Colouring Hair With Henna

[A Party of Five]

I am considering colouring my hair with henna. I am also sick of all the chemicals in commercial hair dye.

I have read that it's messy and time consuming though :o

So I was wondering if anybody has actually coloured their hair with henna?

I'd love to hear some 'real-life' experiences as all the websites I've read don't seem to have anything but step-by-step instructions.

I'm also confused as where to get the henna powder. Health food shops?

[missie_mack]

Ive seen natural dyes at healthfood shops like henna. I would think you have to be really careful though as Henna can stain your skin for weeks at a time

[A Party of Five]

Ive seen natural dyes at healthfood shops like henna. I would think you have to be really careful though as Henna can stain your skin for weeks at a time

OMG I don't want that :laughing:

[Funkychicken]

There is also the issue, if applicable ;), of grey hair/s. They don't take henna very well and look very stark next to non-greys.



PS-I promise I am not stalking you-I just keep getting all these groovy eco emails. :D

[hunnybunny]

I used to use it heaps when I was younger, about 10 years ago now!! It really is great for your hair, much nicer than a hair dye, but yes it can be very messy!! You will definitely need a friend to help you put it on. Make sure you wear gloves!! You dont want stained hands!!

[A Party of Five]

OMG that is applicable to me :laughing:


There is also the issue, if applicable ;), of grey hair/s. They don't take henna very well and look very stark next to non-greys.



PS-I promise I am not stalking you-I just keep getting all these groovy eco emails. :D

Yeah right :p

It's OK you can stalk me anytime :yes:


I used to use it heaps when I was younger, about 10 years ago now!! It really is great for your hair, much nicer than a hair dye, but yes it can be very messy!! You will definitely need a friend to help you put it on. Make sure you wear gloves!! You don't want stained hands!!

I'll get DH to do it for me so his hands will be the ones that get stained :devil6:

[Nex]

Yep I do it all the time.

BUT

1) you have to like red hair.
2) you have to find good henna (indian/asian groceries have it. Look for MUMTAZ brand. It's very good. MUST be mehandi henna powder. DONT buy the hair dye type)
3) it's cheap (less than $5.00 a packet) but it is messy. Gloves and clingwrap help with that immensely though. (PM me and I'll give you my recipe and tips)
4) You can't use commercial dyes or bleaches over it, and its VERY permanent, you'll have to wait for it to grow out.

On the plus side

No nasty chemicals
Lovely long lasting colour
Smells like fresh hay and essential oils
Doesnt damage your hair
Leaves hair gloss shiny and wonderful

A pic of my hair
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/aloomba/?action=view&current=henna001sml-1.jpg

What happens when you don't wear gloves (it wears off hands in a week)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/aloomba/dyelot002sml-1.jpg

[A Party of Five]

Yep I do it all the time.

BUT

1) you have to like red hair.
2) you have to find good henna (indian/asian groceries have it. Look for MUMTAZ brand. It's very good. MUST be mehandi henna powder. DONT buy the hair dye type)
3) it's cheap (less than $5.00 a packet) but it is messy. Gloves and clingwrap help with that immensely though. (PM me and I'll give you my recipe and tips)
4) You can't use commercial dyes or bleaches over it, and its VERY permanent, you'll have to wait for it to grow out.

On the plus side

No nasty chemicals
Lovely long lasting colour
Smells like fresh hay and essential oils
Doesnt damage your hair
Leaves hair gloss shiny and wonderful

A pic of my hair
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/aloomba/?action=view&current=henna001sml-1.jpg

What happens when you don't wear gloves (it wears off hands in a week)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/aloomba/dyelot002sml-1.jpg

Sorry couldn't help but have a giggle at you hands :laughing:

I'll PM you for the secret recipe ;)

[Susan Mac]

my siser bought some at Lush, but I don't think she's used it yet. I'll ask her.

[A Party of Five]

my siser bought some at Lush, but I don't think she's used it yet. I'll ask her.

Thanks will be interesting see how it works for her :yes:

[Susan Mac]

she has just done a strand test, and she said it didn't seem real noticeable, but she only left it in for two hours. When she does her whole head she'll live it in overnight or all day.

[Nex]

What colour hair does she have? If it's good quality henna it should dye properly within 2 hours.

[Susan Mac]

a mid brown sort of colour.