn your first step to ensure darker results rather then the red of henna alone and then follow up with indigo alone as your second step. This will give you much better results. 

Let us know how it turned out! We'd love to see your results.