Gaby
Henna - healthy and beautiful hair
The most popular natural dye, **henna**, is a powder made from the dried leaves of the lawsonia plant. For centuries, it has been used in the East as a healing, antiseptic, and cleansing agent, but its primary application has been in body and hair care. This product is not only harmless and safe for hair and skin, but it also boasts a range of beneficial properties. Henna is non-allergenic, has conditioning and softening effects, effectively combats dandruff, and adds shine to hair. Most importantly, when used for coloring, henna provides such a beautiful and natural hue that no one would suspect it isn’t your own.
It’s well-known that henna is a very long-lasting dye, making it extremely difficult to use other hair colors afterward. In such cases, you might end up with bluish or greenish tones. This is particularly true for those who suddenly wish to become blondes—achieving that look can be quite a challenge. It is believed that henna can clog hair pores and dry out the hair, leading to split ends. Therefore, henna is best suited for those with oily hair.
The dyeing process typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours, but this can vary significantly. Some people leave it on for anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, and some even overnight. Henna is mixed with boiling water and allowed to steep for a bit. The mixture is applied to clean, damp hair, and after dyeing, it is rinsed out with warm water mixed with apple cider vinegar. It’s best to avoid shampoo for three days to let the color set.
In addition to water, henna can be mixed with kefir: the acidic environment helps release the dye pigment, resulting in a brighter and richer color. You can also dilute it with buttermilk. For 75g of henna, you need half a liter of kefir. Many other ingredients can be added to henna to enhance its healing effects and achieve a variety of shades.
For a reddish tint, mix henna with hibiscus tea or warmed red wine. If you want a cherry-red color, add a bit of beet juice or elderberries to the mixture, while cocoa will give your hair a mahogany shade. Ground coffee, black tea, and walnut shells can impart a chocolate hue. In ancient India, ground cloves were added to henna to deepen and enrich the color; for every 100g of henna, you would need 10g of cloves. To achieve a honey-golden shade, add chamomile, saffron, rhubarb, or turmeric to the henna. Turmeric can simply be mixed in, while rhubarb should be finely chopped and simmered on low heat for about 20 minutes, then strained and added to the henna instead of water. A pinch of saffron should be boiled in water, and then henna can be mixed in that water. Chamomile (2 tablespoons) is steeped in boiling water (100ml), allowed to sit for 30 minutes, strained, and then added to the henna.
It is not recommended to dye your hair with chemical dyes or perm your hair before or after using henna. You should also avoid henna if you have previously had highlights, as this can result in blue-green hair.
Often, it can be challenging to achieve the desired result on the first try, so if it doesn’t work out, don’t be discouraged. Apply a bit of warmed oil to your hair for 20-30 minutes, then wash it out with shampoo. You can add a teaspoon of cognac to the oil to help it rinse out more easily.
Now, here are some coloring and strengthening masks with henna.
1. Mix one packet of henna with the juice of one lemon, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 egg yolk, then pour in 100ml of strong black tea. Let it sit in a warm place for half an hour, then apply to your hair for an hour and rinse without shampoo.
2. Combine 100g of henna with 1 tablespoon of cocoa and pour in warmed buttermilk (250ml), to which you’ve previously added 5 drops of tea tree oil. Let the mixture steep for 8-10 hours, then apply to your hair for 1.5 hours.
3. Pour 2 tablespoons of colorless henna with 100ml of warmed kefir and let it steep for 15 minutes. Then apply it to the roots of your hair, distributing the remainder through your hair, leave it on for 40 minutes, and rinse with warm water. This mask strengthens hair, making it shiny and voluminous.
4. Mix a packet of colorless henna with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, two egg yolks, and low-fat cottage cheese to create a thick paste. Apply to your hair for 40 minutes, keeping it warm. This mask positively affects the roots, restoring thickness and shine to your hair.
5. Pour a packet of henna with 100ml of boiling water, let it steep for 15 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of warmed burdock oil, cool it down, and then add half a teaspoon of oil-based vitamins A and E. This mixture can be stored in a cool place and used multiple times. Apply for 40-60 minutes, 1-2 times a week. It strengthens hair.
6. Shampoo mask: Mix 2 parts of colorless henna with 1 part of ground grains and 1 part of nettle. Add 2 teaspoons of mustard, pour in hot water, then apply the mixture to your hair for 7 minutes, massage your hair, and rinse with water acidified with lemon juice.
7. Mix 2 tablespoons of colorless henna with 1 tablespoon of cocoa, 1 teaspoon of tobacco, and 5-7 ground cloves. Pour in hot water and let it sit for an hour, then add one egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of kefir, and half a teaspoon of vitamins A and E. Apply the mask to the roots, distribute it through all your hair, and leave it on for an hour. It also strengthens hair.
8. Pour 2 tablespoons of henna with hot water, and after 20 minutes, add 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of honey to the cooled mixture. Keep it on your hair for 40 minutes. This mask intensely nourishes hair, improving its structure.
9. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of colorless henna with hot buttermilk and let it sit for 20 minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of honey and apply the mixture to your hair. Keep it on for 1 hour. This mask is very nourishing and strengthens hair.
10. Pour 2 tablespoons of colorless henna with hot water and let it sit for 15 minutes. Mash an avocado and add it to the henna along with 1 tablespoon of castor oil. This mask has an intense moisturizing effect.
