Reddit mentions: The best hair hennas

Unfortunately, one of the tricky things about henna is that it's an import product that shifts in availability. I can usually always get my hands on some, but can never rely on the same brand for more than a few short years (even months). I was about to rec you one I've been with for years, only to find it's not available anymore! However, I've always ended up ok by using my best judgement. Here's an example of something I'd feel pretty solid ordering:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EB4FJTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_NW8TAbEHNSWPK

It has ONE ingredient: henna leaves. The pictures on this one are accurate to what pure henna powder looks like. It should show up looking exactly like that. Reviewers have left photos with henna-accurate results.

Your local import store could also be a source of cheap bulk henna if they cater to Indian families.

Stay away from anything with words like "indigo" or "burgondy" or supposed all natural additives like "crushed nut shells."

As far as roots... That depends entirely on your hair. I'm white and my natural hair color is a plain, medium light brown. When the henna dims to that more natural color, it blends so seamlessly into my natural hair that most people don't notice the roots. This means I get to be very lazy. I usually only dye 3 times a year--and I do everything over so that I get that initial vibrancy even on everything. If your natural color is more blond or grows faster, your roots may be more noticeable and you may be motivated to dye more often, but if you're brown or above, you can get away with ignoring your roots for a long time. This is again one of the wonders of henna: it's just your natural hair put through a red filter, so it's not a startling break from your true color.

Yay! Here's a question I can answer. Iv'e been dying to tell somebody everything i've learned after losing at least 5 inches of hair to bleaching.

There is absolutely no way to naturally lighten your hair. In fact, you should steer clear of natural lightening because it is harder to control the strength of your mixture. However, there is hope!

Let you hair absorb as much coconut oil as possible beforehand. Buy quality bleach (i'm using Wella and it's great) and mix it 50/50 with shampoo. This makes it easier to spread and gentler; It's called a bleach bath. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes. You can repeat this process until your hair is light enough, don't try to bleach it all in one go. Wash it out with some serious shampoo and do a protein deep conditioning treatment and then a moisturizing deep conditioner. Follow that up with a leave-in moisturizer and an oil seal. Now that your hair is lightened, you can color it with henna.

Henna for Hair is amazing for information on how use henna. Be sure to start with pure henna powder. Henna is a great conditioning treatment, I love using it on my hair and have never had a problem with it interfering with bleach or any other chemicals. Henna would probably be a great conditioner directly after bleach. I'm going to try it when my hair is healthy enough to bleach again.

Cassia is another way to color hair naturally. However, it really only brings out blond tones. You can learn more about it on Henna for Hair.

I have pretty shiny hair already, but I have definitely noticed that my shampoo and conditioner can play a major role in hair shininess. I am currently using Davines Love Smoothing conditioner and shampoo, and it makes my hair look crazy good and super shiny, but it's too expensive so I am not sure how sustainable it is.

In the past I have also used colorless henna which is supposed to make your hair strong, manageable, and shiny. It seemed to work for me, and has the added benefit of being messy and fun to put on.

You can also buy glosses and glazes that make your hair shinier.

My friend had this exact same question but she started on dark black hair. She ended up doing a bleach shampoo to lighten up a few shades, then applied a hair color. She used I think dark burgundy brown or another dark red shade. It turned out a nice dark dark dark black-red that really shines red in the sun. She loved it for her more strict office setting.

Your other option is to straight up bleach your hair at home until you get a straw blonde color then apply whatever color you'd like. I think a game of thrones Mellissandre color would be pretty!

Also for dark red/wine colors, look into henna. There are some good sets for doing this at home. It does mix into a weird muddy formula and needs to set for about 3 hours, so if you have the time it's a great option that won't harm your hair like traditional dye will.

Hooray for henna! I redid mine today, with a fairly similar process. I mix mine with strong black tea (cooled) and a bit of lemon juice for bleaching properties. I use the cheap stuff off amazon and am pretty confident that its legit. I also toss in some cinnamon to counteract the dirt-matcha scent, in case anyone else dislikes it as much as I do :)

My hair is naturally a medium ashy-brown, so the henna gives me a nice, natural auburn color, particularly in sunlight. I love it!

I've been using henna for the past 3 years as i grow out my hair. I first used it to cover a box dye brown that didnt quite match my natural color. If you get a good brand you shouldn't have a problem with your hair being dyed previously. It won't perfectly even out your hair color but it would make it less noticeable and I find henna is really good for my hair, it makes it softer, slicker, and thicker.

I use Rainbow Research henna. Their colors range from pure red to black and they have stuff for blondes too. one tub is enough for my fine, waist length hair but if your hair is very thick and long you may need two. Of course follow the directions, boil the water, have extra water or tea on hand because it's like putting mud in your hair. Do not use metal to mix it. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

Here's what I use:

Rainbow Research Henna Hair Color and Conditioner Persian Red, 4 Ounce
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z93NB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pBpLxbS5RBM0Q

Edit: I also usually leave it in for 3-4 hours or overnight.

I'm glad u/MalavethMorningrise already addressed the lack of acid in that recipe, so I'll tackle product recommendations instead. Generally if I'm ordering paste I go through Henna Caravan but that can get pretty expensive. If I'm mixing my own paste, and I have been for my last few batches, I grab powder off of Amazon. I've made some really nice, dark-staining pastes with this stuff.

As far as recipes go, most basic recipes are pretty much the same. I've used the one-step recipe on Beachcombers but you can use the Henna Caravan KISS recipe too. Just check amounts - I believe the Beachcombers recipe starts with 100 grams and then KISS recipe is for 20.

No problem, more than happy to help out! I've been looking into it anyway because pure henna is supposed to be amazing for your hair, so I've been looking at some neutral no color henna products to just get the benefits of henna treatment without the color, but have yet to try them so I'm not sure how they are! All the reviews I've read have been fantastic though, it supposed to make your hair feel very strong and look very healthy and glossy.

I think some drawbacks to henna would be that it is permanent and hard to dye over/get rid of so it's pretty much waiting for it to grow out. I haven't read anything about pure henna on it's own being damaging to the hair, only benefits, so it is important to make sure you get a pure henna products (or indigo type blend) with no metallic salts or other damaging ingredients before dying!

I use this Henna:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YSTOAG/ref=rcxsubs_mys2_product_title

Super cheap. Good quality.

My preferred method:

• In a glass bowl add a capful of ACV
  -then add warm water a little at a time and mix until it's a smooth thick paste.
  -Let sit somewhere warm for a couple of hours for the dyes to release within the henna.
  -Then I take a cheap non-silicone conditioner and squirt that on in the mix until its a nice creamy consistency that would be good to apply to hair. (the conditioner helps it rinse out easier afterwards as well)
  -Wrap it in a couple plastic shopping bags and let sit at least 2 hours, preferably more. Sometimes I do it overnight.
  -Rinse it out!
  
  It looks a little orangy at first, but it oxidizes to a nice auburn after a few days. : )
  

Hey y'all, thanks so much for the interest! I'll try to summarize my routine as best I can:

Short story version, the shine comes from using a neutral henna mask once every three weeks or so (I use this stuff) as well as spritzing some of this on dry hair.

This level of shine though is only possible on healthy hair. So along with this stuff I also use l'Oreal EverSleek sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (and ColorProof's clarifying shampoo once a week), wash my hair once every four days, use leave in conditioner, avoid heat, and do a hot oil mask once a week with amla or castor oil, honey, and egg.

In the past I've used Rainbow henna. They have different colors made from blends of natural plants (henna, cassia, and indigo are the main ones). I took a break for a couple years to get my hair totally un-messed with, then I used [Hannah Natural] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YSTOAG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) 100% henna. The Rainbow henna was far more subtle than the Hannah Natural, which gave me the bright auburn. Hope that helps!

I used Godrej Nupur Henna Natural Mehndi for Hair Color with Goodness of 9 Herbs, 14.10 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ZLCIU4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I left it on for about 4 hours and then washed it out and got a great color. I didn’t add anything to it.

I've had great luck with Hannah Natural. I can say the only hair that gives that copper red result are my greys. My naturally brown, or black hair that I've henna/indigoed does not change color at all. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YSTOAG

Henna!! I used to use it, and it's wonderful. People always asked me if it was natural. Sounds like exactly what you're looking for.

I really recommend this brand. Other brands can be fake or have weird chemicals in them. This is the real deal.

This is what I use. I don't know if you have ever used henna before, but it comes out gorgeous!


Here is my hair after using that henna.

My hair can feel straw like at times, I have found henna wax worked best in my hair for that. My hair can get greasy really fast, I tend to carry dry shampoo with me as I am yet to find something else that works.

I don't know anything Surya Henna but I got Godrej Nupur henna from Amazon the last time I was in a punch. I really like this henna!!

I tint mine with henna - never had any irritation issues and it's more nourishing for your hair than traditional dye.

Link below to the kind I use- I apply with thin angled eyebrow brush. You can leave it on for 30min then gently rinse for a stained on look or dilute a tiny bit with water for a really natural looking day tint.


https://www.amazon.com/Surya-Brasil-Henna-Brown-Cream/dp/B0007DHMH4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493602863&sr=8-1&keywords=surya+henna

Thank you for all the information and replies, I'm very grateful.
The link below is what I use, according to the box it's 100% henna plant, nothing else is listed...
I was thinking of adding a deep red in anyway, so the tinge wouldn't matter too much.


http://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B0019MZ4QI/ref=pd_aw_sim_194_3/279-2249345-3918507?ie=UTF8&dpID=51ewJ9VZ6PL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&refRID=1RY9YPH6WPV3YPG6NKPK

Okay. I've been dying my hair with henna for years, but when I first started I used LUSH and had the same experience. So here's what you do.

LUSH henna doesn't take well because the blocks you use are full of butters and other stuff that actually inhibits the henna from taking to your hair. It's really meant more for hydration; you should never use oils in your henna mixture if color is your primary intent.

Order some real henna from mehandi.com or try this variety from Amazon and henna again. Mix the powder with ONLY water and lemon juice and make sure it it allowed to rest for 8 hours once mixed before putting it into your hair. Leave it in for AT LEAST 3 hours before washing it out. Henna builds with each application, so the more applications you do, the more even your color will be (and the healthier your hair).


Taking the henna out now that you have started is seriously hard and it will be much easier to dedicate yourself to it for even color. If you go this route and have any more questions, PLEASE let me know, henna is wonderful but many people have a bad experience the first time (especially with LUSH, ugh).

Thank you! I'm looking at this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014AWHY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_x5oKDbZ2PS2DS

But if you have any recommendations let me know! I havent bought anything yet and I am easily persuaded

Dont by the black mystery goo!

If you shop amazon, a safe option is this Jamila Henna Powder, 100 grams https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006K3TZS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JPh4Bb8CARVQM

Contacting the manufacturer is a good idea.

This is what I used: https://www.amazon.com/d/Hair-Hennas/Reshma-Femme-Conditioning-Luminous-Playful/B009YR3ABQ?th=1

I actually have a new problem too. Ever since I used Color Oops a few days ago my hair stinks. It used to smell like hair. Now it has the smell of the henna hair dye I used even though I used that stuff several months ago. I feel repulsive. lol

I used this stuff.

I don't know much about henna, having not used it before, so I just bought this one since it had primarily positive reviews. Massive bag, I probably used about a quarter of it.

vaseline around your hairline to keep from staining your forehead orange, a couple drops of essential oil mixed in with the henna helps with that gross muddy smell, blow dry it a few times while its on your head--the heat helps it set, i swear by this stuff--i've used pure henna before and its a lot more fuss (letting it set for hours, mixing it with a bunch of stuff)

it is really messy and time consuming, and if boxed dyes didnt put me into anaphalaxis and give me blisters all over my head i would totally use them instead. lol.

Be particular of brands.
But black henna dyes do exist. https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Me-CERTIFIED-approved-chemicals/dp/B07B7J3H6W

This is a bit anecdotal, but I've never found henna dyes to fade in hair as long as you get real stuff. It doesn't have to be red/brown either, you can get all kinds of colors with this different mixes that they have with indigo, different flower powders etc. This is what I've always used and it has lots of different colors you can get.

Henna is very NOT expensive. I just ordered this henna and it will probably last me over six months. My hair is waist length but since henna doesn't fade out I only ever need touch up my roots every 3-4 weeks.

well I guess it's similar. my follicles have no colour. I've read the reviews here about colouring white hair, and people aren't experiencing copper/orange colour.