A large part of Maiwa's 30 year history has been an in-depth study of natural dyes. As artisans we love them for so many reasons: a connection to tradition, a sensitivity to botany, and a deep appreciation of how colour is obtained from the natural world.

Now Maiwa is proud to offer its first range of 100% natural, organic hair dyes . Henna for skin and for hair, cassia for hair, and powdered green-leaf indigo for hair. These are a collection of natural colourants offering a range of colours. Let the beauty of natural dyes adorn you.

VISIT OUR HAIR DYE AND MEHNDI COLLECTION

Henna has been used for over 6000 years to give copper reds and reddish browns to hair, skin, textiles, and leather. The active colouring component in henna is lawsone which is released when dried leaves are ground and a mild acid (lemon juice or vinegar) is added. The dye easily bonds with the proteins in hair and skin.

Cassia (also known as “neutral henna”) grows in East Africa and India where its powdered leaves have been used in the care and colour of hair for centuries. The golden yellow of cassia comes from the anthraquinone chrysophanol. Cassia will dye pale or gray hair a golden wheat colour, however, the colour is not as permanent as henna.

Indigo, the famous blue dye, has been used on textiles for thousands of years. It has also been used (usually combined with henna) on hair to achieve deep browns and blacks. King Darius (520 BC) is thought to have used it. For dyeing hair it is best to use the dried leaves directly—these are available as a finely ground, light-green powder. 

See our Hair Dye & Mehndi Instruction Sheet