Henna Hair Dye Powder for Hair Colour

Colour

Henna adds a see-through layer of copper-red over your own colour, and it lasts: it grows out rather than washing out. Grey and white strands usually take it strongly and turn copper; light brown hair turns copper-brown or auburn, darker brown gets auburn warmth, and black hair shows a red glint in daylight. Fresh henna looks brightest straight after rinsing and usually settles to a richer copper-red over 24–48 hours. It won't turn brown on its own: see why henna looks orange.

How Hair Feels

Henna coats each strand, so many people find their hair feels fuller and looks shinier afterwards. That's the strand itself feeling more substantial, not more hair. Dry, porous or bleached hair can feel stiff at first; keeping the paste moist, rinsing patiently and using your usual conditioner usually help.

Who It Suits

Anyone happy in the copper-to-red range, or in brown to black with Indigo. Grey and white hair take it well. Strand test first on blonde, bleached, highlighted or dyed hair, where the result is harder to predict. Because it lasts, going back to a pale or ash shade later is hard, so tell your colourist you've used henna. Weighing it up against box dye? See whether henna is bad for your hair.

Henna on Its Own: Copper to Red

1. Choose the amount: about 30–50 g for short hair, 75–100 g for shoulder-length hair, and 150 g or more for long or thick hair.
2. Put the powder in a non-metallic bowl and add comfortably warm water (or warm, strained tea) a little at a time, mixing to a smooth paste like thick yogurt.
3. Cover the paste and let it rest 3–4 hours, ideally 8.
4. Start with clean, detangled hair, dry or slightly damp, with no heavy oil on it. Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly along your hairline, ears and neck, keeping it off the hair, and wear gloves.
5. Apply the paste generously in 4–6 sections, from roots to ends, working it well into any grey roots.
6. Leave on for at least 2 hours; longer gives a deeper result. Keep the paste moist with a shower cap or damp towel.
7. Rinse thoroughly with water only, until your hair no longer feels gritty. Conditioner is fine.
8. Don't shampoo or oil your hair for 24 hours. Judge the colour after 24–48 hours, once it has settled.

Brown: Henna and Indigo in One Step

Rest the henna as above. When you're ready to apply, mix Indigo Powder fresh with warm water and a pinch of salt, stir it into the henna at 70:30 henna to Indigo for light brown, 50:50 for medium brown or 30:70 for dark brown, and apply straight away. Leave it on for 1–2 hours, rinse with water only, and wait 24 hours before shampoo or oil.

Black: Two Steps

Apply henna on its own for at least 2 hours and rinse with water only. Then, with your hair dry or damp, apply a paste of 80% Indigo (mixed fresh with warm water and a pinch of salt) and 20% rested henna for 1–2 hours. Don't shampoo or oil between the two steps, or for 24 hours after the second.

Touch-Ups

Once your lengths are the shade you want, colour only the roots as they grow.

Add-Ins

Warm water or warm, strained tea is all henna needs; lemon, coffee and oil aren't required. Amla at 5–20% of the dry mix can mute the brightest copper. Aloe Vera Powder, 2 tablespoons per 100 g of henna, usually leaves hair feeling softer after colouring. If you add both, keep them together to no more than 20% of the dry mix. More on add-ins: what to mix with henna.

Lawsonia inermis Leaf Powder – 100 %

Warnings

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Not for use on eyelashes or eyebrows. Keep out of reach of children. Perform a patch/strand test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

How to Patch Test

Patch test 24–48 hours before first use, with the mix you plan to use, including anything you add to it. Put a little on a small area of clean, unbroken skin and leave it for 24–48 hours, then rinse it off; rinse it off straight away if it burns or itches. Don't use the product if the patch shows any irritation, such as burning, persistent itching, redness, swelling or blistering. Test again whenever you change the mix. A patch test can't rule out a reaction later.

How to Strand Test

A strand test shows you the colour before you do your whole head. Take a small hidden lock, or clean hair collected from your brush, and use the exact mix, rest time and processing time you plan to use. Rinse and dry it, then judge the colour after 24–48 hours. It matters most on grey, blonde, bleached, highlighted or previously dyed hair.

Using It Safely

Henna is for hair only. If powder, paste or rinse water gets in your eyes, rinse straight away with plenty of clean water and don't rub them. Don't apply it over a cut, broken or irritated scalp; wait until it has healed. Rinse the paste off and stop using it if it burns or the itching keeps increasing, or if you see redness, swelling, blisters or a rash. If your face, lips or eyes swell, or you have trouble breathing, call 911. Open the pouch gently and avoid breathing in the dry powder.

Storage

Keep the pouch sealed in a cool, dry place, away from humidity, heat and direct light, and use a clean, dry spoon. A cool, dry cupboard is enough; the dry powder doesn't need a fridge. It keeps for 2 years from the date of packaging. Mix only what you need for one colour session. Throw away powder that has got damp, shows mould or smells spoiled; natural variation between green and olive-brown isn't a sign it has gone off.