How to Henna Hair and How to Dye Gray Hair Black with Indigo

Happy Monday!

(Does anyone have a case of the Monnn-day's? -- Office Space)

Well, I hope your weekend was well. I had a phenomenal weekend. This Saturday, as promised, I put Henna and Indigo in my Mom's hair and the results are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Below is my step by step process on how to apply henna and how to apply indigo to your hair. My mother so graciously agreed to be my client and model! Please let me know if you have any additional questions!

What you need:















100 grams of Henna
2 Cups of hot water (not boiling)
4 bags of Green Tea
2 tablespoons of honey
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Essential oil of your choice (sweet orange, lavender, vanilla etc.)
Plastic gloves (4 pairs if you plan to do Indigo as well)
Plastic cap
towels
rattail comb
mixing spoon
Application brush (optional)

*Recipe based on 100 grams of Henna. Double for longer hair.

STEP 1: Add the green tea to the hot water and let cool. (apx 15 minutes)























STEP 2: Pour henna into a plastic bowl.

























STEP 3: Slowly add the green tea to the henna and mix. You will get the consistency of mashed potatoes.

STEP 4: Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix. Texture of henna mix will smooth out and have added shine!

STEP 5: Add 10-15 drops of Essential oil to desired smell is achieved.

STEP 6: Add 2 tablespoons of honey to henna mix. Texture will be super smooth. Let sit while washing your hair.

STEP 7: Wash hair so that it's nice and clean. DO NOT condition your hair at this point.
























STEP 8: Comb down hair and divide into 4 sections.

























STEP 9: Starting at the back of the hair -at the nap of the neck, take a small section of hair and begin to apply the henna. Be sure to smooth the henna into the hair, so it coats every strand. Work your way to the front of the hair, while applying the henna so that it flows towards the back of your head.
























STEP 10: Once hair is completely covered with henna, place a plastic cap and/or wrap hair with plastic wrap. (This will keep the henna warm.)



























STEP 11: Let henna stay in your hair for a minimum of 2 hours.

STEP 12: Thoroughly rinse henna from hair. Use conditioner to aid in removing all henna from the hair. NOTE: I use Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose conditioner or Neutrogena daily conditioner which is very soothing.

If you wish to just Henna your hair, STOP HERE! NOTE: You will need to add a deep conditioner to your hair at this point and let sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you wish to apply Indigo to your hair for a darker color... KEEP GOING.....

PART II ... INDIGO APPLICATION. ***Indigo will dye hair any color from dark brown to black, depending on how long you leave in your hair.***

STEP 13: Pour indigo powder into a bowl and slowly add water until the indigo turns to a paste.

































STEP 14: IMMEDIATELY after mixing, begin to apply the indigo to your hair in the same way in which you applied the henna in STEP 9 above.

STEP 15: Make sure that Indigo completely covers all of your hair for full saturation of color. Once Indigo is in hair, cover head with a plastic bag.


























For brown hair: Leave in for 15-20 minutes
To achieve dark brown hair: Leave in for 30-40 minutes
To achieve black hair: Leave in for 45-50 minutes
To achieve jet black hair: Leave in for 1 hour or more

Here are some BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES.




HAIR BEFORE HENNA:




























HAIR AFTER HENNA:














































HAIR AFTER INDIGO,STYLED: NOTE-- There is ZERO Gray left. The picture shows a reflection of light.
























This was really fun and my Mom and I absolutely LOVE the results! I am very pleased! This will take quite a few hours of your day so make sure you set aside some time, but its well worth it! Any henna or indigo stories/questions? Do share....