We all wish to experiment with our looks every now and then. Changing up the hair color is the easiest way to switch up our overall appearance. Unfortunately, chemical hair colors are damaging to our hair. Luckily, henna is a great alternative to conventional box dyes. However, not all henna dyes are created equal. You need to be very careful while choosing the right one for yourself.
Make sure that its Chemical Free
Make sure that the henna dye you are purchasing is free from all the chemicals and preservatives. Read through the ingredients list and make sure there isn’t anything that will harm your hair. Otherwise, it is equivalent to using a conventional dye.
Pick the shade wisely
If you love experimenting with color or have a different color than red, it is advised to look at a brand that comes in a variety of shades. The Henna Guys have quite an extensive collection of hair dyes. You can choose the one that matches your hair color perfectly if you are planning to cover greys.
Sailesh Patnaik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Organic or not Organic?
Make sure that the henna powder you purchase is completely organic. It must be free from all the chemicals, preservatives, and metallic dyes.
Triple Sifted packaging is good
Purchase a triple sifted powder. It is easier to mix and remove from your hair once you wash it. A triple sifted powder is much easier to mix, apply and wash off.
Read the Label
The organic henna powder doesn’t have a very long shelf life. Before making a purchase, make sure that you read the expiration label.
Buy Enough Quantity
If your hair is thick and long, buy two packs instead of one. Nothing is more annoying than coating half of your hair with henna only to run to the grocery store in order to purchase another one. So, purchase enough quantity in advance.
Read online reviews
Read plenty of reviews online before settling on one henna brand. You will find tons of opinions online. You will be able to learn about the results, how long one has to keep it on, and how to get maximum saturation. Go through them and then choose the best one out there.
Egil Kvaleberg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Smell It before you make the paste
If you are not much of an online shopper and prefer to shop at a store, smell the henna. You can differentiate fresh henna from a chemical one by its smell. Fresh henna has a pleasant earthy tone, while chemical-packed henna will smell like chemicals.
How to Apply Henna to Your Hair?
Here is how to apply henna to your hair:
- Mix henna with some water to create a thick paste in a bowl. The mixture should have a yogurt-like consistency. It shouldn’t be too thick or too runny.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight.
- Wash your hair with your usual shampoo and conditioner. Let it air dry.
- Start applying hair to your roots and then gradually moved to the lengths of your hair.
- Tie it up and over it with a shower cap.
- Run a blow dryer over your hair to intensify the color.
- Let it sit for 3 to 4 hours before washing it off with water.
- Let the water run over your hair till it becomes clear. There is no need to shampoo your hair again.
Final Thoughts
Once you have purchased the henna powder based on the above-mentioned points, it is still important to do a patch test before applying it all over your hair. It ensures that you are not allergic to henna, and it is safe for you to apply. Happy henna purchasing!