Indigo aka Black Henna: Dying Hair with Natural Plant Dyes (the 2-step process)

Slightly Edit for a few subscibers who was a little confused, thinking I dyed my hair with dye that you dye your clothes with... you know who you are...lol smile :)

For this tutorial I used the Black Bundle for African American from www.Mehandi.com (scroll down until you see Black Bundle for African American Hair http://www.mehandi.com/shop/african/index.html )

This is tutorial is showing how to make your hair one of the various colors of black you may get from applying henna first and then indigo second. There's only one way to mix indigo, water and add a tsp of salt per 100 grams to help the indigo to cling better.

Note: Please watch and/or read 'more info' on the Body Art Quality Henna Vlog for more links to the many different ways you can mix your henna.

Here's a link to other peoples mixes: http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/

My hair is naturally black (or an off black). I love the benefits of using henna (http://www.mehandi.com/shop/headlice/index.html ) The part about it will leave your hair thick, silky, and healthy ;) and I use indigo after my henna application to darken the reddish orange to a burgandy black. The color results depends on your natural hair color and how you mix your henna, how long you let the henna sit and how long you leave your henna on your hair.

Check out www.curlynikki.com for great henna tips
http://www.curlynikki.com/search/label/Henna

Direct Link to step by step instructions for Indigo aka Black Henna:
http://www.mehandi.com/shop/hairindigo/black.pdf

or the following is the instructions that came with the henna and indigo from www.mehandi.com

Indigo is a plant. The powdered leaves have a natural dark blue dye. Apply indigo after henna to dye your hair black. Very few people are allergic to indigo, but it can happen. Test First!

Mix and Apply Indigo for Black Hair (Two-Step Process):
*Mix Henna, After Dye Release apply to your hair, let sit for at least 5 hours, rinse.
* Mix indigo with water. Add enough water to make a paste about the consistency of stirred up yogurt. Add a teaspoon of salt to help the indigo stain darker. Apply Indigo Immediately.
* Wear plastic gloves and towel then start to apply it in sections or however you choose.
*Wrap your hair in plastic, and wrap a towel or headwrap around that to reduce mess and increase warmth.
* Leave the paste in your hair for 1 to 2 hours. At this time you can sit outside in your yard and enjoy the sun, the heat will help the indigo to stain faster.
* Rinse the paste out.
* If there is a slight green color, that should go away in 1 day.
* Within two days you'll see the true black color. If you can hold out with just rinsing your hair for 48 hours before washing/conditioning/and adding products feel free to do so. I at least try to go 3 hours before doing so.

Don't worry if it doesn't come out as you wish the first time. Wait several days then reapply.

I order my Henna and Indigo from www.Mehandi.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• dye
• hair
• black
• natural
• naturally
• indigo
• henna
• powder
• plant
• napptural
• nappy
• kinky
• curly
• coily
• afro
• twa
• african
• american
• texture

[Riinasaurr]

How did you keep it from staining your skin??

[NappyChronicles]

@Riinasaurr

I only use Body Art Quality Henna from mehandi(dot)com... wearing gloves on hands is a must (not wearing gloves I've stained my hands before also the hair line where it leaks may slightly stain (try applying vaseline around hairline and neck area to minimize staining around hairline/face/neck)... simply washing or a couple days or so it'll fade. Also, be careful of who you purcahse your henna from, sometimes it's not 100% pure nor safe.

[rainaaskew]

I am hoping to achieve blue black results. What would be the best way? Henna before or henna and indigo at the same time? What ratio of henna to indigo. The blacker the better!! Thanks for all of the great info, Sis. :)

[NappyChronicles]

@rainaaskew

Hey Raina

Hope all is well. My goal was to achieve a reddish burgundy black... The best advice I could give is to google search or go directly to the site mehandi(dot)com to see if you can locate or inquire on how to achieve the color you're going for. I'll send you a PM (of a link I found).  Hope it helps.

[rainaaskew]

@NappyChronicles Thanx Sis! I'm gonna do it tonight!

[NappyChronicles]

@rainaaskew

let us know which regimen you chose and how it comes out!!!

[FranFFXII]

@rainaaskew use just the indigo to get a blue black result but it also depends on your natural hair color

[NappyChronicles]

@JJolaine

mehandi(dot)com

[JJolaine]

Where did you get your indigo?

[NappyChronicles]

@money123gj

applying coconut oil afterwards is a popular trend... go to google(dot)com and search these key words... apply coconut oil after indigo henna ... to research (find links) where others have :)