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.
Hi Kay. I prefer not to recommend microwave at all. I’d recommend you leave it out at room temperature or in a bowl of warm water. That will get it to melt but not push the dye to demise as well.
Hi dear, I have dark brown hair with 50% gray on the crown of my head. In the past I been using dark brown permanent dyes and now I have developed allergy to ppd. I would like to keep the hair color dark brown and would like to know what to order. I got good idea from reading the blog but want to make sure. I seems like 50/50 morrocon henna and indigo is my best bet but please help. Also some ppl are talking about mixing honey, coffee, lemon juice, salt, shikakai, amla powder etc. What do you recommend. Thanks
Lisa Kennedy, Monica had a question for you. I hope she has subscribed to replies on this thread.
Ravina, For a dark brown you should use at least 60-70% indigo and the rest henna (40-30%). You can add amla powder or coffee to tone it down some as well. But basic warm water is the basic addition as your liquid.
Eliz, the two toned hair color will look like highlights as well but in a way where the lighter parts look deeper red, so they’ll stand out more then the rest of your hair. You can do a few henna applications to try to bring the two together as a 1 color. It should eventually grow out
Marissa, you can do highlights with indigo and henna by putting the hair by strands with henna and indigo and then wrapping them up like in foil and then letting it dyes your hair like they would in the salon. You’re hair already dark toned so you’ll have to use a lot more indigo to get it dark at least 70% to be darker then your current hair color. You may also need help to dye your hair like highlights since you have to do a lot of sections or get a cap where you can pull bits of hair out through it.
Virago_Me, thank you for ordering with us. I really do recommend our shampoo bars and one of our hair oils as henna and herbs can be drying and your hair sounds like it would need that for sure so that you don’t get dried out and breakage. You can wash out the first step of henna with just water and conditioner. Then apply the indigo. It can be applied onto damp hair, as usually damp hair makes the applications go on much smoother. I hope this helps!
Thanks I will try that!
Hi! I bought 5 of your organic brown hair kits containing organic indigo and henna. I am Chinese, with black Asian hair, although an uneven 40% is bright white(which is mostly a strip of white hair at the part, like a skunk). I had been dying my hair black, and when about 2 inches of white root grew in, I tried two step process in your directions; the henna turned my white hair into bright orange hair. The indigo I applied afterwards did not change the orange. So I had black hair with 2 inches of bright orange at the roots. I got a lot of confused looks on the street. ; ) In the henna and indigo, I tried lemon juice, and another time vinegar — my results with white hair turning orange never changed. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can make my white hair dark brown at minimum? The orange roots looked to strange; I had to use chemical dye to cover over. Thank you!!!!!
Good day Lucy. Thanks for your post!
Okay your greys might be a bit more resistant so I recommend you add indigo to the henna part of your recipe. So for example you use henna and indigo at 50/50 proportions for the first step, add a little salt to the recipe. Then after you left that in. Use the indigo again as a second step and add some salt to the recipe again as salt can help it cling better to the hair strand. Watch this video on how to use and mix our organic indigo powder as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmS-rdh5s6Q
Let me know if this helps! You can also email us directly for faster replies.
Why do I get the feeling that some people want to avoid indigo? Is it because you can never bleach over it? Can you bleach over just henna? Would henna and alma alone give a brown color? I’ve got the lush brown coming any day now, but I didn’t get any amla- if it’s too red for me, can I add amla alone after to tone down red or fo I have to wait until next app?
What if I use the indigo and decide I want redder hair, will I be able to go to a redder henna?
Kat, thanks for posting. I’m not really sure as indigo is actually our best selling herb. Some people are nervous perhaps about the darker tones or black or just that it’s different to handle for dye release then henna is. Henna and amla could give a nice brown. but it might not get as dark as medium brown, and a bit of red would still come through for some. Amla alone doesn’t usually yield color change for most. So you’d have to use it with henna to get it a bit more brown but really indigo is stronger for that (brown tones). Yes if you decide to change and go to use henna alone at a later time for more red tones that would be fine as well and it would give it red tones
Thanks for the info. I have a question for my nanny… She has long black hair, but in the sun it has some brown in it, is there something she could put in to make her brown into a burgandy color? Also she is going to get her hair relaxed, can she henna after the relax?
Welcome Kat. Yes absolutely. She can used straight henna as her recipe. The henna will eventually build up some as well to give deeper red tones. She can henna after her relaxer as it’d be easier to apply and it’d help to loosen curls as well. But it’s interesting to see what people do more so, if they do it before or after. I haven’t asked that often of our clients.
Hi again, should I add camellia oil to the henna paste for the conditioning? If yes, how much would I add to 100 grams of henna? I also have lavender and Rosemary EOils, should I add both or only one? How much EOils? Thanks!
Morning Kat. Yes you can do that. I’d recommend about 1-2 tbsp of camellia oil and any oil you may like (hair oil). Essential oils would be less about 1-2 tsp if you wanted to.
If you like the combined scent of both oils you can add 1 tsp of each. Let me know how it comes out
Hi,
I used a henna indigo blend of about 60/40 and got expected results of reddish orange gray roots on my medium to darkish brown hair with red tones. Can I use straight indigo now on just my root area to get the reddish orange gray hairs a more brown tone? If so, how long should I leave it on? Thank you so much for your help!
Hello SCW, If you use straight indigo on your roots any new growth may come out green. You need a base of henna to get brown to black tones. Leave it on the same amount of time as you would regularly do so. From 3-4 hours I hope this helps.
How long after henna should I wait to go into a chlorinated pool?
Kat, you don’t have to wait when you use natural henna and body art quality henna (oure henna). You should be good to go. As I’ve done the same thing personally and it was fine đŸ™‚
On strand test (50/50 henna, indigo), brown came out good, grey came out orange. I left it on hairball 4 hours. What should I try for orange roots – indigo gloss? I read someone say henna first then henndigo after…?
Good morning Kat. If you henna first and then indigo this is usually for black tones. You can add more indigo. Did you mix the indigo seperately from the henna when mixing?
Yup, I let the morrocan henna sit for 2 hours and I mixed the indigo and added a dash of salt and let sit 12 minutes, then mixed the two together….
Hi Kat. That sounds good for the moroccan. With the indigo and if it’s our organic indigo you’ll need to let it sit at least 30 minutes as I found it needed a bit more time and with hot liquid. Please view our video on youtube on mixing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmS-rdh5s6Q
I don’t know if it’s organic… I got your lush brown. Should I put straight henna first and then the henndigo? I’ve been told it will darken the orange
Kat, yes it’s that one. It will darken the orange but might push towards black. Depends if you want it that dark. If so then yes do that for sure. Just adjust the dye release time and make sure to use hot water
No, I don’t want black, but I don’t want The bright orange greys either….it might be ok now, but as I get more greys, that might look funny
Kat, sure, and let us know how it comes out when you get a chance and if that doesn’t work as well then please try the new indigo we have coming as it works better for more resistant greys and hair
Hi, first thankyou for creating this blogspot..absolutely love your spot!
I have black Indian medium-fine hair. Started to gray..so I want to dye it rich burgundy/mahogany- I like the rich red highlights that I had long time ago when I used fresh henna leave paste (after a buildup). Can u please give me a recipe for that please. At home here (in Toronto) I have henna that says is mixed with other herbs like amla, shikakai, etc. The product is called Nupur Henna. It’s good on hair -condiotoning and all. but I cannot achieve the color. Please help. Also what effect does lemon juice have on henna and if heat helps develop color faster or deeper? somethings I hear from people!!!
Thanks again…great Job
sorry, I forgot to add, I would like to use product from your store, so please recommend the recipe based on that.
Welcome Abira. Thanks for stopping by. The henna you have might not be strong enough as it has other herbs in it which dilutes the red results of henna since it;s not 100% henna. I’d recommend you get our yemeni henna powder. We have local pick up in Mississauga, and also two retail locations in Toronto. I recommend just warm water honestly as lemon juice can be drying. Instructions will come with your order, and if you view the henna powders category on our site at http://www.hennasooq.ca you’ll see we have many youtube videos on our channel there for you to view more recipes. This will definitely help you get started with our products.
Hi, I love all the henna, hair oils, herbs and shamppo bars I bought from you. Your products are addicting, and I can’t get enough! I love love love your camellia oil as moisturizer for my face and hair. I’m thinking of infusing hibiscus powder in my camellia oil so I can have a reddish colored oil to use on my hair after shampoo. If doing so won’t affect the quality of the oil, can you invent or think of a recipe for me to try? đŸ™‚
I have your organic indigo on my hair right now, and it is so very drippy i am finding it unbearable – green drips constantly rolling out from under my shower cap. Is this normal? This begun half an hour after applying and i have now an hour later already used an entire kitchen roll mopping the drips up. Strange thing is, the mixture actually seemed quite dry when i was putting it on. The Yemeni henna i used just before was perfect consistency, no drips at all. Unfortunately you have no CMC in stock right now. Would that make all the difference with the indigo ?
Louise, thank you for your post. Indigo in general is very drippy, but did you mix it a bit thick? Are you using it straight to make black tones? Some do add cornstarch to thicken it which you can try.
You must also be a very warm person, as sometimes even henna can drip easily for warmer people, so I’ve noticed.
I hope these tips help
Eliz, you are amazing! Thank you. As for infusing the hibiscus with oils. You can do so but need a really fin strainer as well. Usually you use double the oil to herbs. Like for example 2 cups of oil would need 1 cup of herbs. We do some infusions here for our soaps. Infusions are done either with warm heat, or at room temperature in warmth, like on a warm day. The room temperature method may take severals days or week or so. We use low heat method, this takes at least 3-4 days, and then we let it drip and strain about 24 hours more. I’d recommend youtube for infusion videos so you can see hands on as we don’t currently have one online
Hello Khadija, thank you for your reply. I did mix the indigo as thick as possible, in fact, the consistency seemed perfect when i put it on and as i mentioned, did not drip for the first half hour. Yes, with the henna first, I was trying to achieve black in a 2 step process. I had added a table spoon of salt to the indigo also. How much corn starch would i need per 100g indigo to stop drips ?
Hi Louise, welcome! I have known clients to use cornstarch to thicken it up. Try a bit of that for sure.
i would like a very dark chocolate to black hair color. i am nigerian and my hair is very coars, i’d guess a 4c or more texture and i am trying to grow it out naturaly so i am in d research stage, thats how i came across henna sooq, i would need a lot of help/advice as to what herbs, oils and recipes to use.
Right now my hair is still in breads and i will take them out as soon as the weather in calgary gets warm and stable, i hope i’ll have all i need by then cos i am sceard of carring my hair for d whole summer without being prepared to take care of it.
I guess all i’m trying to ask is where do i start?
Thanks for your post Chika. Absolutely, great questions. First off you’d need henna and indigo to get dark tones as you want them. Cocoveda and Argan Oil are too perfect hair oils for you to start with. Watch our videos and make sure to read the instructions that come with the products. A natural shampoo that we have that would be great for your hair is Cocoveda as well as it’s very moisturizing.
Can I put oil on my hair like coconut or castor oil before my Henna treatment, will the dye take or the other benefits of henna be less? The reason I ask is because my hair is so dry after a treatment that I deep condition and do a hot oil treatment to combate the dryness, what are some suggestions that can help me avoid dryness?
Thank you for your post Nadu. If you have too much oil in your hair or a layer of hair oil in it, it may create a barrier against the henna dye. You can add some oil to your henna mix directly and that would be better and for sure use your hair oils afterwards. I’d recommend then that you also add some oil right into your paste henna mixture and then apply.
Bismillaah
Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
Dear sister Khadija,
May Allah, Azza wa Jal, bless you and everyone involved in conveying authentic and knowledgeable information to readers of this blog regarding henna and other natural products, ameen.
I actually emailed you a short while ago, before coming across the above useful questions and comments.
Alhamdulillah, I’ve been growing my hair natural for about six years now, and previously used ‘Amla oil’ (before being told it may not be permissible), which worked wonders on my hair, alhamdulillah.
After recently finding out about the beneficial properties of henna, I’m eager to begin using it as well. However, as my hair is jet-black, I do not want to change its colour, thus, is it Islamically permissible for me to mix henna with amla/brahmi/neem powder? I’m aware that these products darken and prevent premature greying, hence my uncertaninty regarding its permissibility. So, if I mixed amla/brahmi/neem with henna, would it still be classified as dyeing the hair black, even though henna has been mixed with it, and my hair is already jet-black?
I really appreciate your help.
Jazaakillaahu khairan katheran, ameen.
Wassalaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.
Your sister-in-Islam,
Umm Ismaeel -x-
Thank you Umm Ismaeel for your message. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. We’ve replied to you via email.
Hello.
My natural haircolor is brown, not very dark. I bleeched it but will want to go back to a brown tone. I’d like to use henna and indigo. My hair is 4″ over shoulder-length and I will purchase 100 grams of both. How many of the indigo should i add? A bit of red would be lovely, but I would like just a red shine… not more.
Thanks in advance!
Marijke
Thanks for your post Marijke. I’d recommend you use for your hair and length a total of 150 grams of powder. Use at least 50% of each, so in equal proportions, and that will give you your brown tone with a reddish tint. With the bleached areas you may have to do a second application as it’s lighter, I presume and you need to darken that up more then the rest of your natural hair color because it’s lighter and you have to match it all back together as one.
Hello! Getting ready to Henndigo my hair. It is an auburn/red from 2 previous henna treatments. I would like a chocolate brown, and I read above:
“If you want a little bit darker, like chocolate brown then 50& indigo and 40% henna. This would be mixed together like a one step process recipe.”
Does this mean I would mix the henna AND the indigo at once, and apply, instead of doing a dye release first and mixing the indigo the next day and putting it all together?
Thank you for being so accessible!
Thanks Miss Y, for your post. First you mix the henna and get dye release, and then mix the indigo in another bowl and get dye release. Then put the two pastes together and apply it.
For chocolate brown it’s 60% indigo and 40% henna, or more indigo for a darker chocolate brown.
I have never used henna or indigo before. I really want black hair. My natural hair color is a dark dusty brown color. I would like shiny black hair. What products do I need to use? How much product?
I also want to know if later down the line I decide on brown/red hair would that still be possible if I change my hair to black.
Shamika, thank you for your post. The amount you need depends on your hair length and thickness. Please let us know what it is so we can make a recommendation. For black tones you’ll need henna and indigo. You’ll do a 2 step treatment for that color. You’ll use 100% of each at a time.
hello!
okay so i just ordered and received from your site morrocan henna, idigo, and amla. My hair has never been dyed and is rich dark brown. being natural in color its very dimensional and the brown tones vary. Its medium thickness and is about to my bra strap in length. its my first time and i’m nervous but super excited! đŸ™‚ I want to acheive my same hair color or as close as i can (i know every experience is unique and its difficult to get exact results). I can’t seem to find a good recipe. I’m planning on a 100g henna 200g indigo 25g amla. is that too much? help please đŸ™‚ oh and i love your site! It by far has the most info i could find and makes me feel very confident in using your products.