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Is Red the Only Colour You Can Dye Your Hair with Henna?
Is Red the Only Colour You Can Dye Your Hair with Henna?
Is bright orange the colour you think of when you think Henna or herbal hair dye? Or perhaps super-red?
Historically, many of us have associated Henna (Lawsonia inermis) used to colour the hair as creating a vibrant coppery tone, but we’re here to show you how flexible and versatile Henna really can be!
So don't deny yourself the amazing chemical-free, colour and conditioning benefits of henna-based dyes. You can achieve the hair colour you like (as long as it's your colour or darker)!
How do I get a Different Colour with Henna?
There are five ways to get a different shade with henna. You can:
1. Use an It's Pure Pre-Blended Colour:
Our 100% organic henna-based hair dyes come in a wide range of colours from Golden Blonde to Indigo Black with plenty of Brown shades in-between. They are fresh, modern and easy to use. View the shade range here and How-To Use Our Dyes here.
2. Mix Your Own Colour Blend
- create your own bespoke colour by adding other herb powders to henna. Adding an ingredient like indigo for example darkens the shade from a subtle deepening, to bluest black. We sell henna and indigo as loose powders for you to create your own mix. See the bottom of this article for more links to colour recipes, some of our most popular how-tos are how to achieve Mushroom Brown or Wine Red.
3. Use Something Other than Water to Mix the Dye:
Different acids (like lemon juice), or brighter or darker juices will create a different colour effect when mixed with henna powders.
4. Change how long you leave it on for:
Henna or herbal colours work differently to mainstream hair colour. How long you leave it on for can often quite dramatically alter the colour result. For a more translucent result go for less time and for more opaque, dramatic colour you can leave some colours on for up to four hours.
5. Apply more than once:
You can layer your colour up for more vibrancy, or if you’re going significantly darker or brighter, you can pre-pigment your henna hair to get a ‘mid-way’ result.
How the Liquid you Use Can Impact Your Henna Result
You can use simple water to mix your henna (try filtered, as the minerals in tap water can interfere with your colour).
But choosing other mixers can alter the colour result to much brighter, deeper or richer.
Which acids to mix with your henna hair:
For cool henna tones:
Tea (we like Earl Grey) brewed strongly and cooled is a great way to add an ashy tint to your colour
For bright henna tones:
The magic ingredient in our fire engine red guide is beetroot juice. Other juices that can work are blackcurrant (the juice, not the squash), cranberry and carrot.
For darker henna tones:
You can use lemon juice to darken the henna result. You'll need to leave the Henna in lemon juice overnight, covered with clingfilm, for the best dye release! Initially it will appear fiery, but remember henna oxidises over time. Coffee can also add darker tones.
For golden henna tones:
Chamomile flower tea is renowned for golden colours. Be aware it only adds a golden hint to your henna - it won't lighten the colour, or make it less red!
If you have very light blonde or white hair, you could even use just pure chamomile tea as a rinse to give your hair a very subtle golden glow. Mix it with a Cassia treatment for extra strengthening and conditioning properties.
If you're searching for a light, subtle blonde on whites or light greys, instead of Chamomile, mix Cassia with lemon juice overnight!
Please be aware that for hair tones to be permanent, it has to bind to the hair. None of the above mixes will permanently dye your hair, they will simply alter the colour result of your henna slightly.
Which Powders to Mix with Henna for a Different Colour Result?
There are other natural hair colour ingredients you can mix with henna to get a good colour result.
Often called neutral henna, on its own this powder adds shine to hair. Mixed with lemon it adds golden lights and when mixed with henna it can add golden or brighter tones. Different recipes call for differing amounts so always do a strand test with your mix to see your end result.
Indigo is a blue-black dye that will add depth to your colour. A mix of equal parts henna and indigo should create a medium brown. The blue tone in the indigo settles a lot of the warmth in henna but it can be purply, so you may get a burgundy result.
Amla is often used to get a cooler, ashier result. It helps release the colour quickly and is wonderful at strengthening the hair.
If you're worried about losing curls, or want to ensure the colour you mix protects your natural curl pattern, Amla helps strengthen and promote curls.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is often added for brightness. It prevents the colour from oxidising so we often choose it for more copper and orange colour results, like our famous pumpkin spice.
Our Henna Recipes:
How to Get the Perfect Auburn with Henna
Mushroom Hair Colour with Henna
Fire Engine Red Hair with Henna
PRO NOTE: It’s not possible to lighten hair with Henna – if your hair is very dark, you may need a pre-lightener and you shouldn’t use Henna after bleaching, so speak to your hairdresser first.
