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

If you have been embracing a natural routine when it comes to your hair, dyeing it with a chemical dye will destroy everything you have achieved. Therefore, our advice is to try henna !

If you have doubts or concerns about the process, don’t worry! You will find in this post everything you need to know about how to use henna, the natural coloring that not only colors your hair, but also strengthens it and stimulates growth, without releasing any type of 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 crushed until a fine powder is obtained 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 several other plants and roots (always 100% natural and certified organic - by COSMOS ecocert) that will help you achieve the color that most closely resembles yours.

Benefits of henna

In addition to the ability to dye your hair naturally, henna has several benefits for our hair. 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 is a great option for those who are allergic to chemical paints. 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 and which damage hair. Remember that everything you put in your hair is quickly absorbed by the hair follicles, quickly entering our bloodstream, which is why 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 will need:
- A bowl for mixing
- A hairdressing brush
- A towel (that you don't mind getting dirty)
- Towel (that you don't mind getting dirty) or a shower cap
- Your favorite henna + a liquid to form the paste
- Some extra hands to help (not mandatory, but it makes it easier!)

1. Choose the color you prefer - Dark Brown , Copper , Blonde or Black . You can also mix different "colors" to achieve the tone you are looking for!
   
   
2. Mix the henna with hot water - here we use tea, it helps it "stick 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 needs to have a consistency like Greek yogurt - you don't want it to be too liquid, so it doesn't run, or too thick, so it can be applied well. You can always adjust the consistency, with more liquid or more henna.

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

1. Separate your hair into different parts, brushing each one with the mixture you prepared, from the roots to the ends. Or if it's just to cover gray hair, you can apply it directly to the top of your hair.

2. Secure your hair with a clip. Wrap it in a towel, don't worry that the Henna will come off on the towel - around here we use a gray one and it has never been dyed. You can also opt for a cap and then put on the towel. 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 well , we recommend two passes of shampoo followed by conditioner.

Answers to Henna FAQs

• If you usually paint with conventional paints, you can use henna without any problems.
• No, henna doesn't make your hair orange, unless you want to wear it copper and that's the color you want.
• Hair does not fall out when using henna, on the contrary, it becomes stronger and shinier as the henna mixture works as a super nourishing mask for the hair.
• My whites were not covered... What happens is that the hair must be full of silicones, due to hairdressing products, conventional shampoos, chemical dyes, etc. It may not catch on at first, but we guarantee that it always ends up "sticking" and being much better than before.
• Does it wash out? No, henna does not wash off. It's a myth, what happens is that the whites start to grow and you have to paint again like conventional chemical paint.
• Mix more than one shade? We recommend choosing 2 colors and mixing them to get a more natural look and similar to your natural color, unless you really just 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 you just cover the grays that appear, you can try it for less time and see if it pays as well. There are those who only need 1 hour.
• Use during pregnancy? Perfect for those who want to dye their hair and are pregnant, as conventional dyes contain chemicals directly into the blood that we don't want, much less for 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 make a few attempts until you find the color that “sticks” best to your hair. But don't give up! Your hair gets used to it. You will see that after your hair feels shinier, fuller and healthier, the whole process will be worth it!