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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?
I just used Lush henna like I’ve been doing for the past couple of years. For some reason, the consistency was thicker than usual…I think it got cold quicker this time. Anyway, I’m feeling freaked out that it might be blotchy. I’ve got another 3 hours before I wash it out. Has anyone here had a “bad” henna experience? Should I abort mission?
So chemical dyes and henna don’t mix…. What about colourless henna for healthy, shiny hair? Do this combination (not simultaniously) mix?
I have been using henna (Herbique henna) for the past 10-15 years. Recently I noticed that my very thick hair has change – I have almost bald patches. Could this be because of the henna? Do I dare to continue with it?
I’m pregnant and been debating if to colour my hair or not I read that henna is a safe option …is this correct ?
There’s nothing in henna that would affect your pregnancy. I say go for it! And congratulations.
I have been using henna in my hair for about three years now and I love it. I love the red color that it gives and since I started after beaching out my hair, it’s got this nice ombre going on. I’ve had so many stylists criticize my choice for using henna, but as long as I stick with my red, it works well.
I use Reshma Femme Henna found in Sally’s Beauty. I mix it up with a teaspoon of lemon juice (the citric acid helps to release the color in the plant) and a dark brew of Rose Red Tea. I let the mixture sit over night to fully activate and then leave it on for about four hours. Yes, I do wrap my head in plastic wrap and a towel why it’s on my head, and yes it will stain anything it touches. Henna does smell odd, so I usually put in some sweet smelling oil like rose or jasmine to make it more pleasant.
It’s been about 3 months since the last time I hennaed my hair and while I am showing roots, the colored part of my hair has not faded or gone brassy like chemical dyes.
If you want more info on henna, you can check out http://www.hennaforhair.com/ They can answer most of your questions and their products are amazing, but I’m a bad procrastinator and usually wait until last minute to color my hair before some event. Hence why I get the Sally’s beauty stuff.
Which color of the FEMME HENNA do you use? I purchased the Rainbow Henna in Med Brown, my hair is brown now.. wondering what color I will come out with.. I want to add tea not sure which one to use.. I just want shine and some color but dont want a orangey color..
I got brown hair which I really don’t like and I would like to go with black hair…. what could be the suggestion… should I go with black henna or any other colouring agent…
There is no such thing as black henna. Henna is red. period. If you’re using something called black henna, it either has henna plus chemicals or henna with indigo. The indigo will fade slightly leaving you with red undertones, so that’s something to consider.
i would like to try henna, I do have questions though, I have right past my shoulders medium reddish hair. I have a lot of grey and need to do roots every 3 weeks at least. can I color my hair with henna and then retouch the roots with henna? how long does the henna last in my hair?
Henna is permanent and does not fade. at all. I am all gray and you can do henna on roots and all over. It makes your hair very healthy and shiny.
I do like Lush cleansers, facial scrubs and mask and there bar shampoos, not a big fan of the conditioners. I, myself also tried the Henna hair dye, I used the Caca Noir, I was not happy with the outcome. My hair was dark before using the Henna. I read that the Caca Noir would have an Indigo/Blue-Black shade color with a touch of red. Let me tell you, there is not one strand of dark hair color in my hair. My hair is bright brownish/reddish. I should of done the hair strand test like they “recommend” we do. I already had dark hair, i thought it would make my hair look rich and healthy. That is not the case. I did reach out to customer service and they told me it was like a varnish, but if the first time I got more red than black, I don’t see the point in spending a lot more money for the same outcome. I am not happy with the results.
I would never ever buy anything (again) from LUSH! I do not have allergies and loooove girly makeup, cosmetics and perfume; most of which I wouldn’t wear because of thier toxicity anyway. I tried Lush and every time – not exaggerating – it either made me get a headache or some weird reaction: the vanilla scented lotion bar did me in!
Read thier labels, at least by law they have to list thier ingredients and they don’t lie – total chemical cocktails. Thier advertising is false about purity. ‘Detoxing’ with LUSH is an oxymoron, unfortunately. Too good to be true.
which is the best henna that gives you light brown color?