Learning how to apply henna to hair is easy, although it does differ slightly from wearing a typical hair dye. If you’re new to dying your hair on your own with henna, be prepared for things to get a little messy!
Henna being a natural ingredient also has its own odor you will need to get used to. Aside from that, apply henna to hair is not at all difficult and can be done at home.
First off, why henna?
Considering the many benefits of henna on our skin and body, it comes as no surprise that henna is a popular choice of hair dye for many women and men. The perks of applying henna to hair include having a shiny, well-conditioned hair with less-breakage, reduced dandruff, and more volume.
Of course, one prominent benefit of applying henna, and the main reason why most people do it, is because henna leaves behind an orangey-red hue to hair. It’s effectively nature’s own hair dye, safe from the harmful chemicals found in normal hair dyes!
We hope that’s given you the moral boost you need before you begin application. Now let’s move on to the actual process! Note: this is just one way to apply henna to hair and could be different from another person’s way of applying.
How to Apply Henna to Hair
Before you begin, make sure to cover yourself from the waist up. Henna has a way of still ending up in places other than your hair despite the precautions you take.
Also, check to make sure you have the following products and objects ready:
- Powdered henna (To find out how much you need, refer to this: 4tbsp for fine/short hair, 6tbsp for fine/shoulder length hair, 8 tbsp for thick/shoulder length hair, 10-12 tbsp for very thick/long hair)
- mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- tablespoon
- plastic wrap
- 2 cups of lukewarm water or strongly brewed Chamomile tea
- lemon juice
- euro oil
- saran wrap or plastic shower cap
Steps:
- Prepare the henna mix by doing so: Place an appropriate amount of henna powder into a bowl. Prepare your wet ingredients by adding lemon juice to lukewarm water or tea. The richer you want your stain to be, the more of the lemon juice you should add. Add in the wet ingredients to the mixing bowl containing henna powder. The wet ingredients should be added slowly until you achieve a yogurt-like consistency; nothing too thick and nothing to runny. Add in Euro oil to the mix. Stir the mixture again so that everything is set. The mix is done. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit for 8-10 hours.
- After the appropriate number of hours has passed, begin the process by first protecting yourself from potential stains. Things will get messy. Put on protective gloves and cover yourself up all over. Henna will not poison you, but you will have a hard time getting rid of the stain it leaves.
- Apply a thin coat of Vaseline near your hairline to prevent them from getting stained later.
- Section your hair into 4 parts. You may require more parts if your hair is thick.
- Hold each section up using clips.
- Start applying to the first section. Apply the henna to the roots in chunks and work your way towards the ends. Make sure to thoroughly cover the areas.
- After this section is done, proceed to the next and repeat until all sections have more or less the same amount of henna on them.
- Gather your hair and clip it at the top of your head to hold it in place.
- Wrap your head using a shower cap or saran wrap. Note that whatever you use will get stained.
- Use a blow-dryer to keep your head warm. Warmth makes henna work better, both on your hair and your hands. Don’t miss this step if you wish for a richer color on your hair.
- Leave the henna on for 2-4 hours, or even longer if you’d like. While you wait, henna will dry up and harden.
- It’s time to rinse out! Disclaimer: this can be a little tough to do. Place your head under running water and rinse until the water dripping from your hair is clear.
- Apply shampoo to hair as you normally would and follow-up with a moisturizing treatment. Rinse out. If your hair needs more detangling, apply more conditioner to your hair.
- After you are done washing, brush hair thoroughly and make sure there are no grains of henna left behind.
You’re done!
About Indus Salon & Boutique
Indus Salon & Boutique offers professional henna on hair services in Fairfax, VA.
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