Buzz
Henna powder offers a fantastic way to achieve a red hair color without relying on chemical dyes. Natural henna powder not only thickens hair but also protects the scalp from sun damage, promoting healthier hair and scalp. Unlike chemical dyes that coat the hair strands, henna powder allows for a more natural coloring process.
Steps
Preparing the Henna Powder
Purchase pure, natural henna powder. You’ll need approximately 50-100g for short hair, 100g for shoulder-length hair, and 200g for long hair. Don’t stress too much about getting the exact amount, as the process doesn’t require precise measurements. When buying henna powder, keep the following in mind:
- Some henna powders contain additives. If you’re buying henna powder for a specific color, avoid adding other additives unless you’re experienced with henna. Only add additives to pure henna powder.
- Henna powder should be green or brown in color, with a smell resembling dried plants or grass. Avoid henna powder that is purple, black, or has a chemical odor.
- If you have allergies or sensitive skin, perform a patch test before use. Apply a small amount of henna powder to your skin and wait a few hours to observe any reactions.
Understand what you’re about to do. Dyeing your hair with henna powder isn’t an exact science. There will be variations, and sometimes you might not achieve the desired results on your first try. Outcomes always differ, and the color may appear uneven. If you’re aiming for flawless hair, this process might not be for you.
- Pure henna powder only produces red tones. If a "henna powder" product claims to dye hair black, it contains indigo. Some henna powders result in a yellow hue, but it will always be a yellow with red undertones.
- Instead of covering your natural hair color, henna blends with it. Keep this in mind when mixing colors. Choose a shade that complements your natural hair color, not the color you wish to achieve. Remember, lighter hair may require multiple applications to achieve a darker shade.
- Since gray hair is somewhat translucent, it acts like a blank canvas for henna. This means the color effect won’t be the same as on other hair types, and the result will be closer to your expectations. Additionally, uneven coloring is more noticeable, as slightly more henna can lead to a darker shade.
Prepare your ingredients. You can mix various ingredients with pure henna powder to create different effects. The list of possible additives is extensive, but here are some you can experiment with.
- For an orange-yellow tint, add lemon juice, vinegar, or red wine.
- For a deeper red, combine with brandy.
- For a richer tone like auburn, use coffee or black tea.
- If you dislike the smell of henna, add fragrance with essential oils, rose water, or cloves.
- You don’t need to add anything to alter the color of pure henna powder. Water works fine, but adding a bit of lemon juice, orange juice, or grapefruit juice can help oxidize the henna. If it’s your first time, try using pure henna on your hair to understand how it works before experimenting with additives.
Mix the henna powder. This is a straightforward process. Pour the henna powder into a bowl. Gradually add water and stir.
- Use a ceramic, plastic, glass, or stainless steel bowl.
- There’s no exact measurement for the water needed. Add a little at a time, stirring until the mixture reaches a yogurt-like consistency.
- The mixture can be messy and stains surfaces easily. Wear gloves and clean up spills immediately to avoid stains.
Let the mixture rest. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let it sit for at least a few hours or overnight for the best results. The henna is ready to use when the color deepens, transitioning from green to dark brown. This indicates that the henna has oxidized and is prepared for application.
Preparing to Apply Henna
Avoid washing your hair a day before dyeing it. Your scalp's natural oils will help the henna powder adhere better. You can still shower, as water won’t strip away the oils from your scalp, but skip the shampoo.
Prepare your materials in advance. Arrange everything within easy reach so you don’t have to move around during the dyeing process. Make sure to have a trash bag, some petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), the pre-mixed henna paste, a towel you don’t mind staining, and a pair of nylon gloves ready.
Cut a hole in the bottom of a trash bag, large enough to fit over your head. This will act as a full-body cover. Wear it to prevent staining your clothes or skin. Alternatively, you can wear old clothes or use an old towel for protection.
Apply petroleum jelly to your skin. If you’re uncomfortable with this step, you can skip it, but it helps prevent accidental staining. Focus on areas close to your hairline, like around your ears and forehead, to avoid discoloration.
Applying Henna Paste
Apply henna to your entire hair. Start by wearing gloves. The key step here is to evenly distribute the henna paste throughout your hair.
- Focus on the roots and tips, especially around the hairline.
- It’s better to apply more rather than less.
- Once your hair is fully coated, wrap it up on top of your head using a towel.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess henna.
Let the henna sit on your hair. Leaving it overnight is ideal, and make sure to cover your pillow with a trash bag or something you don’t mind staining.
- If you prefer not to sleep with henna in your hair, leave it on for a few hours. However, the longer it stays, the more vibrant the color will be.
- For noticeable results, you’ll need to leave the henna on for an extended period.
- Darkening light hair is easier than lightening dark hair. If you have dark hair, leaving henna overnight won’t turn it orange or yellow.
Rinse out the henna. Wear gloves during this step to avoid staining your hands orange. Be cautious, as you might accidentally dye things you don’t intend to. Depending on your hair length, this step can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.
- Lean over the bathtub to rinse your hair instead of standing upright to avoid staining your body.
- Carefully remove the towel wrapped around your hair.
- Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Step under the shower. Wash your hair with shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
- Apply a deep conditioning treatment and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
Let your hair air dry. Check the mirror to see your new hair color. Avoid washing or wetting your hair for 24-48 hours afterward.
Tips
- Leftover henna powder can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer or 1 week in the refrigerator.
- Instructions that come with henna powder are often ineffective. It’s best to review multiple guides before starting to fully understand the process.
- Be mentally prepared, as this can get extremely messy—more than you might imagine.
- Avoid using henna if you’ve chemically dyed your hair within the last 6 months. Similarly, refrain from chemical dyes for 6 months after using henna.
