How to dye your hair with Henna

Hair coloring is one of those sensitive topics that leaves many women doubtful when talking about natural options. Will it be effective?

If you have been transforming your hair with a natural routine, painting it with a chemical paint will destroy everything you have achieved. My advice is to try henna!

If you have questions or concerns about the process, worry not! This is the ultimate guide to know all about henna, the natural coloring that not only paints your hair, but the strengthens and stimulates growth without releasing any chemicals on your scalp.

What is henna?
Henna is one of the oldest natural pigments, obtained from the plant Lawsonia inermis. The leaves, once dried, are ground to a fine powder that, mixed with a liquid (water or tea) can be used as a completely natural coloring.

Benefits of henna
Apart from the ability to dye hair naturally, henna has several benefits for our hair. Stimulates its growth and natural shine, unlike conventional paints, which make hair more fragile and dull. It is ideal for soothe irritated scalps, thanks to its antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It is a great option for those who are allergic to chemical paints. Balances the pH of the scalp and excessive oil production.

Henna contains no parabens, ammonia, alcohol or synthetic fragrances, chemical ingredients present in conventional paints and that damage the hair. Remember that everything you put on your hair is quickly absorbed by the hair follicles, quickly entering our bloodstream, so it is important to choose natural ingredients.

How to use henna?

Choose to apply henna to dry hair on a day when you haven't washed it - ideally, the last wash was two days ago.

What you'll need:
- A bowl to make the mixture
- A hairdressing brush
- A towel (that you don't mind getting dirty)
- Cling film or a shower cap
- Your favorite henna + a liquid to form the paste
- A few extra hands to help (not mandatory, but makes it easy!)

1. Choose the color you prefer - Dark, Brown, Copper-plated or Blonde. You can also mix different hennas to get the tone you are looking for!

  1. Mix henna with hot water. The optimal ratio is 3 tablespoons to 3/4 cup of liquid. If you are looking for a dark color, try replacing the water with black tea. If you are looking for a lighter shade, use chamomile infusion.

The mixture needs to have a mud or yoghurt - like consistency-you don't want it either too runny, so it doesn't drip, or too thick, so you can apply it well. You can always adjust the consistency, with more liquid or more henna.

Tip: make the mixture a couple of hours before, so that the color opens until it is time to apply.

  1. Separate your hair into different parts, brushing each of them with the mixture you have prepared, from the roots to the ends. Having someone help here, especially if you have long hair, is great, because it will ensure that it covers all the strands well!

  2. Secure your hair with the cap or cling film and then put on the towel. Wait 3 hours if you have dark hair, or 30 minutes to 1 hour if you have light hair.

Tip: protect the skin of the forehead, near the root of the hair, with a little Super Hair Serum, so that the pigment does not stain the skin. Keep a paper or cloth close to you to wipe the skin in case something runs off during the process.

  1. After this time, wash your hair thoroughly and comb your hair. It's normal for some henna residue to remain in your hair - don't worry. They are supposed to come out in the next two / three washes.

Since it is a natural pigment, you may have to make a few attempts until you find the color that “grabs” your hair the best. But do not give up! The hair gets used to it. You will see that after feeling your hair more shiny, voluminous and healthy, the whole process is worth it!