Natural Hair Dye - The Ultimate Guide to Henna for Hair
You may have seen it on holiday, at multicultural ceremonies or even gracing the hands of the royal duchesses. It’s henna, and it’s the ultimate safe way to dye hair and skin. Made from the mignonette tree, henna is a totally natural, vegan dye that can be used on our hair, bodies and clothes.
How does henna work?
Henna comes in two forms. It can be a natural hair dye in powder or cream, or even just a conditioner or shampoo. For body art, you may come across the term black henna or neutral henna – this actually derives from the cassia obovata or the indigo fera tinctoria leaf.
Using henna to dye hair
As a naturally vegan hair dye, henna has transcended its Indian origins and become popular in the West. Unlike cosmetic dyes, there are no harmful ingredients such as ammonia. The result varies depending on the hair’s original colour and the quality of the henna.
What colours can I dye my hair with henna?
Natural red henna usually results in auburn shades or darker burgundy. For other colours, henna can be mixed with the abovementioned cassia obovata, producing red, black, indigo and even blond shades. You’ll find the cassia obovata plant marketed as black henna hair dye, though it’s not strictly true henna!
Is henna good for hair?
Absolutely. It is an organic deep conditioner that coats the hair shaft to seal in moisture and keep the cuticles tight, while enhancing body and shine. That’s why it’s so popular as a standalone shampoo and conditioner – there are no parabens, ammonia or genetically modified ingredients.
What else can henna be used for?
Beyond its use as an organic hair dye, henna can also be used for skin art and even makeup. You may have heard the term ‘henna tattoo’. This is a marketing term as it does not permanently dye the skin. Henna tattoos go back centuries to the Bronze Age, and have been linked to various cultures including the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths.
You can also find henna in natural products like hair mascara, which adds a highlight effect for copper and brown shades. It can be used for supporting regrowth of hair or for touching up the roots to extend the time before refreshing the hair dye. It’s also becoming a popular choice for eyebrow dyes, lasting around four weeks.
Where to buy henna
You can find 15 different colours of henna from two main brands right here at itselixir. Choose from nourishing conditioning masks, powders and shampoos to give your hair the lease of life it deserves. Nothing says organic and cruelty-free like henna.