Why should natural dyes be prepared with oil?

Hair oil is the ally of vegetable hair colouring: an indispensable step.

We are often asked why we recommend hair oilwhen preparing vegetable hair colouring, and there is a scientific explanation (not too difficult to understand) which we explain below.

The main pigment of vegetable dyeing and Henna, lawsone, is insoluble in water. In fact, the chemical structure of lawsone is the same as the chemical structure of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K. This is why vegetable colouring pigments better in the presence of fatty molecules (such as those provided by oils). 

In addition, vegetable colouring stains by deposition, i.e. it settles in the outermost layers of the hair, binding to the natural keratin of the hair and staining it with colour. If this keratin is altered (i.e. the hair is damaged by aggressive products or treatments such as chemical dyes, straightening...), the vegetable dye cannot dye correctly and the colour does not always set well (i.e. the finish is not optimal). Therefore, the condition of the hair matters a lot.

We then find that hair oil provides good fats, which are necessary both for the vegetable colouring (the powder from the pigment plants) to prepare well, and to nourish the hair when you apply the colour and improve the final result.

How to apply the oil in natural colouring?

The hair oil should be added to the hair dye preparation, adding two to three tablespoons and mixing until you get a chocolate texture without lumps. You will immediately notice how the mixture becomes lighter, creamier and smoother.

If you want healthy, beautiful hair, always have a hair oil on hand. Choose yours here.