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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.
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?
So what color should I use for my hair is jet black and strait. Thankyou.
http://www.hennaforhair.com/indigo/index.html
It is a bit of work, but they have a number you can call for help.
I’d recommend http://www.mehandi.com (ancient sunrise @ amazon). There is a wealth of information written by someone that researched henna for their Ph.D. at Kent Univ. She literally wrote the book (there is an ebook) on the topic. People get caught up in adjectives “natural”, “chemical”. Everything is a chemical. And natural things can be poisonous too. mehandi sells henna and it is tested by an independent lab for lawsone content, heavy metals, contaminants, adulterants. What I found while searching is that when people say they used henna isn’t always true. They used a product that contained henna and other stuff. My image of India is not “organic and pure’, but of over pop, poverty and the Ganges river. I definitely want anything coming from India tested. I placed my first order with them. The customer support was super helpful for this newbie, but I appreciate the the volume of material on their site and the independent testing. I know it takes some of the fun out it but I alway research everything I buy and check at sites like http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.
They seem to say, in the troubleshooting section, that you can dye your hair with store bought dyes after “henna”. But with the caveat, if you used their henna, indigo or cassia. I believe they say that because they know the purity of their product and what’s in your hair, known and unknown, may react. So it seems you need to know the quality of ALL the ingredients in the product used if it wasn’t only henna.
I do all my henna business with Empire (the physical store for Mehandi.com (The Henna Page). It is located in Kent, Ohio. I absolutely adore the people there and Catherine Cartwright-Jones, owner of The Henna Page, has done extensive research on henna–her doctoral thesis was about henna–and speaks out about the harm tat can be caused by so-called black henna.
The customer service is outstanding.
I had considered trying Lush, but decided to just go with a packet of henna from Empire, after looking at the ingredients and reading reviews. (Cocoa butter can inhibit the dying process. I use it around my airline when I henna my hair.) I have been doing henna tattoos for a long time, so I knew I could get a good stain with the stuff from Empire.
hello
I have never dyed my hair and i want to try black henna. How long does it take for the color to leave completely from my hair?
As I understand it, henna color doesn’t leave your hair, so you just have to wait for it to grow out. There are lots of tips in the previous comments, too!
I’ve used Rainbow Henna for years- for a long time I used red tones, which gave my naturally strawberry blonde a very intense red. These days, I’m using the marigold blonde (still from Rainbow Henna) to cover my grey. It can be messy, but I just prepare for it. I’ve done it enough times now that I have a pretty good routine to control the mess! My hair always feels amazing after I do it- even if you just do the natural, colorless, henna once in awhile, it is so good for your hair.
I love it! The biggest problem with using henna is that once you start, you can’t switch to other kinds of dye. For me, I ended up shaving my head a couple times over the years when I wanted to go back to my natural color. I know that doesn’t work for everyone, but I found it refreshing to do once in awhile. But that was back when I was doing the red. Now I’m just using blonde to cover grey, so the outcome is basically my natural color anyway (sans grey!). Also, it’s less work for me to cover grey- because I primarily am grey up front, around my temples. So I can just target those areas the majority of the time and then henna the rest of my hair only occasionally.
I am very interested in using henna. I have never use it before and am going to need a lot of help.
You wont need help applying it.. It gets pretty messy so you just have to be careful. My mistake was that I like to go lighter in the Spring and dark in the fall. I used henna last fall and it washed out in a couple months. I thought all the henna was gone so I tried to go back light. My stylist attempted to do a balayage and my hair turned green.. After several attempts it’s still not lighter. If you want to freedom to go dark and light don’t get henna. If you usually stay dark henna is ok..
I have medium brown hair but I have been using dark brown color, I am going with Henna color, how much brewed coffe do use with the apple cider vingear
You can use all coffee for the liquid. Use a high terp oil to add in, too, to darken the stain. It still won’t come out brown, though. You’ll have brown hair with red tints and tones in it.
Hey there, I’ve always used black box dies and I’m looking for a natural alternative. I’m naturally blonde and I’m worried that the black henna will fade to orange like the tattoos do. Anybody have experience with the black henna hair dye? Thanks, lauren
Hi Lauren !
As an answer to your question, I would suggest you to use lighter colors on your hair ( as you are blond any coulour would cone great ) and you can even try with highlights of different nuances. Chocolate coulour to dark brow or blond highlights would be a great choise.
I’m suggesting this as it is a pitty to go straight black without taking advantage of trying different lighter versions; because black can not be removed or highlighted after neither to use chemical coloring because it will affect your hair. I used black henna ( as the original one can be only auburn red or black) and it faint away in a deep dark brown NOT orange in any case.
So I would try to enjoy more colors then go straight to black ( which also make you look more mature ). I use henne Creme Color France, as a ready prepared cream ready to be used (2 in 1 product hair dye and conditioner ) they also provide a wide range of shampoo and conditioner that really gives glow to the hair ).
Hoping this was useful,
My greeting to all
Adela D.
I have hip length brownish- red hair and wanted to go to brighter red. I do henna tattoos, so I just went to the shop from which I buy my body art henna: Empire. I know they have a website, which I have included. Anyway, “black henna” is not henna and can be very dangerous. What you are looking for is indigo or indigo/henna mix, depending on what you want. You might want to give it a try. The owner did her doctoral thesis on henna and has a ton of information: The also have a number to call if you need any help with the process.
I just buy Rajasthani Twilight, mix it with lemon juice and a cardamom and cloves tea. I do it all by myself and have never made a huge mess. I then wrap it in plastic wrap and a towel, sit back, and binge watch Netflix.
http://www.hennaforhair.com/indigo/index.html
What proportions if each ingredient are you using? I m about to try my first henna since chemical dyes damaging my hair. Thinking to start with simpler Rainbow research which is color ready, and then progress to make my own mixes.
Agnes
Hi! I wonder if you know whether using henna pulver, used in body art, can also be used to dye hair. I bought a box from an Asian supermarket. The male staff told me I could but I’m a little dubious. Can anyone help?
I am in my 40s and have fast growing grey hair. I had to dye my hair every 2 weeks to cover the grey hair.. Since i used chemical hair dyes. Every dying session was very irritating. And even chemical hair dyes were not lasting more than a couple of weeks. One can imagine , how much time consuming it is. I have always been searching for a better alternative.
For that, i talked to my friends , searched on internet. And it took no less than 6 months to hear about pure and natural hair color. After that ,it was another search to find a brand , which really have pure and natural products. One of my friends purchased light brown from online store for me. I did the first application reluctantly, as never used such products before. I dint like its smell at all. But with its application, felt no irritation like as chemical hair dyes. It covered 70% of my grey hair. And gave a shiny brown color. Then on my own , i used dark brown hair color from same company brand name “THEHENNAGUYS”. I added few drops of essential oil for eliminating its foul smell. This product gave me exactly what i have been dreaming for and without any problem. With Dark brown color , all my grey hair with beautiful color. I do the hair color after 3-4 weeks. Since then i am stuck with pure and natural hair color from THEHENNAGUYS.COM.
they also have plenty of information about hair colors and have other pure and natural skin and hair care products.
Hi my name is maria I love u r honesty.considering trying this product.I have black hair down to waist I really like your recommendation to my hair.should I use how much my hair is almost50% gray. The last time I colored was in September of last year.I was tired of spending money every 4 weeks. A d hate the smell of it.would sent me the site again. Y coworker says that she add a whole egg with the mix for more protein and shine.what do you think.thankyou very much.
Hi there,
How long do you have to leave the dark brown on for please? To cover Gray roots.
Been having a night mare with orange vibrant roots. In desperation tried to lifhten the patchy black (from dark red henna over bleached hair to correct botched foils) the previous bleached has gone green 🙁
I’ve tried chestnut brown henna for 4 hours, gray roots go brassy gold/orange within a week.
Can’t cope with the upkeep, especially if it doesn’t last.
Thanks
Heather
I think all henna should be allowed to activate atleast 8 hours and left on hair for the bare minimum of 4 hours. Then it should last 2 months, atleast in my experience. Remember that the more often you henna your hair, the shorter it lasts.
Albena Todorova I had to go to henna as I am allergic to conventional dyes. My hair grows fast an inch a week . I have to cover gray every 2 weeks. I only do roots for covering gray. My hair is more than 50% gray and long- 8 inches below my shoulders. I have been using Henna for 10 years. 5 years from India, now 5 years Rainbow Henna from Vitacost.com. (I used semi permanent hair coloring for 10 years prior). I mix 2 colors and add 2 Tablespoons of vinegar to the mix and use coffee instead of water for the liquid. You can read everything about it on the vitacost.com website. Rainbow henna also has shampoo and conditioner. Hope it helps~ Melody
Im tired of the quemical dyes and i want to try henna but i was reading that it has to be pure henna and from a reputable place.. Will u recond it then ?
I’ve been using henna for a couple of years now and at first I was scared to death but I felt like you…hated the chemical dyes and what they were doing to my hair. So I’ve been getting Red Raj henna from Henna Sooq which has a high dye content and has always worked extremely well and is very stable and dependable. Others I’ve tried that are good are from Mehandi.com. I don’t have to straighten my hair anymore, as henna has relaxed my curls and has smoothed my frizz. My hair is now wash and go and starting to use henna was the best decision I’ve ever made about my hair. I get more compliments now than I ever have. I color on 100% gray/white hair and it comes out this beautiful light auburn. Very shiny now, too. Sometimes it takes a few coloring to get it the way you want it, because it might be very bright and orangy at first, but since henna doesn’t fade and it just keeps depositing color, try it a couple more times if you’re thinking of giving up.
Can you color it with henna twice in one day? Can you mix 2 colors of henna? I want auburn hair color and my hair is naturally white/ Gray. Also can you put henna over permanent color from a salon?
Henna takes a long time to process. You need to leave it on ur hair anywhere from 4 hours to overnight. I don’t think you will want to put that much stress on your hair by doing it twice in one day. It gets heavy on your head. It’s like mud and weighs your hair down while on your hair. It is probably best to wait a couple of days if not a week because trust me the process takes hours.
Yes but you need to wait a couple of months for the color to wash out. Box dye has nasty chemicals which react bad with henna
I had my last permanent color done at the salon, then when the roots start to grow, I’d touch up with henna on my own. I found this strategyy less intimidating since I’d have to only focus on putting henna only on my roots and not my whole head.
The first time I tried using pure henna, my roots turned out red. Then I bought pure indigo. When I follow it with pure indigo for 20 mins. my hair did turn very dark. I really want a dark brown looks, so now it’s a matter of learning the right amount of mixture. I mix my pure henna with lemon juice and cover overnight. Then when I’m ready to color, I mix the indigo in a separate bowl and finally stir everything in together. I would process my hair about 2 hours. That’s as far as I have the patience for.
What I enjoy about using henna is I can multitask at home while my hair marinade. And the fact that these days, young people are using crazy rainbow colors on their hair, I don’t feel too weird going around with my new experimental roots. This range from red, magenta, purple…but again, i’m talking about 20% gray, and that’s not too much to call for attention.
You can mix colors all you want! I purchase my henna from morroco method and I even chemically dyed my hair afterwards so I know it’s pure! Their website has tons of info about dying with henna.
HI what colour did your hair used to be before the grey? What hair dye colour did you use? I am thinking of using the blonde one or the honey blonde? My hair is very grey is spots 🙂 Cher
Henna does only ONE color. All the colors you see like Auburn, burgundy, black, etc, means henna is no ed with chemicals. So be careful. I have been using henna for ten years now and I know is a lot of work, but I don’t regret it.
Hello women, I need advice. I found pure organic henna on iherb.com here: http://www.iherb.com/Light-Mountain and I would like to order it for me and my mother, but I do not know what colour. My mother have brown hair and needs to cover gray hair to match her hair. There is regular kind and Color the gray kind of henna hair colour. I have read ingredients and it says lawsonia – henna, indigo and senna (depends on the color you choose). Pure red is lawsonia only. Do you think there is any difference between both kinds (except the size and packaging)? I would order light brown for her from Color the gray. And me, I have dark blonde hair and I would like to have really red hair, but not copper and I do not know which color to choose, bright red, red…? If I use red from Color the gray and I do not have any gray hair, would it be ok for me? I have long hair and this package would be better for me. Do you have any experience with this brand? Sorry for my English, I live in small country in Europe. Thank you very much for your help.
Check out Henna Color Lab online. Good quality product and I’m really happy with the results!
Henna Color Lab is the best. I’ve tried many different places and I’ve liked theirs the best. And they have a variety of colors!
I buy Ancient Sunrise Henna. The proprietor wrote her doctorate on henna so not only is she incredibly knowledgable and shares it via a FREE ebook (http://www.hennaforhair.com/freebooks/), she also sells very pure, affordable henna. I have dark, brown hair – very thick and long – and so I buy between 200 and 300 g of Rajasthani Twilight and an additional 100 g of Rajasthani Jasmine because it makes the batch super smooth. This time I ordered 12 g of a powdered citric acid called Malluma Kristalovina. I credit it for giving me the boldest red yet!
I was able to hold out for 4 hours (trying to sleep) but between the increased bulk of my muddy head, combined with the sweat I could feel rolling down my scalp due to the plastic wrap turning my head into a little greenhouse, I finally just got up and rinsed. THE RESULTS MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT.
I have very long hair too, I have pure white roots that need touched up every 3 weeks . And if really like to just have plain (boring) light brown.
1. Do you know if lite brown is available
2. Do you touch up your roots w henna or w semi perm color ? (From a box??)
No. There is not “light brown” henna. Pure, safe henna comes in one color. red. Depending on what your hair color is now, your results will vary. Henna cannot make your hair lighter, it can only add color.
I colour my hair with black Henna and I would like to know can I put red will the black go red also or should i stay with black
There is no such thing as “black” henna. Henna is “red” and only red. The black all naturally dye is called “Indigo” ……….If you want to dye your hair brown, using the all natural method, you must first use henna, then 24 hrs. later you mix your henna up and add some Indigo to the Henna until you reach the color brown you want. It’s a two day process, but it’s the only “all natural” way to get brown hair dye.
Hello, the best results would be if you use pure organic henna and pure organic indigo. There is a lot of good advise on the web. Wait at least 2 days before shampooing or re applying, if you would like stronger colors. The reason to wait is because henna and indigo would continue oxidizing and the colours would get darker. I have waist long hair with 50% gray and like it pure black or dark brown, so I apply the two step process – i.e first henna with amla, sleep over night, wash just with water and apply the indigo paste for just over an hour. It works for me very well.
John freida match to the nearest or a shade lighter. I was so fed up with chemicals I ordered lush caca rough a red arbun hair as I have grey roots I do touch up with John Freda range after trying so many. I will the whole of my hair 8 wks as henna is a messy but a worth it. Hope it helps please test box colours 48 hours before use.
John Freida tests on animals and is full of awful chemicals. Just a thought…
Please post here what the vinegar does to the henna? And you use coffee to darken it? I have red hair, but the gray coming out does NOT match my natural red when the henna is applied, it looks brassy -an orange tint and it’s a lot of work (I have very thick hair) so a 2-step process sounds horrible!
I have all – gray hair too. If yours is coming out too orange-y, perhaps you’re not using a henna with a high lawsone content. Buy one that certifies a high lawsone content. Mehandi.com or Henna Sooq. Make sure you’re using a terp oil to darken the stain. Lavender essential oil works best. Make sure you’re also leaving it on long enough – 6-8 hours. This together should all work to give you a nice auburn insteada of orange. I’ve had very good luck with that and I love my hair now.
Heather – I don’t know what the vinegar does – I remember it sets Easter egg dye, so maybe the same for henna – I don’t know. BUT – what I do know is that if you put two or three bay leaves – the kind you cook with – in a pot with a little water and bring it to a nice boil and let it simmer 10 or fifteen minutes while you make the rest of your henna paste, then ad it to the mix (it won’t look like much – just clear, slightly brown water), your hair color will come out more auburn than orange. I have white streaks and if I don’t add the bay leaf brew the streaks come out Bozo the Clown orange, but with it they come out a pretty soft red and the rest of my hair comes out a really lovely dark auburn. I have dark hair, so for you I’m guessing your red will stay about the same but your white should mellow out. I also use whole-milk yogurt, olive oil, an egg and essential oils like rose and jasmine just for the nice smell. You could almost eat my paste for lunch. I wrap my head in two super market bags clipped to hold them, and only leave on the dye for about four hours, then shampoo out and go from there.
Keep at it – I’ve been hennaed up for about nine years now and my only problem is my hair color and texture are too young-looking for my old face! Have fun!
I started having grey hair when I was in my early 20’s. They are premature. In 2009, I started coloring my hair with commercial dyes through hairstylist because the greys are mostly above my forehead. I am now early 40’s and just recently after I got a new hair color in January, I felt my scalp got tired. Just this week, I decided to find a natural way of coloring my hair, so henna got into the picture. How would I know if the henna that I could buy is original? Please help. Thanks a lot in advance.
Got to your local Middle Eastern or Indian grocery store. If you’re not sure which brand is the most natural, ask the check-out girls and they’ll know.
I have become increasingly more allergic to conventional dyes over the past two years….the last time I went to the salon, I had actual burns that scabbed over, so embarassing and hurt! I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews and came to the conclusion that henna was my answer. (I was nervous about the color (turning red, and the mess)
I just used my first Rainbow Henna today. I used the dark brown with coffee and apple cider vinegar for covering the gray. I was pleasantly surprised! The mess was nothing like a typical dye…just crumbly, I might add some olive oil next time. I left it on the minimum time which was 45 minutes because I was worried about it affecting my scalp. The color was beautiful! Next time, I will leave it on maybe five minutes more.
My recommendation is once it on to cover it with a cap or hat to keep it warm, and then you won’t have to leave it on your hair as long.
Hi Rose. I also, after years of dying my hair, gradually developed a reaction to the dye (itch scalp), until I had a full-blown burn and wound up in the emergency room. I found a product at Whole Foods that was (mostly) natural and it was ok for a while. I dyed my hair last weekend and my scalp is killing me and I have areas of burn/scabbing.
I guess it’s time for plan C.
I am not all over gray/white – but have the typical crown white roots.
I’m glad to hear that Henna is a viable alternative.
Any other information you can share will be appreciated.
I’m a lucky expatriate living in a country where I can buy the most lovely henna – out of big barrel, by the kilo! It only costs about 10-12 dollars a kilo, which would last me for about a year but I buy by the half-kilo because of the room it takes in my cabinet. My point is, if you can get it from a market where things middle-eastern (or Indian) are sold, chances are it’s going to be more natural and un-processed. The problem with most beauty products in the west is that the producers can’t let well enough alone, and to make the products more attractive, they do weird stuff to it. Like Olive-oil soap (which I also buy by the kilo), which ends up soft, greasy and smelling of not-olive when you buy it in England or America, most of the henna on the western market has been gentrified and the cost reflects that. So you all you want your henna to look like is muddy-green powder. (and olive-oil soap should smell like olives!)
But I’m old-fashioned….
Hi dear, where do you live, and can you buy for me and just pay you. Badly needed that kind of stuff. Thanks
my sister is a henna artist. (henna rising) she will save the henna she doesnt use and freezes it for us to do our hair which weve been doing for years now. Ive always loved coloring w/ henna, it tamed my curly hair, always got compliment on it, and it made my hair grow long and full, no complaints re. henna other than the mess and length of time it stays in before washing
Now at this point i have a good amount of gray,….my roots start to grow out w/i 2 weeks of coloring,..so I’m thinking of seeing what i look like gray,…and im tired of all the work to color w/ henna for 2 wks of real satisfaction.
so now i have at least an inch of grey hair, looks awful and i have a funeral Saturday. my sis told me and i read that u cant cover over henna w/ chemical permanent dye because of the mineral salts in them. so i just got some temporary root cover up, we’ll see how that works. todaya Thursday, funeral on Saturday, no real room for error. wish me luck, im going in!
p.s. henna rising sells henn! for hair including indigo, and other forms used to customize your color. lots of henna, lots of uses! she has a website as well as facebook,
This is my problem also, very itchy scalp all of a sudden. Would like to hear the reply to this question. Thank you.
Rose, what color did you end up having dark rich brown? Thanks
Hi. I wonder if you could advise me. I too used henna for many years before starting to turn grey. Recently I’ve decided to chance applying henna again. There was only one type available, henna pulver. Although the shopkeeper said it ok to use on hair I’m dubious as it only showed skin dye on the box. Help!
I use the similar methods with lemon juice, coffee and vinegar. My hair grows fast and Henna works fine with me.
yj;i716ave tried to follow the directions to blend the rainbow henna. the end result is a very gritty texture (i saw from youtube that the final consistency is supposed to be a creamy texture) almost like the product never really combined. Do you have this experience? How hot is the liquid supposed to be when combining the product.
thanks.
What exactly are the steps that u take preparing the henna?
Hi, I have gray roots and waist length black hair. I just need root coverage. But I hate the orange color that Henna gives. Is there are way to make it brown or black? I tried Indigo powder, but it made my hair blue .
you should look on hennahair.com it has before & after pics along with a detailed discription about what the henna was mixed with and how long it was left on the hair.
Hi, how long does it last? Will it “wash out” after some time?
i have left the salon behind but don’t like the grays or dullness of my natural hair. i have been using surya brand henna cream at home. i don’t like messy hair products or the drama they bring so this works perfect for me. look on vita cost.com for reviews and info. i have been very pleased with it and the results it brings, especially for the price!! its convenient, easy to clean up with little or no staining. the only downside is it washes out in about 2-3 weeks and summertime swimming is the biggest issue for me. still…. a good alternative i think. check it out!!