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?
Superb article and 100% true. I wish I had come across it BEFORE my furst–and last–foray into henna. I’ll never use henna on my hair again because: #1 the color is unpredictable; #2 the product clogs your plumbing drains horribly; #3 in my case it did not make my hair glossy or condition it because it took so many water rinsings to get it out of my hair that it defeated the purpose and actually DRIED out my hair.
None, my dear. You have no control. I have blinde hair, used a natural organic vs. commercial brand of henna. It was marked “blonde”, but it turned my hair red–a very ugly red. From now in I’m sticking to professional hair colorists who use predictable time-tested hair dyes. There’s no substitute for predictable color hair dyes. And there’s a reasin actresses and models (I’m both) go to professional colorists. I’ve learned my lesson.
I used Indian henna and I’m currently waiting for it to set in my hair. My hair is so short that it keeps falling out of the hairclip! My parents and Grandparents use henna to do their hair and I hope it works! *Fingers Crossed!
Thank you for Ll the info provided here and I am sorry you didn’t have it when you used henna for the first time ,a cautionary tale for me .😮🤔 I appreciate it 😉 Hope you have the hair colour you are happy with now , best wishes ⭐🌈🏵🌼🌺
Use any Indian powdee henna thats 100%. Mix with eucalyptus oil, coffee, gooseberry powder (amla) keep it overnight and then add yogurt and an egg before applying. You will have lovely shiny hair. But pls be careful if you have light hair. Also henna forms a protective barrier aroun your hair. So dyeing your hair later is problematic as the hair dresser has to strip that off. Better to wait for it to wear out.
First time using henna my hair come out super red color and it package said natural brown and it’s being a week i really don’t like the color should I cut my hair i fell sorry for my hair cause it to my waist
nice blog I have hair problems for some days. but by regular use of natural henna powder i am getting better results
I had my hair highlighted after 8 years of henna. No problem at all. The henna I used did not have any metallic salts in it though and my hairdresser did a strand test first..
Hi: This is a common problem. My hair is dark brown with strands of gray. My texture is coily, thus ‘results vary’.
Please wrote about Henna, Beautiful and other nontoxic hir color options. I would like. my Grey’s to pick up light brown and auburn color So I’m going to be creative and apply 2 different shades or perhaps one shade that I spot rinse at different intervals to achieve gradations of color.
May I ask what color you used from Lush and is that the color in the final pic?
Thanks
The color I used was called Marron, which is the color in the final picture.
Thank you! I love highlights and I have gray roots so I am going to avoid henna. YOU saved me from a huge disappointment!
I Love dyeing my hair with Henna dye i mix 4 different colors
You should edit before publishing. ” there are a few things you should before getting started”. Very first paragraph, You left out the word “know.” I haven’t read the rest of your article yet but I intend to. Can you that tell I was a schoolteacher? I find, reading things on the Internet, that there are more and more and more examples of words being left out, misspellings etc. poor grammar, too. It drives me crazy. Sorry
As a sleep deprived mom, I actually really appreciated when people point out my mistakes. It’s embarrassing to have them left there, so thanks!
can i get red henna for skin
I use henna and indigo to color my grays. I constantly have this one problem where if i run my fingers through my dry, hennaed hair, my fingers would come out dark color. Anyone has this problem? What am I doing wrong? I did rinse my hennaed hair until the water is clear, still have this same problem.
Please help
The colour i chose said ‘natural
brown 4’
Result ssoo dark it close to black
I’m sick
What can I do..?
I will like to try the henna hair dye, will it work in my hair which is curly?
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thank you so much darling you helped alot🤍.
hi, i am trying to change to natural products like henna, but I find it so hard to get it right. I found the brand Khadi Natural Cosmetics which is sold in some health food stores in the US and online. My understanding is that it does not contain metallic salts. Does anyone know hair consultants for this transition? Most hairdressers want nothing to do with henna.
The company I use is from Portland, OR as well…Henna Color Labs. It’s great. Easy to use and leave in for an hour with great results. Their customer service is great and they ship quickly. No additives, just straight henna.