How to Dye Your Hair Brunette with Henna and Indigo
Mixing henna with indigo turns henna's natural red into rich brunette shades. The more indigo you add, the darker and cooler the brown. This guide covers our brunette colour chart and the method we include with our brunette hair dye kits.
Brunette colour chart
| Colour | Henna | Indigo |
|---|---|---|
| Reddish brown | 75% | 25% |
| Light brown | 50% | 50% |
| Brown | 30% | 70% |
| Dark brown | 20% | 80% |
Our kits come with the henna and indigo already weighed for your chosen colour. Keep this chart handy so you can mix any spare powder in the same ratio to touch up your roots between full applications. You can also buy henna powder and indigo powder separately.
What you need
- Henna powder and indigo powder
- Lemon juice and water
- Gloves (not included in the kit)
- Cling film
- A non-metallic bowl
- A friend to help: you can do it yourself, but you will get a better result with an extra pair of hands
Important: wear gloves throughout and cover your shoulders and the floor. Henna stains hands, ears, neck and shoulders, and indigo stains carpets and floors.
Step 1: Mix the henna and leave it overnight
Mix the henna powder in a non-metallic bowl with enough lemon juice to make a thick paste. Stir vigorously so all the powder is mixed in. Cover and leave overnight, then stir in 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: Mix the indigo and add it to the henna
After about 24 hours the henna has released its dye. Mix the indigo powder with water to a thick paste, making sure it is mixed thoroughly. Add it to the henna paste straight away and stir. Add water if needed to bring it back to a yoghurt consistency.
Step 4: Apply straight away
Apply the henna and indigo paste immediately. Cover your hair thickly, all the way down to the roots. When your hair is completely covered, wrap it in cling film and wipe off any paste on your forehead, ears and neck.
Step 5: Leave for 3 to 4 hours, then rinse
Leave the paste on for 3 to 4 hours, then wash it out.
Indigo slowly oxidises and may give your hair a slight greenish tint at first. Do not worry: your hair is not green, and the tint fades within a day as the colour settles.
Tips for the best colour
- Apply thickly and leave it 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.
Short on time? Try this traditional mix
If you cannot wait for the henna to release its dye, heat a pan of water with some tea bags, a few whole cloves and a 3cm block of tamarind. Bring it to the boil and let it cool naturally. Strain it, reheat until hot but not boiling, and use it to mix your henna. The henna will be ready to use in about 45 minutes.
Download our brunette hair dye instructions (PDF).
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