NATURAL HAIR DYES GUIDE

"Natural" henna is a plant-based colouring agent drawn from the dried leaves of an odoriferous plant : Lawsonia Inermis, which belongs to the Lythraceae family. "Natural" henna mostly originates from the Indian and North-African sub-continents and grows in the form of large bushes or small trees in hot and dry climates. It has been used for thousands of years to dye fabric as well as hair and is even used as body paint. The orangey-red molecule called Lawsone is extracted from the leaves and is sold in the form of a powder, used to make a paste. "Neutral" henna also exists, drawn from the Cassia Obovata plant, that belongs to the Cesalpiniacea family. Good to know: it does not actually dye the hair, it simply tones and strengthens it. Il existe aussi des poudres tinctoriales à utiliser seules ou en association avec du henné afin d’obtenir une coloration naturelle. (Exemple : henné noir = henné naturel + indigo). Coloured powders can also be used, by themselves or combined with henna, to obtain a natural dye. (Example : black henna = natural henna + Indigo + Amla). The natural dye envelops the hair and creates a protective sheath around it. The plant's pigments only settle onto the hair's external layers (as opposed to chemical dyes) and the colour fades away gradually without any demarcation or contrasted roots.

Below you can see the colour and highlights you can obtain using the following henna dyes (1) : * * Does not colour hair, simply enhances natural highlights ** We do not recommend you use this product pure *** Does not colour hair but strengthens it, makes it shine and tones it (1) For reference only

Below you can see the colour and highlights you can obtain using the following coloured powders (1) : * Does not colour hair, simply enhances natural highlights ** We do not recommend you use this product pure (1) For reference only

Apply a thick layer of the mixture preferably to clean hair, strand by strand. When hair is thoroughly coated, wrap it all in plastic film and let set. Keep your head warm using a towel. The leave-on time will vary considerably depending on your hair’s porosity and colour and the desired result (from 1 to 12 hours). Rinse hair thoroughly until all residues have been removed. The final colour result will appear two to three days after application, which is the time required for the colour to oxidise. Do not use shampoo for 24 to 48 hours after the leave-on period to guarantee optimal colour.
 
Recommended quantities (for reference only)

Apply a thick layer of the mixture to unwashed hair, strand by strand. Once the mixture has been spread out properly, wrap your hair up in a plastic film and let it sit. Waiting time can vary according to hair porosity and colour, as well as to the desired end result (between 1 and 2 hours).

Rinse your hair out thoroughly until any remaining residue has been washed out. The dye's final result will only be visible two to three days after application, once the dye has been properly oxidised.

We suggest using our no-rinse detangling lotion with raspberry vinegar that will close the hair’s cuticle to set colour better while also adding shine and suppleness. We then recommend using an organic, sulphate-free shampoo that will not dry out your hair so that the colour lasts longer.

• Do not apply henna to permed hair or to hair that was chemically coloured less than 2 months ago.
• Before dying your hair, use a Detox Mask (recipe below).
• Protect the areas of your skin that risk being coloured by the henna : apply a thick layer of moisturiser or vegetable oil (top of the forehead, around the ears).
• Wear gloves when preparing and applying the mixture so you do not get dye on your hands.
• Never use metal utensils to mix the henna, to avoid altering powder's quality. Be aware that any equipment used may remain coloured.
• Test the dye on a hidden strand of hair before applying the entire mixture. The end result will be visible after 24h.
• Do not perm or dye your hair chemically less than 2 months after a natural henna dye is applied.

Ingredients (quantities for shoulder-length hair, for reference only) :

• 75 g of white clay powder
• 75 g of rhassoul powder
• 3 table spoons of Macadamia oil
• About 200 ml of warm water

(2) for reference only Method :

• Mix the white clay and rhassoul with the macadamia oil, then gradually pour in the warm water until you get a relatively thick paste.
• Apply to hair, strand by strand
• Massage the scalp.
• Leave on for 20 minutes under a plastic film.

Rinse thoroughly until all residue has been washed out.

My hair is already chemically coloured. Can I switch over to natural colouring ? What should I do? How long should I wait? We recommend you wait 2 months and apply 3 or 4 Detox Masks to absorb the chemical molecules and remove any chemical residues from your hair.

I want to cover up my white hair. What type of henna do you recommend? Use your natural hair colour as a guideline thanks to the tables "Choose your henna" and "Choose your coloured powders". Depending on the amount of white hair you have, and how it is spread out, you will obtain different coloured highlights. The natural effect will be gradually enhanced the more you dye your hair.

Recipe examples :

Blond hair: a mixture of 1/2 light-brown henna and 1/2 neutral henna.

Chestnut to dark brown hair ? two successive applications:

• natural henna should first be applied (your white hair will become a shade of orange),
• a second mixture with 2/3 indigo and 1/3 natural henna should then be applied to neutralise the "orange" effect and reach a brown tint.

Some people add natural ingredients to their mixture. What are your thoughts on that?

• Lemon is an acid. It oxidises and helps the colour develop. This is why you can add about 150 mL of it to your mixture. If you have sensitive skin, you can also use less acid fruit juices such as grapefruit or orange.
• Lemon tea can be used for its acidic properties and black tea can be used to lightly neutralize orange tints on white hair.
• Vegetable oils can be added to your mixture, especially if you have dry hair, to limit the henna's slightly draining effect. However, be aware that their use could also prevent the dye from settling properly on the hair.
• Yoghurt can be used to obtain a creamier mixture and limit the product's slightly draining effect, but it may also increase the risk of dandruff.
• Beer is known to reinforce hair and give it more volume. This is why you can add some to your mixture.

Once my hair has grown out a little, can I just touch up the roots ? Will there be a difference in colour once my hair grows out? Touching up the roots is indeed possible. However, be careful: to prevent lines, you need to know the appropriate ratio of powder mixture that matches your colour, as well as the leave-on time, so you can reproduce it when you only want to colour your roots.

100% plant extract, taken from dried plants. Pure and additive-free. Our powders are carefully packaged in airtight packets so as to preserve the pigments.