Love the idea of natural hair color but don't want the bright orange of pure henna or the jet black of the two-step process? You are looking for "The Brown Range." By blending two plants, you can achieve anything from a sun-kissed chestnut to a deep chocolate. For a full breakdown of color theory, read our Ultimate Guide to Henna & Ultimate Guide to Indigo.
What You Need (Ingredients & Tools)
The secret to brown hair is all about the Ratio. You will need both powders, but you must prepare them separately before combining.
- Spierb Henna Powder: [Amount varies by ratio, see below]
- Spierb Indigo Powder: [Amount varies by ratio]
- Warm Water: Approx 1-2 cups
- Tools: Two separate bowls, one large mixing bowl, spoon, gloves, and shower cap.
The Recipe: The Custom Brown Blend
This is a "One-Step" process because you apply the mixture once, but you must mix the pastes separately first. Henna needs time to release dye; Indigo must be used fresh.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Henna (The Night Before): Mix your Spierb Henna powder with warm water (and lemon juice if desired) in a bowl. Cover and let it sit for 8-12 hours for dye release.
- Prep the Indigo (Right Before Application): Once your Henna is ready, mix your Spierb Indigo powder with warm water in a separate bowl. Stir until smooth. Do not let Indigo sit.
- Combine the Pastes: Pour the fresh Indigo paste into the released Henna paste. Stir them together thoroughly until the color is uniform.
- Application: Apply the combined brown paste to clean, dry (or damp) hair immediately. Section your hair to ensure even coverage.
- The Wait: Cover with a shower cap. Leave the mix on your hair for 2 to 4 hours. (Longer time = deeper color).
- Rinse: Rinse well with water only. Avoid shampooing for 48 hours to allow the color to settle.
Pro-Tips for Success (Mastering Ratios)
The shade of brown depends entirely on how much of each powder you use.
- Light Brown Henna Mix: Use 75% Henna and 25% Indigo. This gives a warm, lighter brown.
- Medium Brown: Use 50% Henna and 50% Indigo. This is the classic chestnut brown ratio.
- Dark Chocolate Brown: Use 25% Henna and 75% Indigo. This creates a deep, cool brown.
What to Expect (Results)
Patience is required for natural oxidation.
- Immediate: Your hair may appear slightly reddish or greenish depending on the ratio used. Do not panic.
- Long Term: Over the next 2 days, the indigo will oxidize (darken) and the henna will settle, merging into your target brown shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you mix henna and indigo together?
When mixed together, the red-orange pigment of Henna neutralizes the blue-violet pigment of Indigo. Depending on the ratio, this combination creates various shades of brown. If used separately (layered), they create black; mixed together, they create brown.
Ratios for medium brown hair?
For a standard medium brown, the golden rule is a 1:1 ratio. Mix equal parts of prepared Henna paste and fresh Indigo paste. If you have resistant grey hair, you might want to slightly increase the Indigo to 60%.
