Are you looking for a natural way to cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo without harsh chemicals? Henna and Indigo are plant-based powders that have been used for centuries to colour hair safely, beautifully, and naturally. Not only do they provide stunning shades, but they also condition and strengthen your hair. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to use Henna and Indigo to achieve rich, long-lasting colour on grey hair.
What Is Henna?
Henna, or Lawsonia inermis, is a shrub that produces small green leaves containing a red-orange dye molecule called Lawsonia. Pure henna hair dye is 100% plant-based and contains no metallic salts. The leaves are dried, crushed, and sieved into a fine powder. When mixed with water, the resulting paste coats the hair, slightly deepening dark hair and adding auburn tones, or turning grey hair fiery orange-red.
You can find our pure henna powder here.
What Is Indigo?
Indigo, or Indigofera tinctoria, is a plant originally from India that produces a dark blue dye. When applied after henna, it can turn grey hair brown to black, depending on the application time. Indigo leaves are alkaline and react with the acidic henna, producing rich shades with undertones of red, burgundy, brown, and blue-black. Our indigo powder contains only pure Indigofera tinctoria leaves, finely sieved for maximum potency.
You can find our pure indigo powder here.
Why Mix Henna and Indigo to Cover Grey Hair Naturally ?
Henna alone turns grey hair orange-red. Applying indigo afterwards neutralises the red and produces natural-looking brown to black shades. The two step combination creates vibrant, glossy hair with rich depth and subtle undertones.
David’s Grey Hair Transformation
David’s transformation shows how to cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo, going from silver-grey roots to a deep, glossy brown.
David had a high concentration of grey hair that he wanted to cover naturally. Starting with his thick grey hair, he first applied henna for rich orange-red tones, followed by indigo to achieve a deep, natural dark brown-black finish. His hair now looks glossy, healthy, and evenly coloured. The result is a natural-looking, healthy, and long lasting colour transformation.
Gary’s Wife – Asian Glossy Black Hair
Gary’s wife had a mix of grey and black hair. Using a henna-indigo combination, her hair was transformed into a uniform, glossy black, while maintaining a natural shine and healthy texture.
Maryam – Stepwise Grey Coverage
Maryam’s black hair had visible grey strands. Her transformation showcases the full henna-indigo process: grey coverage with henna, then neutralising the red tones with indigo for rich, dark, glossy hair that looks naturally youthful.
By following these steps, you can cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo, leaving your hair glossy, healthy, and beautifully coloured without harsh chemicals.
Sanya – Curly Afro Textured Hair
Sanya’s naturally curly, afro-textured hair was previously grey. Using henna followed by indigo, her curls now have deep black shine with subtle red undertones, showing how the process works beautifully on tightly coiled hair.
Priya – Afro Textured Hair, Henna Only
Priya has naturally curly,afro-textured grey hair. She applied henna alone, creating vibrant reddish-copper highlights on her curls, giving depth and warmth without the indigo step.
Outdoor shot showing Priya’s afro hair after henna application. The curls at the front frame her face, while the crown and back show a neat bonnet-like afro shape. The deep auburn highlights shine in the sunlight, illustrating a smooth transition from her previous grey hair. She loved the deep auburn so much, and got so many compliments, she decided not to use indigo !
Celine (France) – Post-Chemical Grey Coverage
Celine had chemically treated hair with greys showing. Her transformation demonstrates the power of henna-indigo for restoring a uniform, natural colour, with the henna first and indigo applied afterward to neutralise any reddish tones.
This collage of four images shows Celine’s natural grey hair growth about five and a half weeks after her last chemical dye. Different angles highlight her forehead,crown, and partings where the grey is most noticeable. These photos document her starting point before switching to henna and indigo for grey coverage.
This collage of four back-view photos tracks Celine’s hair transformation. She decided to cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo. The first image shows her grey regrowth before henna. The second, taken after her henna application, shows bright orange tones at the crown with darker lengths beneath. The third image, after indigo, reveals thicker-looking, darker hair with improved shine. The final shot, ten weeks and four applications later, dispalys beautifully blended colour – a healthy, glossy, medium brown with natural depth and thickness.
Zara – Wavy Dark hair
Zara had uneven dark hair with some greying. The henna-indigo application gave her hair a rich, consistent dark brown-black tone, enhancing shine and depth in her natural waves.
Dee – Dry, Greying Dark Brown Hair to Glossy Dark Brown
Dee’s hair transformation showcases a beautifully even and glossy dark brown result. The Henna and Indigo combination has blended her greying strands seamlessly, giving her hair a uniform, healthy shine while maintaining natural depth and vibrancy.
Customer in USA
She transformed her greying hair to vibrant , soft, glossy, black once more. The Henna and Indigo application has restored her hair’s natural richness, leaving it smooth, shiny, and strikingly contrasted against her fair skin, while covering all greys.
How to Cover Grey Hair Naturally with Henna and Indigo : Step-by-Step Guide
Following this guide will help you cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo, achieving rich, vibrant colour.
If you’re ready to transform your greys, follow this simple two-step process using henna and indigo. First, apply henna to cover grey hair with a rich base, then follow with indigo to achieve your desired brown or black shade. Here’s exactly how to cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo, step by step.
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair
Wash hair 24 hours before application (no conditioner). Detangle hair to remove knots.
Step 2: Mix Henna
Mix henna powder with hot water until a smooth, yogurt-like paste forms. Let it cool until comfortable to touch.
Step 3: Apply Henna
Wear gloves to avoid staining hands. Apply evenly to grey hair. Cover hair with a plastic cap for 1–2 hours (we do not recommend overnight although it is optional).
Step 4: Rinse Henna
Rinse out the henna paste with warm water. Do not use conditioner. Your hair will look bright orange-red at this stage.
Step 5: Mix Indigo
Mix indigo powder with warm water to create a smooth paste. Optional: add some salt or a small amount of vinegar to enhance color adherence. Work in a well-ventilated area as indigo has a strong scent.
Step 6: Apply Indigo
Apply indigo immediately onto the orange-red hair. Cover with a plastic cap. Leave for 15–30 minutes for brown shades, or 50–60 minutes for dark brown to black. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Step 7: Optional Additives
You can mix Amla powder with henna to add conditioning and slightly golden tones, especially on lighter or grey hair. Cassia Obovata is excellent for hair conditioning and natural blonde highlights. Regular use of Amla on grey hair may naturally deepen the colour over time.
Conclusion
Using henna and indigo together is a safe, natural, and effective way to cover grey hair while improving hair strength and shine. With a little practice, you can achieve rich brown to black shades tailored to your hair type.
Ready to Try Henna & Indigo to Colour Your Hair ?
Ready to try it yourself? Check out our Pure Henna Powder and Pure Indigo Powder. Explore our other natural powders like Amla and Cassia Obovata for hair conditioning and styling.
For detailed guidance , try our Henna Hair Colour Starter Kit, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to cover grey hair naturally with henna and indigo , gloves, and everything you need for your first application.
