Hair dye has now become a fashion statement in the modern era. Every one of us is looking forward to putting on a trendy look that makes a bold and confident first impression. This has resulted in several natural and synthetic hair dyes getting launched in the market. Natural hair dyes consist of henna, beet juice, robusta coffee extract, etc. These dyes have natural pigments of color found in nature and are primarily obtained from plants.
On the other hand, synthetic dyes have been conventionally made using artificial colors, polycarbonates, and essential oils, making them stay longer and give a better shine to hair. Haircare and coloring of hair have been a mainstream practice since the Elizabethan times in England, where people used beet juice as a natural dye to achieve a shade that looks similar to the modern-day Burgundy. Among various hair dyeing products, the safest one is henna.
Henna is a natural dye obtained by toasting and grounding Henna leaves, a tropical shrub indigenous to Indian mainlands and southern and south-eastern Asia.
Another natural dye is Indigo, A dark-blue dye obtained from the stems of Indigo plants. Indigo has been used since colonial times to dye fabrics. It produces a very thick dye with a tar-like consistency, making it applicable to human hair. But advancements in science have developed many methods to make the dye suitable for cosmetic application.
Why should one choose Natural dyes?
We all know the practical application and great choices available with synthetic dyes. They are cheap; they are more readily available, are easy to apply and handle, produce a brighter shade after applying them, and much more. But synthetic products are also plagued by complex chemicals that may directly harm a person’s scalp and hair. Synthetic dyes have amino oxides and metal oxides, which exhaust the moisture from the scalp, and their dyed color might damage the natural hair. Natural dyes, on the other hand, show no such side effects. Henna also nourishes the hair and moisturizes the scalp. However, the natural dyes may not be the cheapest ones or not available in multiple shades or are available at every corner shop. Natural dyes don’t degrade hair and scalp’s natural tone and constituents.
Benefits of Henna Powder
- Moisturizes the scalp and hair.
- Helps to make the hair thick.
- Acts as a natural conditioner for hair.
- Reduces hair fall.
- Helps treat split-ends and damaged hair.
- Restores the natural shade of hair. (provided you have a darker shade of hair)
Benefits of Indigo Powder
- Promotes hair growth.
- Treats Dandruff.
- Best for treating Grey hair.
- It can be customized to create various shades.
- Chemical-free and produces no side effects.
How to apply Henna dye in hair?
- Take Henna powder and mix it with water in a bowl as per the length of one’s hair.
- Mix until a thick paste is formed, having the consistency of a cake batter.
- You can customize the paste by adding coffee water, tea watch, or lemon juice. Each natural extract has its set of benefits.
- Leave the paste overnight.
- Make sure your hair is oil-free before applying henna.
- Apply henna to your hair in small batches using a brush. Ensure that the dye is applied to every corner of the hair and scalp.
- Keep the applied mixture for 2-3 hours until it is dry, indicating it is ready to rinse off.
- Rinse off with cold water.
- Never use any other hair product after washing off the henna.
How to apply Indigo dye in hair?
- After applying the henna, wet the hair a little bit.
- In a bowl, take Indigo powder as per the length of your hair.
- Add water to the powder and keep mixing until a paste is formed, having the consistency of a steamed broth. (neither too thin nor too thick)
- Add salt or cornstarch to thicken the paste for a more straightforward application.
- Leave the mixture for an hour.
- Now give the resting mixture a good stir and apply.
- Keep the dye for 1-2 hours until it has lightly dried.
- Wash off with cold water.
- Don’t use any hair care products for a couple of days, as the dye will take at least two days to set and produce the aspired shade ultimately.
