All-Natural Hair Dyes - Frequently Asked Questions

Henna powder in hand

Henna Plant

Our 100% Natural Hair Dyes: Cassia, Henna & Indigo

When it comes to taking the leap into natural hair dyes there are an endless stream of questions. So here, we hope that some of those can be answered. But also, let’s understand a bit about what these dyes are and what to expect. You should understand that our natural hair dyes come from plants, they are not a meticulously formulated chemical compounds or inks. This can mean that you might need to be open to the possibility of slight variations in the results; which can be impacted by factors such as how you prepare your paste, your previous hair treatments and your hair colour. Being open-minded and remembering why you are making the switch is important, if the benefits of an all-natural product supersede the importance of obtaining that exact shade of dye, then this is the right path for you!

Cassia Obovata - Often referred to as “Neutral Henna”, has a low yellow dye molecule which boosts blonde hair beautifully making it look more golden and glossy, giving white, grey and blonde hair a highlighted effect. On darker hair, Cassia will not usually show any colour, but it will still receive the glossy shine, nourishing and strengthening properties that this plant has to offer you hair and scalp. Cassia is semi-permanent and will last in your hair around 3-4 weeks. So, it can be a good place to start if you want to dip your toe into the natural hair dye world.

Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) - Often referred to as “Red Henna”, when mixed alone it can only create certain shades which is are orange to red shades. This can be manipulated by what you decide to mix the powder with to form a paste. If choosing to buy from another supplier, then please always read the list of ingredients and ensure it’s 100% Pure Henna Powder. Many other brands have caused Henna a bad rep by selling powder mixed with chemicals and metallic salts, but branded as Henna.

Indigo (Indigofera Tinctoria) - Often referred to as “Black Henna”, Indigo should not be used alone, but applied as a one step or two-step process with Henna or Cassia, depending on your desired shade. When used alone it will create a blueish colour which can turn out greenish on hair. Indigo is used to develop darker shades from Neutral (Cassia) and Red Henna powders. Results will be altered by what you decide to mix the powder with to form a paste. Indigo’s dye release is different to Henna so make sure that you follow our specific instructions for each product. If choosing to buy from another supplier, then please check their ingredients carefully. Other brands use PPD, chemicals and metallic salts in their indigo powders. This can cause undesired results, skin irritations as well as reactions to chemically treated hair. Make sure they are always 100% plant material, like our powders!

Ok, now onto the FAQ’s...

What colours can I achieve from your Natural Hair Dyes? And will they cover grey hairs? Firstly yes! You can beautifully cover grey hair with all of them. The shades that are available to you will depend on your original hair colour, as you cannot lighten your hair colour. If you are blonde for example, then you can achieve a wider range of colours with natural hair dyes than someone with black hair. Colours which can be achieved range from golden blonde, to fiery copper, deep red, brown and black. If you are not experienced in mixing henna shades, then we recommend you to book a consultation with our henna stylist to find the right balance and ratios for your hair type and colour. Alternatively, you can make strand tests until you find the colour you like, before applying to your whole head.

How much powder do I need to use for my hair? When deciding on powder quantity, two things need to be taken into account. The length and the thickness of your hair.We recommend using: 50g powder for short hair (ear length), 100g for shoulder-length, 150g for bra strap length, 200g for mid-back length and 250g for hip length. If your hair is a really thick you might want to add a bit extra.This guide refers to the total amount of dye powder needed, so if you are combining dyes, then please calculate the individual powders accordingly. I.e. If you have shoulder-length hair, and you are mixing 50% Henna with 50% Indigo, then you would use 50g of each powder to make the 100g total.

Can I lighten my hair with The Henna Hair Shop Hair Dyes? As our dyes are 100% natural plant material, they cannot lighten your hair as they do not contain chemicals, or bleaching ingredients that would do so. Cassia Obovata (Neutral Henna) does manage to give the illusion of a highlight boost on white, grey and blonde hair, when really it is just from the intense gloss and added shine.

Will Henna make my hair look thicker? Yes, in most cases, Henna will make your hair feel and appear much thicker and stronger. Because Henna coats each strand and closes the hair shaft, each strand appears thicker, more conditioned and stronger.

Can I use your Natural Hair Dyes on top of previously chemically treated hair? Yes, as they are all 100% natural, they can be used on top of chemically treated hair. You may want to allow a few weeks in-between treatments to let the hair rest. Our colours can be bolder on chemically dyed hair, this is because certain chemicals from those dyes damage the hair cuticles, creating gaps and tears. These additional openings on the cuticle allow liquid and humidity to come in and out of the hair cortex easier, therefore changing the hair porosity to a much higher one. This is one of the reasons why you’ll notice your hair can become extremely dry after prolonged chemical treatments, because it’s like someone left all the doors and windows open. Henna sits on top of the hair cuticle, and so, if the hair is high porosity, it absorbs more of the henna, whilst luckily, filling in those gaps like a yummy herbal filler.

Can I switch back to chemical dyes/treatments on my hair after Henna or Indigo applications? Yes you can, although we would feel sad to see you fall off the natural wagon. But, you can return to using chemical products again if you wish. As long as you have used 100% natural powders like ours. We recommend allowing your hair to rest for 3-4 weeks before returning to chemical products, but you can do it a bit sooner if you are dying to... sorry bad pun. Please also be wary about taking Henna advice from a regular hairdresser. Hairdressers like to get dramatic when talking about Henna, mostly because they don’t offer it and/or don’t fully understand it. So, please do your own research online before taking your hairdresser’s advice entirely. They may also have an invested interest to keep you on the chemical hair path.

Can henna loosen my curly hair? It depends on your hair type, but some curly hair types can be affected from the additional weight of the henna on their hair strands. Curly haired ladies have reported loosening effects of their curls when using Henna and/or Cassia Obovata. To combat this, you can add Amla powder to revive your curls. Bear in mind though, that the addition of Amla powder also affects the colour results by toning down the redness of the henna. If you want an alternative way treat your hair with Amla then you can always use a deep Amla oil treatment or Amla mask a day or two before.

How long will Henna and Indigo stay in my hair? Cassia Obovata is semi-permanent and you can expect it to remain around 3-4 weeks. But, Henna and Indigo are permanent. If you do not wish to dye over the hair, then it will need to be grown out. If you are unsure on making this commitment, then we recommend doing a strand test first.

If you still have any further questions after reading this, then please don’t hesitate to send us a message on Instagram @TheHennaHairShop

Thank youThe HHS Team - Love the Hair you Wear 💚