Things You'll Need:
- Henna dye
- Acidic liquid
- Latex gloves
- Plastic wrap
- Towel
- Conditioner
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Step 1
Use a high quality henna dye. This means a henna that has a high content of ink. This will help ensure there is enough ink in the dye to dye your hair a uniform color. This is the easiest way to ensure you don't end up with a patchy dye job. If you can't find a high quality henna hair dye, use a high quality skin dye.
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Step 2
Pick a color that will accent your hair. Henna dyes range from shades of bronze and pale red to rich browns and purples. People with blonde or light hair shouldn't use dyes that are dark purple or mahogany. They will turn your hair a neon shade of purple, orange or red.
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Step 3
Mix the dye up into a thick paste with an acidic liquid. Lemon juice or red wine works well. Allow the dye to sit for a few hours. The acidic liquid will need time to break down the henna and release the dye. When the dye is ready, it will be dark brown on top.
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Step 4
Wash your hair and make sure that all your hair is wet. Brush your hair forward from the back of your skull to your forehead. Starting in the back will ensure that you get all of your hair coated evenly.
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Step 5
Put on the rubber gloves and begin applying the henna to your hair. Make sure to get the roots and work outward toward the tips. Go over your hair several times to ensure that you get every lock thoroughly and evenly coated with the henna dye.
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Step 6
Cover your hair completely with the plastic wrap so there are no open areas. Wrap a towel around your hair and the plastic.
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Step 7
Let the henna sit on your hair anywhere from 1 to 8 hours. The longer you let the henna sit on your hair, the darker the color will be. If you are dyeing your hair with henna for the first time, it is best to start with an hour. You can always reapply the dye but if you wait too long the darker color is permanent. Rinse out the dye thoroughly using a conditioner to remove all of the dye.
