Ingredient

Indigo Herb Powder

Indigofera tinctoria

Activated by hot water, indigo imparts an inky black colour to the hair, and its intensity can be nuanced with an expertly balanced mix of ingredients.

Where do we get it?

Lush purchases indigo from Iran, despite the political turmoil of recent decades that has made it difficult to trade at times. Our supplier, who also provides us with red henna, mills indigo leaves collected from farmers of the Kerman and Sistan provinces. They are committed to producing excellent indigo powder whose quality is regularly tested.

What are the benefits of indigo?

• Colours the hair with chocolate, brown and black hues when mixed with other ingredients such as henna, coffee or noni fruits.
• Helps obtain a wider range of natural hair colouring than just the red of henna. 

How does it work?

Unlike henna which dyes the hair optimally when kept warm under a towel, indigo will develop its darkest hues if left exposed to air. Its colouring power is, however, activated by heat, so it is recommended to stay in a warm room in order to have the best results. Waiting in a steamy bath surely works even better! After rinsing the preparation from the hair, the colour will still develop slightly for a few days, as it will continue to oxidize on contact with air.

Unique stories

True indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) is a shrub from the bean family that is cultivated under tropical and subtropical climates. Indigo powder is obtained by finely grinding the little oval leaves of the beautiful plant after they’ve been dried. Used on fabric, it makes a deep blue dye that has coloured the clothes of kings and workers for centuries. It’s one of the only tinctures that doesn’t need a mordant to adhere.