How to mix and apply henna to hair:

Important

1) Always start off with freshly shampooed hair. If you use a lot of styling products, then use a clarifying shampoo, or use a diluted vinegar rinse after you shampoo. DO NOT use a conditioner. Make sure that you shampoo your hair just prior to applying the henna. If you wait too long to apply the henna after you shampoo, your natural scalp oils may inhibit the dye in the henna from reaching your roots.

2) Henna is permanent! If you've never used henna on your hair before, it is recommended that you perform a strand test to see what color you will get. To do this, either snip a small bit of hair from a place on your head that's not real noticeable or harvest hair from your hairbrush. Prepare a small amount of henna per the instructions below, and place the hair in the henna for 2 to 4 hours. Rinse the hair off with water and allow to sit for 48 hours. Henna needs time to oxidize (darken), and usually in 48 hours it will show it's final color. No 2 people will end up with the exact same color.

3) Henna only comes in one color.....red. The shades of red may vary depending upon what country the crop is grown in, but there is no such thing Black henna, Blond henna, etc. Any henna that is labeled as such, has other ingredients in it besides pure henna. Note the recipe is based on the products we sell.

4) You cannot lighten hair with henna. If your hair is naturally dark brown or black, henna will give it auburn highlights, but it will not lighten it.

Preparing the henna,  Gather the following:

Towels (use old ones, they will get stained)
Plastic bowl
Large spoon for stirring
Plastic cling wrap
Acidic liquid such as lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or orange juice (if desired)
Water (preferably filtered)
Dry henna powder, enough for your length of hair
Tint brush or carrot bags or bottle with a nozzle tip
Disposable latex or vinyl gloves

Place the dry henna powder in the bowl. Add a small amount of the acidic liquid to the powder and enough water to make a paste that is the consistency of yogurt. Stir well to remove lumps. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let set until the dye releases from the henna, usually around 12 hours at 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). After the dye has released, you can put the henna into a carrot bag or a bottle with a nozzle tip, for easier application, if desired.

Drape towel around shoulders to protect clothing and cover surfaces of the area that you will be in when you apply your henna. Put on the gloves. To apply henna, section hair and apply it to one section at a time until all of your hair is covered, making sure that you get it all the way down to the roots.

After you have your hair covered with the henna, wrap your hair in plastic wrap, then cover it with a shower cap. It's important to keep the henna moist while it is processing. Allow it to remain on the hair for 2 to 4 hours. Rinse out with water. Shampoo and condition if desired.

Tips:

To make removal of the henna easier, use some cheap conditioner. Rinse the henna with water, then work some conditioner in and rinse again. Repeat if necessary.

To speed up the processing time, use heat, such as a bonnet style hair dryer or a heat cap. For every 30 minutes of heat applied reduce the processing time by 1/2.

Henna will stain. Make sure to clean up and spills immediately, and wear old clothes when applying.

If your scalp is sensitive or your hair is normally dry, use orange juice for your acidic liquid, or don't use any acidic liquid at all, just use water.

If your henna is too bright after 48 hours have passed, you can do another application.

If your hair color is getting too dark, try applying it to the roots only when you do touch-ups.