Henna hair dye tips; herbal colouring is Sexy!

natural hair colouring

Discover my Henna hair dye tips: herbal colouring without drying the hair

I’m a big advocate of herbal colouring and in this post, I would like to share my henna hair dye tips with you. Dying my hair with Henna is part of my natural haircare routine, and I will always recommend it to anybody, but it can be very drying. Before you start experimenting with Henna and Herbal colouring, it is best to be informed.

Oiling my hair before Henna hair dye application

Henna can dry the hair, to combat this, I always begin by oiling my hair with one of my home-made hair serums. For example, one of my favourite hair serums consists of a mix of castor oil, rosehip oil, argan oil, emu oil, broccoli seed oil and some drops of lavender, peppermint, rose-oil, copaiba and rosemary essential oils.

I leave this mixture on for one to a couple of hours before washing it out with Shikakai powder, which I leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out. It’s important to make sure the oils are washed out of the hair otherwise it can prevent the henna from attaching to the hair.

Herbal colouring is fun and makes your hair sexy and beautiful

Finally, I follow the above method religiously, and my hair has never felt dry after a henna application. I hope you will enjoy reading my Henna hair dye tips and that herbal colouring comes part of your natural haircare routine too, which you can read all about in my book the Happy Hair Cure.

TIP: if you would like to know more about the dangers of toxic chemical dyes, what henna is and why you should ditch chemicals, ensure to check out my henna colour page.

Applying Henna hair dye to beautify and strengthen the hair

I use henna hair dye every fortnight. Because of its beautifying and hair strengthening properties, I would love to apply it every week, but I don’t always have the time! Henna leaves your hair so strong and healthy, and that is a blessing in itself.

Note: The first time I tried henna hair dye, I found a natural hairdresser in my area. She didn’t apply any oil before the treatment, and I remember it was tough to comb my hair after washing the henna out. It looked like it was breaking off and took the hairdresser nearly 15 minutes just to brush through it! Because I oil my hair now, I no longer have those issues. Also, on the Khadi Henna application instruction page, they recommend oiling before applying henna for a more intense result and colour.

My favourite Henna Hair dye brands

My two favourite Henna Hair Dye brands are Khadi and Morocco-Method. I usually use Khadi as you can mix it on the spot and use it immediately. The preparation time is just two minutes, and you can start using it without a long ‘soaking time’.  I prefer this method because it’s super easy and saves me time.

Although it’s referred to as henna hair dye, it’s actually a mix of herbs, as henna alone is a red colour. So, depending on the shade you would like to achieve, the pure henna powder is mixed with other herbs to create different, natural Shades. Personally, I don’t like my hair to be just one tone as I find it looks dull and unnatural. So I always go for various Henna Shades.

Let’s look at my Henna hair dye tips below.

What’s your Henna hair dye tint?

Picking the right hair dye colour for you

The herbal colours used in henna, colour and condition your hair through 100% plant-derived ingredients.

Although the health benefits of henna hair dye are extensive, picking the right shade is not quite as simple. With a chemical hair dye, you can simply choose the colour you want and apply it, but with henna, the final colour is largely based on your original hair shade and hair structure. For instance, a light brown henna on red hair will not achieve the same results as it would on light brown hair. Our hair is unique, and so is its reaction to henna and herbal colouring.

Not sure where to start with Henna hair dye adventure?

If you’re not sure where to start, I’d suggest going for a shade that’s lighter than the one you wish to achieve because it’s easier to go darker if you’re not happy with the tone, but not so easy to go lighter. So, if you want medium brown hair, start with the light brown shade and gradually work your way up to a darker shade.

You may find that some henna combinations can have a slightly red tint, and to get rid of this, you’ll need multiple applications to find the exact tone you like– but don’t be put off! As it’s completely natural, you can apply it as often as you like without causing any damage. However, give it 72 hours before you reapply as henna tends to oxidise and the colour may deepen within that time.

If you’re worried that you won’t be able to get the colour right, try a strand test first! Just gather strands of your hair that have fallen or been cut and apply some henna dye to it. Wait for at least 72 hours to determine if the colour is right for you before taking the plunge and using it!

Let us look the Ayurvedic herbs to strengthen the hair and the herbal plants for tinting from blonde to black to covering greys in the Henna hair dye tips section.

Herbal colouring and henna hair dye: from blonde to black to covering greys

Your herbal colouring cheat sheet

Red hair: 100% Henna

Light brown hair: 2/3 Henna, 1/3 Indigo

Medium brown hair: 1/2 Henna, 1/2 Indigo

Dark brown/black hair: 1/3 Henna, 2/3 Indigo

Black hair even when grey or blonde? Dye with Henna first to be followed with INDIGO (never tried this but I read it works wonders)

Light brown/blonde: Marigold

Blonde: Chamomile

Blonde tint: Cassia obovate

Amla – boosts your henna hair colour and deeply conditions it

Henna Hair dye tips: Ayurvedic plants to strengthen the hair

Bhringaraj – enhances and intensifies darker hair colour while treating it

Bhrami – promotes thick, healthy hair

Harad – a natural scalp elixir

Jatropha – creates a fertile base for hair growth

Neem – deeply conditions the hair

Bibhitaki – helps hair growth

Short on time? Buy Khadi Herbal colours. Apart from adding water, their mixtures are ready-to-use products and 100 % natural, safe and clean. Have fun and experiment with different colours (in case you are wondering, no, they are not paying me, I just really love their simple to use and effective products!)

Applying henna for the first time?

Henna Hair dye tips: How to easily apply HERBAL COLOURS

  • Apply your plant-based hair dye on freshly washed hair. Only use mild shampoos pre-wash that don’t contain any silicones as these chemicals can hinder absorption. Before applying the first shampoo, I always leave oil on my hair for 1 to 8 hours, sometimes even overnight. This helps the colour last longer and prevents your hair from drying. Then I rinse it off with a mild shampoo. As previously mentioned, I always use shikakai powder before tinting my hair, which is left on for 15 minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly.
  • Ensure that your hair remains warm and moist. I do this by keeping my hair wrapped in a damp, hot towel. And I always prepare my herbal colour in glass or stone bowl, never in plastic or metal.
  • It’s important to keep your henna warm while applying, so I always put it in an “au bain-marie” so it stays warm enough and you get the best colouring results.
  • For brown shades, keep the temperature of the water around 50 to 60°C. On the Khadi manual it says not to exceed 50 °C, but I usually take it around 60°C, and my brown tint has never turned out reddish. However, everyone’s hair is different, and I’m only saying what works for me.

Herbal colouring for Red hair Tones:  heat up Henna for hair up to 90 ° C

  • For red tones, you can heat your henna up to 90 °C as the herbs for red shades intensify the hotter the mix. Please remember, if you are heating up the brown tints up to this heat the colour may turn out red.
  • Protect your hand from stains by wearing disposable gloves and don’t forget to protect your clothing. I usually wear some old black sportswear, as stains are very hard to remove.
  • For my roots, I apply henna with a paintbrush. I like this way of applying as it’s less messy. For my lengths, I like to do it with my hands by dabbing it on, then switching the hair strands around, and rolling it around into a bun. Turning the strands a few times creates a deeper colour. Massaging the colour into your hair after application also results in an even distribution of colour.

Herbal colouring: ensure you don’t burn your scalp when you use hot water.

  • After colouring your hair, wrap it in plastic foil as this prevents it from drying out and keeps the henna warm. Keep your head warm with a towel or hair-turban. The more care you take to keep it at the right temperature, the better results you’ll have.
  • The application time depends on your hair texture and the desired colour. Fine or chemically treated hair absorbs colour faster.
  • Let the colour sit for 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how intense you want the colour to turn out.
  • Rinse until water runs clear. After you rinse out the henna, don’t shampoo for at least 24 hours. After washing, I usually add a few drops of Khadi hair oil on my ends and a tiny bit all over.

Herbal colouring: Remember – no shampoo after rinsing for at least 24 hours.

  • Apply a small amount of oil on your hair and scalp a day after colouring and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes, or even longer. Then wash out with a mild shampoo or shikakai powder
  • Colour may get darker and intense, and plant-based dyes can develop for up to 48 hours after exposure to air.
  • Treating hair with oil before treatment keeps the colour longer and keeps the hair moist and soft.
  • If you’re not satisfied after your first application, next time, you can play around with mixing the colours or leave it on for a shorter or longer time.
  • Let your hair air-dry without combing. The hair may feel a bit hard after the application, but this is normal. By the time your hair dried up it will feel completely soft, bouncy and shiny.

A final word of warning on henna colour

Henna is an ideal choice for hair colouring because it’s safe and free of chemicals.  The only exception is black henna.  In some cases, people have been known to have an allergic reaction to black henna.  This will show itself primarily as a rash on the skin.  Some people also feel problems internally.

It’s important to test for a reaction to any new product you use and to double check with your doctor or herbalist.  Also, be sure to review the ingredients of any product you purchase, especially those that claim to be ‘natural’.  Some commercial products that claim to be henna have added chemicals. Never blindly trust a product and remember to check the henna hair dye tips often.

Please read henna hair dye labels carefully!

TIP: don’t get disappointed if on the first few applications the shade doesn’t turn out exactly the way you want it!

I had that problem too. Your hair needs to get used to these new plants, and you also need to play with the colour mixes to get the right results for YOU.

Treat it like a fun experiment. I now really enjoying ‘hennaing’ my hair and I’ll never go back to chemical dyes. My hair looks better than ever and I no longer have to breathe in all those toxic chemicals at the hair salon!

Ditch the Toxic Chemicals in your hair care products!

It’s important for me to increase awareness of the many toxic chemicals and their dangers that are used in beauty, hair and health care products these days. Global governments are not placing enough importance into this matter, and I find that worrying.

If you’re sick, tired, and tox-sick from the amounts of toxins we are being bombarded with, and if you want to protect you and your family from toxic materials, KEEP READING!

If you’re curious about natural haircare, herbal hair colouring, increasing health-energy, positive well-being, holistic lifestyle, this is the place to bookmark!

Ensure to come back often to the Henna hair dye tips page, for best colouring results.

Holistic solutions to regrow hair, clean living and optimal health

If you would like to discover more natural and holistic solutions to regrow hair ensure to check out the regrow hair solutions page.

Or to discover more information about ageing backwards and holistic lifestyle, explore my optimal health page.

Check out the best essential oils to regrow stronger and thicker hair page

If you want to know why your hair is falling, ensure to check out the 55 hair loss causes page.

My favourite brands for my haircare are :

  • Khadi: Herbal colouring with Henna, herbs and plant pigments 
  • Morrocco-Method: Herbal colouring with Henna, herbs and plant pigments  
  • Plant Therapy : Therapeutic and food-grade essential oils 
  • Ancient Apothecary: Therapeutic and food-grade essential oils 
  • Poppy Austin: Pure, unrefined, organic, cold-pressed body/face/hair oils
  • Levenrose: Pure, unrefined, organic, cold-pressed body/face/hair oils

Empowering others via my anti-ageing wellness platform and holistic health books

I hope you liked this henna hair dye tips page. If you would like to learn more about my tips and tricks on how to live a toxin-free life or how I saved my hair from falling ensure to check out other pages of this anti-ageing wellness platform.

Or if you want to discover my no BS guides anti-ageing on how to regain your health, hair, life and confidence too, ensure to check out my holistic anti-ageing wellness books

After a frustrating decade of battling several chronic illnesses, I became disillusioned with the medical system and decided to take my health into my own hands.

Now, through my books and wellness platform, I want to empower people around the world do the same and regain their health, hair, life and beauty!

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