Since I hit my 30s, I’ve been noticing greys creeping up one by one. Maybe not 50 shades, but enough to be noticeable! Sadly, most of them turn up around the crown of my head and end up being very visible. Ever since I decided to grow out my hair, I’ve been trying to take care of it better and part of that was to stop using chemical dyes on it.
I just got tired of the whole cycle of getting damaged and split ends, cutting it then wondering why I wasn’t able to grow it out. So around 3-4 years ago I decided to start using henna. My henna of choice is the one by Shahnaz Hussain, and I’ve been happy with it. I actually like the smell and love the way it conditions my hair.
But, from 8-10 greys or so, I now have loads more…sigh, the perils of ageing!! And, I really detest those bright orangey-red threads running though my hair. I literally had nightmares of my whole head turning a ghastly orange. After the usual internet research, I found there were 2 options to naturally colour hair dark-brown to black, though it doesn’t seem to be used commonly in India. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Both these methods involve the use of indigo, and as fate would have it, when I happened to step into the local organic store a few days later, I spotted it on the shelf, so picked up a pack. This is the one that I’m using, and it’s available on flipkart and amazon, probably other sites too. Since then I’ve used it twice, and I did get better results the 2nd time I used it. Just like plain henna, it builds up colour with each use.
By the way this is the same indigo used to dye denim, and it can’t be used on it’s own, it’s always used in combination with henna. So, if you would like to know how to use it, read on ladies (and gents)!
So, the thing about the indigo molecule is that it literally needs the henna to hold onto the hair shaft and they are used together either as a 1-step or 2-step process. In a 2-step process, you get a deep blue-black colour, which I understand colours even lighter toned hair and the 1-step gives you a deep auburn to dark-brown shade.
I’m going to talk about the 1-step process as that’s the only one I’ve personally tried, also blue-black shades don’t suit my skin-tone. So, do think about that as well when deciding upon a hair colour. I see a lot of girls around with hair shades that don’t at all suit their skin tones, and it makes one look either washed-out or clownish. My natural hair colour is dark brown, but this brings out much richer brown hues in it. Here’s what you will need.
Ingredients
- 60% Henna
- 40% Indigo
- enough water to mix
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt
The quantity you use will depend on your hair length and thickness so I’m going to assume for the purpose of this post that you’re already familiar with using henna and know how much is required for your own hair. That’s the total amount of henna + indigo you would need. Also, the more auburn you want your hair, the higher the proportion of henna required.
Preparation
The henna mix has to be prepared first as it takes roughly 4-8 hours for dye release. I add enough warm water to it to get a thick yogurt-like consistency and leave it overnight. Be sure to add plain water. Unlike your standard henna mix where you add an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, here you must not, as an acidic medium inhibits the indigo.
Indigo, when prepared must be used immediately as the dye demises very quickly. The next morning (after preparing the henna) I wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo and don’t apply conditioner, so that all the build-up is removed from my hair and it’s completely clean. Then I mix the indigo powder into the henna, add salt and some more water to keep the consistency.
Salt is supposed to further enhance the dye release. By this time my hair is damp, not dripping wet, and I apply the mix and cover my head with a shower cap. Indigo cannot be stored once mixed. The application and look of it is pretty much the same as a henna mix.
Most people recommend to keep it in the hair for 1-2 hours but I usually end up leaving it for around 3 hours and then rinse my hair out with water. If you leave it in for longer, the henna colour will gradually overpower the indigo. When using indigo, it’s not recommended to use shampoo/ conditioner for at least 48 hours after. Since it does tend to dry the hair out a bit, I lightly oil it while it’s still damp. Indigo will take 48-72 hrs to oxidise, so don’t worry if the colour looks too red. It will darken over that time.
Precautions
As with anything else, when trying this for the 1st time be sure to do a patch test somewhere not noticeable. Also, this may react adversely with chemical dye, so be sure to check that before use. And finally, enjoy your luscious shiny-brown locks!
I always wanted to try this!! I’m yet to find good Indigo somewhere.
You can get indigo on Amazon and flipkart. I’m quite happy with the one I have featured here. However, indigo should not be stored too long- try and use it within a few months. Also, if you want a blue-black shade, go for the two- step process, not one-step like I’ve done.
Hi, thanks for your post. Found it very helpful. I just wanted to check how long does gray stay covered with this mix before you need to dye again.
Hi, glad you enjoyed this- I found when I initially started using it, I needed to apply it every 2-3 weeks, but now I do the application only after 4-6 weeks. With the colour build-up over successive uses, it takes longer to fade as well. My hair grows quite fast so I have to cover the grey roots when they show. The indigo tends to fade out faster than the henna. How fast it fades for you will depend also on what kind of shampoo you use. Sulphate/ stronger shampoos will fade out the colour much faster. I actually don’t have that many grays in my whole head, so I only re- apply to the roots in the front of my head every time. I do a full-head/ hair application only once every 3 months. This makes it much easier and more convenient for me than a full application every few weeks.
Do let me know how it turns out for you if you decide to try it out.
Thanks for the prompt and detailed reply Nayantara. Did the application last morning. The greys got coppery,could be cause they were virgin greys. Hoping it will get better with repeat application.
Oh, that’s cool! It takes 48 to 72 hours after application for the dye to oxidise and darken some more, but unfortunately grey hairs are usually extra resistant to dye 🙁 I hope you did not use shampoo or conditioner after dying, and stuck to a water-only rinse. These days I use my okra/ bhindi based mixture to cleanse+ condition my hair after the henn-digo application instead of just water, and my hair is soft and shiny after. You can find the post on this site.
If possible, do another 2-3 applications a week apart, only on the grey areas if you can. After that you can do them further apart.
Hi
What all precautions we should take. As we are using indigo and u said before applying henna + indigo should not apply condition. So always condition should not get apply. Please reply. I m ready to try this
Hello Priya, you can read the end of the post for precautions mentioned. Also, please go through the entire post carefully for the detailed method of applying. Just before applying this, it’s best to have freshly shampooed hair, but do not apply conditioner. As mentioned, post-application, and after you rinse the mix out of your hair using plain water, you can apply a light coating of oil (whichever oil suits you) but do not apply any conditioner at this stage. As I said, do not wash your hair again for minimum 48 hours after this (2-3 days). After this 2-3 days you can wash hair as you normally do, with shampoo and conditioner. Hope this helps. Do let me know if you have any more doubts 🙂
Hi The problem is after application of indigo , the root shows as grey immediately after 3 -4 days. If i dont apply Indigo and leave only henna.. even then the roots show within 3-4 days.. Any solution as i have more greys in front and sides only.
Hi The problem is after application of indigo , the root shows as grey immediately after 3 -4 days. If i dont apply Indigo and leave only henna.. even then the roots show within 3-4 days.. Any solution as i have more greys in front and sides only.
What brand of Henna to use and how to actually prepare mix.
Hi I’m not sure why this is happening to you. Possible reasons are that your hair grows very fast, but even then seeing roots in 3-4 days is too soon. The brands of henna I have used are by Shahnaz Hussain and currently I’m using Nupur Henna (Godrej), both of which are good quality. Make sure you have a fresh batch of henna and indigo by checking the expiry date.
Some other tips to make your colour last longer-
– Use a sulphate free mild shampoo. Sulphates tend to fade dyes faster.
– Use a clarifying shampoo (this one will contain sulphates) only about once a month just before you apply henna/ indigo to your hair to make sure your scalp is completely clean of product residue and oils- this may help the roots to take up the colour better.
– Do not use shampoo or conditioner in your hair for 3 days after applying henna/ indigo.
– Some homemade masks which use lemon or honey have a slight lightening effect on hair. try and avoid these.
– Try doing an application of henna only. Mix enough quantity of warm water with the henna powder to make a thick paste and leave it overnight for the dye to release. Apply it to your freshly shampooed (no conditioner) hair the next morning. Make sure the roots are coated generously and leave it in for at least 6 hrs before rinsing off with plain water. After 3 days, prepare a henna-indigo mix as explained in the post- henna mix prepared the same way overnight and indigo with proportionate quantity of water added to it in the morning. Use it within 10 minutes after mixing the indigo, againh pay special attention to the roots. Rinse off with water only after 2-3 hours. Again wait 3 days before using a mild sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair.
Have you ever used conventional dyes to colour your hair- if so, did your roots grow out very fast then as well? For some people, their grey hairs are very resistant to taking up colour, that could be the case for you. Please let me know if this works for you in case you try it. Thanks!
Using Shahnaz Husain Hair Mascara, Black or Shahnaz Husain Hair Touch Up, Black for the touch up in between the 2 applications of Henna+Indigo in case the hair grows fast is a good idea?
I”m not familiar with these products, can you tell me the ingredients in them?
hi there,
very impressive post. i am going to try this out, can you please tell me the sulphate free shampoo you have been using. and also the clarifying shampoo. i am unable to get any sulphate free shampoo. would be g8 help.
thx
Hi Bina! Would love to your feedback if you try this out. I have tried a few sulphate-free shampoos. Khadi has a line of various SLS and paraben free shampoos which I tried, however they don’t give the full ingredient list. I have tried the Henna & Tulsi variant and it’s worked well for me. The Body Shop’s Rainforest range also has one that I’ve tried though it’s a bit pricey. Another one I’m currently using and am happy with is the Giovanni Smooth as Silk shampoo (available in Health & Glow outlets, as well as online). The OGX brand (imported) is also sulphate free, however has silicones which I avoid. Some small brand organic shampoos as well are sulphate free, available in organic stores or online.
As for clarifying shampoo, I like the Herbal Essences Drama clean (green colour) as well as the Toni & Guy Detox shampoo. Pantene has one as well called Lively clean though I’ve not tried it out. Hope that helps!
Thx…for such detailed list. . will certainly get back once i try these out.
I really appreciate the feed back.
thx again
hi.
i got the indigo powder and henna today. (had ordered online)
am going to try it out tomorrow. B4 that just a small clarification. you
have mentioned not to add lemon or any acidic stuff to mix henna, but most of the henna+indigo hair mix available on net, they mention to add lemon to henna mix and soak it overnight. it will release the color in henna, since u mix indigo only next mong, by then the henna utilises the power of lemon. thereafter when u mix indigo soak it for 15 minutes & then apply it immediately. Now am really confused as to add lemon or not. any idea. my hair color is not black its brown ( similar to your hair picture with the flash.) so far i have been applying only henna mixed in tea water, lemon salt and oil. but i thought i would try the henna indigo mix. can you pl guide
Also have you ever tried colorless henna for conditioning? any views ?
awaiting reply.
thx
bina
Hey, Firstly I’m really happy that you’ve been inspired to try this out!
When mixing henna with indigo, please do not add anything acidic such as lemon etc. The pH of the mix will change to an acidic value, the lemon will not get used up as you think. The acidic pH will affect the dye release of the indigo. In fact when you add a pinch of salt to henna-indigo mix, it turns the pH slightly alkaline, which works best for indigo. Henna is already a strong dye, even without lemon etc. it’ll release the dye well.
I think colourless henna is actually cassia, another herb- sorry, but I’ve not tried this out. I hear it’s good for conditioning without dying properties.
Also, if you check out my post on DIY okra (bhindi) hair conditioner, there’s a pic of my hair taken outdoors ( the before one) which shows it’s natural colour, if that helps you get a better idea of the colour change. I use the henna-indigo to give me a richer, darker shade of brown. Apologies for the pics in this post being a bit low-lit.
hey that so quick a reply, thx a lot!!
Actually am so thrilled to try it out, and didnt want to waste a day.
you really saved my day by replying instantly. thx for making things clear.
& yes you are right colorless henna is cassia, & i believe its good as conditioner.
thx
bina
i already chkd yout okra post. i will again chk for the pictures.
thx
thx,,,, i tried the henna indigo mix as per the instructions listed here and ur tips. colorwise not much of a difference but the hair texture was better with ingigo mixed in henna. only henna used to make my hair very dry. may be repeated use of indigo + henna will improve the color as well.since you have so much knowledge on these things, can you help me with the reason and remedy for dry hair? am 47 yrs and till about six yrs b4 my hair texture was very smooth and silky, ( of course with natural wavy hair, not the straight length) my friends always thought that i visit the saloon and get my hair set in wavy pattern.which wasnt true . it was naturally beautiful. now past 6 yrs i have lost the smooth texture & its terribly dry, i tried everything possible,hibiscus flower, methi pack, banana+olive oil , name anything related to hair conditioning i have tried. my diet is simple veg food. no health issue, no thyroid, i also went to richfeel trichology centre. The doctor said i just hv dry hair problem and prescribed some medicine which is with minerals needed for hair(they claim it to be herbal). but i am not willing to take any oral medicine, and risk my so far good health. i have healthy scalp and hair growth. only issue is dry hair, but it has spoiled my entire outlook.its so dry that i have to apply little oil while the hair is wet else it doesnt stay.Can you attribute any reason for this amount of dryness and any suggestions. i am so desparate to get back my original hair texture. past two years i am using reetha+shikakai+ some more herbs powder to shampoo my hair, wud really appreciate ur suggestions..
Thanks for your feedback- it’s always great to receive it from readers like you 🙂
Regarding the henna-indigo colour, yes, you will need to use it 3-4 times to notice the colour build-up, though I would suggest roots-only application after that with full-hair applications around once in 3-4 months.
About the reasons for your hair dryness, the first thing would be to clarify it completely with shampoos suggested, and then deep condition after. Sometimes buildup from various products can prevent nourishment from reaching the hair shaft.
Another thing is- I don’t know your hair routine, but using conditioner after every single time you shampoo is an absolute must, especially for wavy and curly hair types. Sometimes the hair texture itself changes due to hormonal changes as one gets older and using leave-ins and oils after washing is perfectly fine- just as you would use moisturisers for your skin after a bath to prevent it from drying out. In fact most curly & wavy hair people need to use them regularly to keep the hair healthy and hydrated.
If this doesn’t work it’s possible you’re not getting enough healthy fats in your diet which are highly essential for good skin and hair. Various foods like flax seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado fruits, even ghee and butter (in small amounts) are necessary to your body. Apart from this, of course drinking enough water is important. Depending on the climate where you live and your activity levels you may require more than 8-10 glasses/ day.
If you feel that internal consumption of fats and hydration is sufficient, is it possible that your hair has been damaged in some other way? With fine hair (when each hair strand is thinner than average), even harsh brushing/ combing/ detangling can damage the hair shaft.
Maybe you could tell me more about your products and routine and I can try to help.
thanks! will do root only application. B4 that i will try the clarifying shampoo and deep conditioning, on my next application of henna. As u rightly said it can be more of hormonal changes & less fat in my diet. i do take ghee 1/2 tsp and eat enough of fruits , water, etc but since i have some digestion issues i avoid heavy fatty food. but i will include flaxseeds and things mentioned by you. i wash my hair twice a week, oil it well a day b4 , keep it overnight & then wash. for years i used sunsilk , thereafter garnier fructus, for a while pantene, but as said earlier, my hair stated drying up so past two years i stopped using shampoo.i only use either homemade shika, soapnuts, methi, hibiscus, powder or at times i get a brand called Madhurams hair wash powder, which also has similar herbs. the oil rinses of well with this powder (sulphate free) and my hair feels much better than those shampoos. ofcourse i never used to condition my hair while i was using those shampoos, as my hair was quite silky and never felt the need of it. i have read a lot about the harms of sulphate shampoos and i stopped using all the brands thinking that my hair is drying up coz of these shampoos. but i dont c much difference. when i use shampoo( no conditioning), my hair feels worse, in an hour it turns to give nest like appearance, but with the shika etc it gives me two days of breathing time b4 the nest gets built up!!!. Now since i have stopped using thse commercial shampoos past two yrs, i fear that by reusing i may have the build up again, what do you say? i honestly dont know if i should really try the clarifying shampoo and conditioners. Its so difficult to accept this change in my hair texture. any ways will try adding some healthy fats and check.
I forgot to mention, nuts like almonds etc are also a good source of healthy fats, as are eggs if you eat them. You can google other vegetarian sources of fats as well.
If you’re using herbal homemade shampoos exclusively, then you probably wouldn’t have product build-up (unless you use commercial hair serums which have silicones), however you could still have buildup from hard water which would cause the dry, rough feel. Try using a vinegar rinse after you shampoo (1tsp-1 Tbsp vinegar in approx 500ml water) This would be your final rinse which you do not wash off. The acidic pH of the vinegar solution will counteract the alkaline pH of the hard water and help dissolve mineral buildup. If that is still not sufficient, only then use the clarifying shampoo. You only need to use it once in 4-6 weeks or so, depending on how your hair feels.
You can also try making your own conditioning rinses, There should be some recipes on this blog as well as others using various herbs, flowers, coconut milk, honey etc. You will have to experiment and figure out what works for you.
Do let me know if you have any improvements after making these changes. Thanks!
here’s a post which will help
https://swathyandsky.com/2010/01/you-must-follow-your-shampooing-and.html
I really cant thank u enough 4 all the valuable tips and solutions u hv mentioned. Yes v do hv hard water, i live in chennai. V get bore water. So another g8 tip fm u, i will certainly try and follow the solutions and update once i c some change. Thx again and thx 4 creating this valuable blog.
You’re most welcome 🙂 Water quality here in Bangalore is not great, but Chennai is even worse!
Though this blog is owned by Swati and I just post from time to time! You should explore the other hair-care posts she has here, you will find loads of great info. Looking forward to your update and hoping some of these suggestions will work.
?thx to swati too, i will chk the other posts.
Hi. I used this mix yesterday. All within 4-6 hours. First henna and then indigo. Most of the whites are gone but some roots are quite visible. Can I do it again tomorrow? Just for the roots? And also do I need to do the whole ‘henna first’ thing or can i just apply indigo? Also my hari is so dry that I can’t brush it. Also it’s so puffed out that I can’t leave it open! that’s why I stopped using henna in the first place. Can I put oil right now and wash it off. I can’t keep it like this. I have to go to work and it looks ridiculous. Please advise.
Sorry I couldn’t reply earlier. I always mix henna and indigo together (as outlined in my post) as this gives a more dark brown colour rather than the the 2-step process. Yes, you can do the roots again tomorrow. If your hair is extremely dry, I would advise you to use a good silicone free conditioner. The ones I normally use are any of the Enliven conditioners, Revlon Flex is also silicone free. If your hair is very coarse and dry, the L’Oreal smooth intense conditioner is good to use to gently scrub out the residue, the dye should still remain. I would advise not to use regular shampoo as that may dry out your hair further. You can use oil before and after washing with conditioner. I have mentioned in my post that I use a bit of oil after washing the henna-indigo mix out. Hope this helps!
does this have any side effects ? i have heard from a friend the hair would start falling,could you confirm this ?
Hi Katrina, most people benefit from henna and indigo, they’re used in several Ayurvedic preparations for hair growth, however, as with any natural ingredient, some people maybe allergic to them. It’s always better to do a small patch test on your skin to check for reactions before using for the first time. If your friend’s hair was falling due to this, she maybe one of the few who reacts badly to it.
Also, not all henna available in the market is pure henna, some brands mix henna with PPD which is harmful and may lead to hair fall, so it’s better to be sure of your source and buy body art quality henna from a reliable brand, depending on where you live.
hi , i have emailed you , can u plz reply
I usually apply henna on my hair..locally available..had used loreal ammonia free hair colour a few months back.
I want to treat my hair naturally and want to cover my grey hair…was led to ur blog searching kama organic hair colour with similar ingredients..
Just wanted to ask this is completely safe na? N how to apply?
Hi, Please go through the post for complete details on the application process. If you have never used henna or indigo before, I would suggest a patch test to make sure you don’t have allergies to either. Barring that they’re both safe, indigo is nothing but the neeli part of neelibhringadi oil etc.
Hi Nayantara! Thank you so much for this blog its been so helpful! I’ve been using henna alone for a few years now and it has done wonders for my hair. I’m 36 and now the grey/white hairs are looking orange with henna alone. I actually purchased the indigo you have pictured above from a local indian store. I’m afraid to use it for everything that I could do wrong and worried that it will dry my hair out. In your opinion is the henna/indigo combination more drying than henna alone? I’m hoping to achieve a deep chocolate brown colour in your opinion what is a good ratio of indigo/ henna to achieve this colour? Some blogs/videos say to mix the indigo and let it sit for 15 minutes then mix with henna, and some others say to use right away what is your view? I am currently using nupur all natural henna that I also purchased from the same store How long is the ideal time to allow for optimal dye release at room temperature? Do you add plain water or tea/coffee? And finally how long do you leave the hendigo mix on your hair? Thank you so much for the info I know its a lot of questions!!
Hi Sally, thank you for writing in. I found the indigo marginally more drying than henna. I also noticed the indigo dye releases very quickly and ideally should be used within about 10 minutes of applying it, in other words it’s best to apply the mixture as soon as it’s prepared. If you can, mix the henna alone and leave to sit for a few hours, then add the indigo to it (along with more water as required) and apply immediately. As mentioned in the post, I add only plain warm water and a pinch of salt along with the indigo. Coffee and tea are acidic and should not be mixed with indigo as they deter dye release. I like to leave the mix for 2 hours, but if you’re short on time 1 hr is about the bare minimum.
The proportion I use is henna 3 parts to indigo 2 parts. This gives me a slightly reddish brown colour. As you increase the proportion of indigo, you will get ashier tones of brown. Also, henna is a much stronger dye than indigo, so you may find the indigo fades a bit after a few weeks but the henna stays much longer.
Phew! Hope I didn’t miss anything out, do let me know how it goes 🙂
Hi Nayantara! Unfortunately I read your response after I had already mixed the henna with coffee and it had been sitting for nearly 8 hours, I am so used to mixing henna with something acidic to encourage dye release. Is it not a big deal to get optimal dye release from the henna using just water? When you’re prepping it for henndigo? does it need to sit a little longer?
Anyways I decided since indigo doesn’t like acids I would give it a chance to dye release on its own for 15 minutes with water and salt. I mixed the two together and applied the henndigo and left it on for 2 hours. 1 cup of henna powder is usually what I use for my bra strap length hair so I used 2/3 of a cup of henna and 1/3 cup indigo which I believe is pretty close to the measurements you gave me right? I wasn’t expecting much because of the coffee but Surprisingly it darkened my hair and toned down the red quite a bit to more of a dark brownish/burgundy. Grey coverage isnt optimal but I think I will need to do it again. I really don’t want my hair any darker than this do you have any suggestions for the next application? If i don’t use the coffee and mix in the indigo in as soon as its mixed do you think my hair will end up darker?
Thanks again for all the info!
I’m glad you wrote back with your feedback, it’s possible the coffee also aided in giving you a darker brown. Since I haven’t used coffee though I’m not sure if your results will be better without it or not, you’ll just have to try and see which works better for you.
The problem with grey hair is that structurally they don’t take dye as well as pigmented hair, so it’s always a pain to get good coverage where it’s actually needed. I usually redo just my roots every few weeks, as that’s where the grey shows up the most since it’s the newest growth. And since henna builds up over time, only the roots need the additional dye layers, if that makes sense. Would that work for you?
This summer my hair’s been growing at over an inch/ month so I redo my roots around every 3 weeks. I do a full application only every 3 months or so.
Hi Nayantara! It’s been over 3 months since I used henndigo for the first time. It’s been my most successful dying experience ever. The colour was rich and covered my greys for a long time. This is my first attempt at re-dying it since I messaged you last. I used just plain water this time and let the henna dye release and froze it. (Always wanted to try that I heard when Henna thaws it encourages dye release and makes the colour vibrant. Will be adding the indigo now and let you know how it goes! Is it vital to wash your hair first?
It seems I’m learning plenty from you as well, Sally 🙂
I didn’t know that about thawing henna since I usually make just as much as I need.
Only a few weeks ago, I tried to redo my roots without washing first, and my results weren’t great. I had to redo them the following week, and this time I clarified just before the application- much better! But then again, I get product build-up quite easily, and having curly hair, I do layer 2-3 styling products after every wash. That may not be the case for you if your roots are less coated than mine were.
I think you’re right about the coffee and tea hindering the indigo’s dye release. I used just plain water this time and it worked even better. The mixture went on darker and covered the grays better and this is before it fully oxidized. Thank you so much for the tip! And the blog Nayantara!
Hello mam. If have mostly grey hairs and inspite of using indigo wid henna. My hai roots show greys very early in 3 to 4 days. Please guide me.
Hi Kavita, to get best results use a clarifying shampoo (such as Pantene Lively clean) before applying the mix. A clarifying shampoo should not be used as your regular wash, only about once a month before dying your hair. If you’re using a shampoo with silicones, this may inhibit the dye.
In case you’re clarifying, but still having a problem, I would recommend you do a 2-step process. First apply only plain henna mix (no indigo) for minimum 3-4 hrs. Rinse this off completely. Then make the indigo mix and apply separately, Leave for 1-2 hrs. Hopefully, this would give you a darker dye for grey hair.
I highly recommend you switch to a sulphate-free shampoo as well if you haven’t already, as shampoos with sulphates are very harsh and will strip the dye from your hair. I also store my indigo in a ziplock pack in the fridge to keep it fresh as long as possible.
Hi Nayantara I want to use indigo / henna. But I have been using Inoa hair color. So how do I use this mix now? Will it color at all? Shld I wait for it grow?
Hi, I’m not familiar with Inoa but if it’s a chemical hair colour- with ammonia/ peroxide then it’s safer to skip the indigo, as it can turn chemically coloured hair greenish. You could also try testing the mix on a bunch of shed hairs and see how it turns out before using it.