Radico Organic Color +Care FAQ
(No Greenwash. Just Truth.)

📦 The First Application (What Actually Happens)

Q: How much powder do I need?

It depends entirely on your hair length. Here's the cheat sheet:

  • Short hair (Neckline Length) : 20–30g or 1/3 Pack
  • Mid Hair (Shoulder-length): 40–60g or 1/2 Pack
  • Long hair (Waist Length): 70–100g or 1 Full Pack

💡 If you have thick hair or strong grey coverage needs, prepare a little extra. Running out halfway through is not fun.

Q: Do I need to wash my hair before applying?

Start with freshly washed, towel-dried hair.

No oils. No silicones. No heavy conditioners. No dry shampoo.

Herbal colour needs a clean canvas to bond. Any residue — even invisible buildup — literally blocks the colour from depositing properly.

Q: How do I mix and apply it?
  1. Mix: Use approximately 3 parts warm water to 1 part Radico powder. Add the water slowly to the powder while stirring until you get a smooth, creamy paste – think thick yoghurt, not runny soup. It should be spreadable but not drippy.

  2. Apply within 15–30 minutes after mixing (the herbs activate once wet). Start at the roots (where greys or regrowth are), then work through to the lengths.

  3. Leave it on for 60–180 minutes – longer time = deeper colour. Cover with a shower cap to keep it moist.

    🔥 Optional – to speed up or deepen colour: After applying and covering with a shower cap, use a blow dryer on medium heat for 2 minutes every 15 minutes. The gentle heat opens the hair cuticle, helping the herbs penetrate faster and giving a richer result.

  4. Rinse with water only. No shampoo for the first 3–5 days.

💡 If the paste feels too dry during application, sprinkle in a few more drops of warm water. Too runny? Add a tiny bit more powder. Yoghurt consistency is your goal.

Q: How soon can I wash my hair after applying?

After application and wait time, rinse with water only. No shampoo for the first 3–5 days.

Your colour is still developing during this window. Shampooing too early will strip it before it's settled.

Q: The colour looks lighter right after rinsing. Did it fail?

No. Wait 48 hours before you judge.

Radico's herbal colour continues to deepen over the next two days. What you see immediately after rinsing is not the final result. The herbs keep oxidizing and settling into the hair shaft.

⚠️ Troubleshooting (The Stuff Nobody Tells You)

Q: My first result was lighter than expected — or there's a weird blue/red hue on my greys. What went wrong?

Here's the honest answer: Residue.

Any product with chemical residue or moisture left in your hair before application can interfere with results. This includes silicones from conditioners, oils from serums, build-up from dry shampoo, hard water minerals — and especially leftover residue from previous chemical dyes.

The Fix: Apply Radico one or two more times, waiting 48 hours between applications.

Chemical dye residue can linger for months. Your first application breaks down that barrier. The second penetrates better. The third? Even richer.
First application = preps the canvas. Second = true colour shines.

You're not doing it wrong. You're doing the prep work chemical dyes never required. Stick with it.

Q: I've used chemical dyes before. Can I still use Radico? Will it work?

Yes – absolutely. Radico works on chemically treated hair. But here's what to expect:

If you've used chemical dyes in the past, residue can linger in the hair shaft for months. Your first Radico application works to break down that chemical barrier. Results may be lighter or uneven on the first try – that's normal.

The formula for success:

  • Apply Radico 2–3 times total, waiting 48 hours between applications.
  • First application = preps the canvas. Second = true colour starts to shine. Third = rich, even results.

🔥 Pro tip – give yourself the best chance: Use the Radico Organic Shampoo Bar as a pre-colour step. Wash your hair before your first Radico application. As it is a clarifying shampoo bar, it gently removes chemical residue, oils, and buildup – giving the herbs a cleaner canvas to bond with.

You're not starting from zero. You're just doing a little prep work. Stick with it – the results come.

Q: I love my result! How do I make it last?

Great! Here's how to keep it:

  • Don't use shampoo for the full 3–5 days after first applying.
  • After that, use only a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates strip colour fast.
  • Avoid heavy oils or silicone-based products near your roots before your next application.

Your Radico colour will last 4–6 weeks depending on how often you wash and what products you use.

💡 Bonus: Every time you reapply Radico, your hair gets stronger, shinier, and the colour lasts longer. The herbs build a protective, conditioning layer with each use. This is the opposite of chemical dyes, which damage more with each application.

🧼 Shampoo & Prep (The Step That Nobody Considers)

Q: What's the best shampoo to use before colouring?

Radico Organic Shampoo Bar – it's a gentle clarifying bar that removes oils, chlorine, and residue without harsh detergents. Use it the wash before your next application. Clean hair = richer, more even pigment every time.

💡 If you don't have the Radico bar, any clarifying shampoo will work best. The goal is to strip away buildup so the herbs can bond. Just avoid anything with heavy sulfates that might over-strip.

Q: What shampoo should I use between colours?

You have two Plantas Organic Shampoo options, depending on your hair needs:

Both are COSMOS certified, sulfate-free, and pH-balanced for colour-treated hair – they clean without stripping, so your Radico stays vibrant.

💡 If you already have the Radico Shampoo Bar, you can keep using it between colours too – it's gentle enough for weekly use.

Q: Can I use my regular shampoo?

You can. But if it contains sulfates or heavy silicones, it will fade your colour significantly faster.

That's your call.

🔄 Reordering & Long-Term Use

Q: When should I reapply Radico?

When your roots start to show — usually after 3–4 weeks. Radico colour typically lasts 4–6 weeks depending on your wash frequency and products.

Q: Is there a discount for repeat customers?

Yes. Use code BONUS10 at checkout for 10% off your next order. Storewide, one use per customer, no expiry tricks.

Q: Will my results get better over time?

Yes. Radico is unlike chemical dyes in this way.

Every application makes your hair stronger, shinier, and more receptive to colour. The herbs build up over time instead of breaking your hair down.

Customers who stick with it consistently report better coverage and longer-lasting results after 2–3 applications.

🌿 Other Radico Products

Q: What other Radico products can I use for healthier hair?
Amla Reetha Shikakai Mix - Radico Organic Treatment Mask

Amla Reetha Shikakai Mix - Radico Organic Treatment Mask

$31.99 AUD
$31.99 AUD

An Ayurvedic power trio. Amla strengthens roots and slows greying (rich in vitamin C and antioxidants). Reetha (soap nut) gently cleanses without stripping. Shikakai conditions and adds volume.

Use weekly as a treatment mask.

Bhringraj Leaf Hair Powder - Radico Organic Scalp Treatment Mask

Bhringraj Leaf Hair Powder - Radico Organic Scalp Treatment Mask

Regular price  $44.80 AUD Sale price  $40.30 AUD
Sale price  $40.30 AUD Regular price  $44.80 AUD

The "king of herbs" for hair growth. Strengthens follicles, reduces hair fall, fights dandruff, and helps maintain natural colour.

Use as a weekly scalp treatment mixed with water or coconut oil.

Colourless Henna - Radico Organic Hair Conditioning Mask

Colourless Henna - Radico Organic Hair Conditioning Mask

$27.99 AUD
$27.99 AUD

Pure henna with no dye. Won't change your Radico colour at all. What it does: detangles knots, smooths the cuticle for mirror-like shine, and adds body without weight.

Use as a weekly deep conditioning mask.

🧪 Safety & Ingredients

Q: What's actually in Radico?

100% organic herbs: henna, indigo, amla, bhringraj, manjistha, hibiscus — depending on the shade. No ammonia. No parabens. No PPD. No synthetic anything.

Q: Is it safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Radico Colour Me Organic is MADE SAFE certified — free from toxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors. So during pregnancy or breast-feeding, many customers choose it specifically for this reason.

That said: if you're pregnant or nursing and concerned, run it by your doctor. We're not medical professionals.

Q: Do I need to do a patch test?

Yes. If you are using Radico for the first time, or are concerned about sensitivity to herbs, we recommend a patch test first. Even plant-based ingredients can cause sensitivity in some people.

Clean a small area of skin behind your ear or on your inner forearm. Apply a small amount of mixed paste. Wait 48 hours. If no reaction, you're good to go.

We know it's an extra step. But allergic reactions — however rare — are not fun. Just do the test.

📦 Storage & Shelf Life

Q: How long does unopened Radico last?

36 months from manufacture date. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Q: Can I store mixed paste for later?

No. Once mixed with water, use it immediately (within 15–30 minutes).

The herbal activation starts as soon as it gets wet. Leftover paste won't work properly later.

❓ Quick-Fire Questions

Q: Will Radico lighten my hair?

No. Radico contains no bleach and cannot lighten naturally coloured hair.

Here's what it does:

  • Completely covers greys – all of them.
  • Colours any strands lighter than the Radico shade you're applying – so your colour becomes more uniform.
  • Imparts a natural tint of your chosen shade over your existing colour, enhancing it without drastically changing it.

Think of it as depositing colour, not lifting it. If you want lighter hair, Radico isn't the answer.

If you want healthy, vibrant, natural-looking colour that covers greys and blends beautifully – this is it.

Q: Can I use Radico over chemically coloured hair?

Yes. But read the troubleshooting section above — residue from previous chemical dyes can affect first-time results. Multiple applications may be needed.

Q: Will Radico stain my skin or scalp?

No. If you get paste on your skin, simply rinse with water. It won't leave stains like chemical dyes.

Q: My hair felt dry after rinsing. Is that normal?

Rarely, some customers report a slightly dry feeling immediately after rinsing — this is because the herbs have opened the cuticle to deposit colour.

After 48 hours and your first gentle shampoo, softness returns. If dryness persists, try adding a teaspoon of coconut oil or aloe vera to your paste next time.

Still stuck?

Simply contact us below. We answer every question personally — and we've helped thousands of customers successfully transition from chemical dyes to Radico.