Bowls and spoons containing henna hair dye, on a light textured surface.

Naturally Beautiful: How to Use Ayluna Hair Dyes

Excited about your fresh new look? Here’s everything you need to know to ensure your plant-based hair dye experience goes smoothly. Unlike conventional dyes, plant-based hair colours work in harmony with your hair. Instead of penetrating and altering the hair’s inner structure, they gently coat each strand with a radiant, natural glaze. The result? A beautiful, healthy shine—and an easy, straightforward application process.

Choosing the right shade

First, you have to determine your own initial your own initial hair colour and then choose your desired shade from our handy colour chart. Lighter colouring is not possible with plant-based hair dyes, darker than the original shade is always possible. The result of the colouring depends on the original hair colour, the hair structure, the water temperature when applying the colour and the application time.

Before the first application: dye a test strand

To make sure you’re happy with the final result, we recommend doing a test strand first. This gives you a preview of how the colour will look on your hair. Choose a section at the lightest part of your hair or where you have the most greys. For the test, mix 1 tablespoon of dye with 2–3 tablespoons of warm water to create a small batch. Apply it, let it develop, and rinse. Love the result? Great—you're ready to go!

What you need

  • Ayluna plant-based hair dye (one box is sufficient for 2 hair colourings, even for medium length hair)

  • A bowl for mixing

  • Approx. 300ml hot water

  • A fork or whisk

  • Old towels for covering hair and clothes

  • A brush for applying the dye

  • Ayluna shampoo or Ghassoul Moroccan Mineral Spa Clay

  • Disposable gloves and covering hair cap (included in hair dye box)

Warning notices:

  • Do not inhale the fine powder

  • Apply plant-based hair dyes only on healthy, intact scalp

  • Only use on (scalp) hair. Do not use on eyelashes, eyebrows or body painting.

  • Do not store mixed plant-based hair dye

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Prepare the hair

Before applying plant-based hair dye, it’s important to ensure your hair is free from any build-up or residue. If you've been using conventional shampoos, now's the time to switch to a natural, organic alternative. Many regular shampoos contain ingredients like parabens, silicones, and petroleum derivatives, which coat the hair and create a barrier that prevents the natural dye from working effectively. Also, skip any styling products in the days leading up to your colour treatment. Most gels, sprays, and creams include silicones, mineral oils, or film-forming agents that can interfere with the dye's ability to bind to the hair.

Clean, product-free hair helps plant-based colour bond properly and ensures a vibrant, even result.

Step 2: Mix

Place the desired Ayluna plant-based hair dye in a bowl. Slowly mix with hot or warm water to a viscous cream (you will need approx. 300ml for a package). The water temperature will depend on the chosen shade (warm or cool). The dye mixture should be creamy in consistency, but not drip. Protect your clothes with a hairdressing cape or an old towel as stains that have arisen can be difficult to remove.

Step 3: Application

When the dye is at a temperature that is comfortable for you, briskly apply the colour paste with a brush strand by strand to the tip of the hair. For dyeing the hairline, just apply on the hairline. At the end apply the dye on temple, forehead and back of neck and then slightly knead it into the hair. Next, put on the covering cap and cover it with a towel turban. Remove any residues from face, ears and neck.

Step 4: Processing time

The ideal processing time for Ayluna plant-based hair dye ranges from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Your test strand will give you a good indication of how long your hair needs. As a general rule:

  • Light or damaged hair develops colour more quickly and may need less time.

  • Thick, dark, or healthy hair often requires a longer processing time for full colour development.

Important: Be sure the dye remains moist during the entire processing time. If it starts to dry out, the colour may not develop evenly.

Step 5: Rinsing

Rinse the plant-based hair dye out with plenty of warm water until the water is clear. Do no use any shampoo, conditioner or hair care products as you wash out parts of the colour. The first wash should be after 48 hours as during this time the colour is still developing (it oxidises with the oxygen in the air). A possible tinge of green after dyeing will disappear within this time.

FAQs

  • Both conventional hair dyes and perms bring chemical substances into the hair and have an aggressive effect on the structure of the hair. This may lead to adverse reactions if plant-based hair dyes are applied shortly after chemical dyeing or a perm. As a general rule: always leave an interval of ten hair washes and/or 3 weeks between these treatments. Plant-based dyed hair should never be bleached.

  • The hair is best prepared for colouring by washing it with our Ghassoul Moroccan Mineral Spa Clay as it deeply cleanses the hair and scalp, and effectively removes dirt particles.

  • To achieve the ideal consistency, always mix the plant-based hair dye with water in a ratio of 1:3 — that’s one part powder to three parts water, i.e. use 300 ml of water for one full pack of hair dye.

    How to mix:

    1. Place the plant powder into a bowl.

    2. Gradually add warm or hot water while stirring until you get a smooth, creamy paste.

    This ensures even coverage and easy application.

  • The water temperature and how long you leave the dye on will depend on the shade you've chosen and your desired result.

    For Blonde Shades:

    • Use warm water (approx. 50–60°C) when mixing the dye.

    • Leave the dye on your hair for no longer than 30 minutes.

    • Important: Higher water temperatures or longer processing times can result in a reddish tint.

    If the colour isn’t strong enough after 30 minutes, it’s better to rinse, remix fresh dye, and apply again for another 30 minutes, rather than extending the first application.

    For Cool Shades (without red ):

    • Use water at 50–60°C for mixing.

    For Warm Shades:

    • Use hotter water—between 60–90°C—to help the colour fully develop.

  • Our plant-based hair dyes should always be applied to damp hair, so wash or wet the hair beforehand and dry it with a towel. The colour should be applied evenly, strand by strand, to the entire hair using a brush or your hands (remember to wear gloves!). Finally, knead it in to reach all parts then cover with the cap and a towel to keep the head as warm as possible.

  • The exposure time depends on the colour chosen. As a general rule, blonde shades should remain on the hair for a much shorter time that darker shades.

    Blonde tones: 15-30 mins as there is a risk of a red cast developing after this time. It is better to dye twice in a row for 30 mins (with newly applied colour) than once for an hour.

    Red tones: between 30-120 minutes.

    Dark colours: 60-120 minutes.

    By dyeing a test strand, you can estimate the exposure time. During the processing time, the plant-based hair dye should not dry out.

  • If a greenish colour appears directly after colouring, no action is necessary yet. As a rule, this disappears by itself after one or two days because our plant-based hair dyes react with oxygen in the air. The final colour tone and the correct strength of the hair only appear after 24-48 hours.

    If the greenish tone does not disappear completely, you can apply a rinse with either Copper Red or Maroon Red. 2 tablespoons of the preferred red shade should be mixed with 200ml warm water and be left on the hair for 2-10 minutes.

  • If the colour develops an undesirable red tinge, you can soften it with a darker colour. This process involves making a thin rinse of 2 tablespoons of our plant-based hair dye Black Brown or Deep Black with 200ml warm water. Pour this over the hair and leave for 2 to 10 minutes. This can be repeated as necessary.

  • Our hair dyes can be mixed with each other as desired. This way, everyone can create their own shade.

  • Yes, the hair dyes can be used during pregnancy as they don’t contain any chemical additives and do not penetrate the hair follicles and scalp. They also do not enter the bloodstream and thus cannot cause any harm to the body.

  • Our hair dyes are not temporary tints—they behave more like permanent hair colours. This means the colour doesn’t wash out over time, but instead grows out naturally with your hair.

  • As our plant-based hair dyes develop within 24-48 hours, no shampoo or hair care products should be used during this timeframe so the process isn’t disturbed.

  • Yes, our plant-based hair dyes provide a beautiful, natural-looking way to cover grey hair.

    If your hair is more than 40% grey and you want to go for a darker shade, we recommend a pre-pigmentation step to achieve the best result.

    How to pre-pigment:

    1. First, dye your hair with Ayluna Maroon or Copper Red and let it process for about 30 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

    2. Immediately follow with your desired brown shade.

    Because Ayluna dyes coat each strand with a radiant glaze, regular application will gradually deepen and intensify the colour, especially on longer hair.

    If you prefer to avoid this deepening effect over time, simply focus on dyeing your hairline more frequently instead.

  • Chlorinated water does not harm the plant-based hair dyes. You can go swimming after two days and then every day without causing discolouration.

  • Plant-based hair dye on the skin can be removed by using a mixture of oil and lemon juice. Up to two weeks after dyeing, the hair can still »bleed« (lose some colour) when wet – that’s why you should protect clothes and bedclothes from contact with wet hair.

  • For an extra bit of care you can add a tablespoon of hair oil (e.g. Ayluna Wondertree) to the hair dye mixture.