Henna Hair Dye Baked Release Method
-Turns My Stubborn Resistant Gray Hair to Jet Black Hair
Using Lustrous Henna® is the quickest way I know of to naturally color my hair. The natural ingredients are premixed to laboratory specifications without any chemicals, saving me a ton of precious time. It only takes about 90 minutes from start-to-finish to color hair with Lustrous Henna® Hair Dye.
This “baked” method takes -about 5 hours- from prep to completion. I honestly can’t remember where I learned about this method to speed up the release and application of pure henna (when compared to the traditional overnight method of approximately 10-24 hours). However, I’ve never been disappointed with the results to achieve jet black hair.
My disclaimer: This is my personal ‘recipe’, therefore the measures are approximate. I keep it very basic and simple. Additionally, I wash my hair with Lustrous Henna® Shampoo Powder before using this technique, so that the natural oils in my hair can still work with the henna and indigo. Be warned: This is a semi-permanent hair color method and your skin will stain if you don’t carefully protect it.
Color Note: For “Jet Black” Hair color use a 1-to-1 ratio of Henna Powder and Indigo Powder (equal parts).
Supplies needed:
An assistantOvenproof container (some prefer nonmetallic containers and utensils because they feel that the metals affect oxidation or dye release of henna -personally I've never noticed a difference)
Vinyl or plastic gloves
Paper towels
Cotton roll (for hair edges)
Plastic or wood fork or spoon to mix dyes
Plastic cap
Plastic wrap
Plastic cape (to protect clothing)
Old towels
Newspapers
Pure Henna Powder (from Saba Botanical of USA)
Pure Indigo Powder (from Saba Botanical of USA)
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) or a Citrus Juice like Lemon, Lime, Orange Juice
Rat tail application brush (optional)
Large tooth comb
Bonnet hair dryer
Henna Hair Dye Preparation
Preheat oven to the lowest heat setting around 170-200 degrees.
Ingredients:
50-150 gm. Pure Henna(depending on the length of your hair)
Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice (1 tbsp. per 50 grams of henna)
Water
- Protect hands with gloves. Mix warm tap water with Pure Henna in a ovenproof container (pyrex, glass, etc. works fine) until you achieve a workable paste the consistency of pancake batter.
- Cover container and “bake” for 2 hours. Turn off oven after 2 hours. Check color of henna with tip of paper towel should've changed from green to an "orangy" brown color stain. Remove from oven and let sit until warm enough to work with.
- Cover sink counters and floor with newspapers to protect from possible spillage and staining. Lightly wrap folded paper towel around neck area and tuck over the plastic cape, then close the neck of the cape using the attached clips.
- Divide wet hair into sections and have assistant apply henna to sectioned hair by parting and applying liberally. (I wet my hair before applying the henna because it’s easier to work with.) After hair is completely saturated with the henna mixture, wipe any excess off of ears, neck, etc. and wrap cotton roll gently around hairline to prevent dripping. Optional: For extra conditioning, use plastic wrap around head and pat to close and seal (avoiding face). Cover with plastic cap.
- Heat hair dryer to high setting. Cover ears and neck with towel and sit under hair dryer for 1 hour. Before washing henna mixture from hair, prepare indigo solution.
Indigo Powder Preparation
Ingredients:
50-150 gm. Pure Indigo Powder, depending on length of hair
1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. Table salt
Hot tap water
Small container
Plastic fork or spoon
Color applicator bottle w/ nozzle opening snipped to toothpaste tube size (optional).
- In container, depending on amount Pure Indigo Powder, add a small amount of table salt (to speed up dye release). Use approximately 1 tablespoon per 100 gm. of Pure Indigo Powder. Add enough hot tap water to make a paste the consistency of thin pancake batter. Mix well. Set aside. Takes only 10 minutes for dye to release.
- Have assistant wash henna thoroughly out of hair. When ready, section and apply pure indigo mixture to completely saturate hair. (Avoid ears, neck, forehead, etc. to prevent staining of skin). Change paper towel on neck, rewrap hairline with cotton roll and cover hair with plastic wrap and cap. Cover ears and neck with towel and sit under bonnet dryer (on high setting) for 1 hour.
- Check hair color. It should be black Carefully rinse indigo from hair with help of your assistant. Style hair as desired.
Note: I suggest waiting 48 hours before washing hair with any shampoo, so that the indigo will fully oxidize. When you’re ready, use a mild natural shampoo to avoid stripping color like Lustrous Henna® Shampoo Powder, Imbue™ Natural Shampoo or Pure Reetha Powder Organic Wash (Soapnut).
Indigo Hair Application Warning:
Don’t use indigo by itself to dye hair because it usually doesn’t work well alone and -will turn gray hairs blue.
Never bleach hair after using indigo because -your hair will turn green.
Why I Occasionally Use the Baked Release Method for Pure Henna Hair Dye
Reason #1: I use this method occasionally when my hormone imbalances or meds appear to be interrupting my Lustrous Henna® Soft Black application and my stubborn gray hair ends up being a deep red (very pretty). Most times I reapply the Lustrous Henna® Soft Black and “boom”, it’s perfectly covered with soft black color!
Reason#2: Followed up with an indigo application, my hair becomes jet black. Even though, “Soft Black” is my natural hair color, for a more dramatic effect, I’ll color my hair “Jet Black”.
Seriously, due to the lengthy process with this “quicker” method of achieving Pure Henna dye release, I rarely use it because:
- I actually love using 100% All Natural Lustrous Henna® Soft Black.
- It makes my hair very soft, beautiful and…it takes only 90 minutes!
Read real customer testimonials.
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*Even though our herbal ingredients have been used in natural medicine for centuries, we must add the following disclaimer: The herbs, formulas, and recipes contained within this web site are not to be considered substitutes for proper medical and health care. As with any other medicine, if you are sick, you should consult a physician to find out if the herbal preparations listed here are right for you. Saba Botanical does not make any medical claims nor warranties regarding the use of the products listed on this site. No matter how natural a product is, it may have a potential of causing side effects and allergic reaction on certain individuals. You should consult your physician before taking any medication.
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