Dark grey/gray color using herbs?

**DJCRUNK** · October 16th, 2023, 07:19 AM

Hi,
Is it possible to create a dark grey colour using some combination of amla, indigo, cassia, henna etc? My natural colour was ashy brown but my hair is pretty much white or light grey now. I hate it. I would prefer a dark grey or steel grey instead of white. Is this possible?
Thanks

**paulownia** · October 16th, 2023, 10:28 AM

It is possible to get darker grey with katam

**DJCRUNK** · October 16th, 2023, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by paulownia

It is possible to get darker grey with katam

Thanks. I've seen that mentioned on one web page, but I can't find any other references to this effect or any instructions about how to achieve it. Also, is it true that katam washes out quickly?

**lapushka** · October 16th, 2023, 03:00 PM

If you can't find any info and want to experiment. Please don't use your head for a lab (I think Anje on here came up with that one). It means: strand test. Collect shed hair over the course of a month or month or two and divide into small pieces to smear your own concoctions onto. Document, document, document and do it well.

Herbs are finicky. Also, your own hair color often determines the result, in which case, no one can help... not really.

**DJCRUNK** · October 16th, 2023, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by lapushka

If you can't find any info and want to experiment. Please don't use your head for a lab (I think Anje on here came up with that one). It means: strand test. Collect shed hair over the course of a month or month or two and divide into small pieces to smear your own concoctions onto. Document, document, document and do it well.

Herbs are finicky. Also, your own hair color often determines the result, in which case, no one can help... not really.

Thanks. Yeah, I've had my fair share of colour disasters!

I've managed to find a bit more info on Katam. It's only exported from Yemen and the situation there basically means there's no genuine Katam available outside the country and any that you do find is probably just indigo. Regardless, I still haven't found any definitive information about how to use it or what it is likely to look like.

**paulownia** · October 17th, 2023, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by DJCRUNK

Thanks. I've seen that mentioned on one web page, but I can't find any other references to this effect or any instructions about how to achieve it. Also, is it true that katam washes out quickly?

Yes, it does, unfortunately

Originally Posted by DJCRUNK

Thanks. Yeah, I've had my fair share of colour disasters!

I've managed to find a bit more info on Katam. It's only exported from Yemen and the situation there basically means there's no genuine Katam available outside the country and any that you do find is probably just indigo. Regardless, I still haven't found any definitive information about how to use it or what it is likely to look like.

Depends on the country you live in. Katam is available in most of the European countries.
It works similar to indigo but is more finicky. You mix it with tepid, distilled water, add a little bit of salt or baking soda ( it likes alkaline environnement) and apply to clarified and chelated hair . 2 hours should do.

**DJCRUNK** · October 17th, 2023, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by paulownia

Yes, it does, unfortunately

Depends on the country you live in. Katam is available in most of the European countries.
It works similar to indigo but is more finicky. You mix it with tepid, distilled water, add a little bit of salt or baking soda ( it likes alkaline environnement) and apply to clarified and chelated hair . 2 hours should do.

Thanks for the info!