What Is Hair Henna and How Do You Use It

Want to change your hair color while preserving its natural shine? The solution is henna for hair – a natural color for coloring and toning. It is available in four shades, thanks to which your hair will be healthy and shiny.

Hair henna
Photo: Freepik

 

What Is Henna

Henna is a tall shrubby plant, Latin called Lawsonia Inermis. It can grow up to six meters in height. It is grown in Africa, South and West Asia, and Northern Australia. The leaves of this plant are used for cosmetic purposes, which are first dried, chopped, and ground, and then turned into powder.

Although it is best known as a color for drawing patterns on the body, especially in India for ceremonial ceremonies, henna was used in ancient Egypt for hair coloring and beautification. Today it is used for the natural coloring of hair, skin, nails, and fabrics.

 

What Does Henna Look Like

Hair henna is made from completely natural ingredients. The usual hair dyes are usually available in a creamy state and tube-shaped packages. In contrast, henna packaging involves a bag containing a fine green powder.

 

Colors and Shades of Henna

Although the basic color of henna for hair is orange-red, or brown with red tones, other shades can be obtained on the hair. Which ones – depends on how light the hair surface is.

Bonae Laboratorio hair henna is made exclusively from natural ingredients and is available in four colors:

Red henna for hair is the most common on the market and is obtained from dry henna leaves. Thanks to the active ingredients from this plant, the color tones and strengthens the hair, giving it extra shine. This powder gives hair a reddish-copper tone.

Black henna for hair is obtained from the leaves of henna, which are mixed with the leaves of the indigo plant before drying. These ingredients nourish and strengthen the hair structure, and indigo gives an intense black color with a dark blue undertone.

Brown henna for hair is also obtained by mixing different plants: walnut shells, henna leaves, and indigo plants. In this way, deep dark brown tones are achieved.

Neutral henna is used to recover dry and damaged hair. It is obtained from the plant cassia obovata (lat.). With regular use of neutral henna, the hair becomes shiny and soft. It does not leave any color changes on dark hair, while it can give a golden glow to light hair. Unjustifiably, this product is not widely represented on the market. It can be found more often in combination with chemical ingredients.

Where can I buy 100 percent natural henna? – In Alexandar Cosmetics sales centers, or via online order, on our website.

Henna hair dye
Photo: Alexandar Cosmetics

 

Who Is Hair Henna For

Simply put – for everyone who wants to preserve the natural shine and quality of hair. For those who want to strengthen their hair and recover hair that has been damaged by frequent use of styling machines. Hair henna is ideal for those who are tired of their natural hair color and would like to change it, but not damage it with chemical preparations.

For those who want to darken the color of their hair, henna is a great choice, as well as for lovers of red tones. Since the color is made from completely natural ingredients, it will have the best effect on hair that has not been previously dyed.

So, for first coloring and maintaining healthy hair, henna is the best solution. It is not recommended to use henna on hair that has been dyed, wavy, or chemically treated in any way, because it will not give any results.

Also, henna is a great solution for those who have allergies to classic hair dyes and would like to change their color.

 

Benefits of Hair Henna

  1. Completely natural color. Henna hair dyes are without chemical additives, made exclusively from natural ingredients. So, there are no unpleasant odors, skin irritation, hair loss… and other side effects to certain chemical ingredients. It does not damage or dry the hair.
  2. Nourishes and strengthens the hair structure. Henna coats the hair and binds to keratin, filling in damage in hair. When applied, it closes the hair cuticle and thus prevents the harmful impact from reaching the hair follicles. This strengthens the hair and makes it more resistant to external influences.
  3. It nourishes the hair like a conditioner. In addition to reducing the electrostatic nature of the hair, henna has a conditioner-like effect. It closes the follicle and thus allows the hair to retain its natural moisture. It also improves its density. With regular use of henna, hair becomes stronger, healthier, and shinier. It is suitable for all hair types.
  4. Makes hair softer and gentler to the touch. The pigments do not stick to the hair, but the henna combines with the keratin in the hair. So that the hair becomes smooth, soft, and silky.
  5. Reduces the oiliness of hair. Henna has the effect of reducing the production of sebum, which is the “main culprit” for oily hair. In addition, it maintains the pH level of the scalp in balance.
  6. Cleanses and cools the skin. Henna is great for fighting dandruff because it contains antibacterial ingredients that reduce dandruff, itching, and burning of the scalp.
  7. Prevents hair loss. Since it makes hair and hair healthier, henna also reduces hair loss by strengthening and nourishing the hair root.
  8. No rinsing of paint. Henna is a permanent and lasting color. It can be used for an unlimited number of repetitions, and with each subsequent procedure, the color intensity is intensified and enriched.

 

The Downsides of Hair Henna

Although henna for hair is an extremely good product, which will bring many benefits to your hair, you should know that there are certain limitations.

The painting process takes a long time. To achieve the desired effects with the classic dye, it is enough to keep it on the hair for 30-45 minutes. For henna to give successful results, it must stand on the hair for at least two to three hours, before rinsing. However, the wait, in this case, pays off!

Limited application. Henna cannot be used to dye chemically treated hair. Also, if you want to repaint natural strands and get a uniform color, henna is not a good solution. Even after coloring the entire surface, your hair will continue to be tinted: lighter strands will have a more pronounced color, while dark ones will become even darker.

Limited colors. Although henna is available in several shades, the range of colors is not as wide as with dyes. Almost all shades have a reddish tinge, so if you are not a fan of red, maybe you should choose quality hair dyes.

Hair henna - red color
Photo: Freepik

 

Limited results. Henna achieves less visible color changes. This color is not intended for those who often experiment with their hair and want dramatic results. Also, if you want to get a lighter color than your natural one, henna is not a good choice. Dying blonde hair with black henna can cause green tones.

Durability and persistence. Hair treated with henna can hardly be dyed with chemical dyes or hydrogen. Even paint removers are ineffective in removing unwanted shades because the paint does not wash off. It can be dyed with a darker shade of henna, but you will probably have to wait for the hair to grow and cut it if you are not satisfied with the result.

 

How to Use Hair Henna

The dyeing process is not overly complicated, but it usually takes longer than usual hair coloring. The best results are achieved if the coloring is done on completely clean (previously washed and dried) hair, unlike the classic coloring.

To dye hair with henna you need:

  • Henna powder
  •  Water
  •  Paint container
  •  Paint mixer, or spoon
  •  Paintbrush
  •  Gloves and other protective equipment
  •  Foil or plastic cap

Instructions: It is necessary, first, to mix henna powder with lukewarm water in a suitable container, until a thick, mud-like texture is achieved. It is best to wait for the mixture to stand for a few hours, and only then use it. Comb your hair well, and then apply the mixture with a coloring brush – from the roots to the ends of the hair. Then wrap the head with foil and leave the henna to act for a few hours, depending on the intensity of the color you want to achieve. In the end, it is necessary to carefully and thoroughly wash your hair with water, without shampoo.

Beautiful woman
Photo: Freepik

 

In addition to having the ability to color and tone hair, henna is also great for care. If you want to keep your color and have shiny and soft hair, we advise you to use neutral henna. Your hair will be grateful. This is the best way to recover your hair from all the treatments it has been exposed to before.

Henna or hair dye? Write us about how you treat and color your hair. 

  • Leave a comment
  • |
  • 0 comment(s)