Best Way - Henna Hair Color Recipe

Materials

Henna powder, warm water and distilled white vinegar are the only necessary ingredients for making henna hair color. Henna powder can be found at natural health stores and some large beauty supply stores. It can also be ordered online. Use approximately 2 cups of powder for a large batch, which will render enough dye to color short to very long hair. Use a large mixing bowl and double boiler to prepare the hair color. Use tight-fitting disposable gloves, plastic wrap or a shower cap, and an old towel to protect the skin from staining.

Wear gloves during the entire process to prevent coloring your skin. Combine 2 cups of henna powder with 1 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in a large mixing bowl. The vinegar helps the henna release its dye, but it can be omitted from the recipe if necessary. Allow the mixture to stand for one hour.

Fill the bottom of a double-boiler about halfway with hot water. Transfer the henna mixture to the top of the boiler. Place over medium-high heat, and stir constantly until the water comes to a full boil. Remove the double boiler from the heat, and allow the mixture to stand for one additional hour. Shampoo and rinse the hair thoroughly, and then allow it to dry completely. Quickly re-heat the henna hair color in the double boiler before application.

Massage the henna hair color into dry, clean hair with gloved hands. Cover the entire head and work into the hair, beginning at the scalp and moving down to the ends. Wrap your head in plastic wrap or put on a shower cap. Moisten an old towel with hot water and wrap it over the plastic to keep the hair warm and in place.

It's important to keep the head warm while the dye is processing. This will result in a deeper, richer color. Sit in the sun or under a warm hair dryer, or use a blow dryer to keep the hair warm once the hot towel begins to cool. Allow the henna hair color to remain as long as necessary for the desired color before rinsing.

Dian Dincin Buchman, author of "The Complete Herbal Guide to Natural Health and Beauty," recommends leaving the dye in for 3-4 hours to achieve a deep brown color, 4-5 hours for a deep auburn color, or 6-7 hours for very dark or black hair. However, it's advisable to check a small lock of hair every hour to make sure the color is developing as you desire. Henna hair dye is completely natural and will not damage the hair, no matter how long it remains. As a general rule, the longer you leave the dye in, the darker the resulting hair color.

Rinse the hair thoroughly in warm water until the water runs clear. Combing the hair while rinsing will help remove all the henna. Condition the hair with your normal conditioner, if desired. Henna can be slightly astringent. If you experience itching, massage a few drops of high quality vegetable oil into the scalp.

The hair will go through an adjustment period of 2-3 days after coloring. If the color looks dull at first, do not be alarmed. It will soften over the first few days. Color will last for 3-6 months, during which time it will gradually wash out. There will typically be no appearance of visible "roots," which is often the case with chemical dye formulations. Continue washing, drying and styling the hair as usual. When the color begins to look faded, reapply. The color will become darker each time you apply, so gradually reduce the processing time for each application.