How to dye your hair black naturally
If you would like a safe, natural dye to colour your hair black, use henna and indigo powder. Indigo is a dark blue plant-based dye. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Indigo is a dark blue plant-based dye. When you apply henna on your hair and rinse it off, the henna has an acidic effect that opens the cuticles so that when you immediately apply indigo, the result is a jet-black shade.
- You can mix henna with black tea, coconut milk, oils, or coffee. Leave the henna in for two to 12 hours.
Q: Can I use henna to dye my hair black?
There are many ‘henna’ products on the shelves that claim to be able to dye hair black. This so-called ‘black henna’ is not suitable for application on your hair.
Whether you buy it in a sachet or a box, some brands of ‘black henna’ contain dangerous unregulated chemicals. True henna gives a reddish-brown tint, never black. If you would like a safe, natural dye to colour your hair black, use henna and indigo powder.
Indigo is a dark blue plant-based dye. When you apply henna on your hair and rinse it off, the henna has an acidic effect that opens the cuticles so that when you immediately apply indigo, the result is a jet-black shade.
You can mix henna with black tea, coconut milk, oils, or coffee. Leave the henna in for two to 12 hours.
You can only mix indigo powder with plain water and some salt. Leave it in for two hours, rinse and condition. If you mix the indigo directly with henna powder, it will turn your hair a dark brown colour.
