Indigo Thread

[Outmoded]

I don't believe pure indigo itself comes out different tints. Your dye release process might affect intensity. The tints come from the hair color it is being applied to, and (for those of us who do this) the herbs it is combined with. Since you aren't planning to combine it with anything else, you should safely be able to recapture your previous dye experience with your indigo/salt combination.

I personally have not had success getting indigo to stick to my virgin hair. I'm quite jealous! The indigo I use is Henna Sooq indigo, which I love the deep dye deposit and ease of washing out. But again, no idea if it would stick to your hair or not.

I was myself quite surprised that the plain indigo worked so well on my virgin hair, not merely on the previously dyed sections, especially since my natural colour is about 50% white (the dye even seems to like my white hair more than the brown, which from what I have read, is the opposite of most people's experience).

[C_Bookworm]

I was myself quite surprised that the plain indigo worked so well on my virgin hair, not merely on the previously dyed sections, especially since my natural colour is about 50% white (the dye even seems to like my white hair more than the brown, which from what I have read, is the opposite of most people's experience).

That is super weird! But good weird, haha. Nice it’s working with you and sticking so nicely to your whites.

[Outmoded]

What is the time limit, when left on one's hair, that indigo ceases to have any further effect? I wash mine out after four hours, but cannot seem to find definitive information on the subject, as to whether I should go longer to achieve a darker result, or whether I have already stretched it into 'pointless' territory.

Also, though I try not to use anything on my hair when rinsing out the indigo, and do not wash it for four days afterwards, the indigo is so drying, that I feel I desperately need to use conditioner to prevent breakage during the rinse. How detrimental would adding conditioner be for the colour, versus the potential hair breakage from not using it?

[TatsuOni]

What is the time limit, when left on one's hair, that indigo ceases to have any further effect? I wash mine out after four hours, but cannot seem to find definitive information on the subject, as to whether I should go longer to achieve a darker result, or whether I have already stretched it into 'pointless' territory.

Also, though I try not to use anything on my hair when rinsing out the indigo, and do not wash it for four days afterwards, the indigo is so drying, that I feel I desperately need to use conditioner to prevent breakage during the rinse. How detrimental would adding conditioner be for the colour, versus the potential hair breakage from not using it?

I CO-wash after indigo. No problem at all.

[Outmoded]

I do a heavy oiling to combat the dryness, about four days after dying with indigo; I have read that coconut and olive oil are notorious for stripping the colour, though I usually use almond oil or sunflower oil. Is there some kind of comparison/explanation guide for the colour stripping effects of different oils and how that works?

[C_Bookworm]

I do a heavy oiling to combat the dryness, about four days after dying with indigo; I have read that coconut and olive oil are notorious for stripping the colour, though I usually use almond oil or sunflower oil. Is there some kind of comparison/explanation guide for the colour stripping effects of different oils and how that works?

This page compares three different oils: https://silknstone.com/how-to-remove...rom-your-hair/

[Outmoded]

Thanks, I'll know now to avoid grapeseed oil as well. I would like to figure out what would be the best choices for oils which would not affect the colour though.

[wickedannabella]

I just found this thread and felt as though I needed to be a part of it after my first henndigo ritual (I am initiated, y’all!).

I am very happy with my first round though it is clear I have a long road ahead of me to achieving a long term raven black. There were clearly some spots that I missed, not to mention my hair was bi-colored black and white before. As you can imagine, it is a sort of strange spectrum of tawny blondes, browns, and blacks at the moment. I will post photos at another time.

Nevertheless, my first step on this journey is wondrous. My hair felt wicked good after the fact and seems to have retained the color well considering its pre-chem ancestress. I intended on doing another round in a couple of weeks.

Can I just say you all are major hair inspirations to me at the moment? Seriously moved by all the henndigo documentation on this thread… alas, I am just a young crow.

[TatsuOni]

I just found this thread and felt as though I needed to be a part of it after my first henndigo ritual (I am initiated, y’all!).

I am very happy with my first round though it is clear I have a long road ahead of me to achieving a long term raven black. There were clearly some spots that I missed, not to mention my hair was bi-colored black and white before. As you can imagine, it is a sort of strange spectrum of tawny blondes, browns, and blacks at the moment. I will post photos at another time.

Nevertheless, my first step on this journey is wondrous. My hair felt wicked good after the fact and seems to have retained the color well considering its pre-chem ancestress. I intended on doing another round in a couple of weeks.

Can I just say you all are major hair inspirations to me at the moment? Seriously moved by all the henndigo documentation on this thread… alas, I am just a young crow.

Welcome to the dark side!

[wickedannabella]

Welcome to the dark side!

Thank you kindly! I am relishing it.

My first question for the folks of the dark side: how does one make a nice henna gloss? How often do you use it? How do you incorporate it in your routine?