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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?
I work at LUSH and am an avid LUSH Henna user. I would like to inform readers that it does not take 1-6 hours for color permeation. The written rule straight from the LUSH Handbook is: a minimum of one hour and a maximum of 2.5 hours. Beyond that there is no further color enhancement on the hair, only the benefit of the cocoa butter nourishing the hair.
Also, LUSH sources its Henna ingredients ONLY from producers that do absolutely zero animal testing, have good working condition for the workers and produce the product in a socially and environmentally responsible way. For me, that’s more than enough reason to support them (even after I no longer am employed with the company).
Hello ladies, a guy here askin for help,I am full blood native with long black hair, been using dyes u buy at Wal-Mart,Walgreens, etc. Lookin for something natural,I have grey roots. Havin black hair when grey starts to come in, it is pretty noticeable after they start growin out,lol,trying to find something simple for my roots, wanna keep my black hair, help!! Any help would be very much appreciated 🙂
I dye my hair black using henna and indigo so that is what I recommend. It’s a bit messy, but worth it.
After years of chemical dyes that dried my hair and absorbed chemicals into my scalp, I switched to LUSH henna a year ago. I have light brown hair with 50% gray and the results of using Caca maron have been wonderful.
The grey has come out as highlights and it looks natural, with a tinge of auburn. I use a wide art brush for application which makes it easier and leave the mix on for 2-3 hours. I do find however that I need re-application every three weeks as the grey closer to the scalp seems to fade significantly faster than the ends. It’s a bit more labour intensive, but the results and chemical free application make it more than worth it. Not too mention I am no longer washing those chemicals into the environment. My hair has never been healthier and the added shine is a bonus.
After days of research and realizing that a henna application is a commitment once started, there is no looking back for me. However, as my gray continues to grow in, one day I may wake up and shave all my hair off to allow it to regrow au-natural..something I have not done since my 20’s!
Probably a little late for you now Megan, but for anyone coming to this sight for information this might help. I have been using henna in my hair for about 3 years now. Henna is safe with dyes as long as it is 100% natural henna. Although if trying to go lighter afterwards you might still end up with a red tint to it. Also if you want to lift henna with little to no damage you could either use honey lightening treatments (natural RAW honey diluted with distilled water – 1 part honey to 4 parts distilled water) with repeated applications. It may take many applications to get results but will not damage hair at all. Or crush up vitamin c pills (not the chewable ones) with head & shoulders shampoo and leave for 30 minutes to an hour and it should lighten a shade or two with minimum damage. Maybe just a little dry.
Hello,
Is the Glory Brand 100% natural henna? and does it cover gray?
Glory is not 100% pure henna. It is a mix with chemicals as well, which is why they can offer the wide variety of different colours, ranging from blonde to light chestnut to red to black. Rather stick to pure henna…
Hello,
Please help me.
I had light to medium brown hair and used chestnut brown henna to color my hair and roots, and my hair color is now very very black. Is there anything I can do to lighten it up again without going to the hair solon to add highlights?
i use henna i bought in egypt its called glory it come in single packets in a box of packets about 6 in box and its crushed as most in egypt is. natural its very great. i used to buy big bag cheeper in khan al khalili suuk market in cairo but it was not even coloring and u never knew what color it would end up as but they have black red orange mahogany and blonde even.. u can buy .. glory is a company brand that perfects it and its more dependable color thruout the head so i get that now its less in package but not bad.
Ive been using Henna regularly and i was wondering if shampoo that used for color protection of dyed hair is required for henna treated hair or regular shampoo is fine too?
I haven’t yet seen much benefit to using the Lush brand versus actual 100% pure henna powder. Both take several hours to set.
Henna powder is cheaper, but slightly more time-consuming in that you mix it one day prior but easier to mix as it isn’t in “brick” form.
Here’s what I do:
Take the pure henna powder (no chemicals or additives) and add some hot tea and lemon juice until it’s a yogurt consistency. Let it set out overnight. Dye your hair the next day/night (attack roots first, then wrap in saran wrap and a hair cap, and I put a lil scarf on too) and let set for about 4 hrs or just sleep in it.
I use gloves and black towels and I have a removable shower head for rinsing it out. The color is always brightest the first day and then it settles a bit darker. This is the absolute best, healthiest way to maintain red hair. Red is just so hard to keep in chemically (and I already have lighter red hair).
Thank you for this article. I often color my hair red and was considering the LUSH henna for a more natural alternative. Now that I’ve reviewed the pros and cons I’ll gratefully anticipate my appointment with the stylist I have this coming week. The henna is just more complicated and messy than I would have liked.
I used Henna in February. Now my hairdresser tells me I cannot relax my hair. How long do I have to wait?
Thanks for any information you can give me.
If you used pure henna, relaxing your hair shouldn’t be a problem. I know many who relax and use pure henna without any issues.
I highly recommend Nazeer Henna. I think it used to be stocked at the Body Shop. It comes in great shades including a really lovely auburn brown. I stopped using henna after I bought the red Jamila and it turned my grey hair at the front goldfish orange. Henna does take a long time and is messy but don’t listen to hairdressers- it’s great! it doesn’t dry your hair or wreck it and you can dye it later if you wish to. After my goldfish result I had a darker rinse and it was fine.
Hairdressers fear henna- if there were a cheaper alternative to salon colour a lot of salons would close. They will tell you henna has metallic salts- most do NOT. Hairdressers have quite a mystique in our society which puts us under constant pressure to something we are not. Over the years, I cut and dyed my own hair and had enough money left over to buy a brand new car and take a holiday overseas.