Why doesn't henna dye hair? Henna dyeing - myths and reality. How is henna better than regular hair dye?
And she went through all the stages of love - from stormy delight at first to smooth partnerships. I know that not all artists like henna, on this subject I can only say - to each his own. I, for example, do not like and am unlikely to like chemical paint, because, at least at this stage of civilization, it does not provide any natural colors, for which I appreciate henna, nor that indescribably lively feeling from finished eyebrows.
So, I'm telling you.
- Eyebrow henna is not the old school red hair henna that many people fear. Henna for eyebrows is made from different herbs, this is how they turn out different colors. I use Brow Henna and think this product is as genius as it gets. There are eight shades in their line, for work I mainly use three; for me personally, they are enough to color almost any eyebrows in my style.
- After dyeing, henna has a yellowish-green tint, more or less pronounced depending on the number. For example, after dyeing, two blonds turn yellow the most, sometimes straight to pure yellow (the structure of the hairs also affects how the color “sets”). But after a couple of hours the yellowness begins to go away, and after a day it completely disappears. Why such extreme, one might ask? Then, the color that turns out the next day with the same blond is ideal for brown hair, this cannot be achieved with chemistry. “It’s alive and glowing,” something like that.
- Accordingly, eyebrows look best on the second, third or fourth day after coloring. As for me, this is just a must before going on vacation, on a business trip, before holidays and celebrations. Incredible savings in time and body movements as a result.
- Henna stains the skin, which is why manipulations with henna are even called “bio-tattoo.” The degree of staining depends mainly on the properties of the skin - some absorb paint well, some do not, you can only find out by trying it, it is completely impossible to determine visually.
- If, then on average it lasts 3-5 days on the skin, 7-10 on hairs, if you do “bio-tattoo”, then it lasts on the skin for at least a week, and on hairs up to a month. IMHO - biotattooing is tough, I prefer to do a light coloring and repeat it a week later than to “hammer” the paint until it looks unnatural. This is what I meant by “my style” - when after coloring the eyebrows immediately look like human ones.
- You can dye gray eyebrows with henna.
- Henna dyeing gives the ideal result on eyebrows that are generally not bad, i.e. when there are no extensive bald spots or problems with the shape. Then you get amazing fluffy eyebrows. This works best on light brown eyebrows, which are naturally a little faded; henna gives them natural richness.
- Well, if you have bald spots and eyebrows that are not perfect, should you forget about henna? No! The most important “bun” of henna is that it helps to grow missing hairs. According to my observations, especially some shades stimulate growth. I have worked with problematic eyebrows for many years and have never come close to a product whose effect you can actually see. Of course, in the case of problematic eyebrows, beauty will not immediately appear, so I dye it with henna in this case it should be treated not as an aesthetic, but as a therapeutic procedure. But with good motivation and at least relative discipline, you can grow it. For example, here.
- Since, obviously, henna is an active substance, it can cause an allergic reaction, this is written in the instructions. This is probably rare, at least I haven’t heard about it from my regular “patients”. However, my own skin sometimes reacts, such small redness. But that doesn’t stop me :)
- Now, you might say, going somewhere to tint your eyebrows every week is unrealistic, and that’s true. That's why I tell and show all my clients what and how to do to maintain color. Using henna is very simple and painting your eyebrows yourself is not a problem. Many of my girls have mastered this business and are happy. And in one of the next posts I will tell you about the henna dyeing technique here, for those who personally cannot come to the “appointment”.
This is my 4th attempt to add a more intense color to my dark (almost black) hair and cover up my gray hair.
The result is zero.
Everything was done strictly according to the instructions. poured boiling black tea (3 bags per 300 ml.) over it. I applied it carefully, put on a plastic hat, a warm hat, and walked like this for 5 hours.
AND? The gray ones still shine, but there is still no black color. That is, no way at all!
Well, I don’t want to paint again with pure chemicals. But you need to apply makeup quite often, once every 2 months.
Maybe I'm one of those people who doesn't take paint well? I have to leave any other chemical paint on for about an hour. Otherwise nothing will be visible at all. I tried a lot of simple dyes (not professional ones), and the only dye that worked on my hair was from Schwarzkopf (Life Color XHL). True, I also walked with it twice as long as necessary, and every time I washed my hair, it flowed from me in black streams.
I still have a question about henna or basma (in our country all natural dyes are called henna). Maybe I shouldn’t suffer any longer and just give up? or is there a chance??
Some people write on the net that the dye doesn’t pick up the hair the first time and they need to dye it a second time. (They probably mean after a very short period of time.)
Girls, please, anyone who has extensive experience with henna, please advise? Thank you!
How can henna harm your hair, why doesn’t it replace regular dye, and what are the risks of abusing natural ingredients? Hairdresser-stylist Evgeniy Shatokhin ( @yauhen) states facts and debunks myths.
Evgeniy Shatokhin Hairdresser-stylist
“Henna is a natural dye that is made from the leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis bush. They are dried and then ground to a powder. The coloring effect is explained by the content of chlorophyll and yellow-red lavsan in the leaves. Henna dyes hair only red-orange tones. And if the manufacturer promises you a “cold chestnut” color at the end, 100% of the powder contains other additives (or instead of “cold chestnut” you will get “copper red”).”
Henna does not cover gray hair
Henna pigment, unlike conventional dye, does not penetrate deep into the hair - it covers gray hair very poorly. No, the gray strands will take on a tint. But carrot. Despite the fact that henna pigments act on the surface of the hair, they are not completely washed out. This is due to the presence of tannins in the composition. And if someone tries to convince you that henna is washed off in a month, don’t believe it. The only way to get rid of the unwanted reddish-red hue is to cut your hair.
Henna can give a green tint
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Undesirable shade is the most common " side effect"from using henna. It can produce a green or earthy color on brunettes and a straw-yellow color on blondes and fair-haired women. It is difficult to correct the situation. If you try to paint over a color with a chemical agent (even an ammonia-free one), the result is unpredictable. Lavsan will react with the dye, and no one knows what shade the end result will be: perhaps it will be “cornflower blue”, or perhaps “orange”. Don't experiment at home.
By the way, if you have used colored henna at least once, and six months later you come to the specialist for regular coloring, the final color, to put it mildly, can also be unpleasantly surprising.
Too frequent dyeing with henna is the cause of brittleness, dryness, dullness
Therapeutic dyeing with henna is a very dubious procedure. This dye contains acids and tannins that dry out the hair. Due to the frequent use of henna, hair loses its shine, elasticity and becomes more like a well-known bath accessory rather than “flowing silk.” Penetrating under the scales, henna breaks the protective layer, causing hair to split and lose moisture. They are difficult to style and become dry and lifeless. How to restore dry and coarse hair, read.
Henna powder is difficult to remove from hair
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Be prepared for the fact that after dyeing with henna you will have to untangle your hair for several hours. Before doing this, they need to be washed thoroughly. The powder particles are very small - this greatly complicates the process. To wash off the henna completely, you need at least 20 minutes and large number water. I would recommend using gloves - orange stains on nails are difficult to remove (read about proper hair washing)
Henna can cause allergies
Just like any other dye. The fact that it has a completely natural composition does not mean anything.
Herbal remedies provoke an allergic reaction more often than chemical ones. Before using henna, it must be tested for inside hands.
There is no henna that bleaches hair.
The phrase “white henna” is a marketing ploy. A natural composition that can transform you from a burning brunette to a blonde without damaging your hair has not yet been invented. There is nothing natural and healthy in packages with “white henna”.
Henna “squeezes” hair
After dyeing with henna, the hair becomes stiffer. This is explained by the fact that the substances included in its composition “compress” the hair, making it denser. It would seem that what's wrong with this? By adhering too tightly to each other, the fibers that make up the hair lose their elasticity - the strands become brittle.
Coloring occurs according to the principle of accumulation of pigment in the upper layers of the hair - in the cuticle. The coloring pigment does not penetrate into the structure (inside) of the hair, but despite this, it colors the hair for a long time and is not washed off completely (like chemical dye), although it does not have such a strong coloring ability to completely replace the natural hair color. Henna is more of a toner than a dye. It gives the hair a tint, and it differs depending on the original hair tone.
Henna can only color hair in - orange-red, - red-brown, or - reddish-red tones, because... These colors are due to the main henna dye - lawson. A variety of colors can only be achieved by mixing henna with various herbs and additives. Any other color (ruby, titian, eggplant, etc.) other than the true color of henna is either a mixture of henna with other coloring plants (for example, basma), or with synthetic dyes.
Henna can be Indian or Iranian. Unlike Indian henna, the color range of Iranian henna is much wider, and when mixed you can get many magnificent shades (the intensity depends on the original natural color hair).
There are also rare varieties of henna that absorb color and lighten the hair slightly (by one and a half to two tones).
Harm
Harm of henna to hair
Harm of henna appears when dyeing with henna too often. This can dry out your hair (due to the acids and tannins it contains). As a result, frequent use of henna causes harm and the opposite effect - hair becomes dull. When henna dye penetrates the hair cuticle repeatedly, its protective layer is broken, and this can cause the hair to split. When they lose moisture, they become weakened - they lose strength and fall out. Hair oversaturated with henna becomes dull, unruly, dry, it loses elasticity, becomes stiffer, difficult to style, and does not hold it well. It is difficult to give them volume.
Henna tends to fade.
It is almost impossible to change the resulting hair color after dyeing with henna using artificial dyes. Thanks to its enveloping properties, henna protects the hair from any penetration - coloring pigments will not be able to penetrate inside the hair. Vegetable dyes do not combine very well with chemical ones. You should not use artificial dyes until your henna-dyed hair has completely grown out. The reaction of chemicals and lavsonia can give a completely unpredictable result, even radically blue, orange or green. Chemical paint may apply unevenly and the color will be uneven.
Vegetable hair dyes are not compatible with chemical ones, so you cannot use henna if your hair has recently been dyed with a chemical-based product, bleached, or subjected to perm, or highlighted.
Henna disguises gray hair and roots, but it will not be possible to completely equalize the color of gray strands with the rest of the hair when dyeing with henna the first time it is used - gray hair is porous and clings to the dye more and faster. As a result, compared to other hair, gray hair looks much redder than the rest - carrot (fiery red) color. For a good effect, you will need to dye gray hair with henna more than once, but several times, so that the color is fixed and becomes darker.
Henna can also be harmful if used with the addition of artificial dyes. This may cause an allergic skin reaction.
The result of henna staining is not always predictable, because... The final color will depend on the original hair color, the time of dyeing and the method of brewing the henna powder. Dyeing hair with henna requires a certain skill (experience) - brewing the powder and applying it.
Henna is not always easy to remove from hair. This requires a large amount of water. You need to wash off the paint for a very long time and thoroughly until the water becomes clear. Orange stains after henna are not easily washed out from under your nails.
Benefit
Henna treats hair
The effect of henna is predominantly gentle compared to synthetic permanent dyes, when special reagents are used to penetrate the dye into the hair to open the cuticle scales. When dyeing, it does not destroy the existing natural pigment, but simply envelops the hair, smoothing it out and adding volume, as well as creating a thin protective layer. Henna-dyed hair is protected from the harmful effects of the sun, and the color is not affected even by sea water - one of the risk factors for chemical dyes. If you follow the instructions for use, henna gives your hair rich color, makes them denser, thicker, lush and elastic.
Henna protects hair from the harmful effects of the sun, gives color stability that does not fade in the sun and fades much more slowly than with conventional dyeing.
Henna helps with split ends, dullness, brittle hair, excessive oiliness or dry hair.
The effect of henna on hair and skin is expressed in a slight tanning effect, in regulating the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and normalizing water-fat metabolism. Henna contains tannins, which tighten the outer scaly layer and add shine to the hair. As a result damaged hair are restored, and the hair scales are completely closed. All this allows the formation of a protective film for the hair, which gives a thickening effect. In addition, the mixture stimulates blood circulation, nourishes the scalp, strengthens hair roots, promotes the growth of hair shafts, and eliminates dandruff.
The result is visible even after the first procedure - even brittle and dull hair acquire shine, become denser and appear thicker.
Henna has no contraindications for either adults or children. Henna is hypoallergenic, which makes it indispensable for allergic reactions to chemical dyes. For pregnant and lactating women, hair coloring with natural henna dye is approved by doctors. After childbirth, hair becomes even thicker and falls out less.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are also dyed with henna - the color will last longer than with chemical dyeing, and the hair follicles will be strengthened. After coloring, the eyelashes become longer and thicker.
Henna is used for temporary tattoos. Active components henna cleanses and nourishes the skin, and also has antifungal and astringent properties.
How to dye your hair with henna
You need to choose the frequency of using henna for your hair so that henna does not harm the hair structure in any way. If your hair is oily or normal, then you can dye it with henna up to 3 times a month, and if it is dry, then no more than once a month, and for some once every two months.
When using natural henna (without synthetic additives) no more than once every 2-3 months, the drying effect should be minimal.
When dyeing hair with henna, especially for sensitive skin scalp, it is advisable to use it in combination with moisturizing and nourishing masks, cosmetic oils for hair and scalp, for example, with grape seed oil, wheat germ (1 - 2 tablespoons), etc. You can use henna even once or twice a week if you add oils, honey, yolk, milk, fermented milk products, etc. to it, which significantly soften the astringent properties of henna, thanks to them you can increase the exposure time of masks with henna and even adjust the degree of coloring hair
Henna is more suitable for dark (brown, black) hair; the dyeing time is 1-1.5 hours. With blond hair you need to be careful - the exposure time is two or even three times less. Light and gray hair is dyed with henna very quickly, resulting in an unnaturally bright red color.
Once opened, when exposed to air, henna powder deteriorates quite quickly, so reusing stored powder may give a weaker result. Fresh henna is grey-green in color. When does henna become brown, which means it has deteriorated and lost its coloring properties.
You need to make the paint in ceramic or glass containers. Metal is not suitable, since the acids contained in the paint can react with the material of the dishes. When applying henna to your head, it is advisable to wear special gloves on your hands.
How to brew henna
In order for the dye (hennatonic acid) to be “released”, henna must be brewed in advance - for several hours (can be overnight or for a day) at room temperature(about 21C). The surface of the paint should darken slightly - become slightly brown, which means that the coloring pigment has been released and is oxidizing in the air. The higher the room temperature, the faster the pigment will be released. If you put the henna paste at +35C, it will be ready in 2 hours. Then, if desired, you can add various additives and oils.
Henna develops better in an acidic environment.
It is not recommended to brew henna with hot (boiling) water, as this will give a faded and unsaturated copper-orange, very weakly expressed shade. To make the color bright and saturated, an acidic environment is necessary, because... henna releases pigment more actively at an acidity level of 5.5 - slightly sour. Therefore, you need to dilute henna (to the consistency of sour cream) with an acidic liquid:
- Lemon juice
- Kefir
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dry wine
- Herbal tea with lemon
When henna interacts with an acidic environment, the coloring becomes deeper and more expressive - the dyed hair will gradually darken to a rich dark red color. Hair acquires color when exposed to oxygen, a process that can take several days. The true color of henna usually appears only after two, three, four days. Especially in the sun, or in a solarium.
Henna and essential oils
Adding to diluted henna essential oils(a few drops) with high levels of terpenes (monoterpenes), helps produce richer color. Mono-terpene alcohols and oxidizing agents together with henna in the best possible way affect the brightness of hair after coloring.
- High level of terpenes (monoterpenes) in essential oil tea tree, eucalyptus, frankincense oil also has a pronounced effect.
- Essential oils of rosemary, geranium or lavender have a weaker effect.
- Lavender oil added to henna makes the color rich and, of all essential oils, will not cause skin irritation, which is very suitable for children or pregnant women.
When washing off henna after dyeing your hair, do not use shampoo.
How to remove paint from your head
Since henna is not a chemical preparation, it takes time for it to adhere well to the hair. Therefore, your hair should be washed 2-3 days after dyeing with henna, then the color will be deep and intense, and only the roots will need to be tinted. If you wash your hair the next day after dyeing, the dye will not set, and the dye will have to be repeated more often.
The peculiarity of henna is the gradual saturation of hair with color. With each new application of it to the hair, the intensity and depth of coloring increases. The longer you leave henna on your hair, the richer the shade you will get. The result will also depend on the color of your own hair, its structure, and porosity.
Reddish spots on the skin after dyeing with henna can be washed off with any detergent(soap, gel).
To neutralize too bright color you need to heat a little vegetable oil and rub it thoroughly into your hair. Dry with a hairdryer, rinse with shampoo. The oil absorbs the henna. After some time, the procedure can be repeated.
ADDITIONALLY
Henna shades
With henna you can get many shades - from fiery red to bright chestnut.
Henna is combined with other herbal ingredients. In combination with them you can get wide range hair shades:
Rich golden yellow hue
Rhubarb, or turmeric. 200 g of dried rhubarb stems are combined with a bottle of dry white wine and boiled until half of the liquid has boiled away (you can also use plain water). A packet of henna is added to the remaining composition. The mass is applied to the hair and left for about half an hour.
Old gold color
Saffron. 2 grams of saffron are boiled for 5 minutes, henna is added.
Thick honey yellow
Chamomile. Brew 2 tablespoons of chamomile, strain and add henna.
Cherry red with lilac shimmer
Beetroot juice. Heat the juice to 60 degrees, add a bag of henna.
Mahogany color
Cocoa. Henna is combined with 3-4 tbsp. spoons of cocoa. Brew the mixture hot water, and immediately apply the paste to clean and dry hair.
Enhancing the red tone
Madder, or hibiscus. Madder root (2 tablespoons) is boiled in a glass of water, henna is added.
Chestnut shade
3 parts henna and 1 part basma.
Rich chestnut with a reddish tint
Ground coffee. 4 heaped teaspoons natural ground coffee pour a glass of boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Add a packet of henna to the solution.
Dark chestnut with red tint
(proportions for long hair) 100-150 g of henna, 2 tablespoons of coffee, cocoa, matsoni, olive oil. The longer you keep the mixture, the richer the color.
dark cinnamon
Walnut shell. Boil the crushed shells for a long time (about 2 tablespoons), then add a bag of henna.
Chocolate color
Walnut leaves. Boil 1 tablespoon of leaves and add a packet of henna.
Bronze shade
Basma. Basma without henna dyes hair a greenish-blue tint. For “bronze” you need to take 2 parts of henna and 1 part of basma.
Blue-black shade
Henna and basma in equal quantities. First, dye your hair with henna - leave it on for at least an hour. Rinse it off. After this, apply basma.
For shiny hair
1/2 cup henna, 1/4 cup water, 1 raw egg. Leave the mixture for 15-45 minutes.
For dry and brittle hair
1/2 cup henna, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp. yogurt. Leave the composition for 15-45 minutes.
For radiant color and scent
1/2 cup henna, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 coffee spoon spices (ginger, nutmeg, black pepper, cinnamon). Leave the composition for 15-45 minutes.
For golden shades
1/4 coffee spoon, 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar. Leave the composition for 15-45 minutes.
Tinted
If you have blonde hair, to get a red or light yellow shade, it takes 5 to 10 minutes, dark hair needs 30-40 minutes, and black hair will require at least 1.5-2 hours. 1/2 cup of henna, 1/4 cup of tea infusion (black tea for brown-haired women, chamomile tea for blondes, or coffee for black hair).
Hi all! Remember, I talked about how to make hair dense, thick, increase thickness ()? I choose henna.
Since childhood, I knew that henna was useful, but I didn’t always see this same benefit for my hair. After repeated uses I found out:
1. The resulting effect of dense, smooth hair depends on its initial condition, the quality of the henna, the quantity and frequency of dyeing.
I choose henna without impurities, not mixed with other herbs. I find it more interesting to mix it myself. The best in quality and very affordable, in my opinion, from suppliers Aroma-zone (France) And LLC "Soap Nuts" (St. Petersburg). When ordering henna from them, I am confident in its purity and effectiveness.
The worse the hair condition, the more henna masks it will need. Henna needs to be gradually layered onto the hair. Layer by layer, mask by mask, thinning, empty, loose hair will become dense, elastic and shiny. At the same time (!), such hair needs to be given time to recover and rest between henna dyes.
Conversely, healthy hair only needs 1-2 applications of henna to become elastic and thick.
Over time and with each new dyeing, the henna on the hair becomes richer and darker. Having achieved desired color lengthwise, you can paint it with colorless henna or not paint it at all. The effect of polished hair is not washed away.
2. Colorless henna does everything on the hair that colored henna does, but it does not dye the hair. And it doesn't brighten. This is the same Lawsonia plant, specifically devoid of pigment.
3. The intensity of the hair color resulting from dyeing is influenced by the composition of the soil in which the henna grew. The more iron, the redder. Here is the information from Aroma-zone
From light red to dark red. Egyptian, Indian and Yemeni henna.
Popular Iranian henna produces a red color.
The lighter the initial hair color, the lighter and brighter the result will be after colored henna. This is blond, brown and red hair. From 10 to 7 tone levels. Your hair will become colored after the first mask.
Dark hair, black hair will not change color dramatically. Warm red, red, and burgundy highlights will take on a tint. Dark hair you need more masks than light ones.
By mixing henna with other powders you can achieve different shades.
Ginger – orange
Carnation – red
Turmeric – yellow
Indigofera (basma) – dark
Rapontik - honey
I tried mixing it with coffee and cocoa, but I didn’t get a visible coffee or cocoa tint. For brown shades there are special mixtures of henna and basma, for example, katam.
4. Dry henna does not dye your hair. It “gives off pigment” in water. The longer henna is in water (wet, wet paste), the more pigment it gives off, the more intense the color will be. I used to apply colored henna paste on my hair and go to bed. All night with henna on my head. It's inconvenient. Now I brew henna and leave it in a closed container overnight, and in the morning I apply it to my head and leave it for just an hour. The temperature of the paste doesn't matter. The main thing is that the paste remains wet and does not dry out either in the container or on your head overnight.
5. For henna to color your hair, you only need water. All other additives are optional. Eggs, honey, etc. do not play a role in the quality and color of hair. Unless they improve the consistency of the paste.
Great to add to pasta vegetable oil. This gives the paste a creamy consistency and makes it easier to distribute through the hair. Powder [henna] absorbs moisture, including from hair. The oil softens this drying property of henna. Fat kefir has a similar effect.
I prefer light oils that are quickly absorbed into the skin and hair. This reduces the time the mask stays on your head. I like argan and jojoba. When I don't have them on hand, I use olive oil. Thick, sticky oils: shea, castor, coconut - are difficult to wash out of hair and take a long time to absorb. For example, argan is absorbed into the skin and hair without residue within 30 minutes, shea needs 8 hours to be absorbed.
The easiest way to wash off the paste from your head is in standing water (in a basin). You can also take a shower. I wash off the paste with shampoo. This does not affect hair color and improves washout of the powder. Because if the hair is not washed enough after henna, it is hard, hard to comb, and not elastic<< даже после проф маски на длину.
Previously, immediately after dyeing with henna, my hair was somewhat coarse and not silky. This went away after the next wash with a strong mask. No matter what I added to the paste (citric acid, glycerin, rice proteins), this unpleasant effect of dry hair immediately after henna persisted. Now I get rid of it very simply - after shampoo I use not a moisturizing mask, but a conditioner for the hair coloring procedure, which stabilizes acidity. I have this Angel Expert. I don't add anything else to the paste itself. Only henna, water and oil. The conditioner copes well with the effect of dry hair after henna. They are the same as always, like after a professional mask.
They say that henna loves an acidic environment. It doesn't matter to me. The hair needs an acidic environment immediately after the dye to put the scales in place.
6. I dye my hair with henna once a month. Before dyeing I prepare my hair. They need moisture. Therefore, I wash my hair with Lakme Master Oil(). Next wash with conditioner. At the moment this is Wella Elements() and only then I start coloring with henna >> paste, shampoo, conditioner Angel. Next wash again with Angel stabilizing conditioner and continue as usual.
7. Bleached hair and henna. Yes, it's compatible! Remembering the dryness of my hair after henna, for a long time I thought that I would make my hair even worse if I dyed it with henna. I was afraid that they would become even tougher and more disobedient. Following points 4, 5, 6, I do not experience any problems with the quality of my hair.
