Hena is a non-destructive natural dye from plants. You can use it to dye your hair reddish brown. Using henna on your hair can create a messy work area, and you should take precautions to keep your forehead and the room from getting stained. If the henna has stuck to your hair, you should wrap it in plastic wrap and let it soak for a few hours before rinsing it off. The key to hair coloring with henna is preparation as the powder must be mixed and allowed to sit for several hours before use. So you have to mix the powder first.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready
Step 1. Mix the henna powder
Henna is sold in powder form which must be mixed with water to apply to hair. Mix 50 grams of henna with 60 ml of warm water. Stir the two ingredients until well blended. Add tablespoons (about 15 ml) of water as needed, until the henna paste has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
- Once the henna powder and water are well mixed, cover the bowl with plastic and let it sit at room temperature for about 12 hours.
- When you're ready to use it, add a little water to the mixture until you get a thick, but easily spreadable solution.
Step 2. Shampoo your hair and dry it
Before applying henna, you should wash your hair thoroughly. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo to get rid of oil, dirt, and styling products. Rinse the shampoo clean. When you're done shampooing, you can dry your hair with a towel, blow dryer, or let it dry on its own.
Do not apply conditioner because the oil content can prevent the henna from sinking into the hair roots properly
Step 3. Use oil to protect the hairline
If you have long hair, tie it back so it doesn't touch your face, shoulders and neck. For short hair, wear a headband so the hair doesn't stick to your face. Use your fingers to apply coconut oil, body butter, or petrolatum (vaceline) to the hairline, including the neck, forehead, and ears.
The oil will create a barrier between the henna and the skin to prevent blemishes around the hairline area
Step 4. Comb and part the hair
Untwist your hair down and run a wide-toothed comb. This is to untangle the tangles and knots so that the hair is not tangled. Part your hair in the middle, and let your hair flow down evenly on both sides of your head.
You don't need to divide your hair into sections as you will be coloring it in layers
Step 5. Protect the skin
Henna tends to spread in all directions, so it's a good idea to wear clothes you don't use and protect yourself with an old napkin or towel. Place the towel on your shoulders. Arrange the towels so that they cover your neck and shoulders, then use hair clips to secure them. Henna can stain your skin, so you should protect your hands and nails with rubber or nitrile gloves.
- You can also use plastic sheets, a poncho, or a haircut cape.
- Keep a damp cloth nearby so you can easily wipe off any henna that drips on your skin.
Part 2 of 3: Applying Hena Paste
Step 1. Apply the henna paste on small sections of hair
Start at the top layer of hair by taking a section of hair about 5 cm wide from the back-center of your head. Separate this section from the rest of the hair using a comb. Use a large brush or fingers to apply 1-2 tsp. (2-5 grams) of henna to the hair roots. Spread the henna over the ends of your hair and add more paste if needed.
Unlike regular dyes, henna paste doesn't spread easily. So, make sure your hair is completely coated with henna from the roots to the tips
Step 2. Twist the hair to the top of the head
If the first section of hair has been smeared with henna, twist the hair a few times and loop it over your head. The henna paste is sticky enough that the curls will stick to it well. You can attach the clamp if you wish.
On short hair, twist the section of hair, then pin it on top of the head so it doesn't get in the way of other hair coloring
Step 3. Apply the paste to the next section of hair
Handle the same top layer of hair, and take a new section of hair 5 cm wide that is next to the first section of hair. Apply the henna paste to the roots of your hair using your fingers or a hair dye brush. Work the paste towards the ends of your hair, and add new paste if necessary until the entire layer of hair is covered in henna.
Step 4. Twist and place the section of hair on top of the first twist
Twist the section of hair that has just been smeared with henna, then place it around the first strand of hair. Since the henna is so sticky, the strands will still stick there, but you can pin them up if you want.
On short hair, twist the section and place it over the first section of hair, then pin the twist to secure it in position
Step 5. Continue to apply the henna paste all over your hair
Do it piece by piece as before. Start from the back towards the front of the head, applying henna to the hair on both sides. Continue to do this in each 5 cm wide section so that all the hair is evenly coated with the henna. When you've finished coloring the top layer of hair, repeat the same steps for the layer below until the entire section of hair is covered with henna.
Twist and loop each section of hair and place it around the previous twist
Step 6. Fix the area around the hairline
Once each section of hair has been coated with henna and twisted into a bun, work on the hairline and add paste to areas where the henna is faded or less thick. Pay special attention to the hairline and root areas.
Part 3 of 3: Let the Hena Smear and Rinse
Step 1. Wrap plastic wrap around your hair
When all of your hair is covered with henna, take a long sheet of plastic wrap and wrap it around your hair. Wrap this plastic along the hairline and cover the entire section of hair and the top of the head completely. Don't cover your ears.
- Wrapping your hair in plastic will keep the henna warm and moist, making it easier for it to seep into your hair.
- If you need to leave the house in this condition, wrap a scarf around plastic wrap to cover it.
Step 2. Keep the henna warm and allow it to soak into the hair
Henna usually takes 2-4 hours to fully adhere to the hair. The longer you leave it on, the deeper and brighter the color will be. You can encourage color build-up by keeping the henna warm. Don't go out if it's cold, or wear a hat if you have to.
You can leave the henna on your hair for 6 hours for maximum color brightness
Step 3. Rinse with conditioner
If the henna has absorbed well, put on gloves and remove the plastic wrap. Go to the bathroom and rinse your hair to remove the henna paste. Apply conditioner to your hair to help loosen the paste.
Continue to apply conditioner and rinse until the water is clear and there is no more paste left on the hair
Step 4. Wait a few days for the color to form
Henna takes about 48 hours for the color to form properly. When the hair dries in the first place, the color will look very bright and orange. After a few days, the color will deepen and the orange will decrease.
Step 5. Treat the newly growing hair roots
Henna is a permanent dye, so you don't have to worry about the color fading or fading over time. You can reapply the henna for a deeper, brighter color, or simply apply the henna to the roots of your newly growing hair.
When dealing with new roots, allow the henna to sit there for the same amount of time as you did the first hair. In this way, you can get the same color brightness
Tips
- Protect floors and tables with drop cloths to prevent stains.
- Henna always produces a reddish color. If you start with black hair, it will turn reddish brown. If you start with blonde hair, your hair color will be reddish orange.
- Henna can sometimes drip after application. Try adding a quarter teaspoon of xanthan gum (a food thickener) to the henna to make it gel.
Warning
- If you've never dyed your hair with henna, do a test on a little hair to see if you like the results. Apply the henna to the hidden bits of hair. Let the henna sit for 2-4 hours before you wash it off. Wait for 48 hours and see the resulting color.
- Do not use henna less than 6 months after you curl or straighten your hair (hair relaxing). You also shouldn't use these products (curlers and straighteners) for 6 months after you've applied henna to your hair.
