Henna Powder for Hair

What colour will I get?

Henna is translucent, so your starting shade shapes the result:

• White or grey: bright orange-copper at first, settling to richer copper or copper-red
• Blonde: vivid ginger, copper or orange-red
• Light to medium brown: copper-brown, warm auburn or red-brown depth
• Dark brown: deep auburn warmth, clearest in daylight
• Black: a subtle warm reflection in strong light

Brown, in one step

Combine fresh Spierb Indigo paste with rested henna: 70:30 henna to indigo for light brown, 50:50 for medium, 30:70 for dark brown. Starting points, not fixed shades.

Black, in two steps

Henna first, then a fresh 80:20 indigo-to-henna mix over it in the same session.

After colouring

Fresh henna looks brightest just after rinsing and settles over 24–48 hours. Judge it then. A strand test is the best preview.

How much you need

About 30–50 g for short hair, 75–100 g for shoulder-length, 150 g or more for long or very thick hair.

Henna alone: copper, red or auburn

1. Put the henna in a non-metallic bowl. Add comfortably warm water, or warm filtered tea, gradually until the paste is smooth and about as thick as yoghurt.
2. Cover and rest the paste for 3–4 hours, ideally 8.
3. Start with clean, detangled, product-free hair, dry or slightly damp. Wear gloves and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly along the hairline, ears and neck, keeping it off the hair.
4. Working in 4–6 sections, apply generously from roots through lengths, saturating grey and resistant areas.
5. Cover with a shower cap or damp towel so the paste stays moist. Never let it dry out.
6. Leave on for at least 2 hours; longer gives a deeper result while the paste stays moist.
7. Rinse thoroughly with water until the hair no longer feels gritty. Conditioner may be used for slip.
8. Judge the colour after 24–48 hours.

One-step brown: Henna + Indigo

1. Prepare and rest the henna as above.
2. Only when you are ready to apply, mix Spierb Indigo Powder fresh with comfortably warm water and a pinch of salt. Do not rest it.
3. Combine the fresh indigo with the rested henna at 70:30, 50:50 or 30:70 henna to indigo.
4. Apply straight away, cover, and leave on for at least 1 hour and no more than 2.
5. Rinse thoroughly. Do not shampoo or oil for 24 hours.

Two-step black: Henna, then Indigo

1. Mix enough henna for both steps and rest it 3–4 hours, ideally 8, saving a portion for Step 2.
2. Step 1: apply henna, cover, leave on for 2 hours or longer, then rinse thoroughly. Don't shampoo or oil between steps. Let the hair dry to damp, not soaking wet.
3. Step 2: mix fresh indigo with warm water and a pinch of salt, combine with the saved henna at 80% indigo to 20% henna, and apply immediately.
4. Cover and leave on for 1–2 hours, then rinse thoroughly. Do not shampoo or oil for 24 hours.

Step-by-step help in the beginner henna method and mixing henna and indigo for brown.

Lawsonia Inermis Leaf Powder (100%).

No PPD, no ammonia, no peroxide.

Warning

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Not for use on eyelashes or eyebrows. Keep out of reach of children. Perform a patch/strand test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

Before you colour

Patch test 24–48 hours before first use, using the mixture you intend to apply, and don't use the product if the test brings burning, persistent itching, swelling or marked irritation. Strand test for colour, especially on grey, white, blonde, bleached, highlighted or previously coloured hair.

Using it safely

For external cosmetic hair colouring only. Do not swallow. Keep away from the eyes and the eye area, and rinse immediately with clean water if any gets in. Do not apply over broken, weeping or badly irritated scalp. Rinse it off and stop using it if there is strong burning, rapidly increasing itching, swelling or a spreading rash. Add water before whisking so the dry powder doesn't become airborne.

Storage

Keep out of reach of children. Store sealed, cool and dry, away from moisture and direct heat, and use a clean dry spoon. Shelf life is 2 years from the date of packaging. Mix only as much paste as you need for that colouring session.