how to apply indigo powder for hair - #25730

Using indigo powder for your hair is a natural way to achieve a darker shade, but there are definitely some specifics to keep in mind to avoid the dreaded blue streaks or other mishaps! First off, since you’ve already done the patch test and didn’t have a reaction, you are off to a good start.

For medium brown hair looking to go darker, it’s indeed common to use indigo after an initial henna treatment. Start with henna as it helps the indigo bond to your hair more effectively. You’ll want to mix pure henna powder with warm water, aiming for a thick, yogurt-like consistency. Apply the henna to clean, dry hair, covering it well, and leave it for about 2-4 hours. Make sure to rinse thoroughly without using shampoo afterward to clear out the henna.

Once you’ve rinsed the henna out and dried your hair (air drying is best for less dryness), you can move on to the indigo powder. Mix indigo with warm water, and again, stir it to a similar consistency as the henna. For medium brown hair aiming for a darker shade, a straight indigo application after henna is typical. But if you’re looking for more of a brunette shade, you might mix the indigo with henna in about a 1:3 ratio. You can adjust the rationa depending on darkness desired. Apply the indigo immediately after mixing, as it has a shorter dye release time.

Leave the indigo on for 1-2 hours. And as for preventing dryness, a pre-conditioning treatment with warm coconut or almond oil a day prior can be beneficial. post-rinsing the indigo (again no shampoo) can leave your hair a bit dry so you might want to follow up with some light oiling or a conditioning mask.

When washing out the indigo, use cool water to help the color set. Avoid shampooing for a couple of days after this to allow full color development. And no worries on the blue streaks. Just ensure complete and even application. Happy dyeing!