Henna: how to use it and what it is

How to dye your hair with Henna?

Dyeing your hair is one of those sensitive topics that leaves many women doubtful when it comes to natural options. Will it work?

If you've been embracing a natural routine when it comes to your hair, dyeing it with a chemical dye will destroy everything you've achieved. That's why our advice is to try the henna!



If you have any doubts or fears about the process, don't worry! In this post, you'll find everything you need to know about using henna, the natural dye that not only colors your hair, but also your skin. strengthens and stimulates growth, without releasing any chemicals onto your scalp.

What is henna?

Henna is one of the oldest natural pigments, obtained from the Lawsonia inermis plant. Once dried, the leaves are ground into a fine powder which, when mixed with a liquid (water or tea), can be used as a completely natural coloring. In the case of our henna, we have a mixture of various other plants and roots (always 100% natural and certified organic - by COSMOS ecocert) that will help you achieve the color that most closely resembles your own.

 

Benefits of henna

In addition to its ability to color hair naturally, henna has several benefits for our hair. It stimulates hair growth and natural shine, unlike conventional dyes, which make hair more fragile and dull. It is ideal for soothing irritated scalps, thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. It's a great option for those allergic to chemical dyes. It balances the pH of the scalp and excessive oil production. Henna does not contain parabens, ammonia, alcohol or synthetic fragrances, chemical ingredients present in conventional dyes that damage the hair. Remember that everything you put on your hair is quickly absorbed by the hair follicles and enters our bloodstream, so it's important to choose natural ingredients.

 

How to use henna?

Choose to apply the henna to dry hair on a day when you haven't washed it - ideally, it should have been washed 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)
- A towel (that you don't mind getting dirty) or a shower cap
- Your favorite henna + a liquid to form the paste
- A few extra hands to help (not obligatory, but it makes it easier!)

1. Choose the color you prefer - Dark Brown, Copper, Blondeor Black. You can also mix different "colors" to get the shade you're looking for!
   
   
2. Mix the henna with hot water - here we use tea, it helps it to "take" better. Black tea for dark hair and chamomile for light. The ideal ratio is 3 tablespoons to 3/4 cup of liquid.
   
   
3. The mixture needs to have a Greek yogurt-like consistency - you don't want it too liquid, so it doesn't run, or too thick, so you can apply it well. You can always adjust the consistency with more liquid or more henna.

Tip: *If you're looking for a darker color, try adding a teaspoon of coffee. If you're looking for a lighter shade, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric. These are tricks we've learned from our Indian community, who have been using Henna for centuries, and they give your hair the shine and strength it needs.

1. Separate your hair into different parts and brush each one with the mixture you've prepared, from root to tip. Or if you just want to cover the whites, you can apply it directly to the top of your hair.

2. Secure the hair with a clip. Wrap in a towel, don't worry the Henna will come off on the towel - we use a gray one here and it has never dyed. You can also opt for a cap and then put the towel on. Wait 2 hours if you have dark hair, or between 30 minutes and 1 hour if you have light hair.

3. After this time, wash well shampoo followed by conditioner.

Answers to Henna FAQs

• If you usually dye your hair with conventional dyes, you can use henna without any problem.
• No, henna doesn't turn your hair orange, unless you want to go coppery and that's the color you want.
• Your hair won't fall out as a result of using henna; on the contrary, it will become stronger and shinier as the henna mixture works like a super-nourishing hair mask.
• My whites weren't covered... What happens is that the hair must be full of silicones, due to hairdressing products, conventional shampoos, chemical dyes etc. It may not stick at first, but we guarantee that it always ends up "sticking" and looking much better than before.
• Does it wash off? No, henna doesn't come off when you wash it. This is a myth. What happens is that the white begins to grow and you have to repaint it like a conventional chemical dye.
• Mixing more than one shade? We advise you to choose 2 colors and mix them together so that it looks more natural and similar to your natural color, unless you really only want one fixed color.
• Do I really have to wait 2 hours? At first, to get it right, yes. But as your hair gets used to it and if it's just covering up the whites, you can try it for less time to see if it pays off as well. Some people only need 1 hour.
• Use during pregnancy? Perfect for those who want to dye their hair and are pregnant, as conventional dyes go straight into the bloodstream with chemicals that we don't want in the developing baby. Henna, as it is made up of 100% natural and certified organic ingredients, can and should be used by pregnant women.

As it is a natural pigment, you may have to try a few times until you find the color that "sticks" best to your hair. But don't give up! Your hair will get used to it. You'll see that once your hair feels shinier, fuller and healthier, the whole process will be worth it!