Folks, I am writing this review to explain something. In India this is sold as Chinese hair color. And now -when they are selling this product outside India, these guys are writing on their package that it has Ayurvedic properties -Ayurveda is the one of the oldest known forms of herbal medicine which originated in India and very largely remains in India because the entire texts are in the ancient language of Sanskrit.

A Chinese hair color cannot be Ayurvedic -please don't be fooled by such false claims.

Great color! It has Ayurvedic ingredients, so it smells great. Easy to prepare. Even the packaging is attractive. Pretty cheap, although I prefer to buy henna (same results for half the price). However, I only gave it a four because henna gives me similar results for about a dollar less. The measuring cup and little brown bottle are cute, but otherwise it has no advantage over henna.

Edit Jan 05, 2012: I've changed my rating from a 4 to a 3 because I just realized that there's two or three times as much product in henna packages, too. I've found that my eBay seller has raised his price per by about 50 cents (still a little cheaper, after taxes [in Canada] than Bigen), but he's also offering a "buy two get one free" deal. Still cheaper in a lot of ways and it really does add up. Just fyi, I've been using Diamond brand henna, in a blue and black plastic baggie.

Made my 4b/c hair extremely dry. I noticed the same reaction as other people here. My scalp itched and felt like it was 'blowing up'. Strangely, about 5 years ago Bigen didn't cause this reaction but it seems that something in the ingredients has changed and made it more harsh. I would not recommend this product to anyone. Beter safe than sorry.

I'm surprised to see so many bad review on this Bigen Powder Hair Color. I recently discovered Bigen and just LOVE it ! I really like the fact that you can use what you need and not have to waste a whole bottle of dye. I have been using the hair powder in Oriental Black for about 10 months now and have no problems with it at all. Originally I was really skeptical because you just mix the powder with water and it's supposed to be "permanent" ??Yah right! Well, it really works, it covers my gray really well and I never get the burning or irritated scalp from it. I also never experienced any breakage in hair or loss of hair from it. I did modify the "recipe" in that I mix the powder with 2 x the amount of water that is in the direction and put it in a dye bottle I got from Sally's Beauty. I gave it 4 lippie because if you have a lot of hair, you will need to use 2 bottles of the powder and that can get expensive really quick!

I can't believe this happened to me. I am an african american woman that pride and loves my hair. A women's beauty is in her hair. I have been styling my own hair for 20 years. A basic texturizer and coloring. I would go to the barber to just to get a edge up in my back. Never had problems with any of the products I've used. Motions regular hair relaxer, Dark and Lovely hair coloring, S-curl hair moisturizer and hair gel. Always excellent results. About 3 years ago, I went to my barber and he introduced me to Bigen Hair Powder. He convinced me of its ability to cover stubborn grey hair. And found it to be really inexpensive. Who can beat paying $5 less for hair coloring. I bought in to and was pleased. I continued to use it on the regular. November of 2011, I used it and my scalp began to itch uncontrollable. I contributed to maybe leaving it in too long. So I endured the discomfort. It lasted up to the time for a re touch. In February of this year, I gave myself another Bigen treatment and the same reaction occurred, but worst. I wanted to scratch my scalp of my head. My hair fell out around the front of my head and in spots on the side of my head, I also start experiencing itching all over my body. I am now also experiencing unexplainable headaches. So I went to the doctors. They couldn't explain the reaction I was experience and wrote it off as an allergic reaction. So prescribed benedryl and predinzone. They also noticed that my thyroids were becoming enlarged. I never had any problems with my thyroids in my entire life. Now I have to go for severe testing for my thyroid and other testing. I can't sleep at night because the itching wakes me up in spite of taking benedryl and it's embarrassing to be itching all the time in public. Since the doctors couldn't explain to me what I was experiencing, I started noticing this only occur after I treat my hair with Bigen. So I took the liberty to see what the ingredients are in this coloring and read some reviews. I am devastated. To my surprise I can't find a list of the ingredients on line and to hear from others that they have experience the exact same thing that I am, is very scary. If it is proven that Bigen is behind this issue I am going through, I will see them in court!!!!!! Ladies DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT!!! Pay the extra money for whatever product that you have been using and PROVEN itself to be healthy.

I only gave Bigen 1 lippy because the system will not acept "0". I used this product about 2 years ago. The first time my hair was dry, but ok. The second time my hair broke off so badly around the crown area and sides that I had to shave my head and start from scratch. I have used many other dyes in the past so I am no newbie to dyes. Now not only I cannot use Bigen but also I have developed a sensitivity to commercial dyes in general. Stay way from this product.

I have used this product only twice. The last time being just recently as I truly only needed to color the new growth and the newbies (new gray hairs). There was approx. 6-7 months in between colorings. This has got to be the best color results that I have ever gotten. In the past, I have had some really strange "accidents" on my hair (some good;some not so good). This color is rich and lasted a LONG time. COMPLETE gray covering and even when it fades it's very pretty. I thought I found the lost city of gold for my early graying hair. I colored my hair with BIGEN warm brown months prior to me using a perm (natural hair for about a year) and about three months later I permed my hair. I was amazed that the color was still there at all. It had faded a bit but enough to make the grays look like highlights. I don't mean like that ugly dull greenish pukey(sp?) looking color, but a nice golden brownish color. I loved it.
But now after carefully reading the reviews on the "side effects" of this product.....it's just not worth it. I have not experienced the breakage and dryness or other allergic symptoms as the other users, and I don't plan to. The ingredients alone are enough to make me pull away.This is why I gave a 3 on the overall rating. Amazing gray coverage. Last forever, but the ingredients are a complete health hazard. I am very disappointed that the US would even allow such a product to be sold. Thanks to all the others that took the time to give their opinion on their experiences.

I couldn't find my normal hair color product, so I used Bigen last winter, because it was also a powder, and I thought it seemed pretty safe. Bigen did a good job of covering the gray, but like some other posters, my hair became very dry, with a lot of breakage. I initially thought it was due to the dry, indoor heat of the winter months, but the breakage was very intense. By spring time, my hair was noticeably shorter. I do use a relaxer, but I hadn't seen this type of breakage in years.

I finally found the hair color I had used previously; Rage & React. It has some of the same ingredients as Bigen, but the color only lasts for about 2 weeks, and definitely does not cause my hair to break. I haven't seen a review of this product, but I've been pleased with the results. continued >>

I LOVE this stuff. As others have said, DO NOT use this if you are not committed to having dark hair. If subtlety and depth in hair color is important to you, Bigen is not for you. I use either Dark Brown or Brown/Black.I find that these warmer colors result in a softer, more natural shade than the cool toned Oriental Black. IMO, If you relax your hair this really is the safest permanent hair color. ANY hair color can cause severe allergic reactions, even after long term use with no previous problems. That's why the instructions tell you to do a patch test EVERY TIME you use the products. Most women do not do this. Those of us who use any sort of chemical treatments on our hair know that we must treat our hair with great care. Bigen has helped me keep my relaxed, waist length hair gray free and healthier than any other permanent dye. Scare tactics notwithstanding, obviously Bigen is not going to work for everyone. I would not consider using anything else.

I totally agree with Sunshine824's review here. I colored my hair with Bigen about 1 and 1/2 years ago. My hair grew and started having bad breakage. When I brushed it, little pieces at the end fell all over. It was scary till I read the reviews on this product. I also conditioned, vitamined and took vitamin orally and the hair continued to break. I also got a cut to get rid of the ends but still the little ends were weak and would break. Stay away from this-