Basic Brown 16 is a direct/basic hair dye supplied as a very dark blue powder for semi-permanent hair colour systems. In use it contributes brown depth through direct deposition onto the hair fibre, so it is typically used as part of a shade blend rather than as a stand-alone single-dye brown system.

This ingredient is suited to non-oxidative hair colouring formats such as colour masks, colour conditioners, colour shampoos, gels, creams and tone-refresh systems. Deposition and wash-fastness are usually better in mildly acidic systems, especially when the base also supports good wetting, controlled viscosity and even contact with the hair fibre.

Current COA data for this material describes a very dark blue powder with HPLC purity 90% min, assay 100+-2%, solid content 99% min and iron content 100 ppm max. In formula development, final shade strength depends on hair porosity, starting hair level, contact time, rinse profile and the balance with other direct dyes, so swatch testing on representative hair tresses is required before scale-up.

Product Description: Basic Brown 16 belongs to the direct/basic dye class used for semi-permanent hair colour deposition. Unlike oxidative dye systems, direct dyes do not rely on peroxide development inside the fibre; instead, colour intensity comes from adsorption and diffusion behaviour at the hair surface and the more accessible outer fibre region. In practical formulation work, Basic Brown 16 is useful for building medium-to-deep brown directions, muting excessive warmth, and tuning depth when combined with other brown, red, yellow or blue direct dyes.

Performance is strongly formulation-dependent. Mildly acidic pH helps support cuticle condition and generally improves tone retention in semi-permanent systems, while high-anionic surfactant load can reduce deposition efficiency. Water-based systems containing humectants or glycols can improve wetting and processing, and cationic conditioners or film-formers can help colour laydown and post-rinse feel. These are formulation-practice expectations and must be confirmed by stability, shade-match and wash-fastness testing in the finished base.

Usage: Suitable for semi-permanent hair colour creams, gels, masks, colour conditioners, colour shampoos and tone-refresh products. Useful as a brown shade-building component in multi-dye systems for hair care colour applications.

Mixing method:

- Premix into purified water or a water/glycol/humectant phase until the powder is fully wetted and visually uniform.

- Add into the aqueous phase or finished base with moderate mixing, then adjust and confirm final pH within the target mildly acidic range.

- If heat is needed for processing, use the minimum practical temperature and holding time, then re-check shade, filtration and stability after cooling.

- Run hair-tress tests for shade, rub-off, rinse stability and wash-fastness, especially when changing surfactant type, cationic polymer level or co-dye ratio.

Usage rate: 0.1-2.0%

Lower levels around 0.1-0.5% are often used for tone adjustment, 0.5-1.0% is a practical working range in many semi-permanent systems, and up to 2.0% may be used for deeper brown deposit depending on the full dye blend and local regulatory limits.

Product characteristics: Very dark blue powder

Solubility: Best handled through the aqueous phase or a water/polyol premix. Suitable for water-based semi-permanent systems and not intended as an oil-phase colorant.

Storage: Store tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature and protect from light and moisture.

Commercial use should always be checked against current local cosmetic hair-dye regulations and finished-product safety assessment requirements.