Henna: how to use it and what it is

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

If you've been embracing a natural hair routine, dyeing it with a chemical dye will undo all the progress you've made. That's why our advice is to try henna !

If you have any doubts or concerns about the process, don't worry! In this post you will find everything you need to know about how to use henna, the natural hair dye that not only colors your hair, but also strengthens it 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. The leaves, after drying, are ground into a fine powder which, when mixed with a liquid (water or tea), can be used as a completely natural dye. In the case of our henna, we have a mixture of several other plants and roots (always 100% natural and certified organic - by COSMOS ecocert) that will help achieve the color that most closely resembles yours.

Benefits of henna

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

How to use henna?

Opt to apply henna to dry hair, on a day when you haven't washed it – ideally, the last wash should have been two days ago.

What you will need:
- A bowl for mixing.
- 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 mandatory, but it makes things easier!)

1. Choose the color you prefer - Dark Brown , Copper , Blonde , or Black . You can also mix different "colors" to achieve the shade you're looking for!
   
   
2. Mix the henna with hot water – we use tea here, it helps it "take" better. Black tea for dark hair and chamomile for light hair. The ideal ratio is 3 tablespoons to 3/4 cup of liquid.
   
   
3. The mixture should have a consistency similar to Greek yogurt – you don't want it too runny, so it doesn't drip, nor too thick, so you can apply it easily. You can always adjust the consistency, adding more liquid or more henna.

Tip: *If you're looking for a dark color, try adding a teaspoon of coffee. If you're looking for a lighter shade, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric . These are tricks we learned from our Indian community that has used henna for centuries and contribute to the shine and strength it brings to your hair.

1. Separate your hair into different sections, brushing each one with the mixture you prepared, from roots to ends. Or, if you only want to cover gray hairs, you can apply it directly to the top part of your hair.

2. Secure your hair with a clip. Wrap it in a towel; don't worry, the henna will transfer to the towel – we use a gray one and it never stains. You can also opt for a shower 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 your hair thoroughly ; we recommend two applications of shampoo followed by conditioner.

Answers to frequently asked questions about Henna

• If you usually paint your hair with conventional dyes, you can use henna without any problem.
• No, henna won't turn your hair orange, unless you wanted to use copper and that's the color you want.
• Hair doesn't fall out when using henna; quite the opposite, it becomes stronger and shinier since the henna mixture acts as a super nourishing mask for the hair.
• My gray hairs weren't covered... What happens is that the hair must be full of silicones, due to hair products, conventional shampoos, chemical dyes, etc. It may not take on the first try, but we guarantee that it always ends up "taking" and looking much better than before.
• Does it wash out? No, henna doesn't wash out. It's a myth; what happens is that the gray hairs start to grow back, and you need to dye it again like with conventional chemical dye.
• Mixing more than one shade? We recommend choosing two colors and mixing them to achieve a more natural look that matches your natural hair color, unless you specifically want just one fixed color.
• Do I really have to wait 2 hours? At first, yes, to get it to "take" properly. But as your hair gets used to it, and if it's just covering the gray hairs that are appearing, you can try 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, since conventional dyes enter the bloodstream with chemicals that we don't want, much less for the developing baby. Henna, as it is composed of 100% natural and certified organic ingredients, can and should be used by pregnant women.

Because it's a natural pigment, you may have to try a few times to 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 after feeling your hair shinier, fuller, and healthier, the whole process will be worth it!