After dyeing: How to care for hair colored with plant-based dye

You've dyed and rinsed your hair, and the color already looks really good. Now the question is: What should I do over the next few days to keep it that way? The good news: plant-based hair dye doesn't require a complicated care routine. A few things can help, especially right after dyeing.

The first 48 hours: the color darkens

Right after rinsing, the color often looks lighter and more vibrant than it will in the end. It will continue to darken over the first 24 to 48 hours. Therefore, only judge your results after a day or two and don't let a first glance in the bathroom mirror unsettle you.

By the way, rinse with only water, without shampoo, until the water runs clear. A little plant powder still clinging to your hair is no big deal.

The first wash: wait a few days

Give your color a few days to settle before washing your hair for the first time. During this time, the pigment binds to the hair. When the time comes, wash gently. For us, that means Sidr: a mild powder that you mix with water to form a paste and massage into your hair like shampoo. You can find out exactly how to do this in our post about shampooing with Sidr.

A simple routine for afterwards

Wash gently, but not too often

The less and more gently you wash your hair, the longer the color will stay beautiful. This isn't mandatory, but many people notice that their hair needs to be washed less often over time.

Plant powder treatments

Between dyeing sessions, you can do something good for your hair:

• Cassia (Shine Me) coats the hair as a treatment and gives it shine and texture. Cassia barely dyes, so your hair will retain its color.
• Amla is a popular care ingredient. It can also slightly tone down red hues if you add it to a dye mixture.

Mix the powders as usual with warm water (approx. 50 to 60 °C), distribute them through your hair, and leave them on for a while. Rinse thoroughly. We cannot promise exactly what will happen, because every head of hair reacts differently. Try it out and see what works best for your hair.

A few drops of oil on the lengths

If your ends feel dry, a few drops of oil on the lengths can help. It's a matter of feel: fine, quickly greasing hair needs less than thick, curly hair.

What if the color fades?

Plant-based hair dye grows out with your hair, so the difference will be visible at the roots. When dyeing again, only dye the roots. Plant-based dyes coat the hair like a film, and the color becomes more intense and darker with each dyeing. If you were to dye the lengths every time, the shade would become deeper over time.

In short

• Only judge the color after 24 to 48 hours.
• Wash gently for the first time after a few days, for example with Sidr.
• Between dyeing sessions: Cassia or Amla treatments, a few drops of oil on the lengths.
• When dyeing again, only dye the roots.

Still not sure which shade suits you? Then try it out on the computer before you mix.