Henna (Lawsonia
inermis) contains the active coloring ingredient it’s called lawsone. It is a
red-orange dye that helps obtain red tones.
Indigo
(Indigofera tinctoria) also called basma or black henna. It is source of indigo
dye. Indigo helps create warm chestnut brown and black hues. Don’t use
indigofera tinctoria on its own on blonde or gray hair. Indigo used with or
after henna. Henna neutralizes the blue-green hue of indigofera tinctoria.
Henna
and indigo is a natural alternative to synthetic dyes. It is safe to dye hair.
If you hair is dyes with henna or indigo, you cannot use artificial dyes.
Henna is used to treat hair. Indigo makes the
hair shiny. These plants contain many biologically active substances and
vitamins, which have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, stimulate hair
growth, strengthens hair roots. They strengthen the hair cuticle giving hair
volume and healthy shine with unique shade. Henna helps protect the scalp from
sun damage.
Henna
and indigo sell as a powder made by drying, milling and sifting the leaves.
Indigo is greenish powder. Henna is greenish brown color powder.
Henna
and indigo should be prepared before applying on hair. Hair must be clean and
dry. Wash your hair the night before the dyeing. Do not use conditioner. The
natural oils in your hair will help the color to spread more evenly.
How
much powder should you mix to dye your hair?
The
proportion is varied depending on the desired tone and hue intensity.
For chestnut
brown or chocolate color the proportion should be 1 part of dry henna powder
and 1 part of indigo powder.
For
golden-bronze hair – mix 2 parts of henna and 1 part of indigo.
If you
want to get black hair the proportion should be 1 part of henna and 2 parts of
indigo.
Henna
used without indigo for reddish hair color.
Take
from 100 till 500 grams of mix power depending on your hair length.
If you
have short hair then, take 100 grams of mix powder, if you have shoulder length
hair, then 300 grams of mix powder will do and if you have waist hair then you
will need 500 grams of mix powder. But if you have thick and curly then you may
need more amount.
Put on
your gloves. Use a non-metal container as metal can react with henna and spoil
your dye, glass is best. Dissolve the required quantity of powder in warm water
(70-80C) and stir until uniform. Never use too hot water, lemon or orange juice
with dyes that contain more indigo.
The mix
must rest for 1 hour before use. Then add warm water and stir until it’s the
consistency of thick yogurt.
Brush
your hair well. Use baby oil or petroleum jelly below your hairline to prevent
staining your skin.
Put old
dark colored bath towel or color cape around your shoulders.
Separate
your hair on sections.
Apply
the paste to hair in sections, completely coating all the hair down to the
roots.
Then,
wrap your hair in plastic wrap and wear a shower cap or drape an old towel.
Keep it
warm and moist for several hours. The longer you allow the paste to soak in the
darker and richer the color will be. Keep the paste on the hair for 30-40
minutes (to get a light brown hair color), or 1-4 hours (to get a rich dark hair
color). Then, rinse thoroughly, until the water runs clear.
Rinse
your hair with vinegar.
Do not
shampoo for three days, as the henna and the indigo will need time to develop
the color. You may to repeat this process in order to get a color as you want
it to be.
Use
strong black tea instead of water to get a darker and more intense result.
You can
use henna powder and indigo powder which you can easily find in stores or on
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