How to Dye Your Hair Black with Henna and Indigo
To get natural black hair you use henna and indigo in two separate steps. Henna goes on first and dyes your hair orange to red. Indigo then goes over the top and turns it black. This is the method we include with our Black Natural Hair Dye kit.
What you need
- Henna powder and indigo powder (the same amount of each)
- Gloves (not included in the kit)
- Warm water
- Cling film and a non-metallic bowl
- A friend to help, for the best coverage
Store both powders out of direct sunlight, ideally somewhere cool and dark or in the fridge.
Important: wear gloves throughout and cover your shoulders and the floor. Henna stains hands, ears, neck and shoulders, and indigo stains carpets and floors.
Part 1: The henna
Step 1: Mix the henna
Mix the henna powder in a non-metallic bowl with enough warm water to make a thick paste. Stir vigorously so all the powder is mixed in. Cover with cling film or a towel and leave for 4 to 6 hours. Then stir in more water until the paste is like yoghurt.
Step 2: Prepare your hair
Wash, dry and comb your hair so it can be sectioned easily.
Step 3: Apply the henna
After 4 to 6 hours the henna has released its dye. Apply it thickly, all the way down to the roots. When your hair is completely covered, wrap it in cling film and wipe off any henna on your forehead, ears and neck.
Step 4: Leave for 3 to 4 hours, then rinse
Leave the henna on for 3 to 4 hours, then wash it out. Towel dry and comb.
Wait, my hair is orange! That is normal. Henna dyes hair orange to red. The indigo in part 2 turns it black.
Part 2: The indigo
Step 5: Mix the indigo and apply it straight away
Mix the same amount of indigo powder with water to a yoghurt consistency, stirring until there are no lumps. Apply it immediately. Unlike henna, indigo does not need time for dye release, so do not leave it to stand.
Apply it thickly. Indigo is quite grainy and can be harder to get to stick to your hair, so be patient.
Step 6: Leave for 3 to 4 hours, then rinse
Wrap your hair in cling film and wipe off any indigo on your neck and ears. Leave it for 3 to 4 hours, then rinse it out.
Tip: to cut the indigo time, add a teaspoon of salt for every 50g of indigo and leave it on for 1 to 2 hours instead.
Indigo slowly oxidises and may give your hair a slight greenish tint at first. Do not worry: it is only a tint, and it disappears within a day as your hair settles to black.
Tips for a deep black
- Apply thickly and leave each step on for as long as possible. Light, quick applications give poor results.
- Freeze any leftover paste straight away. Thaw it later to touch up your roots.
- It works on beards and moustaches too.
Download our black hair dye instructions (PDF).
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