Henna: Everything about natural hair coloring

Whether it's because we want to add shine or character to our hair with a beautiful, unique, and luminous color, or because we want to cover up gray hairs, sooner or later we'll be looking for a hair coloring solution.

But anyone who has ever tried dyeing their hair knows that repeated use of dyes, full of chemicals, ends up causing immense damage, such as migraines, scalp irritation, dry hair, and damaged ends. There's no way around it: at home or at the hairdresser, dyes damage hair, even interfering with our health, because they enter the bloodstream.

That's 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" hair tones, but also strengthens and protects your hair. The result is healthy, shiny hair like you've never seen before! Henna has many advantages, but the main one is that, being 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 book an appointment at the hairdresser!

Myths

A common myth is that it washes out, but that's not the case! Henna adheres well to the hair and doesn't come off.

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

What is henna?

Henna is a powder obtained from a mixture of roots and leaves of various medicinal plants, 100% natural, and its base is Lawsonia Inermis. This shrubby plant grows in some areas of Africa and Asia, and in its pure form has a reddish-brown pigment. It is known for its ability to dye, 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, thus obtaining a range of colors, such as coppery, blond, 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 graying), 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 ranges 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. For lighter shades, chamomile tea or warm water with a teaspoon of turmeric ), to obtain a mixture that resembles Greek yogurt (it should feel like a "wet" mixture, not drying), which is then spread on dry hair with the help of a brush.

Because henna is a natural product, composed of plants and roots, and we all have different hair colors, it's difficult to guarantee a specific shade. That's why we have four basic henna shades – dark brown, Copper , black , or blonde . We recommend choosing two shades and mixing them if the idea is to create the appearance of highlights.

If you're too hesitant to try it, you can start by testing it on a strand of hair to see the result, and then have fun discovering the perfect shade for your hair.

Henna coloring lasts 4 to 6 weeks, or until gray hairs begin to appear. If after a few weeks you want to brighten the tone or cover the gray hairs, 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 very easy and quick. We explain how to do it in 7 steps:

The amount you will use will depend on the length of your hair. It will also depend on whether you are dyeing your entire hair and/or just touching up/covering gray hairs.

1. In a medium bowl, place two to three level tablespoons of henna in the shade closest to your hair color, and mix in, if desired, a smaller amount (1 level tablespoon) of another shade for greater luminosity or a more special tone.

2. Add a little liquid (for example, black tea if you have dark hair or chamomile tea if you have blonde hair) and mix until you obtain a mixture that resembles Greek yogurt. It is advisable to add the liquid gradually, always less than you think that amount of powder will need.

3. Always apply henna to dry hair. Like any hair dye, henna works best on dry, unwashed hair.

4. Focus on the preparations: use a towel to cover your shoulders to avoid staining your clothes. With the help of a brush, and wearing gloves if you wish, apply the henna mixture from the roots to the ends of your hair, making sections, separating each section as much as possible to cover each hairline.

5. Let the mixture sit, taking your time. You can clip your hair up and wrap it in a towel for more comfort, allowing you to continue with your day as normal. Let the henna mixture sit for 2 hours initially to allow it time to set.

7. After two hours, wash your hair normally. Start by thoroughly wetting your hair with water to help the mixture rinse out better. Shampoo as usual – we recommend two washes – and finish with conditioner .

What if the first coloring doesn't take?

If you use shampoos with silicones and are used to using chemical dyes, this can happen! Don't give up. Transitioning to 100% natural coloring is possible; you just need patience, as our clients usually have their hair fully colored after the second application. And then they don't want anything else, because henna helps strengthen the hair, moisturize it, and make it shinier.

It's natural that after years of being "attacked" by chemical dyes, your hair will take some time to integrate this gentle coloring method, which is full of positive effects such as hydrating and strengthening the strands. If you can't completely cover the gray hairs after the first henna application, try repeating the process after 4 days and you will probably notice the difference. Venture out and discover this natural way to add luminosity and personality to your hair without damaging it!