Hints and tips when using henna and indigo to colour hair

Jyoti says:

For those of you who use or want to use 100% natural hair colours but do not like the smell of henna lingering for days afterwards, I may have found a solution.

Last month, I tried something new with henna and indigo that I want to share with every one. Following an inquiry by a customer, I decided to experiment with soaking henna in a mixture of coconut oil and tepid water (half and half) before adding indigo. The result was worth it! The mixture was much more creamy and easier to apply and the hair was more evenly coated, thus giving better coverage. When I washed it off, the smell of henna was less intense than usual and my hair was softer. To top it all, the colour has stayed for longer. I am going to stick to this method from now on.

Helen says:

When I use pure henna to dye my hair the children moan about the smell (like wet hay but I actually like it) but I have found that adding about 10 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture makes the scent more acceptable to them.

Other tips when using natural hair dyes:

• Do a strand test to get an idea of colour and check for allergies
• Make sure you cover your clothes in old towels
• Use gloves so your hands don't get stained
• Experiment with amounts and thickness of mixture to find what works for you
• Remember that henna and indigo are natural, do not contain bleach so cannot lighten your hair
• Add a small amount of an acidic liquid into your henna mix to help the dye stay longer - vinegar, lemon juice are good examples
• You can try adding coffee/paprika/beetroot juice/red wine to achieve different tones

Don't forget our other natural products including:
Soapnuts
Natural Mahogany Hair Dye Mix
Red Hair Natural Hair Dye Mix