Henna Hair Color
Dyeing Auburn Red Naturally
Henna hair color is not just an alternative to dye red but also a healthy conditioning and nourishing treatment to your hair.
So if you are crazy to try the trendy auburn hair color or reds in any shade, then why not give the all natural henna a try? It's worth it and more…!
There are three solid reasons behind that statement. And I am sure you may find one or the other making sense.
1) The excitement of trying something new and natural to add a bit of spice to your life.
2) Keeping with the current hair color trends.
3) And a 100% organic and healthy conditioning treatment for your hair that are abused for long by the artificial dyes.
More on dyeing naturally!
What is Henna?
Henna is a natural dye that is extracted from the Henna tree, which is common to India, North Africa and other hot regions of the world.
It has been used for centuries as a dye with which to color skin, hair and material. While Henna was traditionally used in Eastern and Oriental cultures as ritual painting, it has been adapted for use in Western cultures as an organic, natural hair dye.
How Does Henna Work to Dye Hair?
Henna works to dye the hair by coloring it using lawsone. Lawsone is tannin, a substance that is also common in tea and wine.
Tannins add color to surfaces and materials and are excellent for adding a darker color to items. However, the color is added without the surface of the material being chemically altered, making it an excellent natural dye.
The lawsone in the henna is absorbed by the skin, which then adds a darker color to the hair. The henna can be made into clay or mud like substance and you can use lemon juice, hot water, vinegar or other acidic liquids to form the mud. The acid in these liquid strengthens the dye and helps the dye to set into the hair as effectively as possible.
Henna Hair Color - What to Expect?
Here are few quick reminders or warnings to clear any misconception you may have before you are caught red handed! ;-)
- Dyeing your hair with henna is not the same as using other hair dyeing products, but it is a far messier substance.
- The more hair that you have to add henna to, the messier it tends to get. (Pardon, die hard henna lovers!)
- Henna will not actually dye your hair, but it simply adds more keratin to the surface of your hairs, thanks to the tannins inside it.
- You must be willing to lose the precision of an exact shade of red.
Preparing Your Henna Hair Color Mix
In order to prepare the henna to put in your hair, mix it in with lemon juice.
You want to mix enough henna powder with lemon juice to make a substance that is similar in texture to yogurt.
Optional step… add tea decoction to the mix to enhance and intensify the resultant color.
Let the henna sit in a covered bowl in a warm place for at least 12 hours, as that allows it to cure properly and will make it the most effective.
Remove the covering from the bowl and pour the henna into a container or bottle. Once the henna is inside the bottle, you are ready to begin dyeing your hair.
The Henna Hair Dyeing Process
So here's the holy natural process of dyeing with a henna hair color…
- Wrap a towel around your shoulders to protect your skin and clothes from the henna, as it will dye both skin and fabric if it comes in contact with either.
- Begin at the very top of your head and apply the dye freely to the roots of your hair.
- Work your way from the scalp to the tips of your hair and pull the hair up into a knot at the top of your head once you have finished adding the henna to that lock.
- Repeat that process on each lock of hair, slowly spreading the dye in a circle radiating outwards towards your hairline.
- Once all of your hair has received the dye, you will have your hair pulled up into a knot on the top of your head.
- Use a shower cap or plastic wrap to cover your head thoroughly with an airtight layer of plastic and let the henna sit on your head for anywhere between 2 and 5 hours. Letting the henna sit for that amount of time on your head ensures that the keratin covers your hair thoroughly and allows your hair to absorb the color.
- Once the time has passed, remove the plastic wrap and let your hair breathe. Get into the shower and let cool water rinse all of the henna out of your hair.
- Make sure that you rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water to ensure that you get all traces of the henna mud out of your hair and use a good conditioner to ensure that the henna coloring is locked into your hair.
What Color Will My Hair Be If I Use Henna?
Every hair color (natural or artificial) experiences a slightly different result when using henna. So… be prepared for a different shade of red or auburn than you did expect.
Henna will not dye your hair technically; simply add a slight tint of red to it. There is no standard hair dye goes for everyone across the board, but you can expect certain results while dyeing your hair with a henna hair color:
- Those with gray hair may find that their hair is orange if they use low quality henna, though using the best quality henna will result in rich auburn hair.
- Those who have gray streaks in brown hair will find that their hair will come out as red streaks in auburn hair.
- Black hair ends up with slightly reddish highlights on dark chestnut hair.
- Deep brown will end up with a dark chestnut color which will shine with red highlights when the sun strikes it.
- Medium brown hair may turn out the same color as the hair on an Irish setter.
- Mousy brown hair may end up either a rich penny or copper red.
- Red hair will simply be enhanced and given vibrancy by henna and will return the glossy look to your hair.
- Blonde hair may turn out a slightly darker shade of strawberry blonde, or may come out a vivid red.
Understanding the hair color wheel and at least the hair color chart may bring you closer to the color results you desire.
Conclusion:
Henna hair color is worth trying if you are considering reds for your new makeover. However, do not insist on an exact shade…
No matter whether you get your desired shade or not, you are sure to nourish your hair and condition them with a naturally healthy conditioner, they are probably craving for!
Hope you get your desired shade with the henna hair color!
Please go here for a list of other coloring options.
Voice your opinion or the story of your experiences with henna hair color here.
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