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If you’re considering using henna hair dye as an all-natural alternative to traditional hair dye you’d use in a professional salon, there are a few things you should know before getting started. The first time I used it, I hadn’t done my research and regretted it!
I’m sharing these tips so that YOU won’t make the same mistakes I did.
Here’s what I think you should know.
1. Is Henna Good For Your Hair?
Henna hair dye is considered a good conditioner for your hair, and as a result can make it stronger, thicker, and shinier. It may help to restore the natural pH balance of your hair and scalp, too!
2. How Long Does Henna Stay in Your Hair?
Henna is a permanent hair dye. The color is most vibrant for the first 4 to 6 weeks, and in my experience it starts to gradually fade after that, but I’m not sure it ever goes away completely.
Keep in mind that if you want to dye your hair later, it may be difficult to go lighter in color. Henna is very hard to lift out of your hair later! (I found this out after the fact– and was disappointed that I couldn’t get my hair highlighted for nearly a year after dying my hair with henna.)
3. It’s Messy to Apply & Can Stain Your Skin
The first time I used henna, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I highly recommend working the henna through your hair in the bathroom– ideally standing in a dry shower, so you can rinse away any mess when you’re done.
When mixed together, henna has the texture of mud and it can feel a little awkward to apply. As a result, there’s usually some that drips on the floor, and down your forehead.
Before you apply the henna dye, protect your skin by using a thick balm or cream to create a barrier. I rub it around my forehead, ears, and neck.
4. Henna Hair Dye Can Take a Long Time to Set
Depending on the vibrancy you want, henna can take 1 to 6 hours to develop.
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That’s a long time to have your scalp wrapped in a shower cap. (The shower cap keeps the dye warm, and therefore, more effective, while also preventing drips so you can walk around your house!)
I should note that I can only last 2 hours before my patience gives out, and usually my hair turns out well!
5. Henna Will Not Necessarily Even-Out Your Hair Color
In my experience, if you have roots or highlights when you start the process, you’ll still have roots or highlights when you’re finished. (Henna can cover gray hair, but it’s a slightly extra process.)
I happened to have roots and highlights the first time I used henna (you can see before pictures of my highlights and roots at the top of this post), so you can see how the reddish color varies throughout my hair, where I had more blonde highlights. I was hoping for a more even color, so this aspect was a little disappointing for me. Without the noticeable roots, I think this would be pretty!
6. It Can be Difficult to Change Your Hair Color AFTER using Henna
Some brands of henna dye have metallic salts added to it, and as a result, you cannot use chemical hair dyes over them. (The result is a chemical reaction that causes your hair to smoke!) It’s important to let your hair dresser know that you’ve dyed your hair with henna before you get started, so they are prepared.
In my case, I was able to even out my hair color after using henna using a semi-permanent dye. My stylist had to apply it twice, however, because she said my hair was not receptive to absorbing the color after using the henna. (Normally, my hair takes to dye very quickly!)
It should also be noted that my hair did not lift with bleach easily after using henna, so we had to go a shade darker, rather than lighter. I love getting my hair highlighted, so this something I wish I knew before getting started!
Which Brands of Henna Hair Dye Are Best?
There are always new brands entering the market, but I’ve only tried two brands so far. Most recently, I used Morrocco Method when trying to cover gray hair, and it worked really well! I love that it has no metallic salts added, so I didn’t have to worry about my hair smoking later if I got my hair dyed at a salon.
The very first time I dyed my hair with henna, I used Lush brand. According to their website, they add ingredients like lemon juice and coffee grounds to their henna, but I don’t believe they add metallic salts to their products, either.
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I hope these tips prove helpful for anyone interested in trying henna, too!
Reader Feedback: Do you color your hair? Have you ever tried using henna hair dye, or would you like to?
You can actually dye your hair with chemical color after- you just need to develop it differently. No need to wait for roots 10 minutes- apply to all hair for 30-40 minutes. Definitely go with darker color. Some highlights may occur, but overall it should cover it. After work with henna several times to get color you desire. Mixing it with herbs helps. I just don’t know which ones to use. Some I heard use coffee(strong brew, no instant).
i’m half indian and have very dark hair. i’ve been using henna once a week for the last 5 years, give or take. so i have many, many layers of henna in my hair. i get it done at my aunt’s home (she’s a beautician) and it’s either pure henna or henna with indigo. my thoughts are as follows:
–no color difference on my very dark hair (except my 10 strands of gray, which are dark red and blend in well)
–softer, shinier hair but only after 3-4 washes after applying henna. right away my hair is dryer and courser.
–i keep mine on overnight and would recommend the same for anyone with black or dark brown hair, where color won’t be an issue. the longer the better.
–if possible do NOT shampoo your hair after henna, just rinse and use conditioner. this is annoying, but it helps allow the henna to set.
–detergent based shampoo will wear away the effects of henna. natural shampoos are best.
–i never use chemical dyes and when i have in the past, DISASTER. if you henna, you can’t do anything else.
–indigo is drying, so keep that in mind. if you want black hair, use henna first then apply indigo in a 2nd sitting. if you want brown hair, mix henna & indigo to your preferred result, i.e. add more indigo for darker result and more henna for redder result.
–my hair is thick and strong, but naturally frizzy. henna really makes it softer and more conditioned but you have to put up with a lot. it’s messy. it needs to stay on for hours. hair is dry before it is shiny. sometimes there is henna residue even after washing, you can’t dye your hair with anything else, etc. etc. it’s a longterm commitment.
*** PLEASE READ! ***
MADE ME SICK! NAUSEA, HEADACHE, THROAT SWELLING, DIARRHEA.
I finally colored my greys with henna today for the first time. After it sat on my hair for about 3 hours, I became nauseated,I had a headache, and I even had diarrhea. I even slightly started to feel as if my throat might be swelling. The symptoms subsided IMMEDIATELY after I began rinsing out the henna. I don’t know if this is normal, but please be aware that this can happen.
You mentioned you colored your hair for the ‘First time’… Could it be you may have been stressing a little bit about your ‘First time’ coloring your hair, and you’ve had an anxiety reaction. The symptoms you wrote are also stress related issues.
All the best going forward ….
I have colored my hair for years and ONLY with henna, but it was the Clairol Brand “Cover the gray” henna. Just recently I switched to a different product( “The Henna Guys’;try a different brand; see how newer products work)….First time…hmmm…very red/orange…headache/nausea. Second time(this past Saturday) headache, nausea, diarrhea, the shakes…felt like whole body was rebelling)….I don’t think that it is as much as the henna as it might be the “extra” ingredients that the The Henna Guys added to their product. So, don’t give up on henna! 🙂
I use Lush Caca Rouge Henna. I love the results. I only need a 1.5 squares. I added what other suggested, cinnamin, ACV and clove. From past experience I have noticed that if you don’t leave the henna in long enough the color doesn’t turn out at nice as it would if you left it in a minimum of 6 hours. I have darker brown hair with plenty of gray. My end result is awesome! I have beautiful red highlights with a deep brown/red base. My hair feels fully and healthy after and super shiny. I get many compliments. My gray actually looked a bit orange when I first rinsed the henna out but the color continued to develope and left beautiful color. Yes, appling the henna is a pain, messy, and takes a long time. The end result is worth it. And so is not having all those chemicals on my scalp, not having damaged hair because of it. I’ll take a henna anyday over traditional coloring options. I also never use shampoo or condition. I actually use 1 egg yoke with a few drops of essential oils added. I add warm water and mix just before I pour if over my head. I massage it in and rinse. That’s it. My hair is clean and healthy. I only need to do that once or twice a week. I no longer need any styling products. My hair has plenty of body and shine. I wet it down every morning with water and blow dry. Thats it!
I have used Lush henna for years and started when I had few white strands and am naturally dark brown. White strands pick up the red (rouge or marron) colors best, BUT it can get brassy (ie orangie). I do red first to color the whites then go over it w/brune a day or week later.
To apply, I would break the brick into smaller blocks, and I store what I don’t use in the frig in a ziplock.
Melt the amount you are going to use, apply with a brush like they use to apply highlights at the salon, then covere with plastic (you can use disposable shower caps) then USE A HEATING CAP for at least an hour. THE HEAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SETTING THE COLOR.
Rinse your hair outside to prevent the mud going down and clogging your shower drain, shampoo after rinsing. Hope this helps someone, I took me a little while to figure out how to get the best results for my efforts
PLEASE I CANNOT USE NO HAIR DYE BECAUSE OF A TATOO ON MY FOOT CAN I USE HENNA HAIR DYE I HAVE A LOT OF GRAY JUS AROUND MY FOREHEAD I CANNOT USE NO FORM OF HAIR DYE BEC I HAVE TO SEE THE DOCTOR MY FACE IS SWOLLEN AN RED ICHING SKIN I NEED AN ADVICE
Great tips from everyone.
Just an FYI, if you want more even color you can reapply henna as many times as you want as soon as you wan after a previous application. However, waiting at least 72 hours between applications is advised simply because it takes that long for the true color to set. Also, do not wash it out in those 72 hours, rinse it out, and use conditioner if you want, but do not use shampoo, this will help the color stay even as well. As for chemical dyes, do not use henna about 6 weeks after a chemical dye job, and vice-versa, if you use henna and decide to go back, wait about 6 weeks after latest application.
i’m planning to just do streaks…i have very dark hair and i’m opting dor all natural henna with lemons and cloves..WHAT EFFECT WILL IT DO TO MY HAIR? i want red…
I just used light mountain today for the first time – Auburn. My natural color is auburn (a dark brownish-red), but I’m going white and have used semi-permanent dyes for years. I wanted to go to something without any toxic chemicals because I am now having some kind of thyroid problem.
I love the color my hair came out! Yes, the white hair is a bit bright red, but it’s fun. I would probably go for something a touch darker next time, but it is great anyway. This product contains pure henna plus senna and indigo, all rated “0”, except henna, which is rated “1” for occasional allergic reactions. I only left it on for 35 minutes. The white is covered. I’m very happy.
hello ,I bought Lush black henna ,I have plenty of white hairs I APPLY IT AS IT IS WRITTEN IN INSTRUCTION FOR 5 AND THE 8 HOURS BUT NO RESULTS JUST SOME OF THOSE WHITE HAIRS HAD BECOME ORANGE .
try rainbow henna black I had the same experience as you with LUSH