At the beginning of this year, I decided that as much as I liked having dyed red hair, I really didn't like the damage being caused by the over-the-counter hair dye I was buying. The color was great, but losing hair every time I did it, and then dealing with the fade-out was just not worth it. I'd heard a bit about using henna to dye hair and looked into it.
I found a few websites and learned a lot of information about just how damaging commercial hair dye is. When I found the website hennaforhair.com. I decided I'd try their henna. It wasn't cheap the first time because I had to buy 4 packets of henna to dye my hair, which is halfway down my back. I suppose it didn't cost anymore than a salon job though.
I will never go back to commercial hair dyes. My hair is a lovely rich red now. People always tell me it looks natural. It also doesn't fade, so when it's time for a touch-up, I literally only have to retouch my roots, I don't have to re-dye all the rest as I did before.
Hennaforhair.com has other information too on dying your hair brunette, black, or giving it a blondish sheen, all with plants! The henna thickened my hair a bit, which I needed, and it has not been this shiny and lustrous since I was a kid!
Plant dyes are also totally safe for pregnant women, unless of course you are allergic, but allergies to henna are rare. Anyway, worked so very well for me that it would be a crime not to share it!
By Natalie from Washington D.C.
My hair is uneven now because of roots grown in, etc. I plan on dyeing it burgundy with henna, but I know henna won't even it out. I plan on using a non permanent box dye to even it all out 1st.
How long should I wait to use the henna after dyeing with non permanent box dye?You can do it whenever you like. Semipermanent dye will not harm your hair or scalp and neither will henna.
My mom's friend wants to know if henna covers grey hair. What color will her hair be? She only wants the kind bought from an India store. The natural green powder kind. She has brownish hair with grey. How does she mix it? With water? And does anyone know how long it should stay on? Does she shampoo it out or condition it? And will it cover all her grey hair? Tyvm, any info would help her. Sorry she asking a million questions.
By Marjorie M.
You must shampoo and condition because your hair is rough after dying. It does cover the grey hair.
My information here is as a retired hairstylist after 35 years. Indian henna's turn out anywhere from light orange to copper depending on the color of gray. I suggest you let your mom's friend know she should have the henna done the first time by a specialist who will use the henna appropriate product and if that specialist is a decent human being they will be willing to tell your moms friend the brand and formula color(s), mixing and timing instructions.
I removed hair color. Can I now use black henna?
Henna as a natural alternative to harsh chemical dyes is making a comeback. And more and more of us are having troubles with allergic reactions to what we use to color our hair.
I was thinking of using henna to color my hair. I was born a redhead but due to fading have colored my hair for years. Can anyone tell me if it is safe to switch over to henna? Also, where can I buy it? Thanks!
Henna is a natural "stain" and can look exceedingly translucent and fluro on any grey hairs that may exist. As a hairdresser of 32 years (10 spent teaching), I would advise that you think carefully about this decision. Because of the mineral content in some Henna's, they present a chemical reaction should you ever wish to change back to a "salon" type colour eg ammonia and peroxide. My advice would be to seek a colourist (hairdresser) who uses organic hair colour - these are much more readily available on the market today and you may even find some in the health food store.
I agree, Henna will give an overly vivid result on hair with a high percentage of gray; The only way to avoid that is to use a combination of brown and red hennas, but since your natural color is red it may take several tries with different ratios before you find the right mix. I also agree that once you use henna if you decide to go back to chemical colors, or even if you use a permanent wave or relaxer, there may be a chemical reaction between the henna and the chemicals. Not only are there substnces in the henna which cause the reactions, but the type of color it is plays a role too: chemical colors cause the outer layer of the hair shaft to open so the color can deposit inside, while henna is a cumulative color, building up outside the hair shaft.
I have dark hair with lots of grey. Started using henna about a year ago after I saw a friend's hair. I can't say much as to whether it's safe. But I used to use regular bottle hair color before I switched to henna. It seemed to work fine for me.
"Just for Redheads" is a great company! They have mascaras, hennas, makeup, and hairpieces all for redheads. I have found their shipping to be expedient and love getting the catalog in the mail. I have also ordered from justforredheads.com. Good luck!
Check out www.rainbowresearch.com, they have henna hair coloring in lots of shades with guides and tips for applying it. Henna is an awsome all natural alternative to hairdye and it is sooo much better for your hair and the environment! It is a little harder to apply, so you may want someone else to help you with it, if you get it on your skin it will stain much longer than regular dyes.
I am a 69 year old woman with salt and pepper hair (leaning more to the pepper). I would like to color my hair but the last two times I have done so I had an allergic reaction to it. My scalp itched and one time it flaked after using. Is there any product I could use that I will not get a reaction to that is effective?
I understand Henna would work but have no idea where to buy it and really don't want to buy it online. I did buy Garnier Nutrisse but have not opened it yet. A woman standing near me when I was looking at the hair color suggested this one because it is gentler. But if someone has a better suggestion, I can return it.
By Elaine from IA
Yes, you're going to want to use henna- Do not try to use the Garnier Nutrisse- it has the same chemicals in it that the others do, and if you're already having allergic reactions, be assured, it will only escalate from here. The scary part is, there's no way of knowing if the next time will be the one that literally kills you! (The ingredients in the dye are the kinds of toxins that humans have a worse reaction to, each time they're exposed to them, kind of like how a bee sting reaction can be suddenly fatal, the third time someone gets stung.)
OK, that being said- I use henna, and have for a couple of years now, and I would never use anything else! For excellent information on how to use henna (and other herbs, for variations in color), copy and paste this URL: www.hennaforhair.com/
As to where to get henna, you can get OK-quality henna products in pre-boxed form (kits) at health food stores- many carry Light Mountain Henna products, though there are a few others out there. Look for FRESH boxes, if you can. The other option: although you had said that you don't want to shop for henna and the like online, there is ONE place that I would recommend, and that is From Nature With Love ( their URL is www.fromnaturewithlove.com/
I am an INCHA Certified Natural Henna Artist- so you can trust me on this one! You'll find that mixing your own hair dye is not only safer, it's cheaper, and it will condition your hair beyond anything you will have thought possible. Really. Good luck, and if you have any questions about henna use, either for your hair, or for mehndi (temporary tatooing), feel free to contact me thru the site. :o)
Please do not be frightened that you could die from regular hair color on your scalp! There's just as much of a possibility of that happening as using Henna! Henna might be a natural product but people can be allergic to it too!
If you really have your heart set on coloring your hair then simply use a 'true non-invasive to the hair shaft' wash out temporary color like Roux Fanciful Rinse (you can purchase at Sally's Beauty Supply) or partially color your hair (whether man made color or henna) via a highlighting cap or color weaving where the color doesn't touch your scalp!
