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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?
PLEASE HELP. I have natural black hair and dont want to go lighter or anything; i just want a black brown coverage again.
I used lush henna on my hair – all i wanted to do was cover my roots that come up over my forehead and temples (not a pretty sight!) I Started with Noir (which i understand has indigo in it) that stopped taking – according to the lovely lush shop assistant, my hair had stopped taking it. my roots were just not covering AT ALL So they suggested i cover my roots with caca rouge then follow it up the next time with noir. i did. ive even mixed the two together but the roots dont take and are coming out grey as ever. I’ve now no choice but to go back to highstreet dyes. ive been looking into this and lush have also said i should be ok to just colour it with ammonia and hydrogenperoxide products as there’re product is natural. I last lush henna’d my hair about 2/3 weeks ago (the date today is 7 August 2013) please help what can i do i dont want to damage what i have!! its already weak and has been falling out…..
I had a similar issue with my roots no longer absorbed the henna. It would only last until I got it wet and shampoo’d, after the initial rinse. In my case, it was/is a case of severe anemia, there was no protein in my hair. I’m still not able to do the henna, and now I am just trying to find ways to lift out the color I still have, BUT, I can tell a tremendous improvement in hair health with diet restructuring, B-vitamin and liver extract supplements. Might be worth a shot!
I’m just wondering, I have black hair but would love to try red hair. do i have to bleach before applying the henna?
I have used henna for two years now. I did a lot of research and found most of the best information at mehandi.com. I had a lot of questions before I started. I emailed their customer service in the afternoon, and they replied the next morning with answers and suggestions based on my natural hair color (light brown/dishwater blonde). I got stumped when I went to re-order and couldn’t find the exact product, but I emailed again and they had more suggestions for me.
I love henna. I have always wanted this shade of red, but I could never achieve it with chemical dyes. I usually just do my roots; I have re-dyed it all maybe two or three times in two years (because it’s really messy, and sometimes it’s just easier to do it all), and my hair still looks amazing. It’s shiny and soft. I get compliments all the time.
It IS messy, and it takes a lot of time, comparatively. I hate to do it, but I love the color. And it’s usually not so bad. I just wait until I have PMS, then I have an excuse to stay away from people all night 🙂 I leave it on for 4 hours, and I use a lot of conditioner because I have long hair and it gets all tangled. And when I’m finished, I’m good to go for at least a month (usually two..)
Henna is a commitment, and the color results depend on the color of your hair. Lucille Ball was a natural blonde, so it can be that orange. Mine is an auburn shade. Mehandi has an ebook that illustrates the various colors. It’s really informative, and free. So do your research before you commit. But if you dye your hair anyway, it’s really not that much different. And do a strand test to get the right shade. The longer you leave it on, the darker it will be.
I’m new to Henna and thinking of trying it out, but I’m wondering what color I should use. I want the same shade as in your picture below(the one where you’re wearing sunglasses), but I’m wondering if the color end result can vary depending on my hair color right now?
What color do you suggest?
Hello,
I was just about to click on the OK button to make an online purchase and decided to google the item at the last minute. I stumbled upon your detailed review of Henna and wanted to take a moment to thank you. Your review was just the information I needed Detoxinista 🙂
Obie
Hi I have been using AMINS red Henna on my hair ( which I purchase when in the Caribbean)for 2 to 3 years I started of by colouring all of my hair but now I touch up my grey roots every month and occasionally all over the top but not often the bottom ( I have long hair) the bottom half of my hair is a nice red but the top half (not roots) is a dark red almost dark brown which I don’t like and finding that the more I colour the darker it is going how can I keep it a nice red that is not to bright and not to dark ?
Mix henna with Beet juice and keep it for four hours before applying to get rich burgundy color.
Try mixing sour curd and egg to the henna mixture before applying and keep this mixture in the fridge for atleast one hour 🙂
Also instead of making the mixture completely in hot water,use different oils,like I use a mixture of olive oil,coconut oil,almond oil(all oils mixed in equal proportions)
I am very curious about a product called silver to gold. it is just used for like 3-10 minutes and it mostly turns your silver hair into gold strands. The main ingredient is henna bayberry. Ive never heard of that!! I have dark brown colored hair with blondish highlights and 3 inches of 50% gray regrowth. if this product works, it would be da bomb. Anyone with experience with this product out there? Would you just do the roots or the whole head?
I’ve been dying my hair with henna for a couple of years now, most generally using Jamila henna. The other 2 brands that I’ve used I can’t remember the name of, but, they were all-natural. That’s one thing I’m VERY careful about researching. I usually mix my henna with lemon juice first, then after dye release I add honey, grapeseed oil, conditioner, and lavender essential oil. I have EXTREMLY oily hair/skin, so, the lemon juice doesn’t dry out my hair. Now, I am human, and a procastioner, so, there are times I need to dye my hair, but don’t have henna…….so, I cheat, and use whatever hair dye is on sale, that comes closest to the color henna gives me. I’ve NEVER had a problem with commerical dye doing what it’s supposed to do. And the same with the henna I’ve gotten…….speaking of, I need to mix up a batch so I can dye my hair soon……….