Herbal colouring: get glossy locks with natural henna hair packs

I’m a huge fan of herbal tinting with henna and if you’ve read any of my books you’ll know that I use it religiously to colour and care for my hair. There are so many amazing benefits that it would be criminal not to share it with you! As well as offering a chemical-free alternative for dying your hair, it can promote hair growth, prevent dandruff, inject moisture and help generate thicker glossier locks.

So what are you waiting for?!

Henna, also known as mehndi in the South-Asian subcontinent, has been used for centuries as a natural healer and beautifier, by men and women alike. Henna powders can be mixed with other ingredients to create a natural hair dye – whether you want to cover your greys or give dull, lifeless hair a boost of shine and brightness, henna can naturally achieve this. No nasty chemicals in sight. This is especially useful to those who suffer allergies or skin irritations. Henna can also strengthen the roots, making your hair grow faster and thicker and give protection by creating a layer over the hair strand and locking in nutrients, gloss and moisture.

Herbal hair colouring with henna

Henna is best known for colouring the hair naturally. It’s completely safe and easy to do and there are no side effects. Having said that I would recommend doing a patch test behind your ear 24 hours before, just to be safe, especially if you have a sensitive scalp and are prone to allergies.

Hair growth henna mask

Henna is a potent ingredient for hair masks, and when combined with other natural ingredients its potency can multiply, creating a super-effective and powerful hair mask. This DIY mask is especially popular as an Ayurvedic treatment for scalp issues.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of henna powder (my preferred brand is Khadi, but you can use whatever one you’re comfortable with)
• 2 cups of amla powder
• 2 tsps of shikakai powder
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsps of lemon juice (optional, this can be very drying, I never use it)
• 1 tsp of tulasi powder
• 1 tsp of bhringraj powder

Mix all the ingredients until it forms a thick cake-like batter. Apply to you hair from root to tips and leave on for up to one hour before rinsing out. I like to pop a shower cap on to avoid making a mess (henna stains real badly!). This also generates heat and creates moisture to ensure that the mixture absorbs better into your hair. Leave on for up to one hour before rinsing it out.

No more greys henna hair mask

This DIY hair mask is ideal for covering greys. The egg provides added protein to strengthen the locks and the beetroot creates a natural red tint, making it ideal for brunettes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of henna
• Juice of one lemon  (optional, this can be very drying, I never use it)
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsps of coffee powder
• 1 cup of beetroot juice

Follow the directions for your herbal henna mix until it forms a smooth paste. Then add the coffee powder and leave the mixture to set overnight. Add the egg white, lemon juice and beetroot juice on the following day, mix and apply directly to your hair. Leave for 2-3 hours before rinsing out.

PRO TIP: Use an iron cast dish to mix your hair mask. This will help the henna oxidise overnight, creating a richer, more intense colour.

Henna hair growth mask

Henna is well known for its hair growth promoting benefits. When used in a DIY mask it can help your hair to grow faster and thicker.

This mask contains potent properties of fenugreek and mustard oil – which are known for promoting healthy hair growth. It’s also incredibly nourishing. Fenugreek is a rich source of protein that can strengthen the hair follicles, and mustard oil encourages blood circulation in the scalp, which can help encourage hair growth.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of Henna
• ½ cup of fenugreek seeds
• 2 tbsp of mustard oil

Soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight and grind into a paste the following morning. Add the henna mix and mustard oil and mix well before applying to hair – from the scalp to the roots. Leave for two hours before washing off.

Henna hair conditioning mask

Henna can give dry, lifeless hair an injection of moisture and can boost its glossiness. This mask does just that by providing a healthy sheen and softer touch. This mask is also great for those who suffer from frizz. This mask is packed with potent ingredients that will take your hair from blah to woah.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of henna
• 1 cup of amla powder
• 2 tsp of hibiscus powder
• 2 tbsps of methi powder
• 1 tbsp of orange peel powder

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and leave to set for 1-2 hours before applying. Massage onto your hair from root to tip and leave on for up to one hour. For maximum moisture pop a shower cap on.

Dandruff treatment henna hair mask

So many people suffer from dandruff or itchy scalp but the good news is that you don’t need toxic chemicals to treat it – henna is a great holistic alternative. Henna is a natural antifungal and antiseptic which makes it ideal for itchiness and sensitive scalp. The acidity of the lemons also helps fight off any fungal growth that can cause dryness and dandruff.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fenugreek seeds (methi seeds)
• 2 cups of curd
• 1 cup of henna
• Juice of one lemon

Soak the fenugreek seeds in curd overnight and then grind it into a paste. Then add the henna and lemon juice and lightly massage on to your scalp. Rinse after 45 minutes with cold water. Repeat this process once a week and you will soon notice a reduction of itchiness and dandruff.

Moisture surge henna hair mask

An excessively dry scalp can lead to dandruff but moisturising ingredients like olive oil can help combat this. The protein from the egg white also helps strengthen and fortify the hair.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of henna powder
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 egg white
• Water to mix

Leave the henna powder in water overnight and add the olive oil and egg white the following morning. Mix well until it forms a smooth paste and apply to the scalp and hair. Leave for 2 hours before rinsing off.

Hair loss prevention with henna

I love henna for its versatility and one of the main reasons I use it is to prevent my hair from falling out again. Here are DIY hair masks that I like to make to help with hair loss:

Super amla hair mask to treat hair loss and nourish the hair

Amla and methi are popular Ayurveda remedies that can treat hair loss as they are packed with nourishing proteins.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of amla powder
• 3 tbsps of henna powder
• 2 tbsps of fenugreek (methi) powder
• 1 egg white

Juice of one lemon (optional, this can be very drying, I never use it)

Combine all ingredients an hour beforehand. Apply evenly from root to tip and leave on for 45 mins before rinsing out. Do this regularly, once a week and by month two you’ll notice a drastic improvement in your hair.

Coriander hair mask for preventing hair loss

Some of the best DIY hair masks come from our kitchen cupboards and cost little to nothing. As well being a great herb for meals, coriander is a wonderful ingredient for preventing hair loss – who would have thought?! You can easily grow this herb yourself, making it even more cost effective.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of henna
• A handful of coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp of black peppercorn

Prepare Henna in water (overnight or per the application instructions of your brand). Crush the coriander leaves (you could use a pestle and mortar for this) until it forms a thick paste, then grind the peppercorns. Add both the ingredients to the henna, mix thoroughly and apply evenly from root to tip. Leave it on for 1-2  hours before rinsing out.

Henna woes; DID YOU KNOW THAT…?

• Henna can be used on all hair types – even those that have been damaged with chemical dye. If do colour your hair chemically it’s best to wait two months before applying henna so that it sticks better.
• Make sure you pick a good brand of henna that is free from extra chemicals. My go-to brand is Khadi, which is completely natural and works wonderfully with my hair. You can also tell how good your henna is by its colour – high-quality henna has an olive green colour and sweet smell. Lower quality henna will be a light green or grey colour.
• Mix your henna in an iron bowl as this helps it to oxidise and give off a stronger colour.

My favourite natural and toxin-free organic brands for my hair, skin and beauty care 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
• Tata Harper:High Performing, innovative and toxin-free face care
• Au Naturelle: Advanced, active & toxin-free make-up
• Popy 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

For a few years, I suffered from thinning, lifeless hair that was falling out at a rapid rate.

Enough was enough – I decided to take drastic action and switched to a completely natural, non-toxic, healthy and holistic haircare and health routine. The results were astounding, and after a lot of hard work, my health and hair are now healthier and glossier than ever before!

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