Step 1 — Red Shadow or Copper Shadow
Step 2 — Indigo Shadow

The first application creates a warm foundation. Indigo Shadow is then applied over this base to create your final dark colour.

In this guide, we'll take you through the complete process for colouring grey hair black with Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours.

What Is Indigo Shadow?

Indigo Shadow — 1.17 Raven Black is our darkest Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colour.

On medium to dark brown hair, it creates deep blue-black tones.

On grey, blonde or very light hair, however, Indigo must be used differently.

Because these lighter strands don't contain enough underlying warm pigment, they need a Red or Copper foundation before Indigo is applied.

Does Grey Hair Need a Red Base Before Indigo?

Yes.

A Red or Copper base is required when using Indigo Shadow on grey hair.

This is different from Chocolate Shadow and Deep Chestnut Shadow, where a Red Base may only be necessary for very light hair or stubborn, colour-resistant grey.

With Indigo, the Red Base is part of the grey-hair colouring process.

Apply either:

Red Shadow — Medium Copper Red

or

Copper Shadow — Hot Copper Red

before applying Indigo Shadow.

Both provide the warm botanical pigments needed to create a foundation for the Indigo.

Why Does Indigo Need a Red Base on Grey Hair?

Grey hair has little or no natural pigment.

Indigo produces cool blue tones. When those cool pigments are applied directly to grey or very light hair without enough warm pigment underneath, the result can appear excessively blue, green, ashy or uneven.

The Red or Copper base replaces the missing warmth.

When Indigo is then applied over that warm foundation, the colours work together to create a much deeper, more balanced dark result.

Think of the Red Base as the foundation underneath your final Indigo colour.

Will My Hair Look Red After the First Step?

Yes—and that's completely normal.

After applying Red Shadow or Copper Shadow, your grey strands can look bright copper or red.

Don't judge your final result at this stage.

The Red/Copper colour isn't intended to be your finished shade. Its purpose is to provide the warm foundation needed for the Indigo application that follows.

Once Indigo Shadow is applied over the Red Base, the result becomes significantly darker.

Who Should Use This Two-Step Indigo Method?

Use the Red/Copper Base + Indigo Shadow method if you have:

• grey hair
• white or silver hair
• naturally blonde or very light hair
• bleached or significantly lightened hair

If your hair is naturally medium to dark brown without grey or significantly lightened sections, you may not need the Red Base.

Always follow the instructions supplied with your Indigo Shadow for your particular starting colour.

What You'll Need

Before you start, have everything ready:

• Indigo Shadow
• Red Shadow or Copper Shadow
• gloves
• mixing bowls
• tinting brush
• comb
• shower cap or suitable hair wrap
• old towel or protective covering

You'll also need enough time to complete both colour stages.

The Indigo stage can be applied immediately after your Red/Copper base or within approximately 24–48 hours.

Always Strand Test First

We strongly recommend a strand test before your first full Indigo application.

Importantly, test the complete two-step process:

Red/Copper Base → Indigo Shadow

Testing Indigo directly on a grey strand won't show you the result of the method you'll actually be using.

A strand test helps you see:

• how strongly the Red/Copper base takes
• how the Indigo develops over it
• the final depth and tone
• how your grey responds
• whether the colour is right for you

Botanical hair colour works with your individual starting colour, so results naturally vary from person to person.

STEP 1 — CREATE THE RED OR COPPER BASE

Mix Your Red Shadow or Copper Shadow

Choose either Red Shadow or Copper Shadow.

Mix your chosen colour according to the instructions supplied with the product.

These shades have a short activation time, so they can be used relatively soon after mixing.

Don't mix Indigo Shadow yet.

Indigo needs to be mixed close to the time you intend to apply it.

Apply the Red/Copper Base

Apply your Red Shadow or Copper Shadow generously to the areas that need the warm foundation.

If you're colouring grey regrowth, concentrate on the grey roots.

If your hair is predominantly grey or white and you're colouring the full head, apply the Red/Copper base throughout the areas that will later receive Indigo.

Make sure every grey strand is thoroughly coated.

Pay particular attention to:

• temples
• hairline
• grey roots
• resistant areas
• areas with a higher concentration of grey

Once applied, cover your hair with a shower cap or suitable wrap to retain moisture.

How Long Should the Red Base Process?

Allow your Red Shadow or Copper Shadow to process for approximately 1–2 hours.

Follow the instructions supplied with your chosen colour.

When processing is complete, rinse according to the Red or Copper Shadow instructions and towel dry your hair.

Your grey hair may now look very bright red or copper.

This is exactly what we want.

You have created the warm foundation for your Indigo.

STEP 2 — APPLY INDIGO SHADOW

You can apply Indigo Shadow:

• immediately after your Red/Copper base, or
• within approximately 24–48 hours

For the most straightforward process, many people choose to complete both applications on the same day.

How to Mix Indigo Shadow

Indigo is different from many of our other Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours.

Mix Indigo Shadow with warm water only.

Do not use Apple Cider Vinegar, lemon juice or other acidic activation liquids with Indigo.

Use water at approximately 30–40°C—comfortably warm, not boiling.

Follow the liquid measurements supplied with your Indigo Shadow.

Mix until you have a smooth paste that is easy to spread through the hair.

Indigo has a short activation period and should be mixed close to application time.

Don't Mix Indigo Too Early

Once Indigo Shadow has been mixed with water, its colouring ability begins to activate.

Unlike some of our other botanical colours, mixed Indigo cannot be frozen or stored for another application.

Only mix what you intend to use.

If you're unsure how much you'll need for your first application, it's better to have enough product to coat the hair thoroughly than to run out halfway through.

Once you know how much your hair requires, you can divide the dry product before mixing future applications.

Apply Your Indigo Shadow

Apply Indigo generously over all areas where you previously applied the Red or Copper base.

Make sure the red foundation is completely covered.

Work through the hair in sections and pay particular attention to:

• grey roots
• temples
• hairline
• resistant areas
• any remaining visible Red/Copper sections

The hair needs to be thoroughly coated for an even result.

Once applied, cover your hair with a shower cap or suitable wrap.

Keeping the paste moist during processing helps support colour uptake.

How Long Should Indigo Stay on Grey Hair?

For grey coverage, allow approximately 3 hours processing time.

This is longer than the processing time generally used when applying Indigo Shadow to naturally medium or dark brown hair without grey.

Always follow the current instructions supplied with your Indigo Shadow product, as these are the instructions specific to the colour you're using.

Rinsing Indigo Shadow

Once processing is complete, rinse your Indigo Shadow according to the product instructions.

Take your time and rinse thoroughly until the botanical paste has been removed. Use conditioner only and not shampoo. COnditioner helps to release the particles without removing any of the colour

Dry and style your hair as usual.

But don't judge your final colour immediately.

Indigo Continues to Develop After Rinsing

Organic botanical hair colour continues to settle and oxidise after it has been rinsed from the hair.

Allow approximately 72 hours for your Indigo colour to fully develop before assessing the final result.

During this time, the colour may become deeper, darker and more balanced.

What you see immediately after rinsing isn't necessarily your finished colour.

What Colour Will Indigo Give My Grey Hair?

When the complete Red/Copper Base + Indigo process is followed, Indigo Shadow is designed to create a deep raven-black result.

Your final colour will still depend on:

• your starting hair colour
• percentage of grey
• hair porosity
• previous chemical or botanical colour
• processing time
• previous applications
• how readily your hair accepts botanical pigment

Grey and pigmented hair can sometimes reflect colour slightly differently, creating natural variation rather than one completely flat shade.

Repeated applications can also make the colour richer and, in some cases, darker.

Can I Use Indigo Without a Red Base on Grey Hair?

We don't recommend it.

Indigo should not be applied directly to grey, white or very light hair when your goal is a balanced black result.

Without the warm Red/Copper foundation, the cool Indigo pigments can produce unwanted blue, green or ashy tones.

For grey hair, always use the two-step Red/Copper Base + Indigo method.

Do I Need a Red Base Every Time I Colour My Grey Regrowth?

When new grey or white regrowth appears, those new strands don't contain the warm foundation required for Indigo.

The new grey regrowth therefore needs the Red or Copper base before Indigo is applied.

Once you've established the colour you like through your lengths, concentrate your regular colour applications primarily on the new regrowth.

You don't necessarily need to repeatedly apply the full two-step process to already dark lengths every time you colour your roots.

Refresh the lengths periodically when needed.

This helps reduce unnecessary colour build-up and saves both time and product.

What If Only Part of My Hair Is Grey?

You can concentrate the Red/Copper base on the areas that require it.

For example, if your natural hair is dark brown but you have grey around your temples and hairline, apply the Red/Copper foundation to those grey areas.

When you apply Indigo Shadow, make sure all of the Red/Copper areas are thoroughly covered.

Depending on the result you're maintaining, Indigo can then be applied to the regrowth or other areas as required.

What If My Grey Is Resistant?

Some grey hair is more resistant to colour than others.

Before assuming you need longer processing or repeated applications, make sure:

• the hair is clean and free from oils and product build-up
• the Red/Copper foundation completely covers the grey
• the Indigo completely covers the Red/Copper base
• the paste remains moist during processing
• you're allowing the full recommended processing time

For stubborn or colour-resistant grey, the Desert Shadow Pre Colour Wash Bar or Peachie Clean Shampoo Bar can help prepare the hair before colouring.

Follow the instructions for the preparation product you're using.

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar with Indigo?

No.

Indigo Shadow should be mixed with warm water only.

Apple Cider Vinegar and other acidic activation liquids are used with certain other Desert Shadow colours and methods, but they aren't suitable activation liquids for Indigo Shadow.

This distinction is important.

Always follow the individual mixing instructions for the Desert Shadow colour you're using.

Can I Save Leftover Indigo?

Once Indigo Shadow has been mixed with water, it cannot be saved for a later application.

Don't freeze mixed Indigo.

If you regularly need less than a full pack, divide the dry powder before mixing.

For example, customers colouring only their regrowth may eventually find that half a pack is sufficient.

The amount required depends on the length and thickness of your hair and the area being coloured.

How Much Indigo Shadow Will I Need?

As a general guide:

Short hair or root touch-ups: approximately ½ pack

Medium-length hair: approximately 1 pack

Long hair: approximately 1–1½ packs

Very long hair: approximately 2–3 packs

Thicker hair may require additional product.

The most important thing is having enough paste to thoroughly coat the hair.

If you're unsure how much you'll need, contact the Desert Shadow team with a photograph of your hair and we can help guide you.

Will Indigo Lighten My Hair?

No.

Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours contain no bleach or peroxide and cannot lighten your existing hair colour.

Indigo adds dark botanical pigment.

This means it can deepen your existing colour, but it cannot take naturally dark hair to a lighter shade.

Important If You May Want Blonde Hair Later

Indigo creates deep, long-lasting botanical pigment.

If you think you may want to bleach or significantly lighten your hair in the future, consider this carefully before using Indigo Shadow.

Always tell your hairdresser that you've previously used Indigo before undergoing any future chemical lightening process.

A professional strand test is particularly important before attempting to bleach or significantly lighten hair that has previously been coloured with Indigo.

Maintaining Your Indigo Colour

Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colours build with repeated applications.

Once you've achieved the depth you like through the lengths, focus future applications primarily on your new grey regrowth.

Refresh the full length periodically when required rather than automatically colouring the entire head every time.

This helps maintain an even result while reducing unnecessary colour build-up.

Quick Guide: Colouring Grey Hair with Indigo Shadow

For easy reference:

1. Strand test the complete two-step process.

2. Mix and apply Red Shadow or Copper Shadow.

3. Process the Red/Copper base for approximately 1–2 hours.

4. Rinse according to the product instructions and towel dry.

5. Apply Indigo immediately or within approximately 24–48 hours.

6. Mix Indigo Shadow with warm water only.

7. Thoroughly cover all areas where the Red/Copper base was applied.

8. Cover the hair and process Indigo for approximately 3 hours for grey coverage.

9. Rinse according to the product instructions.

10. Allow approximately 72 hours before judging your final colour.

Need Help Colouring Your Grey Hair with Indigo?

If you're unsure whether Indigo Shadow is right for you or need help with the two-step application, we're happy to help.

Send the Desert Shadow team:

• a clear photograph of your hair in natural daylight
• your natural hair colour
• your current hair colour
• your approximate percentage of grey
• details of previous chemical or botanical colour
• whether you've used henna or Indigo before
• the final colour you'd like to achieve

We can help guide you towards the most appropriate Desert Shadow Organic Hair Colour and application method for your hair.

Related Desert Shadow Guides

For more information, read:

• When to Use a Red Base
• How to Colour Grey Hair with Desert Shadow
• How to Mix Organic Hair Colour for Grey Coverage
• How to Go from Blonde to Dark Hair with Organic Botanical Hair Colour