Here are some simple recipes for mixing your natural hair products. Please visit www.forums.longhaircommunity.com and www.longhaircareforum.com as you will find a wealth of information, along with techniques and various recipes. You can even ask questions on their forum! Please remember when using any new hair product it is always recommended that you do hair strand tests first!
Important: Please keep in mind that everyone has their own unique hair texture. Herbal treatments can be drying for some, and it is recommended that you add hair oil to your recipe, or deep condition your hair afterwards. We recommend that everyone keep an open mind when using henna and natural herbs on their hair, and use the recipe that works best for you!
Henna, also known as lawsonia inermis
Mixing henna for healthy hair and beautiful red tones:
-Mix henna with warm water, or warm lemon juice, and allow the paste to sit from 2-12 hours (as this depends on the dye release of your henna powder chosen). Add enough liquid to make a paste the consistency of pancake batter.
-After dye release has been achieved, then apply the henna paste to your (damp or dry) hair by sections starting from the back and moving forward. Make sure you wear gloves when applying henna, as it will stain your hands.
-Wrap your hair and allow to sit from 1 to 6 hours. The longer you leave the henna in, the more dye will penetrate your hair.
-Rinse or wash the paste out.
-Your hair’s color will settle over the next 2 days.
Optional
- For redder tones you may add hibiscus or paprika.
- For browner tones you may add coffee, black tea, or even amla powder (this will tone down the red dye and give you great volume all at the same time).
- You may also try out a 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 and be able to achieve a less amount of dyeing.
- Feel free to add orange blossom water, rose water or essential oils to leave your hair smelling great!
How to store your powder: freezer.
How to store your henna paste: freezer.
Indigo, also known as indigofera tinctoria
Mixing indigo for jet-black hair:
-Follow the instructions on how to henna your hair first, then you will indigo your hair as soon as you have rinsed/washed the henna out of your hair.
-Mix indigo with warm water and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes. Add enough water to make the paste the consistency of pancake batter. Optional, add some salt (1 tsp per 100 grams of powder) to help darken the indigo or add CMC to thicken up your paste.
-Apply the indigo paste to your hair be sections starting from the back and moving forward. Make sure you wear gloves when applying indigo, as it will stain your hands.
-Wrap your hair and allow to sit for 1-2 hours.
-Rinse or wash the paste out. Some prefer to use only conditioner when washing the paste out.
-Your hair’s color will settle over the next 2 days.
-This method is called a two-step process.
How to store your powder: fridge, or cool dark place.
How to store your paste: throw leftovers away as indigo paste does not freeze or keep well.
Mixing indigo for brown hair:
-Prepare the henna paste as directed.
-Once henna is ready, mix your indigo as directed (with warm water and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes). Mix these two together. The more indigo you add the darker the brown.
-Apply the paste to your hair by sections starting from the back and moving forward. Make sure you wear gloves, as it will stain your hands.
-Wrap your hair and allow to sit for 1 to 6 hours.
-Rinse or wash your paste out
-This process is called a one-step process.
-Your hair’s color will settle over the next 2 days.
Optional: You can also add CMC (Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose) to your indigo paste as it tends to be drippy. This will thicken your paste up, and is used to thicken up store-bought salad dressing and in the making of silk paper. You only need 1 gram per 100 grams of indigo.
How to store your powder: henna in your freezer and indigo in your fridge or cool dark place
How to store your paste: throw leftovers away as the paste does not freeze or keep well.
Thank you for your response.
I have been using hair color for last six years and it has thinned my hair and led to a lot of hair loss.
I used to use henna in my hair prior to that and had fabulous results (Red). So i decided to go back to henna, but this time it made my grey hairs orange/bronze. I am really disheartened.
My natural hair color is black. I have been reading about indigo on your website and i am hoping to achieve a dark red tone.
Can you please help me with the process? Can I mix henna and indigo in one application? My hair length is long , how much indigo will i need? Can you please advise what kind of Henna and Indigo I should buy from Henna Sooq website?
Thank you for your help.
I bought Henna from an indian grocer. I was told it gives dark reddish color. I mixed it with clove powder and black tea concentrate and let it sit overnight and then applied it. I left it for about 4 hours on my hair.
Yes that can give you too much red, the indian henna especially on light or grey hair (hence the orangey tones as well). If you don’t want that, like you mentionned, then the indigo would be a really good choice.
How long is your hair? Then I can recommend how much you should use.
I’d recommend you use Moroccan henna as it blends well with indigo to make brown to black tones? What color would you like to achieve? Do you want to just darken up the henna a little bit for your grey hair or do you want your naturally black tone as your color?
Hi, Thank you for your response again.
My hair is about the length of my shoulder blades.
Ideally i want to cover my grey’s to match my natural black/dark brown tones.
Welcome Ruby! Anytime.
You would need about 100 grams of total powder and to make black tones you’d have to do a two step process, 100 grams of each henna and indigo. For chocolate brown tones at least 60% indigo with 40% henna as a one step process. I hope this helps! Let me know.
I think I will start with dark brown tone just to see the color . Do you think using more indigo and less henna will damage my hair? Also can you please advise the recipe. Do I need to add anything else beside water ?
I will order 100 gm Moroccan henna and 100 gm Indigo and may be have some leftover to use as touchup of required. Once again I really appreciate your feedback and helpful advice.
Using more indigo will not damage your hair. Use at least 60% indigo to 40% henna for dark brown.
Warm water to each herb is recommended. and the instructions are in the original post. Please read above the comments here for the directions.
Make sure to let each sit for dye release according to their required times or else the herbs won’t work properly.
Moroccan henna let it sit only 1-2 hours and then the indigo only 15 mins. Combine the two pastes and use right away. If you have any leftover powder, store in a cool dark place. Leftover henna and indigo paste must be thrown away. Only henna and other herbs can be frozen and used at a later time.
Thank you too! Your comments on here have been great. Happy henna-indigo’ing!
Hi, I have med golden brown hair, with quite a bit of 3 inch long grey roots. 3 months ago I dyed with Loreal med golden brown(closest to my natural color) My hair is thick and to my back at the bra strap. I want to naturally color the grey from now on. What should I use to achieve red tones and highlights. Not orange but redish brown hair?
Hi Donna,
For deep reddish tones, you can use yemeni henna powder. But I am wondering if it would bring your hair too dark. Would you be able to email us a shot of your hair to help you decide at hennasooq@gmail.com ?
Assalam Aleikum,
I just ordered some Henna and Indigo from you and I’m very excited to try it đŸ™‚
I do have one minor concern though, I did not read these comments or I would have ordered the Morrocan Henna as I would like to acheive more brown tones rather than red. (My hair is naturally dark brown).
Should the Honey, Henna & Indigo combination allow me to acheive a nice medium to dark, rich brown? Is there something else that I should do to it? What ratio of Indigo and Henna should I use?
Thank you,
I am very excited to try your products sister. đŸ™‚
M.S.
Assalaamu Alaikum
Thank you for your post!
Which henna did you get? Even with a high proportion of indigo that you will be using to get a nice dark brown, like at least 60% indigo to 40% henna, you should cover all the red away affectively.
I wouldn’t recommend you use too much honey though, as it can be a bit lightening and it stretches out the color and you want to make sure you get full strength of the color of the herbs as possible.
This should work perfectly! I hope this helps
Thank you for the reply đŸ™‚
I ordered the Fresh Jamila Henna…I’ll be sure to be careful with the honey.
Can you tell me how much Amla powder to add to my Jamila henna mix in order to turn the reddish color to a nice warm brown?
Thanks for your post. Amla powder may not be strong enough to tone down all the red of henna. Usually amla just tones it down a bit, but you can add at least 3-4 tbsp per 100 grams to tone down the red of henna. A warm brown might be easier to achieve using moroccan henna, along with katam with some amla powder in it as well. Moroccan henna tends to have less red results compared to other henna powders.
Hello, I just want to say that I’ve been using henna from hennasooq since August 2009, and I love the way it has thickened my hair and covered my gray hair, and it is so managible. I am African American with all natural hair. I think the henna is great. I wanted to see the complete results before I posted a comment. Now my daughter is starting to use it, and she has no complaints as of yet. I was reading some of the posts about the problems that they are having, I think that sometimes it could be that they are not following the directions on how to mix the henna. This could cause some of the problems. I never had a hard time washing the henna out of my hair or has my hair ever felt hard or brittle. My first time I was afraid to use it becaue of what a lot of the posts I read was saying about it. But I am glad that I just ignored the posts.
Thank you Penny! It can happen that people rush a little and don’t get to read through everything. That’ why we just recently wrote a pot on Misconceptions, Mistakes and Tips on Henna for Hair. Did you get to read that post?
Also you and your daughter should enter the Natural hair care contest. Did you see that as well? Weekly prizes and a huge grand prize!
Is the Jamila Henna in the cellophane packaging safe to use on relaxed hair? Some places say it’s BAQ and others say that the summer 2009 crop is. I figured that since they were both 100% henna that it would be safe to use on my hair. Thanks for any help.
Thanks for your email Kentisha
Jamila henna for hair is in a cellophane bag. The summer crop 2009 is in a foil packaging.
Both are pure henna powders and are BAQ, even though the hair quality is not as finely sifted so not usually used for body art in actuality. I personally use Jamila summer crop 2009 for henna body art.
Yes either one would be safe for your hair. The biggest difference would be the freshness, as 2009 is a more recent crop, and the sift and smoothness of 2009 summer crop will be better. It is up to you. The Jamila for hair has a descent sift.
Hello, I have been reading the blogs on how to use the different henna colors. My hair is black with some grey coming in. Also, this is my first time reading all the blogs. I want to cover the gray that’s coming in my hair badly. I also take medications. Would the henna have affect on my hair? I would like to have dark blonde. Please help me to choose the right henna powder for my hair. My hair is very thick.
Thanks
Thank you for your post Sheila.
Unfortunately, henna alone only dyes reddish tones. It is a natural plant, and does not create a variety of hair colors/results. When using henna and herbs on your hair, you’ll have to work with your natural hair color, and use the herbs accordingly. You can cover your grey hair for sure but most likely you’ll have to use henna and indigo to at least keep your hair the same color it is naturally, or you can just use straight henna to add red highlights to your hair, as far as how it will color the grey hair (which would show up as highlights with using henna alone).
Please don’t hesitate to ask another question if this doesn’t help
Hello
Do you deliver to london?
SA, yes we do ship worldwide and your order can be sent to you from us to you in London. You can order online at http://www.hennasooq.com/usa-store
Thank you!
Hello, I am so excited to color my hair with henna for the first time; clueless where to start. I have 3-month-old chemical color on my hair, reddish-brown. Suggestions for an auburn color? Is amla powder purchased separately? Thanks!
Hi Kristi. Thank you for your post.
An auburn color, usually indian henna (rajasthani) would be an ideal choice for that tone. Amla powder can be purchased seperately. Welcome!
I’m considering trying before I buy. How many mg’s are in your henna/indigo samples? Also, is it possible to order a hair colouring kit (Lush brown) but with Moroccan henna instead?
Thanks for your post Mel.
The samples contain 3-5 grams each, just enough for hair strand tests. The Lush Brown does come with the option of a choice between the 4 henna powders we carry. So yes you can choose Moroccan henna.
Hi! I currently dye my hair black, and my natural hair color is a dark brown. I’d love to start using henna! How can I achieve the darkest hair possible?
My hair is very thin and curly, but about chest length. How much henna will I need?
Thank you for your post Amber.
The darkest hair you can achieve with henna, and indigo is black. You can use those two herbs in a two step process as the directions given above say.
You’d need about 150 grams of henna and 150 grams of indigo.
Thank you!
Which henna powder should I choose If I want the darkest possible?
I am also wondering about the differences in some of your products – There are ones that say “organic indigo” and just “indigo.” I thought henna and indigo were all organic? What are the differences in these products?
No not all henna powders are organic, the same as not all products nor herbs/teas etc. are organic. You have to become certified and approved to sell/carry organic products, the main suppliers that is.
The difference would be that one has guarantees of USDA approved organic methods of farming, and no chemicals and such asa guarantee. They hold a higher quality of purity in their herbs.
We can’t guarantee the use or not the use of pesticides on henna and herbal crops when they aren’t organic even though they haven’t used pesticides in a few years now.
For the darkest results you can use any of the henna powders and you can add indigo into it for a one step process, and then you can do indigo on top of that, and that will give you a deep black. the darkest possible đŸ™‚
I just received 3 packages of your indigo powder. You were sold out out of the CMC (Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose) to thicken up the paste. What else do you recommend I use to thicken the paste up? By the way, thanks for your prompt delivery. I live in NYC and I received my order in 1 week, it was nicely packaged and fit into my mail box.
Thank you for your post. You can use cornstarch to thicken it up. I am so glad the order got there so quickly. Perfect! Enjoy!
Hi. I have 2 main questions. I have a teenage niece and a teenage cousin who want to dye their hair using indigo. One wants a midnight blue and one wants more of a purplish hue. Both of them have dull relaxed hair. I understand you need henna in the hair so the indigo can take. Would a 2 step process of first half henna half cassia with a indigo treatment 5 days later work? Or can I henna, wait a few days, indigo, then cassia after the indigo is rinsed out? how do I get the two different hues? Should I do it over the process of a few weeks? I was thinking I should henna & amla once or twice to get the good base, then indigo. Or will it just take a few applications of the “regular” 2 step henna/indigo process until the color gets as deep as they desire? Can you indigo over cassia?
Hi, the directions for mixing indigo for brown hair say ‘Once henna is ready, mix your indigo as directed (with warm water and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes). Mix these two together’ Does that mean that the indigo needs to be first mixed separately and then added to the henna? And do I need to let that sit or is it okay to apply it right after I mix it?
Thank you for your post Polina.
Yes the indigo does need to be mixed seperately in another bowl. The henna paste should be sitting ready in another bowl. Then add the two pastes together and mix well. You need to apply it right away because the indigo does not have a very long dye release. I hope this helps!
Hello,
I purchased 500 grams of henna, I read on your post that the powder should be stored in the freezer. Does that mean I can place the extra boxes of henna directly in the freezer?
Or, do I have to remove it from the box and place the powder in a container followed by placing it in the freezer?
Thank you for your post Shey, yes you can store it in the freezer directly as we do the same.
I am using a mix of 1 part henna to 1/2 indigo to cover my gray roots,bot the result is lighter then the rest of the hair ,which is a deep reddish medium brown.
Is it possible to get good coverage with 1 step application? thanks Sangita
Sangita, Yes a 1 step would work well for what you’d like to achieve. I replied to your email and we’ll speak more there đŸ™‚
Hello,
I was wondering if I did a mix of 50/50 (hennea/indigo or 40/60 what would the results be if I left the mixture on my head for 2 hours verus 5 hours? Is there a color difference? I also plan on adding alma…
The color might not be much different from leaving it on for less time. It may be about the same as everyone’s hair does absorb a little differently. 40/60 would be a darker brown
I have black hair with lot of grey hair. I need to cover my grey. Please let me know the products and amount to you. I live in Washington USA.
My hair color is black and have lot of grey hair. I am allergic to PPD so i need natural hair dye that would cover my grey hair. Please let me the products and the amount to use. I live in WA, USA.
Hi Sheena, thank you for your post. To get your hair black naturally while covering any grey hairs, you can use henna and indigo to achieve that as a two step process. Read the instructions above and our products are found at http://www.hennasooq.com and you can purchase them tehre. If you have any more questions let us know. Thank you!
Thanks for your prompt reply. How long does the color last on grey hair? How often do i have to apply this henna-indigo paste?
Welcome Sheena. The color usually lasts about 4-6 weeks, but some grey hairs can be tough and cause some of the indigo to fade off for some people. It depends on your grey hairs. But once you’ve done a couple of applications it does get very accustomed to your hair and sticks better if you have such an issue
Hi, I was wondering I henna and then use indigo for a jet black color. Is it neccessary to henna everytime is can I mix the henna and indigo to refresh my black color. Thank you in advance.