Henna Powder: What It Is & How to Use It for Hair

Spierb Henna Powder for hair is a simple way to add warm, plant-based colour and shine using just one ingredient. This beginner-friendly guide shows you how to mix henna powder, apply it as a henna hair dye, what to expect from the colour, and how often to use it in your routine.

What this guide covers

In this guide you’ll learn how to:

• Use Spierb Henna Powder as a simple, single-ingredient henna hair dye for copper-red tones
• Adjust the paste consistency for different hair lengths and textures
• Apply henna evenly from roots to ends, including areas with greys
• Rinse with minimal tangles and leftover powder
• Build henna into a regular root-touch-up and conditioning routine

Who this guide is for

This guide is designed for you if:

• You prefer minimal-ingredient, plant-based hair colour and care
• You’d like to add a warm copper-red or auburn tone to your hair using henna powder for hair
• You want a plant-based option to help greys look more blended with the rest of your hair
• You’re happy with gradual, buildable results rather than instant, dramatic colour changes

This is a beginner henna-only method using Spierb Henna Powder and warm water. It focuses on creating a warm copper-red tone. For darker browns or near-black tones, many people use henna together with other herbs such as indigo in more advanced routines, which are covered in separate guides.

Before you start

Before using any henna hair dye on your hair and scalp, we recommend:

• Patch test on skin: 24–48 hours before first use, mix a small amount of henna paste and apply to a small area of skin (for example, behind the ear or inner elbow). Rinse after it dries and watch for any irritation, redness, or discomfort.
• Strand test on hair: Especially if your hair is very light, bleached, or you have a high percentage of greys, test henna on a hidden strand first. This helps you see the final tone before doing your whole head.
• Check your schedule: Allow at least 2½–3½ hours in total for mixing, application, processing time, and rinsing. Henna is not a quick 10-minute colour.
• Protect clothing and surfaces: Henna can stain fabrics, towels, and light surfaces. Wear an old top, keep a dark towel handy, and protect any light tiles or worktops if needed.
• Avoid sensitive areas: Do not use henna on eyebrows, eyelashes, or broken/irritated skin. Avoid henna if you’ve ever reacted badly to henna products or “black henna” temporary tattoos in the past.

How to mix henna powder for hair

This is a simple henna-only mix to use as a henna hair dye. Once you’re comfortable, you can experiment with more advanced recipes.

1. Measure out your Spierb Henna Powder.
   As a general starting point:
   • Short hair (above chin): around 30–50 g
   • Shoulder-length hair: around 75–100 g
   • Mid-back or very thick hair: 150 g or more
   Adjust the amount based on your hair length and thickness. It’s usually better to mix a little extra than to run out part-way through.
2. Add warm water gradually.
   Use water that is comfortably warm, not boiling. Add a little at a time while whisking or stirring until you reach a smooth, yoghurt-like paste with no dry pockets of powder. Avoid very runny or very stiff paste; it should be spreadable but not drip easily.
3. Let the paste rest for dye release.
   Cover the bowl and leave it at room temperature for around 30–60 minutes. This resting time allows the dye in henna (lawsone) to release into the paste. If the paste thickens while resting, whisk in a small splash of warm water to bring it back to a smooth consistency.
4. Optional adjustments.
   Once you’ve tried the basic mix, you can experiment:
   • For extra slip on dry or curly hair, stir in a small amount of your usual conditioner.
   • For a lighter “gloss” effect, use more conditioner and less henna to create a softer, less intense colour.
   For your very first application, it’s usually best to keep things simple: henna and warm water only.

How to apply henna to your hair

1. Start with clean, product-free hair.
   Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and let it dry, or towel-dry so it’s just slightly damp. Avoid heavy oils, serums, or silicone-heavy products before applying henna, as they can act as a barrier.
2. Protect your skin and clothing.
   Drape an old towel over your shoulders. Many people like to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a thick cream around the hairline, ears, and the back of the neck to reduce skin staining.
3. Section your hair.
   Divide your hair into 4–6 manageable sections using hair clips. Working in sections makes it easier to reach the roots and inner layers and helps ensure even henna hair dye coverage.
4. Apply to the roots first.
   Using an application brush or gloved fingers, start at the roots. Work along each parting, gently pressing the paste onto the scalp area and the first few centimetres of hair. Take extra care over any grey areas to make sure they are fully coated.
5. Coat the lengths and ends.
   Once your roots are covered, work the remaining paste down the mid-lengths and ends. Smooth the paste along each section, gently pressing it in so every strand is coated. Add a little extra to very thick areas or any sections that tend to be more resistant.
6. Gather and cover.
   Twist your hair into a loose bun or coil and secure it on top of your head. Cover with a shower cap or cling film to keep the paste moist and reduce drips. You can wrap a dark towel or old scarf over the top for extra warmth.
7. Leave to process.
   For most people:
   • 60–90 minutes gives a lighter, softer result
   • 2–3 hours can give a deeper, richer copper-red tone
   How long you leave henna on will affect the depth of colour. If you are new to henna, start with a shorter time and increase gradually in future applications once you know how your hair responds.

Rinsing & aftercare

1. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
   Lean over a sink or stand in the shower and gently loosen the paste with your fingers while the water runs through your hair. Take your time – it can take several minutes for the water to run mostly clear and for the majority of the powder to rinse out.
2. Use conditioner for slip (instead of shampoo at first).
   Many people prefer not to shampoo immediately after henna, as washing too soon can reduce the intensity of the colour. Instead, apply a generous amount of your usual conditioner to the lengths and ends to help the remaining powder slide out, then rinse well.
3. Avoid shampoo for 24–48 hours if you can.
   Henna colour deepens and oxidises over the first 1–2 days. For the longest-lasting result, avoid strong shampoos during this time. If you must wash, choose a gentle shampoo and focus on the scalp only.
4. Protect fabrics while the colour develops.
   For the first night, use a dark pillowcase or cover your pillow with an old towel, as a small amount of residue can sometimes transfer while the hair is still oxidising.
5. Style as usual.
   Once your hair is dry, many people notice extra shine, a warmer tone in the light, and the appearance of fuller, more textured hair strands.

How often to use henna

How often you use henna powder for hair depends on your goals, your natural colour, and how fast your hair grows:

• Root touch-ups for greys or regrowth: Many people refresh the roots every 4–6 weeks, applying henna mainly to the new growth and only occasionally pulling it through the lengths.
• Full head applications: A full henna hair dye application is often enough every 6–8 weeks, or less, to maintain colour and shine.
• Henna glosses: Once you’re confident with the basic method, you can use occasional “gloss” mixes (more conditioner, less henna) between full applications for a softer refresh.

If your hair feels dry or heavy after henna, reduce how often you use it, shorten the processing time, or switch some full-strength applications to lighter glosses. Always adjust based on how your own hair looks and feels over several uses.

FAQs

1. Will henna powder change my hair colour?
   Yes. Henna is a plant-based hair colour that naturally stains the hair shaft. On lighter or grey hair it usually gives a noticeable copper-red or auburn tone. On medium brown hair it often adds a warm reddish glow, especially in the light, while very dark hair may mainly see added shine and warmth rather than a dramatic change. Results vary from person to person, so a strand test is always recommended.
2. Can I use henna powder on coloured or bleached hair?
   Many people do use henna on previously coloured or bleached hair, but it’s important to be cautious. On very light or bleached hair, henna can appear quite bright or intense. Always do a strand test first, start with a shorter processing time, and check how your hair feels over the next few washes. If you are planning further chemical colouring, speak to a professional hairdresser before using henna.
3. Does henna cover grey hair?
   Henna can help grey hairs look more blended with the rest of your hair by turning them a copper or warm reddish tone. You may need more than one application to build up depth, and regular root touch-ups to keep new greys coloured. For deeper browns or near-black on greys, many people combine henna with other herbs such as indigo in separate steps; this guide focuses on henna-only.
4. How long does henna hair colour last?
   Henna binds to the outer layer of the hair and is considered long-lasting on each strand. Over time the colour can soften as your hair is washed and exposed to the sun, but it does not wash out in the same way as many chemical dyes. The main change you’ll see is new growth at the roots, which is why people often refresh henna every 4–6 weeks on the roots.
5. Is henna suitable for sensitive scalps?
   Spierb Henna Powder is a single-ingredient, plant-based cosmetic product, but “natural” does not automatically mean it will suit every scalp. If you have a sensitive scalp or a history of allergies, patch test carefully and start with a shorter processing time. If you notice any irritation or discomfort at any point, rinse immediately and do not continue using the product. If in doubt, speak to a healthcare or haircare professional for personalised advice.