Henna is a powder prepared only and exclusively from herbs, so it is 100% natural powder. Since time immemorial, the peoples of the Middle East have used it for tattoos and body jewelry to show off especially during the most important ceremonies and occasions. Moreover, henna has always dyed hair and made it more beautiful, strong and healthy. Let’s find out together everything you need to know about hair henna and which option to choose.
What does henna do to hair?
Henna colors the hair shaft. However, to believe that this is only and exclusively a natural shade is completely wrong. In fact, henna allows you to create a film around each hair. This film makes the hair stronger, more resistant, thicker, and therefore more beautiful and healthy. Not only that, it’s a screen protector. Thus, the hair easily resists smog and stress, so the hair remains beautiful and healthy for a long time. It is important to remember that this herb, contrary to the opinion of many, is not only suitable for straight hair. Try henna on curly hair for a truly incredible definition effect.
Henna for red hair, Lavsonia helpless powder
Traditional henna is a green powder made from the Lawsonia inermi plant. The smell is intense, rather sharp, allows you to get a red hair color. Obviously, the final result depends on the original color of your hair. In fact, blond hair takes on a very light red color that leans towards orange. The same goes for white hair.
Red henna on brown hair looks more saturated. Henna on light brown hair allows you to get colors similar to the colors of autumn foliage. Instead, on dark brown hair, the shades are less orange, much more red. Black hair, on the other hand, does not acquire a reddish tint, even if some bright nuances can be seen in direct sunlight.
Other shades of henna for hair
Not all women want to get a copper-red hair color. For this reason, other types of henna are available on the market, made from different coloring herbs mixed together. In black hair henna, the plant Indigofera tinctorium comes into play, which allows you to get a very dark shade. This is the perfect choice for those who have naturally black hair but want to enhance their color and cover gray easily. It’s also the perfect choice for those who want to darken their brown hair so it turns black naturally. Blonde Henna is designed for natural blondes who want really intense golden highlights. Can I use light brown henna on brown hair? Of course yes, if the original color is very light. Otherwise, there is a risk of not getting any effect.
Neutral henna for hair
There is also neutral henna for hair. However, in this case, it is not a dye grass. The powder obtained from Cassia obovata has the sole purpose of making the hair soft and shiny, in short, to be chosen as a real beauty mask. However, there is nothing stopping you from adding this powder to other henna, both for a lighter, less intense color and for a clear improvement in the condition of your hair.
Henna for hair, pros and cons
What henna covers gray hair? Only neutral henna does not work on gray hair, because, as we have just seen, it is not a coloring herb. All other hennas are excellent at covering gray hair, but it is important to remember that on gray hair the final effect will be lighter than on the rest of the hair. If you want a uniform color then this is not the ideal choice for you. If, on the other hand, you like the effect of a sunstroke, henna is undoubtedly one of the best options you can make, able to guarantee the dynamism and nuances of the hair.
Henna on dyed hair, can it be done? Neutral henna can be applied without problems to both dyed and dyed hair, like a real beauty mask. If you want to switch from chemical dye to natural henna, a little caution is required. You have to wait a while before applying henna, otherwise you run the risk of unsatisfactory results and unsightly highlights that will be difficult to nourish later. We recommend waiting at least a month.
But how long does henna last? The effect of henna on the hair is prolonged over time, the effect lasts up to two to three months. However, this obviously only applies if you don’t have gray hair. In fact, white hair tends to take on color much earlier than other hair. They usually reappear 3-5 weeks after henna is applied.
How do you dye your hair with henna?
Using henna to color your hair naturally is a lot easier than you might think. In fact, it is enough to create a composition of hot water and henna powder, paying attention that it is not overly liquid. It is for this reason that we advise you to add very little water at a time, while stirring with a spoon or, even better, with a whisk. The mixture should be thick, like a cream, homogeneous and without lumps.
It can be used as is, but you can also add some great ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar, like yogurt, which makes for an easier-to-apply blend. The mixture can be applied directly to the hair, making sure that it is not too hot. However, you can also wait a few hours to let the mixture rest and make it even more powerful.
After the cream has been evenly applied to the hair (do not forget to use gloves, otherwise you will stain the skin as well), you need to cover everything with transparent cling film or a disposable shower cap. Leave for a few hours. There is no upper limit, you can even leave the henna on overnight. In fact, these are natural herbs that do not harm the hair at all, on the contrary, they make it more beautiful and stronger, as if it were a real mask. After the selected period of time, all you have to do is rinse your hair and dry it.
Source: Elle