Want to add a pop of color to your hair but are afraid of harsh chemicals? Look no further because henna is here for you! Master the art of henna coloring with ease with our expert tips. Henna is a natural hair coloring method that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the leaves of the henna plant, a shrub that grows primarily in Africa and Asia. In addition to giving hair a vibrant color, henna is also known for its nourishing and strengthening properties. In this article, you will learn the basics of henna coloring, including the different types of henna powder and how to prepare them. Henna is not a magic powder! You need to know if the product is right for your hair and what you want . Then, I will also guide you through the process of applying henna to your hair, giving you tips on how to get the best results. Whether you want a subtle shade or a bold color, you'll know exactly how to use henna to get the result you want. So get ready to transform your hair in a natural and stunning way with henna!
There are 2 types of pure henna and a host of variations of these. Some are mixed with other ingredients, ranging from indigo to coffee and... chemical dyes. It is important to always take pure henna (like the one we offer!) and add other natural ingredients to it in order to create color variations.
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Natural henna or red henna Lawsonia inermis: native to hot and dry regions, mainly in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. This henna generally produces a red-orange or coppery tint. Personally, this is the one I use (see my little thumbnail below). The warmer the climate of the country of origin, the more the henna will tend to pull towards red. For example, henna from Yemen is redder than Moroccan henna, which is more orange. The exact color can also vary depending on the quality of the henna, the application time and the additions.
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Neutral Henna Cassia obovata: This plant is also known as “neutral henna” or “cassia.” It comes mainly from tropical and subtropical regions. This powder does not color hair red or copper like traditional henna. Instead, it gives golden or yellow highlights. It is often used for its conditioning properties rather than for coloring.
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Natural indigo Indigofera tinctoria: we put it in the category of hennas since indigo is regularly used to darken henna shades. However, not to be confused with synthetic indigo is used in the same way as natural indigo, but it is generally more stable and offers more uniform and predictable colors, especially used for textiles . Be careful, some soap makers use synthetic indigo in their products in order to perform blue colors . The leaves of the Indigofera tinctoria plant are fermented to extract the blue color. This color is used to dye fabrics, clothing, and sometimes hair. Personally, I use indigo sparingly because it darkens hair a lot and the result is rather irreversible.