Mahogany: madder for elegant red tones
This hair colour relies on a single plant: manjishta, also called madder. This Asian climbing plant from the Rubiaceae family can reach 1.5 metres; its long roots, dried and then ground, give a powder very rich in red pigments.
On hair, it brings warm shades, from bright red to the most understated mahogany. For a longer-lasting colour, combine it with Rajasthan henna: it acts as a base for the blend and helps the madder pigments to set.
The result depending on your starting colour
| Your current colour | What you can get |
|---|---|
| White hair | A bright red on its own, an auburn red with Rajasthan henna |
| Blonde or light hair | Copper blonde tones |
| Light chestnut | A glamorous mahogany red |
| Dark chestnut to brown | More radiance, and a beautiful mahogany with Rajasthan henna |
The result also varies with your hair’s porosity, the proportion of white hair and the processing time.
Madder also pairs well with our Ayurvedic powders (neutral henna, amla…) and our other colours, such as Rajasthan henna, Golden Brown or Caramel Hazelnut.
How to use
- First wash your hair with a cleansing powder (shikakai, sidr or kapoor kachli): colour takes better on a clean fibre.
- In a glass or wooden bowl, pour the amount of powder suited to your hair length.
- Gradually add warm to hot water, stirring with a wooden spatula, until you get a thick paste.
- Apply in a generous layer, strand by strand, from roots to ends.
- Cover with a shower cap to keep the warmth in and leave on for 1 to 2 hours: the longer you leave it, the more intense the colour.
- Rinse thoroughly with clear water. To nourish your lengths and prolong the shine, then apply raw cocoa butter.
- The colour fully develops within 24 to 48 hours. Wait that long before your first shampoo, and choose sidr, which cleans without making the pigments bleed.
How much do you need?
| Hair length | Amount of powder |
|---|---|
| Short hair | 50 to 100 g |
| Medium (shoulder length) | 150 to 200 g |
| Long (mid-back) | 200 to 250 g |
| Very long (hip length) | 300 to 500 g |
Our tips
- No metal utensils: use wood or glass to protect the powder.
- Hair used to chemical treatments? Use a detox mask regularly and wait at least 4 weeks before a plant-based colour.
- After a plant-based colour, wait at least 8 weeks before any chemical treatment (perm, dye…).
- Wear gloves and protect your clothes.
- Apply a little vegetable oil or cream to your forehead and around your ears so the skin does not get coloured.
- Always do a strand test and a skin test before first use.
Ingredients (INCI)
Rubia cordifolia bark powder.
Powder selected for its richness in natural pigments, packed in a zip-lock sachet for optimal storage. Vegan.





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