Coloring Your Hair Naturally with Henna

I must say after getting rid of all the chemicals in my home and personal care products, I was a little panicked when I started getting those "gray" streaks in the front of my hair.  At first I just plucked them out and pretty soon, I had too many to pluck out.  I am not going gray at my age so I had to find a natural solution to cover those grays.  My favorite herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar, lives by henna for the hair but all I could think of was "I Love Lucy" red, after all she was the henna queen.  After weeks of studying about henna and reading over and over the henna section of Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health and even a couple phone calls to Mountain Rose Herbs.  I finally decided to take the plunge and just do it. 

What is Henna?

Henna is made from the crushed leaves of the Henna shrub or Egyptian privet (Lawsonia inermis), native to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Most people only think of red when they think of henna but by blending different parts of the plant that are harvested at different times a whole range of colors are created, from black to neutral and every where in between. 

How to Choose a Shade?

Henna works very best on darker colored hair but can be used for dark blond and even gray (if applied correctly).  My hair is a medium brown so I can use any henna shade without precautions.  For dark blond, light brown or gray hair I would suggest reading the hair section of Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health for more details on choosing the correct shade.  Mountain Rose Herbs carries a variety of shades including neutral henna that is colorless but many use it for a conditioner once a month to add body and shine.

How to Apply?

Just to be clear when using henna, this is not a typical hair coloring solution, it is an herb and therefore don't expect to mix up a batch of colorant and apply this creamy, nice smelly solution to your hair.  First of all, it is green and when mixed up, is anything but creamy or nice smelling (but add some hair care essential oil and this can be improved a bit).  The texture will be like mud and I personally think it smells like seaweed, but have come to appreciate the smell because I know how great my hair will feel afterwards.  Now you know what to expect lets go through the steps for some fabulous hair:

STEP ONE - Mix Your Henna

Long Hair - 1 1/4 cup henna (you can mix shades for the perfect color - I blend brown and red for auburn)
Shoulder Length to Short Hair - 3/4 cup henna
Boiling water
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
30 drops rosemary essential oil (or choose one from the hair care list)

​Mix together in a bowl or large measuring cup and pour in boiling water until the henna is the consistency of oatmeal. 

STEP TWO - Prepare Your Hair

Your hair does not need to be clean and washed, in fact Rosemary Gladstar discourages it.  Just dampen your hair and towel dry.  Massage a small amount of coconut or olive oil into your hair - especially the ends.

STEP THREE: Gather Your Supplies

• Plastic gloves
• Brush for "painting" on your henna - you can use an actual dye brush or I just used an actual paint brush 
• An old towel you don't care to get stained
• Plastic wrap or shower cap

Unwashed, mousy brown hair with streaks of gray in the front.

STEP FOUR: Applying the Henna

Separate your hair into 1" sections and "paint" the henna on beginning at the root and moving to the ends. Apply it thickly all over and continue until all your hair is completely covered.  "Grease" it thickly over all the hair and then cover with plastic wrap or a shower cap and then cover with a towel.  Leave on 90 minutes up to 2 hours, I just watch a movie while I wait and know I am finished when the movie is over.  If you have lots of gray though you only want to leave it on for 30 minutes.

STEP FIVE: Rinse and Wash

Wash out the best you can knowing that you are not going to get it all out.  Let your hair dry and then brush through it real well, outside, believe me lots of henna that was left will now come out in your brush and on the ground.  It will usually take a couple of washes to get it completely out.  

Here is my hair two days later, after drying and combing well to get all the henna out.  This shows the color in both indoor lighting and outdoor shade.  Best of all, no gray streaks, just "highlights".  Your hair is going to feel thick, strong, healthy and look great!   Henna not only colors your hair but it thickens it, protects against damage and split ends and nourishes the hair follicles.  It will naturally fade out within 8-10 weeks so plan on re-applying about every 10 weeks or so.

Where Do I Get the Supplies for a Henna Rinse?

Mountain Rose Herbs carries organic, good quality henna.  Rosemary Gladstar warns about getting a low quality henna because the colors can fluctuate and you never know what you will get.

Shared on: Natural Living, the Art of Homemaking, Mama Moments, Mostly Homemade, Homestead Barn Hop, Nourishing Joy, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Home Acre Hop, Old Fashioned Friday, Front Porch Friday, Farmgirl Friday, Simple Saturdays.