When you want a new, fresh look, there's nothing more alluring than red hair. However, that doesn't mean you have to use regular hair dyes with harsh chemicals. Henna or henna (henna) is a gentle natural dye if you want to paint it red. This ingredient is also actually beneficial for the hair. Unfortunately, the first use is quite complicated so it's a good idea to collect and follow as many tips and tricks as possible.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Henna
Step 1. Consider your natural hair color
Although henna may appear reddish copper in color, it is actually translucent and will blend in with your natural hair color. This means that the results of coloring using henna will not be the same for everyone. The lighter your natural hair color, the clearer or lighter the red will be. For dark hair, henna may not give much color so in the end, henna only makes hair look shinier.
- Pale blonde, gray, and white hair will have bright, fiery red hues.
- Medium-colored hair (eg dark blonde or light brown) will usually have a fairly deep tawny hue.
- If you have red or reddish-brown hair, using henna may not do much. However, henna helps to highlight the natural color of the hair and cover gray hair.
- Dark hair, including dark brown and black, usually won't get a significant discoloration. However, your hair will look shinier afterwards.
- If you have gray hair, keep in mind that your entire hair usually won't have an even color after you've dyed it. Henna makes gray hair look like highlights (lighter-colored hair), and this look is usually pretty and is suitable for light or medium-colored hair. However, for dark hair, red highlights may seem a little odd.
Step 2. Measure the required henna
The amount of henna you need depends on the length of your hair because the longer your hair, the more henna you will need. Henna powder is usually sold in boxes, but you can also buy henna in solid blocks. Read the instructions for use on the packaging carefully to determine the amount needed.
- If you have short hair (not reaching your chin), usually 100 grams of henna will suffice (you can buy the product in 100 gram boxes directly).
- For shoulder length hair, prepare 200 grams of henna first.
- If your hair is longer than your shoulders, prepare at least 300 grams of henna from the start.
- For very long hair, you may need as much as 500 grams of henna to color the entire hair.
Step 3. Mix the henna with the liquid solvent in a bowl
Warm water is usually most often used to mix with henna. Add enough water until the mixture forms a thick paste (with a mud-like consistency). Try to crush as many henna clumps as possible so that the mixture has a smooth, yogurt-like texture.
- You can use other liquids to mix with henna. Lemon, orange, and lime juice can be a common alternative. If you don't mind the smell, you can also use vinegar.
- To get the right consistency, it's a good idea to add a little at a time to control the texture of the mixture. If the mixture feels too thick and hard, add more liquid. In addition, prepare additional henna so that it can be added immediately if the mixture is too runny. As with any liquid, add the henna powder little by little so that you don't add too much powder.
Step 4. Cover the henna mixture with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container
This mixture needs to be left for at least 12 hours for best results. Keep in mind that the longer you let the mixture sit, the lighter the red will be. A dark place with room temperature can be a good location to store the henna mixture.
If you're in a hurry and can't wait 12 hours to apply henna, find a warm place to let the mixture sit. Usually, the mixture is ready to use within 2 hours if it is left in a place with a temperature of approximately 35 degrees Celsius
Part 2 of 3: Using Henna
Step 1. Check the mixture before use
As it sits, the mixture may harden so you will need to moisten it or thin it out. Slowly add water or other liquid until the mixture is smooth and looks like mud.
Step 2. Protect yourself from stains
Henna can contaminate anything the mixture is exposed to, including the skin. Therefore, make sure you are protected. Apply Vaseline, heavy cream or balm along the hairline, around the ears, and neck to prevent the henna from contaminating the skin. Be sure to also wear rubber, latex, or other protective gloves when using the mixture on your hair.
- Wear clothes that you won't mind getting dirty because the mixture can drip or spill during use, and you won't be able to remove the henna stain from your clothes.
- It's a good idea to use henna in a shower or tub so you don't have to worry about the mixture contaminating furniture, carpets, or other surfaces.
- If henna gets on the skin, immediately wipe your skin. The longer the mixture is left on the skin, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Usually, it takes a few days for the henna stain to fade from the skin.
Step 3. Separate the hair into sections
Henna is thicker than other types of hair dye, so it will be difficult for you to ensure that the mixture is applied evenly throughout your hair. However, by dyeing your hair in sections, it will be easier for you to color the entire hair strand. Gather all sections of hair and secure with bobby pins. For early staining, leave a small section about 2.5 centimeters long.
Step 4. Apply the henna mixture on each section of hair
Make sure each strand must be colored so feel free to use multiple blends. Also, don't rush and check that every strand of hair is coated with henna.
- Try not to get the mixture into the hair that has not been colored. Henna makes hair tangle easily, so it will be difficult for you to dye subsequent sections that have been exposed to the mixture.
- You can use a plastic bag with a hole in one end (as you would normally use when baking) or a pressure bottle to apply the henna if you have trouble spreading it out or applying it properly. However, it will usually be easier for you to work the mixture out with your fingers so that it coats each strand of hair.
- For a more thorough coverage, apply henna to the scalp. Maybe your scalp will get a stain or color from henna, but usually the stain or color disappears after a few washes.
- Since the mixture's thickness makes it difficult to apply henna, you can ask a friend to dye your hair, especially if you have long or very thick hair.
Step 5. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap
Henna works more effectively in warm conditions. Therefore, cover your hair after you use henna so that the resulting red color looks lighter. Read the directions on the package to find out how long the mixture can sit on your hair. This process usually takes 1-6 hours, but the longer the mixture is allowed to sit, the darker or deeper the red color will be.
- You can usually get a dark, pretty red if you let the mixture sit on your hair for 3-4 hours.
- If your natural hair color is black, try letting the mixture sit for six hours so you can get a more pronounced red.
Part 3 of 3: Rinsing Hair
Step 1. Rinse hair with warm water
You can rinse your hair in the shower while you're in the shower, but the henna mixture can stain your body when you lift it. Therefore, try rinsing your hair in a sink or sink to prevent the henna from getting on your skin. Make sure you are still wearing gloves when rinsing your hair, as the henna mixture can dirty your hands. In addition, you may also need to rinse your hair several times to remove all the remaining henna.
Start rinsing with water first. If you are having trouble removing all the henna residue from your hair, use a mild shampoo to remove any remaining mixture. The shampoo also helps reduce the earthy smell of henna that can last for several days on the hair
Step 2. Blow dry your hair
You can towel dry your hair, but don't use a blow dryer, as the heat generated can make your hair dry and rough.
Step 3. Don't panic if your hair color looks very light
It's not uncommon for your hair to turn orange or bright red after you've colored it with henna. However, once oxidized the hair color will become darker with a more natural tone. Usually, it can take up to three days before the true color of the henna is visible.
Step 4. Treat hair with care
Don't let your hair dry in the first week after painting. Avoid using harsh clarifying shampoos and avoid using heat styling tools, such as curling irons or straighteners.
Step 5. Maintain your hair color
Henna produces a permanent color so that after you wash your hair a few times, the color will not fade. However, eventually your hair roots will grow so you will need to repaint to keep the hair color consistent.
- Since henna is actually beneficial for your hair, you can use it as often as you want. Henna helps condition hair and adds shine.
- When doing touch-ups, you can color only the part of your hair needed and apply the henna mixture to the roots, or coat the entire hair strand as a conditioning treatment.
Tips
- Keep in mind that the natural color of your hair affects the red hue that results when you use henna.
- Buy henna that does not contain added ingredients. Make sure the packaging label indicates that the product can be used for hair.
- It's a good idea to use henna when your hair is dry.
- Henna actually helps condition your hair so you can use it as often as you want. However, some hair stylists suggest that you need to wait about two weeks before reusing henna.
- It is not recommended to use henna on the eyebrows because the mixture can get into the eyes or drip and contaminate the skin. If you want your eyebrows to match your hair color, use a red or brown eyebrow pencil, powder, or eyebrow wax instead.
Warning
- The final result of coloring with henna will be different for each person. Therefore, don't assume that your hair color will look the same as the hair color of someone you see in the photo.
- Do not use henna if your hair has been colored or treated with chemicals (unless you use henna for the body).
- Do not overwrite the results of henna staining with any permanent paint. Talk to your hair stylist if you're not satisfied with the color your henna produces before dyeing it again.
