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$4.95
Cassia Obovata - also known as "neutral henna" grows in East Africa and India where its powdered leaves have been used in the care and colour of hair for centuries. The golden yellow of cassia comes from the anthraqinone chrysophanol. Cassia will dye pale or gray hair a golden wheat colour, however, the colour is not as permanent as henna.
The dye component is transparent and so does not make dark hair lighter - it is not a bleach. Cassia has deep conditioning qualities while aslso giving a golden colour.
It is recommended to test the hair first because some waters have an abundance of minerals and those minerals can build up in hair - there can be a reaction between the tannins in cassia and the minerals on hair that produce a dark brown or greenish black.
Maiwa's hair dyes are 100% natural and certified organic.
Cassia Recipe for Hair
Golden wheat colours on pale or grey hair - Always do a strand test
▶ Mix cassia powder with warm water until it becomes the consistency of creamy yogurt or pancake batter.
▶ Allow to stand in a warm place for 4-6 hours covered with plastic wrap. Apply to dry or damp hair in the same way that you would apply the henna paste.
▶ Keep wrapped in plastic for 2-4 hours and then wash out with warm water followed by a shampoo with neutral soap and conditioner.
Remember that cassia is for adding gold tones to blonde or grey hair. You can add some henna for a strawberry blonde colour. Cassia also deeply conditions hair and adds shine and thickness. On dark hair it will not colour but it will condition beautifully.
See our full Hair Dye & Mehndi Instruction Sheet.
$4.95
Indigofera tinctoria
The extract derived from the indigo plant has been used to dye wools, cottons, and silks for over 6000 years. The powdered indigo leaf is also an effective hair dye which has been used in Africa, China, India and throughout the Arab world. King Darius (520 BCE) is thought to have used it, as did Bluebeard. Indigo will give dark hair a blue-black sheen and can be combined with henna–to give deep auburn browns and blacks to hair.
For dyeing hair it is best to use the dried leaves directly (not the dark-blue extract powder). The leaves are available as a finely ground, lightgreen powder.
Indigo Recipe for Hair
To give black hair additional depth and sheen.
Indigo paste must be used within 15 minutes of mixing.
▶ Mix indigo powder with warm water (do not add any lemon juice to indigo or the colour will not develop) until it is the consistency of thick yogurt. Add one tsp of salt if you are going for deep black colour over a henna base.
▶ Follow the procedure for henna, but only leave the indigo on the hair for 1 hour. When washing just use warm water (no shampoo or conditioner). This mixture needs a day or two to oxidze before a neutral shampoo and conditioner may be used.
Combining Henna an Indigo
For rich black shades apply indigo paste over henna dyed hair -
You can make separate pastes and combine them or you can do two separate hair treatments. For brown, auburn, or chestnut shades combine indigo paste with henna paste. Equal parts will give a mid-browns, more indigo will yield darker browns, less indigo will give softer reddish browns. Experiment to find the colour you want. For rich black shades apply indigo paste over henna dyed hair.
▶ If combining indigo and henna paste, only leave on hair for 1-2 hours. When washing just use warm water (no shampoo or conditioner). This mixture needs a day or two to oxidize before a neutral shampoo and conditioner may be used.
▶ If applying henna and then indigo, you can apply indigo immediately after the henna process is done, or you can wait a few days before doing an indigo treatment.
▶ Remember that the indigo paste needs to be used within 15 minutes of mixing, but henna paste needs to sit for 2-4 hours before use.
See our full Hair Dye Instruction Sheet.
$4.95
Lawsonia Inermis - Henna is a shrub native to North Africa, West and South Asia and northern Australasia. It thrives in regions with temperatures between 35-45 degrees Celsius and it is in these parts of the semi-arid and tropical world that henna leaves produce the most dye.
Henna has been used for over 6000 years to give copper reds and reddish browns to hair, skin, textiles, and leather. The active colouring component in henna is lawsone which is released when dried leaves are ground and a mild acid (lemon juice or vinegar) is added. The dye easily bonds with the proteins in hair and skin.
Henna Recipe for Hair
For copper reds to reddish brown colours
A variety of shades can be achieved by using henna alone or by combining it with indigo.
Always do a strand test
▶ Mix henna, hot water, lemon juice and (optional) cinnamon or ginger.
▶ Stir well until there are no lumps and consistency is smooth.
▶ Add the oil and mix well. Cover paste with plastic wrap—pressing it against the paste so there are no air pockets. Let sit for 2-4 hours in a warm place. Stir well before using. Before applying the consistency should be that of creamy yogurt or pancake batter.
See our full Hair Dye & Mehndi Instruction Sheet.
$4.95
Lawsonia inermis - Henna is a shrub native to North Africa, West and South Asia and northern Australasia. It thrives in regions with temperatures between 35-45 degrees Celsius and it is in these parts of the semi-arid and tropical world that henna leaves produce the most dye.
Henna has been used for over 6000 years to give copper reds and reddish browns to hair, skin, textiles, and leather. The active colouring component in henna is lawsone which is released when dried leaves are ground and a mild acid (lemon juice or vinegar) is added. The dye easily bonds with the proteins in hair and skin. With the addition of mordants, henna will also dye cellulose fibres.
Maiwa's mehndi dyes are 100% natural and certified organic.
Henna Recipe for Mehndi
Temporary tattoo
Use the same powdered henna leaves as for hair. Re-sift to make the finest paste possible.
▶ Mix henna and lemon juice. Stir well until there are no lumps and consistency is smooth
▶ Add the sugar and stir well—paste should become smooth and shiny. ▶ Add the essential oil and mix well.
▶ Cover paste with plastic wrap—pressing against the paste so there are no air pockets.
See our full Hair Dye & Mehndi Instruction Sheet.
