How to Apply Henna to Hair

Unlike bleach and other kinds of metallic dyes that can damage your hair, henna actually coats the hair and promotes glossy strong hair. Henna will produce varied results on different types of hair. In its most natural form, it will add a red tone to hair. The depth of your color will affect your result. Blonde hair will have a very bright red appearance, and darker hair a shimmer of red in the sunlight. Following these simple steps to apply henna to your hair.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Natural henna product
• Plastic gloves for application
• Bottle of lemon juice
• Plastic spoon
• Old margarine tub (1 lb. size)
• Plastic cap
• Shampoo

Henna application

1. In the margarine tub mix your Henna and lemon juice. You want to mix just enough of the two to nearly fill the margarine tub. This will be enough for shoulder length hair. Longer hair will require another tub for about every 12 inches of hair. When fully mixed, the concoction should be about the consistency of yogurt. Leave the mixture to set overnight, which allows the color to release from the henna leaves.

2. With your gloved hands, apply the henna to your hair. You can apply it in handfuls, making sure all of your hair is covered, including all hair that is underneath. This will be messy and require some cleanup afterwards, but will be worth it when you see the results.

3. If you get henna on your ears, neck, forehead or anywhere else, make sure you wipe it off immediately. It will not hurt your scalp like regular commercial hair color, but when left on skin it will stain.

4. Depending on the desired intensity of red that you want, leave the henna mixture on your hair for an hour or more. Adding a heat source will help with the intensity of color. Sitting in the sun or just placing a plastic cap on your head will help.

5. After the desired amount of time has been reached, rinse the henna from your hair. You can then wash with a mild shampoo.

Tips & Warnings

• Only use "body art quality henna." Other compound, commercially made hennas will damage your hair irreversibly. Don't use them.
• Henna will permanently stain fabrics.
• Make sure to do a test piece of hair first, either a little piece that you cut off or a piece in the back of your hair that will be unnoticeable.

[MrsPerrin]

on 3/20/2009 This is a great article. Thank you so much.