Indigo oil-spill coating (pics). Why is this?

[henna4grey]

My last 2 indigo-only mixes got this nasty oil-spill-looking coating when left to sit for about 5-10 min, covered with a plastic (not air-tight). What could be causing it? I doubt there are any chemicals in the powder, as the dye uptake isn't strong.

The 1st picture is what Khadija's indigo mix looks like. The other 2 are my mixes, runnier than Khadija's.

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76751

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76750

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76749


ETA: I don't know why the pictures don't show up. Does anyone see them? If not, would you, please, view them in my Album, or just click the following links?

Khadija's http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76751

Mine: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76750

Mine: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76749

[GRU]

H4G, for the pictures you need to use the URL for the photo, not the one for your album.

For example, the first one (space added in first tag so you can see the text) you have is:

[IM G]http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76751[/IMG]


You want to use this one:

[IM G]http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76751[/IMG]


See where the first one says "album.php?" but the second one says "picture.php?" in the middle? That's the difference....


So here are your photos:


http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76751


http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76750


http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=5870&pictureid=76749


Sorry I can't help you with the indigo question -- I'm strictly a henna/cassia girl myself. But at least I could help you with the technical problem, if nothing else! :)

[kwaniesiam]

I always thought you were supposed to use indigo immediately, not let it sit. Maybe you shouldn't leave it to sit?

[Anje]

I haven't messed with indigo much, but I think I've seen similar stuff in DH's buxus mix. Could it be the dye itself? Otherwise, my first speculation is that there might be some soap residue in the container that floats on the indigo.

[henna4grey]

Thank you, GRU!

Kwaniesiam, it's not a must to let the indigo sit, but it seems to be ok (and Khadija even recommends it) to leave it aside for about 15min before you apply.

Anje, that's interesting about buxus. I hope this oily coating is nothing to worry about.

[Gulbahar]

I experience the same with my indigo (and any indigo I had). Don't worry! It's totally normal. ;-)

[henna4grey]

Just thought to explain what's there in the 3rd picture. I had to crop it several times in order to fit it into my album, so I think it has lost most of its beauty;)

The white thing is a plastic spoon, with the help of which I pushed the oily coating aside to reveal the indigo paste under it.

[henna4grey]

Oh, thank you, Gulbahar! It's so good to know it's normal!

[annarose]

Whatever may be causing it, that last pic is kinda pretty!