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Give your hair a natural makeover with henna and indigo for a rich, dark-brown to black color—all thanks to the power of plants!
I’ve been dyeing my hair with henna and indigo for over five years now, and it’s honestly been a game changer. I love the rich, dark-brown to black color it gives my hair, and I also feel great knowing I’m using a natural, chemical-free option. It’s become part of my hair maintenance routine, and I love how soft and healthy my hair feels after every treatment.
Understanding Henna and Indigo: Mother Nature’s Dyes
Henna and indigo are two natural dyes that have been used for centuries, and they’re great for coloring hair. Henna comes from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, and indigo from the Indigofera tinctoria plant.
When henna alone is applied to the hair, it gives it a reddish-copper color. When indigo alone is applied to the hair, nothing happens (haha)! However, when indigo is applied to hair that already has henna’s color in it, that’s when the magic happens. It turns the hair into a beautiful, natural dark-brown to black color.
The process is pretty simple: you start by applying henna as the base color, then follow it up with indigo to get a rich dark-brown or black shade. That’s how I’ve used them in my hair for the past 5+ years.
The best part? It doesn’t just color your hair—it also nourishes and strengthens it.
Benefits of Using Henna and Indigo for Hair Dye
One of the best things about using henna and indigo on your hair is they’re completely natural and don’t contain any harsh chemicals. That makes them a safer option than synthetic dyes, which can be rough on your hair and scalp. Plus, they actually help improve your hair’s health.
Henna conditions your hair, leaving it softer and shinier, and indigo adds strength and shine.
How to Dye Your Hair Dark Brown to Black with Henna and Indigo
Before starting, you’ll need 100% henna and indigo powders (purchased separately; not mixed together). You’ll also want to plan ahead – like, the day before dyeing your hair – because henna needs about 6-12 hours to release its dye. I prepare my henna the evening or night before, and then apply it to my hair the next morning.
Supplies and Ingredients
Supplies:
- Hair dye bowl or mixing bowl
- Dye brush (coloring brush)
- Disposable gloves
- Coconut or olive oil (optional, to protect skin around hairline from staining)
- Plastic wrap
- Shower cap
- Dark towel (optional but recommended)
Ingredients:
- 100% henna powder
- 100% indigo powder
- Water
Applying the Henna
- For the best results, make sure your hair is clean and dry before you start.
- Mix your henna powder with water according to the instructions on the packet. The consistency you’re looking for is that of a yogurt or thick pancake batter.
- Cover the top of the mixture with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying, and let it sit for 6-12 hours, or overnight so the henna has time to release its dye. Side note, I have let mine sit almost 24 hours once (I got busy) and it was still perfectly fine to use.
- Put your gloves on and apply some oil around your hairline to prevent staining. Optionally divide your hair into sections, using clips to hold them in place. This makes it easier to apply the henna evenly.
- Give the henna a quick stir to fully incorporate the dye back into the paste. Using the dye brush, apply the paste to your hair one section at a time. You can start at the roots, then work your way to the tips. Make sure to coat your hair thoroughly; and avoid leaving any dry areas.
- Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and/or a shower cap and leave the henna on for 2-4 hours (I use both plastic wrap and a shower cap – and I leave it on for 2 hours).
- Rinse the henna out of your hair with water (no shampoo or conditioner – I know, this part is tough to get over at first). Use your dark towel to gently towel dry your hair, and then let it finish air drying completely. You’ll look wild, but in a nice way. If you’re in a rush, you can use a blow dryer to speed up the process.
Note, the last photo above is what my gray roots look like after applying henna. Henna dyes lighter hair more effectively than darker hair. More on that below in the “Tips” section.
Applying the Indigo
- Mix your indigo powder with water according to the instructions on the packet. The consistency should be a smooth, spreadable paste. If it’s too thick, it’ll clump up when applying to the hair – and make a mess everywhere. If it’s too thin, it won’t adhere to the hair – and will start running down your face and neck (ask me how I know).
- Let the indigo paste sit for about 15-30 minutes to release its dye. Yes, you read that right, only 15-30 minutes – way faster than henna!
- Put your gloves on and apply some oil around your hairline to prevent staining.
- Give the indigo a quick stir to fully incorporate the dye back into the paste. Using the dye brush, apply the paste to your hair one section at a time. You can start at the roots, then work your way to the tips. Make sure to coat your hair thoroughly; and avoid leaving any dry areas.
- Wrap your hair in plastic wrap and/or a shower cap and leave it on for 1-2 hours (I use both plastic wrap and a shower cap – and I leave it on for 1 hour).
- Rinse the indigo out of your hair with water (no shampoo). You can use a gentle conditioner on your hair at this point; just avoid applying it directly to your roots, and be sure to rinse it out completely.
- You are now done; brush and dry your hair as you please. Avoid shampooing or adding oils to your hair for the next 48-72 hours, to allow the colors to fully oxidize and set (I wait 72 hours). See my “Tips” section below for more information on this.
Tips for Using Henna and Indigo on Hair
- For a lighter shade of brown, leave the indigo on your hair for 15-30 minutes. For a dark brown to black shade, leave it on for 1-2 hours.
- After applying henna and indigo to your hair, the dyes will continue to oxidize over a period of 48-72 hours, which causes the color to darken and intensify. Although not a drastic difference, you’ll see the final result after 3 days.
- Avoid using shampoo, creams or oils in your hair for at least 48-72 hours after dyeing it, to allow the color to set. I personally wait 72 hours. Your hair won’t feel smooth or weightless during this time, but it will once you shampoo and condition it.
- Likewise, when you first brush your hair after using henna and indigo, it may be a little tougher than usual to brush, but that goes away once you wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
- Your hair will smell like a plant for up to a week, but it’s not intense; it’s just the small price we pay for using natural hair dye remedies. It’ll be fine 🙂
- There are many tips out there on adding a bit of lemon juice, brewed coffee, or tea to the henna mix for better color release, but in my experience this is not necessary. I’ve tried them all, and resorted back to the basic henna and water mix. Sometimes, less is more, and I like to keep things simple. That said, feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.
- There are some who recommend leaving henna on the hair for 6+ hours, or even overnight. In my experience, this extended amount of time is not necessary.
- Applying oil around the hairline will prevent staining, but if you missed a spot and need it removed, the best advice I can give (although not the most ideal) is to use a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove it. Otherwise, the stain should go away after a couple of days.
- For routine touch ups, I don’t always dye my entire hair. I mostly do touch ups on my roots every 3 months or so. If you need to touch up your roots only, use smaller amounts of henna and indigo powders. The packets usually include instructions with the recommended amounts for different hair lengths.
- To maintain your new natural hair color and keep it vibrant longer, avoid washing your hair too often. Use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
- Excessive sun exposure and chlorine can fade the color quicker. If that’s the case, do periodic touch ups to keep the color fresh.
FAQs
Yes! My gray hair started coming in at a youngish age (late 20's), and I use henna and indigo every 3 months or so to cover them.
Not at all. I have gone 2 days without applying the indigo to my hair, because life. When I finally applied it, the results were the exact same as if I had applied it the same day. Just don't shampoo, condition, or use oils on your hair before applying the indigo. And try to apply it within the first two days for the best results.
Absolutely. Same instructions apply.
Yes, but it's generally recommended to wait 4-6 weeks after chemical treatments like coloring, bleaching, or perming. This is because chemical treatments can cause hair damage, which makes the hair more porous and prone to uneven coloring with henna and indigo. If you're not sure, I recommend testing a small section of hair first.
The color can last 4-6 weeks, depending on hair type and care routine. Personally, it lasts longer for me. I only touch up my roots every 3 months or so. With 1 full-hair application per year.
Yes, you can. Here's a breakdown:
- Light Reddish-Brown or Copper: Apply henna alone. The longer you leave the henna on, the deeper the reddish tones. Note, if you're starting with dark hair, you won't achieve a light copper brown or red-brown with henna. You might still notice some copper tones throughout, but they won’t be as light or vibrant as they would be on lighter hair.
- Light to Dark Brown: Apply henna first, rinse and dry, then follow up with indigo for a shorter time (about 15-30 minutes for lighter brown or 1 hour for darker brown).
- Black: Apply henna first, rinse and dry, then follow up with indigo. Leave it on for about 2 hours.
Final Thoughts
Using henna and indigo to dye your hair is an excellent natural alternative to chemical dyes. These natural dyes not only give you a gorgeous, long-lasting color but also help nourish and strengthen your hair. I hope you feel encouraged to embrace the capability of nature and give henna and indigo a try. You’ll love the results!
Disclaimer:
Before using henna and indigo, it’s important to do a patch test to check for any allergic reactions. Everyone’s skin is different, and natural products can still cause sensitivity. Apply a small amount of the mixture to your skin 24-48 hours before full application to ensure it’s safe for you to use.
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