How the planner works
It starts from a supplier's grams for your hair length (medium thickness), scales that for fine or thick hair, then splits the total by the henna-indigo ratio for your target shade. Black always uses two separate steps, each with the full amount. Notes appear when your grey share or starting colour changes what to expect. Plant dyes add colour; they never lighten hair.
Target shades and ratios
| Target | Mix | Steps | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| golden strawberry | cassia 75%, henna 25% | one | approximate |
| copper red | henna 100% | one | Henna Sooq |
| auburn (reddish brown) | henna 70%, indigo 30% | one | Henna Sooq |
| medium brown | henna 50%, indigo 50% | one | Henna Sooq |
| dark brown | henna 25%, indigo 75% | one | Henna Sooq |
| dark chocolate brown | henna 30%, indigo 70% | one | Henna Sooq |
| black | henna 100% then indigo 100% | two | Henna Sooq |
Shade names are the supplier's. 25/75 (dark brown) carries slightly more indigo than 30/70 (dark chocolate brown); both are starting points, so strand test. The golden cassia blend is our own estimate.
Grams by hair length
Total powder per step for medium-thickness hair.
| Length | Powder | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pixie-length | 50-75 g | Henna Sooq |
| chin-length | 75-100 g | approximate |
| shoulder-length | 100-125 g | Henna Sooq |
| bra-strap-length | 150-175 g | Henna Sooq |
| waist-length | 250-300 g | Henna Sooq |
| Thickness | Multiplier | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fine | x 0.8 | approximate |
| medium | x 1.0 | approximate |
| thick | x 1.3 | approximate |
Timings
| Step | Time | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henna dye release | 3-12 h | follow your powder: some blends 3-4 h, others overnight | Henna Sooq |
| Henna on hair | 2-4 h | common practice; little gain past about 4 h | approximate |
| Indigo rest after mixing | 20-30 min | mix with warm water, use promptly | Henna Sooq |
| Indigo on hair | 1-2 h | approximate; follow your product | approximate |
| Cassia on hair | 1-2 h | approximate; follow your product | approximate |
| Henna colour settles | 1-3 days | henna deepens over 24-72 h (common practice) | approximate |
| Henna-indigo colour settles | 1-2 days | henna-indigo deepens over 24-48 h | Henna Sooq |
| Root touch-ups | 4-6 weeks | roots, depending on growth and grey share | Henna Sooq |
What is approximate
- Chin-length grams sit between the supplier's above-ear and shoulder rows.
- The fine (x 0.8) and thick (x 1.3) multipliers are rounded starting points.
- The golden cassia-henna blend, indigo and cassia leave-on times, and the swatch colours are our approximations. Swatches are illustrations, not photos of real results.
Sources: Henna Sooq preparation guides; U.S. FDA henna fact sheet; your product's instructions. Full list.