How to Dye Your Natural Hair with Henna: A Guide for Beginners

Mar 21 , 2022

Shelia McLendon

How to Dye Your Natural Hair with Henna: A Guide for Beginners

Dyeing your natural hair with henna is not as daunting a task as it may seem. There are plenty of ways to approach the process, from choosing what type of henna you want to use to how long you should leave it on for. If you’ve been considering dyeing your hair with henna for some time now, but never found the courage to do so, take a deep breath and read on. This article will break down all the steps and help you get started!

 Why dye your natural hair with henna?

Henna is a plant-based dye that gives hair beautiful red and brown tones. It also has many benefits such as conditioning the hair shaft, giving it an abundance of nutrients, and strengthening the hair. There are a variety of different types of henna from which you can choose:

  • Henna powder
  • Henna liquid
  • Henna paste

The type of henna you choose will depend on your personal preferences and what type of look you want to achieve. For example, if you don't want the color to be too dark or vibrant, then use a lighter version like henna powder or liquid. If you're looking for something more intense, try out a paste.

What is henna?

Henna is a plant that can be used to dye your hair. It is typically made from dried leaves and flowers, which are ground into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with lemon juice, or another acidic agent like apple cider vinegar. That mixture is then left on the hair for anywhere from two to six hours before being rinsed off.

 

Henna is a natural way to color your hair and it lasts longer than chemical dyes, which requires more maintenance.

Who can use henna?

Henna is an all-natural, chemical free product. It is safe for anyone to use and does not require any prior knowledge or experience with hair dying.

How to dye your natural hair with henna

There are plenty of ways to approach the process, from choosing what type of henna you want to use to how long you should leave it on for.

The first and most obvious step is selecting the right henna. There are many different types of henna available, so it’s important to choose one that suits your needs. For example, you might be looking for a product with a lot of deep red tones or one that will give your hair a golden hue. It’s important to take into account these factors when making your decision.

Next, you should consider how long you should keep the henna in your hair. This will depend on the length and thickness of your hair as well as the color intensity that you want. Generally, people with thick and long hair will leave the dye in for about an hour or two more than those with shorter hair or thinner locks. Finally, after leaving your dye in for the appropriate amount of time, you can rinse out the henna using warm water and shampooing it out with some gentle shampoo if needed.

Choosing the right type of henna for you

Henna can be found in several different varieties, which range in shade from the lightest blonde to the darkest black. The type of henna you want to use depends on your natural hair color and desired end result.

There are two types of henna that offer a variety of results: brown henna and red henna. Brown henna will give lighter shades of brown, while red henna will provide darker shades of brown or black.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure which type to choose; most brands offer both options so there’s no need to fret!

Finding your perfect color

Finding your perfect color is the first step in dyeing your hair with henna. There are tons of different shades of henna available, and each shade will dye your hair a different color. For example, if you want to dye your hair a light brown like many people do, then you would want to use a golden henna that has more orange hues. If you wanted to go darker with more red tones than orange, then you should use a dark brown henna.

However, it’s important to note that not all types of henna are created equal. The type of henna you use will affect how long it takes for the color to set in and how bright the color is once it’s done. So make sure that you do some research before purchasing any type of henna to ensure that the product is appropriate for your needs.

Preparing and timing the process 

Choosing the type of henna and dyeing your hair with it involves a lot of preparation. To begin, you’ll want to prep your hair and scalp by washing it with shampoo. This will remove any oils and residue from the scalp which may interfere with the henna process. Once you’ve washed your hair, let it dry fully before proceeding. Next, you’ll need to decide which type of henna to use:

* Henna powder

* Henna paste

* Henna liquid

- Which type should I use?

Henna powder is less messy than both paste and liquid but has a shorter shelf life. Paste is thicker than powder and liquid and can be easier to work with for beginners. Liquid is more time-consuming because you have to mix it yourself, but also dries more rapidly than paste or powder. There are pros and cons for each option so pick what seems best for your needs!

Rinsing the henna out of your hair

After covering your hair with the henna and letting it sit for the appropriate amount of time, you will want to rinse it out. Be careful not to get any in your eyes! The first thing that you’ll want to do is wet your hair thoroughly with warm water. Then, cover your head with a plastic cap and rinse the henna out of your hair. You can use a cup or bucket if you don’t have a shower cap handy.

Once the henna is washed out, you will need to wash your hair again. Make sure that the water is cool this time because hot water could make the dye more difficult to remove. After washing it, apply conditioner and let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing it again. Towel dry and then style as usual!