Proper application of henna and indigo herbal hair colour is crucial for achieving great results! Please follow the comprehensive step-by-step guide below to prepare for application, use proper application technique, and wash the paste out easily. The application procedure for root touch-up is also described below.
Things You Need:
- Henna and/or indigo hair colour paste
- Hair dye applicator brush (recommended)
- Plastic bags/sheets
- Petroleum jelly
- Gloves
- Shower cap or plastic to cover hair
- Old towel
- Shampoo and hair conditioner
- Wide-toothed comb (optional)
Helpful Tips Before Getting Started:
- Natural hair colour works best on a clean scalp. We recommend washing your hair with shampoo a day before application. Please do not use hair conditioner.
- Henna can stain clothes and surfaces. Always cover the counter and wear an old t-shirt before applying hair colour. Cover your shoulders with a plastic sheet/bag. If you wear glasses, wrap the temples with plastic wrap.
- You can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the paste to add some fragrance. You can also add in 1-2 tablespoons of aloe vera powder for hair conditioning.
Prepare for Application
Comb and part your hair in the middle. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly just below your entire hair line and over the ears. This will prevent the paste from staining the skin incase it drips down from the head. Cover shoulders with an old towel or plastic sheet. Wear gloves before starting the application.
Application
1) Start applying the paste from middle of head: You can apply with your hands or use a hair dye applicator brush. Take a small section of hair from the crown area (about 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick) and apply a thick layer of paste from roots to the tip. To ensure proper root coverage it is important to start applying paste from the scalp. Make sure the section of hair is covered with the paste from all sides, leaving no area dry. Twist the section of hair and coil it in a small pin curl on top of the head.
Tip: During application if you notice the paste is getting thicker and harder to apply, add one or more teaspoons of water to get it back to the perfect consistency. If the paste is too thin, add one or more pinches of henna/indigo powder to make it thicker. Remember, the perfect consistency is like beaten yogurt.
2) Apply paste to front hair first: Take small sections of hair right next to the bun, cover them with paste using the same technique, and wrap the sections around the bun (one section at a time). If you have shorter hair and cannot wrap the hair around the bun, pile the sections on top of the bun instead. The hair sections will keep sticking to each other because of the wet paste. Continue this process until all hair from the front of the head have been covered with paste and collected on top of the head. Now apply more paste at the front hairline to ensure proper coverage.
3) Now apply paste to the back hair: Use the same method. Take sections of hair right next to the bun, apply paste from root to tips, and wrap the sections around the bun. Continue this process until all hair from the back of the head have been covered with paste and collected on top of the head.
4) Wear a shower cap and keep head warm: Cover the hair completely with the shower cap. You can also use a plastic bag. This step is very important as the paste needs to stay wet in order to stain the hair. Dry paste will not stain the hair well. You can also wrap an old towel over the shower cap or wear a winter cap to keep the head warm. Heat helps bonding of the hair dye with the hair strands.
5) Keep the head covered for 4 hours for best results. Natural hair dyes are not harsh like chemical hair dyes and require time to stain the hair.
Wash The Paste Out
1) Wash the paste out with warm water: You may wish to wear gloves for this step. In the shower, let warm water run over the head (avoiding face and eyes). Slowly open the bun as the paste starts to loosen with water. Please DO NOT use shampoo. Spend some time to massage the scalp to get the paste out.
2) Use hair conditioner: Now apply a generous amount of hair conditioner on scalp and hair. You can use a wide-toothed comb to comb your hair from tips working your way up to the roots. This will distribute the conditioner evenly, untangle the hair, and make it easy for the remaining paste to flow out. Rinse your hair thoroughly. Repeat this step if required.
3) Dry and comb your hair: After washing, wrap hair with an old towel for 15 minutes before letting your hair air dry or using a hair dryer. Comb your hair well. If your scalp feels itchy, you can wash your hair again with conditioner only.
4) After 2 days, wash hair with shampoo and conditioner: The hair colour will get darker and strengthen over 2 days so it is best to shampoo after that time. If the scalp/hair feel dry, you may oil your hair for a couple of hours before this step.
Please note, since there are no harsh chemicals in natural hair colour, repeat application may be required to achieve the desired colour. Repeat application every 3 to 4 weeks for best results and maximum grey coverage. With every application, the hair colour gets darker.
Henna and Indigo Root Touch-Up
After the first full head application, you may wish to only do a root touch up for the new growth of grey hair. Make a small batch of henna and/or indigo paste following instructions on the packet. You will need 4 to 8 tablespoons of powder mixed with water, depending on your hair thickness. Prepare for application as described above. There are two methods for root touch-up:
First Method: Using a hair dye applicator brush or your fingers, apply paste to the new growth of grey hair and scalp, one section at a time. You can use a sectioning comb to part your hair evenly during the application process. Once the application is complete, tie hair in a loose ponytail or braid and wear a shower cap to cover the paste. Wait for 4 hours and then wash your hair following the instructions above. A full head application is still recommended every 4 to 6 weeks for best results.
Second Method: Part your hair in the middle and make 3 to 4 loose braids/ponytails on the right side and 3 to 4 on the left side. This will section your hair so you can work on one section at a time. The braid/ponytails should be tied loosely enough for the roots of hair to be accessed easily during application. Using a squirt bottle or your fingers, apply paste to the scalp and new growth of grey hair. Since the hair is tied, you will have to massage and press the paste in to make sure the paste covers all the roots. Once the application is complete, wear a shower cap to cover the paste. Wait for 4 hours and then wash your hair following the instructions above. A full head application is still recommended every 4 to 6 weeks for best results.
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