CULTIVATOR'S

CULTIVATOR'S was founded in India back in 1988, with the goal of making thousands of years of Ayurvedic knowledge accessible to a broad audience. The name symbolizes the plants cultivated and harvested for the formulas, such as henna, indigo, or amla. To this day, the brand combines traditional Ayurvedic formulas with modern, certified production, among other things according to the ECOCERT-COSMOS standard.

Classic hair dyes usually work with ammonia and PPD to open up the hair structure and deposit color pigments, which can strain the hair over time. CULTIVATOR'S plant-based hair colors, by contrast, contain no ammonia or PPD and deposit color pigments from herbs such as henna and indigo naturally into the outer hair layer. The result is gentler on the hair, but also somewhat less predictable in exact shade than chemical coloration.

Yes, the organic plant-based hair colors are designed for reliable gray coverage and are suitable for women and men. For very gray or stubborn hair, it can help to choose the longer end of the recommended processing time or, if needed, apply a second time. A test on an inconspicuous strand of hair first helps you gauge the result beforehand.

That's a fair question: henna-based color pigments settle around the hair like a protective layer and can affect the result of a subsequent chemical dye unpredictably, for example causing a green or red tint. If you're planning to switch back to classic coloration such as Hair Colors & Tints later, you should discuss this beforehand with a hairdresser, since professional overdyeing is usually safer than switching at home.

The powder is mixed with warm water into a paste, applied evenly to dry, unwashed hair, and left to process for 45 to 90 minutes depending on the desired color intensity. It's then rinsed out thoroughly with water, without shampoo right afterward, so the color can set. As with any hair color, we recommend an allergy test on a small area of skin beforehand.

A bit different, but you get used to it quickly: the powder is mixed with a little water into a creamy paste, then massaged into wet hair and rinsed out. The three variants – Volume, Cleansing, and Care – can be chosen specifically according to your hair's needs. You'll find alternative shampoos with a classic texture in our Shampoos & Care category.

The formulas are dermatologically tested and deliberately free of ammonia and PPD, two common triggers of contact allergies with classic hair dye. That said, even plant-based ingredients can occasionally cause reactions in individual cases, which is why an allergy test 48 hours before application remains important. If you have known allergies, we also recommend speaking with a dermatologist beforehand.

CULTIVATOR'S is the only brand we carry that relies entirely on plant-based, ammonia- and PPD-free hair color. Schwarzkopf offers classic chemical coloration with Palette and Igora Royal, with greater color accuracy and predictability. If you're after plant-based care without color, Aveda is a fitting alternative. For us, CULTIVATOR'S remains the right choice if gentle, Ayurveda-inspired hair color matters more to you than one hundred percent color accuracy.