2016/04/09

Natural Hair Coloring with the Use of Henna and Indigo

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 iHerb here for $11.35 and for $10.97.  

StarwestBotanicals, Organic Henna Powder, Red, 1 lb (453,6 g) for $11.35 ! (*plus shipping, free shipping if entire order is over $40) 
Retail Price: $15.25
iHerb.com Price: $11.35
You Save: $3.90 (26%)       
          
StarwestBotanicals, Henna Black Powder, 1 lb (453,6 g) for $10.97 ! (*plus shipping, free shipping if entire order is over $40) 
Retail Price: $14.75
iHerb.com Price: $10.97
You Save: $3.78 (26%)                     

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