Spierb Indigo Powder for Dark Brown & Black Hair – Beginner’s Guide

Spierb Indigo Powder for hair is a simple way to deepen the appearance of your hair colour using just one plant-based ingredient. This guide shows you how to use indigo together with henna to create dark brown or black tones, how to apply it evenly, what to expect from the colour, and how often to repeat the process.

What this guide covers

In this guide you’ll learn how to:

• Use Spierb Indigo Powder for hair as part of a one-step or two-step plant-based hair colour routine
• Mix indigo powder correctly so it’s smooth, easy to apply, and used at the right time
• Apply indigo safely and evenly from roots to ends for dark brown or black tones
• Rinse and look after your hair so the colour can deepen and settle
• Plan how often to use indigo for root touch-ups and full-length refreshes

Who this guide is for

This guide is designed for you if:

• You prefer plant-based, minimal-ingredient hair colour
• You like the idea of achieving dark brown or black tones using henna and indigo instead of permanent chemical dyes
• You are comfortable taking a little extra time for mixing, application, and rinsing at home

Pure indigo powder is used with henna for hair. On very light or grey hair, using indigo on its own can leave a blue/green cast, which is why most people apply indigo over a henna base. This guide focuses on cosmetic hair use only – not for eyebrows, eyelashes, or any other use.

Before you start

Before using indigo powder on your hair and scalp, we recommend:

• Patch test: Patch test on the skin 24–48 hours before first use and whenever you change your mix. If you notice irritation, redness, or discomfort, rinse and do not use on the scalp.
• Strand test: Especially if your hair is very light, grey, chemically coloured, or bleached, test your henna + indigo routine on a small section first to preview the final shade.
• Check your schedule: For a full two-step routine (henna then indigo), allow several hours in total. For a one-step henna–indigo mix, allow at least 2–3 hours including rinsing and drying.
• Protect clothing and surfaces: Wear an old t-shirt and keep an old towel handy. Indigo paste can stain fabrics, tiles, and sealant, so wipe up any splashes promptly.
• Avoid heavy products beforehand: For best results, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and avoid heavy oils, masks, or silicone-rich products right before colouring.

How to mix indigo powder for hair

This is a simple way to mix Spierb Indigo Powder for hair. Most people use it as the second step after a henna application, or combine it with henna for a one-step routine.

1. Decide how much indigo powder you need.
   As a general guide:
   • Short hair: around 20–40 g
   • Shoulder-length hair: around 50–75 g
   • Long or very thick hair: 100 g or more
   Adjust the amount based on your hair length and thickness.
2. Add warm water gradually.
   Use water that is comfortably warm, not hot. Add a little at a time while whisking until you reach a smooth, yoghurt-like paste with no dry pockets. Indigo paste should be thick enough not to drip, but soft enough to spread easily.
3. Optional: add a small pinch of salt.
   Many people like to add a small pinch of fine salt (about ½ teaspoon per 50 g of indigo) to help the paste feel slightly grippier on the hair. This is optional – do not add oils or conditioner into the indigo paste itself, as they can make the colour appear weaker.
4. Let the paste rest briefly.
   Cover the bowl and leave it for about 5–10 minutes so the powder can fully hydrate. Indigo does not need a long rest time like henna.
5. Use the paste while it is fresh.
   Indigo works best when used promptly. Aim to apply it within 20–30 minutes of mixing. If the paste thickens too much as it sits, whisk in a splash more warm water just before you start applying.

One-step vs two-step: For a one-step routine, you would prepare your henna paste separately (following the henna guide) and then gently fold freshly mixed indigo paste into cooled henna right before application. For a two-step routine, you apply henna first, rinse it out, and then apply indigo-only paste over the hennaed hair.

How to apply indigo to your hair

1. Start with clean, product-free hair.
   For a two-step routine, your hair should already have a fresh henna layer that has been rinsed out with water and towel-dried. For a one-step routine, start with clean, towel-dried or dry hair without heavy oils or styling products.
2. Section your hair.
   Divide your hair into 4–6 manageable sections using clips. This helps you reach the roots and inner layers more easily and apply indigo powder for hair evenly.
3. Apply to the roots first.
   Using a tint brush or gloved fingers, start at the roots. Work along each parting, gently pressing the indigo paste onto the scalp area and first few centimetres of hair. Take your time around greys or areas where you want the most coverage.
4. Coat the lengths and ends.
   Once your roots are covered, work the remaining paste down the mid-lengths and ends. Add a little extra to the outer layer and any sections that tend to be more resistant to colour.
5. Gather and cover your hair.
   Twist your hair into a loose bun or coil and secure it. Cover with a shower cap or cling film to keep the paste moist and reduce drips. You can wrap an old towel or scarf over the top for comfort.
6. Leave to process.
   Most people leave indigo on for around 45–60 minutes for dark brown tones, or up to 90 minutes for deeper, darker results. Leaving it on much longer does not usually make the hair significantly darker and may feel drying on some hair types.

Rinsing & aftercare

1. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
   Rinse your hair with plenty of lukewarm water, gently massaging the scalp and lengths with your fingertips to help the paste slide out. Take your time – it can take several minutes for the water to run mostly clear and for the majority of the powder to wash away.
2. Avoid shampoo straight away.
   To help the colour settle and deepen, many people prefer to avoid shampoo for the first 24–48 hours after using indigo powder for hair. If needed, you can use a small amount of conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends only, avoiding the roots.
3. Let your hair dry naturally if you can.
   Allow your hair to air-dry or use a low heat setting if you prefer to blow-dry. The colour can look slightly cooler or even have a faint greenish cast immediately after rinsing, especially on lighter hair. This usually softens into brown or black tones as the colour oxidises over the next day or so.
4. First wash after 24–48 hours.
   After the initial 24–48 hours, wash your hair gently with a mild shampoo and condition as usual. This is when you will see the more settled final shade.
5. Protect fabrics if needed.
   Immediately after colouring, avoid sleeping on light pillowcases or using light towels if you are concerned about mild colour transfer. Once the colour has fully settled and you have done a gentle shampoo, most people do not notice any rub-off.

How often to use indigo powder

How often you use indigo depends on your hair, how fast it grows, and the depth of colour you want:

• Root touch-ups: Many people refresh their roots every 3–6 weeks, using henna + indigo just on the new growth and lightly blending into the mid-lengths.
• Full-length refresh: A full henna and indigo application on all of the hair is usually enough every 6–8 weeks, sometimes less often. Repeated full applications may make the hair appear progressively darker over time.
• New to indigo powder for hair: If you are just starting, begin with slightly shorter processing times and a more moderate ratio of indigo to henna. You can always build up the depth of colour gradually based on your strand tests and how your hair responds.

If your hair feels dry or your scalp feels tight after a treatment, shorten the processing time next time, increase the gap between applications, or focus on roots-only touch-ups while keeping mid-lengths and ends for occasional refreshes.

FAQs

1. Will indigo powder make my hair black?
   On its own, pure indigo powder over untreated hair does not usually give a true, neutral black. Used over a henna base, indigo can help create dark brown through to very dark, almost black tones. The final colour depends on your starting shade, how long you leave the paste on, and the henna–indigo ratio you choose.
2. Can I use indigo without henna?
   Some people do use indigo powder alone, but on very light or grey hair this can sometimes leave a blue or greenish cast. For most users seeking natural-looking dark brown or black hair, applying indigo over a henna layer gives more predictable results. If you want to experiment with indigo alone, always do a strand test first.
3. Can I use indigo on coloured or bleached hair?
   Many people apply henna and indigo over previously coloured hair, but results can vary, especially on very lightened or sensitised hair. Always perform a strand test first, introduce indigo gradually, and allow time between any chemical services and your plant-based routine. If you are unsure, it can help to speak with a professional stylist and show them your strand test results.
4. How long will the colour from indigo last?
   Indigo behaves more like a stain that binds to the outer layers of the hair than a traditional permanent dye. On many people, the depth of colour softens gradually over several weeks, while new roots remain your natural shade. Root growth usually becomes visible after a few weeks, which is when many people choose to touch up.
5. Can I go back to chemical hair dye after using henna and indigo?
   If you plan to return to chemical colouring later, it is important to let your stylist know that you have used henna and indigo. Some professionals prefer to do a strand test before lightening or colouring over hair that has been dyed with plant powders. Spierb Indigo Powder is a single-ingredient cosmetic powder, but how it interacts with future chemical treatments can vary, so always proceed cautiously and test first.