NightBlooming offers five herbal hair colors in the gold to red range, and while one of the amazing things about herbal hair colors is how they work with your own hair color to produce a color unique to you, many people want a little more security. (Very wise given the insane permanency of henna!) A generous customer donated some of her virgin ash-blonde hair (also called ‘the color everyone dyes over’) and I’m happy to show these herbal hair color strand tests.

Control Outdoors- Indirect Sunlight

Control Indoors

Control and Methodology

Each lock of hair was sectioned to be approximately the same length and thickness. Each of the herbal hair colors were mixed up with steaming distilled waterWater that has been boiled into a vapor and condensed into a liquid in a separate container, removing impurities such as chlorine, bacteria, and minerals. More, left to dye release for two hours, and the locks left to soak in the dye for 3 hours (as per the included instructions). After that, they were all rinsed and were allowed to oxidize for 3 days before these pictures were taken.

The Play of Light

I then photographed each lock in different types of light. As this image, taken from Coloring Hair Naturally with Henna & Other Herbs, shows, herbal colors, but especially those containing henna, vary wildly just depending in on the type of light that they’re in. The same head of hair can go from burgundy in the shade, to brownish under fluorescent light, to fiery copper in the sun. This is an important consideration when looking at pictures of hennaed hair. It’s very tempting to say, “I want this color in this photo. What mix do I need?” That same head of hair might look very different in another photo taken just a few seconds later because a cloud passed overhead.

All colors in indirect sunlight.

All Color Swatches

Moving left to right is Control, Eilistraee Colorless Herbal Conditioner, Sarenrae Blonde / Colorless, Rusalki Strawberry Blonde, Fire Genasi Copper, Kitsune Fox Fire Red, and Enyo War Goddess Ruby Red.

Eilistree Colorless Herbal Conditioner

Eilistraee is a blend of sedr and other herbs that gives conditioning and volume without coloring even the palest of hair colors. In these photos you can see the control lock and Eilistraee lock: there’s no difference.

Ingredients: Certified Organic Zizyphus Spina Christi (Sedr)A desert plant whose natural wax conditions hair in a manner similar to that of henna, providing body, aiding in detangling, scalp conditioning, and provides shine/sheen to hair. More , Organic Aloe Vera Powder, Nettle, Wheatgrass.

Note that Eilistraee does NOT change your hair color! It’s colorless conditioning.

Eilistraee lock indoors

Eilistraee lock outdoors, indirect sunlight

Sarenrae Blonde Herbal Hair Color & Conditioner

Sarenrae is a blend of herbs that gives rich golden tones and deep, long-lasting conditioning well beyond what cassia obovata manages on its own.

Ingredients: Cassia (Senna italica)Sometimes called Cassia Obovata, this plant contains moderate levels of Chrysophanic acid, which both gives a golden dye and has anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties. Often, this golden color fades in 4-8 weeks. More, Senna (Senna alexandrea)This plant contains high amounts of Chrysophanic acid, which both gives a golden dye and has anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties. Often, this golden color fades in 4-8 weeks. More, Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)A plant with a long-standing reverence as a beneficial herb for both hair and skin. Chamomile flowers sooth itching on the scalp and smooths the hair cuticle, giving shine, conditioning, and, to very pale hair, weak golden tones. More, Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)The most widely used and available herbal remedy on the planet, ginger helps to promote circulation and detoxification and thus may aid in hair growth. This herb also adds a pleasant scent to the herbal blend. More, Horsetail (Shavegrass, Equisetum arvense)One of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom, it is an essential building block of hair, adding strength and encouraging growth. More, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)Soothing to the scalp, this herb has been used for centuries to heal inflamed, weeping, irritated skin conditions. More, Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)Contains mucilage and starches that soothes irritated skin and membranes and is one of the most effective herbs for promoting hair growth and reducing the amount of hair shed. More, Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)Soothes both the skin and scalp, it provides excellent relief from skin and scalp irritation while leaving hair soft and shining. More, Aloe Leaf (Aloe Vera)Soothing and nurturing, aloe leaf provides many of the elements effective in fighting hair loss: Biotin, b-vitamins, zinc and inositil. It also contains anti-bacterial properties that keep the scalp healthy by controlling scalp infections that can prohibit hair growth. More, Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis)An emollient (meaning it helps the cuticle of the hair lay down) and a demulcent (meaning it leaves a light soothing film behind) this herb has a cooling effect. It is also an excellent natural conditioner that may impart a warm reddish color to hair. More, and Stinging Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)Often called nature’s conditioner, Stinging Nettle is natural deep cleanser useful for oily skin and hair that promotes hair growth. More

Sarenrae indirect sunlight

Sarenrae in direct sunlight

Sarenrae indoors

Rusalki Strawberry Blonde Herbal Hair Color

Rusalki uses a blend of senna, henna, and other herbs to give a stunning, natural strawberry-blonde color to light hair and a smidge of warmth and a lot of conditioning to dark hair.

Ingredients: Cassia (Senna italica)Sometimes called Cassia Obovata, this plant contains moderate levels of Chrysophanic acid, which both gives a golden dye and has anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties. Often, this golden color fades in 4-8 weeks. More, Henna (Lawsonia Inermis)The powdered leaves of this desert plant creates a permanent red-orange dye that both colors and strengthens hair. Henna also deposits a natural, moisture-permeable plant wax that helps reduce moisture loss and smooths the cortex. More, Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)A plant with a long-standing reverence as a beneficial herb for both hair and skin. Chamomile flowers sooth itching on the scalp and smooths the hair cuticle, giving shine, conditioning, and, to very pale hair, weak golden tones. More, Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)The most widely used and available herbal remedy on the planet, ginger helps to promote circulation and detoxification and thus may aid in hair growth. This herb also adds a pleasant scent to the herbal blend. More, Horsetail (Shavegrass, Equisetum arvense)One of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom, it is an essential building block of hair, adding strength and encouraging growth. More, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)Soothing to the scalp, this herb has been used for centuries to heal inflamed, weeping, irritated skin conditions. More, Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)Contains mucilage and starches that soothes irritated skin and membranes and is one of the most effective herbs for promoting hair growth and reducing the amount of hair shed. More, Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)Soothes both the skin and scalp, it provides excellent relief from skin and scalp irritation while leaving hair soft and shining. More, Aloe Leaf (Aloe Vera)Soothing and nurturing, aloe leaf provides many of the elements effective in fighting hair loss: Biotin, b-vitamins, zinc and inositil. It also contains anti-bacterial properties that keep the scalp healthy by controlling scalp infections that can prohibit hair growth. More, Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis)An emollient (meaning it helps the cuticle of the hair lay down) and a demulcent (meaning it leaves a light soothing film behind) this herb has a cooling effect. It is also an excellent natural conditioner that may impart a warm reddish color to hair. More, and Stinging Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)Often called nature’s conditioner, Stinging Nettle is natural deep cleanser useful for oily skin and hair that promotes hair growth. More

Rusalki indirect sunlight

Rusalki direct sunlight

Rusalki indoors

Fire Gensai Copper Herbal Hair Color

A vibrant blend of henna, senna, and other herbs, Fire Genasi mimics naturally ginger hair, making it not only convincing, but a great refresher for natural redheads whose color has faded.

Ingredients: Henna (Lawsonia Inermis)The powdered leaves of this desert plant creates a permanent red-orange dye that both colors and strengthens hair. Henna also deposits a natural, moisture-permeable plant wax that helps reduce moisture loss and smooths the cortex. More, Cassia (Senna italica)Sometimes called Cassia Obovata, this plant contains moderate levels of Chrysophanic acid, which both gives a golden dye and has anti-fungal and anti bacterial properties. Often, this golden color fades in 4-8 weeks. More, Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)A plant with a long-standing reverence as a beneficial herb for both hair and skin. Chamomile flowers sooth itching on the scalp and smooths the hair cuticle, giving shine, conditioning, and, to very pale hair, weak golden tones. More, Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)The most widely used and available herbal remedy on the planet, ginger helps to promote circulation and detoxification and thus may aid in hair growth. This herb also adds a pleasant scent to the herbal blend. More, Horsetail (Shavegrass, Equisetum arvense)One of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom, it is an essential building block of hair, adding strength and encouraging growth. More, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)Soothing to the scalp, this herb has been used for centuries to heal inflamed, weeping, irritated skin conditions. More, Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)Contains mucilage and starches that soothes irritated skin and membranes and is one of the most effective herbs for promoting hair growth and reducing the amount of hair shed. More, Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)Soothes both the skin and scalp, it provides excellent relief from skin and scalp irritation while leaving hair soft and shining. More, Aloe Leaf (Aloe Vera)Soothing and nurturing, aloe leaf provides many of the elements effective in fighting hair loss: Biotin, b-vitamins, zinc and inositil. It also contains anti-bacterial properties that keep the scalp healthy by controlling scalp infections that can prohibit hair growth. More, Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis)An emollient (meaning it helps the cuticle of the hair lay down) and a demulcent (meaning it leaves a light soothing film behind) this herb has a cooling effect. It is also an excellent natural conditioner that may impart a warm reddish color to hair. More, and Stinging Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)Often called nature’s conditioner, Stinging Nettle is natural deep cleanser useful for oily skin and hair that promotes hair growth. More

Fire Genasi indirect sunlight

Fire Genasi direct sunlight

Fire Genasi indoors

Kitsune Fox Fire Red Herbal Hair Color

Kitsune is a rich red that flares orange in the sun. The addition of conditioning herbs both help cut the grassy henna smell that some dislike, and also add additional softness and shine.

Ingredients: Henna (Lawsonia Inermis)The powdered leaves of this desert plant creates a permanent red-orange dye that both colors and strengthens hair. Henna also deposits a natural, moisture-permeable plant wax that helps reduce moisture loss and smooths the cortex. More, Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)A plant with a long-standing reverence as a beneficial herb for both hair and skin. Chamomile flowers sooth itching on the scalp and smooths the hair cuticle, giving shine, conditioning, and, to very pale hair, weak golden tones. More, Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)The most widely used and available herbal remedy on the planet, ginger helps to promote circulation and detoxification and thus may aid in hair growth. This herb also adds a pleasant scent to the herbal blend. More, Horsetail (Shavegrass, Equisetum arvense)One of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom, it is an essential building block of hair, adding strength and encouraging growth. More, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)Soothing to the scalp, this herb has been used for centuries to heal inflamed, weeping, irritated skin conditions. More, Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)Contains mucilage and starches that soothes irritated skin and membranes and is one of the most effective herbs for promoting hair growth and reducing the amount of hair shed. More, Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)Soothes both the skin and scalp, it provides excellent relief from skin and scalp irritation while leaving hair soft and shining. More, Aloe Leaf (Aloe Vera)Soothing and nurturing, aloe leaf provides many of the elements effective in fighting hair loss: Biotin, b-vitamins, zinc and inositil. It also contains anti-bacterial properties that keep the scalp healthy by controlling scalp infections that can prohibit hair growth. More, Hibiscus Flowers (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis)An emollient (meaning it helps the cuticle of the hair lay down) and a demulcent (meaning it leaves a light soothing film behind) this herb has a cooling effect. It is also an excellent natural conditioner that may impart a warm reddish color to hair. More, and Stinging Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)Often called nature’s conditioner, Stinging Nettle is natural deep cleanser useful for oily skin and hair that promotes hair growth. More

Kitsune indirect sunlight

Kitsune direct sunlight

Kitsune indoors

Enyo War Goddess Ruby Red Herbal Hair Color

Enyo is a deep red that ranges from ruby to auburn on even light hair. It uses a unique blend of henna, indigo, and red-staining herbs to achieve this elusive and brilliant shade.

Ingredients: Henna- Rajastani (Lawsonia Inermis), Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria)A natural deep blue dye that can be blended with other herbs to dye hair brown or black. More, Elder Berry (Sambucus canadensis)Its flowers and berries have a long history of use in traditional European medicine. The berries produce a deep purple-red dye. More, Beet Root (Beta vulgaris)Betanin, obtained from the roots, is a deep red dye. More, Triphala powder (amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki)Triphala is recommended and used more than any other Ayurvedic herbal formulation. It is composed of the dried fruits of amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki. More