Whether it's because we want to give our hair more shine or character, with a beautiful, unique and luminous color, or because we want to cover the gray hairs that appear, sooner or later we're going to look for a hair color solution.

But anyone who has tried coloring their hair knows that repeated use of dyes full of chemicals ends up causing a lot of damage, such as migraines, scalp irritation, dry hair and damaged ends. There's no turning back: whether at home or at the hairdresser's, dyes damage the hair and even interfere with our health because they enter the bloodstream.

This is where Henna comes in, a natural coloring solution used for thousands of years in North Africa, Egypt and India, which not only allows you to create beautiful, "tailor-made" shades for your hair, but also strengthens and protects it. The result is healthy, shiny hair like you've never seen before! Henna has many advantages, but the main one is that because it is 100% natural and certified organic, it will color your hair effectively without damaging it.

And because you can prepare it at home and apply it easily, it's ideal for independent women who like to take care of themselves without having to make an appointment at the hairdresser!

Myths

A big myth is that it comes off with washing, but that's not the case! Henna "sticks" well to the hair and doesn't come off.

Don't worry, henna sticks well to the hair but not to the skin, another myth and fear of our clients - henna doesn't color the skin, only the hair, so it doesn't dye your hands or forehead, rest assured. 

What is Henna?

Henna is a 100% natural powder obtained from mixing the roots and leaves of various medicinal plants, the base of which is Lawsonia Inermis. This shrubby plant grows in parts of Africa and Asia, and in its pure version has a reddish-brown pigment. It is known for its ability to tint, but also for refreshing the body when applied to the skin. To obtain lighter or darker shades, pure Henna is mixed with other natural pigments, such as cassia or indigo, to produce a wide range of colors, such as copper, auburn or chocolate brown.

Because it comes directly from plants, our Henna contains no additives or chemicals found in other dyes. Rich in tannins (which can help prevent the appearance of whiteheads), proteins and minerals, Henna contains vitamin E, has antioxidant properties, and a pH of around 5.5 (much closer to the pH of the skin, and in contrast to the much more aggressive pH of artificial dyes, which is between 9.0 and 11.00).

How to prepare Henna?

 Henna is prepared by mixing the powder with a liquid (TIP: for dark hair try black tea or coffee to help the color set better. If you're going for blonder tones, try chamomile tea or warm water with a teaspoon of turmeric) to obtain a mixture that resembles Greek yogurt (you have to feel that it is a "wet" mixture, not a dry one) which you then spread on dry hair using a brush.

Because Henna is a natural product, made up of plants and roots, and we all have different hair, it's difficult to guarantee a specific shade. That's why we have four basic shades of Henna - dark brown, copper, black or blonde . We advise you to choose two shades and mix them if the idea is to look like highlights.

If you're too afraid to experiment, you can start with a lock of hair to see the result, and then have fun discovering the perfect shade for your hair. 

Henna coloring lasts from 4 to 6 weeks or until the gray begins to appear. If, after a few weeks, you want to brighten the tone or cover up the whites, you can always touch it up by preparing a smaller mixture and applying it only where necessary.

How to mix and apply

Dyeing your hair with Henna is quick and easy. We explain how to do it in 7 steps:

*The amount you use will depend on the length of your hair. If you're going to dye your hair in its entirety and/or if you're just going to touch up/cover up the whites. 

1. Place two to three shallow dessertspoons of Henna of the shade closest to your hair in a medium-sized bowl and mix, if you like, with a smaller amount (1 shallow dessertspoon) of another shade for greater luminosity or a more special tone.

2. Add a little liquid (for example, black tea if you're going for dark tones or camomile tea if you're going for blondes) and mix until you get a mixture that resembles Greek yogurt. It's advisable to add the liquid progressively, always less than you think the amount of powder you need.

3. Always apply henna to dry hair. Like any coloring, Henna will work best on dry, "freshly washed" hair.

4. Dedicate yourself to the preparations: use a towel to cover your shoulders to avoid getting your clothes dirty. With the help of a brush, and wearing gloves if you like, apply the Henna mixture from the roots to the ends of the hair, making sections, separating strand by strand as far as possible, to cover each hairline.

5. Leave the mixture to work, without rushing. You can secure your hair with a clip and wrap it in a towel so it's more comfortable to carry on with your day as normal. Leave the henna mixture on for 2 hours at first to give it time to set.

7. After the two hours have passed, wash your hair as normal. Start by letting the water wet your hair well to help the mixture come out better. Rinse as normal shampoo - we recommend two washes, and finish with conditioner.

What if the first color doesn't take?

If you use shampoos with silicones and are used to using chemical dyes, it can happen! Don't give up. It is possible to make the transition to 100% natural hair color. You just have to be patient, as our clients usually have fully colored hair by the second application. And then they want nothing else, because henna helps to strengthen the hair shaft, moisturize it and make it shinier. 

It's natural that after years of being "assaulted" by chemical dyes, your hair will take some time to integrate this method of coloring, which is so gentle and full of positive effects, such as moisturizing and strengthening the hair. If you can't completely cover your gray hair after the first application of Henna, try repeating the process after 4 days and you'll probably notice the difference. Take the plunge and discover this natural way to give your hair shine and personality without damaging it!