HOW TO APPLY HENNA TO NATURAL HAIR

Henna is an all natural powder derived from a plant and has been used for Centuries for all methods of dyeing. Henna is NATURAL! Therefore it is safe to use on your hair as a replacement to hair dye. One of it’s drawbacks is that it does not lighten and there are no color variations. Though there are variations of henna on the market now, there is only one true henna and that is RED HENNA. Be careful because the wrong type of henna can cause some of the same effects as hair dye. Henna like any hair care product that makes a change to the chemical structure of your hair, can cause some drying but it is easy to remedy by pre-pooing first and deep conditioning after. My recommendation is that if you want a strong deep color change to apply the henna before bed and rinse the next morning.

Here is a great recipe for mixing the henna to apply:

Towels (use old ones, they will get stained)
Plastic bowl
Large spoon for stirring
Plastic cling wrap
Acidic liquid such as lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or orange juice (if desired)
Water (preferably filtered)
Dry henna powder, enough for your length of hair
Tint brush or carrot bags or bottle with a nozzle tip
Disposable latex or vinyl gloves

Place the dry henna powder in the bowl. Add a small amount of the acidic liquid to the powder and enough water to make a paste that is the consistency of yogurt. Stir well to remove lumps. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let set until the dye releases from the henna, usually around 12 hours at 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). After the dye has released, you can put the henna into a carrot bag or a bottle with a nozzle tip, for easier application, if desired.

Drape towel around shoulders to protect clothing and cover surfaces of the area that you will be in when you apply your henna. Put on the gloves. To apply henna, section hair and apply it to one section at a time until all of your hair is covered, making sure that you get it all the way down to the roots.

After you have your hair covered with the henna, wrap your hair in plastic wrap, then cover it with a shower cap. It’s important to keep the henna moist while it is processing. Allow it to remain on the hair for 2 to 4 hours (I recommend overnight for a strong color change). Rinse out with water. Shampoo and condition if desired.

Tips:

To make removal of the henna easier, use some natural deep conditioner. Rinse the henna with water, then work some conditioner in and rinse again. Repeat if necessary.

To speed up the processing time, use heat, such as a bonnet style hair dryer or a heat cap. For every 30 minutes of heat applied reduce the processing time by 1/2.

Henna will stain. Make sure to clean up and spills immediately, and wear old clothes when applying.

If your scalp is sensitive or your hair is normally dry, use orange juice for your acidic liquid, or don’t use any acidic liquid at all, just use water.

If your henna is too bright after 48 hours have passed, you can do another application.

If your hair color is getting too dark, try applying it to the roots only when you do touch-ups.