How to Make Henna Hair Conditioner

Henna is a natural powder that you can use to color your hair and skin. Henna also has conditioning properties, and when you mix it with the right ingredients, makes a wonderful deep treatment for your hair. The powder comes in a number of hues for natural looking highlights.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup henna powder of your choice
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. honey
• Hair ties and/or clips
• Shower cap
• Shampoo and conditioner

Instructions

1. Read the instructions on your henna powder well before you begin, as some powders will require long soak times and others will only need about 30 minutes. While you will get the conditioning benefits regardless of soak time, if you are going for color as well, then it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Mix 1/2 cup of the henna powder of your choice with 2 tbsp. of olive oil and 1 tbsp. of honey. Combine the ingredients well to create a consistent paste, adding a touch of lukewarm water, if necessary. Allow the mixture to soak for as long as recommended on the package of your henna powder.

3. Apply the paste evenly to dry, clean hair from root to tip. Henna can be hard to handle, so it is best to tie up the majority of your hair and work in thin layers from the bottom up. Once applied, tie up your hair or place it under a shower cap and allow the henna conditioner to set for about 1 hour at least. For deep color and deeper conditioning, the paste can be safely left on the hair even overnight.

4. Wash out the henna conditioner as best as you can with lukewarm water and then shampoo and condition your hair as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe makes enough conditioner for short to shoulder length hair. For longer hair, double, or even triple, the recipe.