How do I know how long to leave basma in my hair? — Cosmetic basma Indian clay 25 g Fitokosmetik

The typical processing time for a basma and henna mixture is between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the depth of colour you wish to achieve. A shorter time (around 1 hour) will yield a lighter, more translucent tint, suitable for a subtle refresh or sun-kissed highlights. Leaving the paste on for the full 3 hours allows more of the blue-violet pigments from the basma to deposit, resulting in a richer, darker brown or black tone.

It's important to understand that the colour you see immediately after rinsing is not the final result. Plant pigments continue to oxidise and develop on the hair for 24 to 48 hours after the application is washed out. The shade will darken and intensify slightly during this period. Therefore, don't judge the colour as too light immediately after rinsing – give it the full two days to settle.

Keeping the paste moist under a shower cap or cling film is crucial during the processing time to prevent it from drying out, which can hinder colour release and make rinsing difficult.