Strand Test
A strand test is a good indicator of what to expect when using henna. Apply henna to a hair sample, gathered from your brush or a previous haircut. Unlike regular chemical dye, henna works as a gloss, resulting in a color that is a mix between the dye color and the base color of your hair. Keep in mind, henna takes several days to oxidize, meaning that the final color may become darker in the days following application. Lighter hair types may need to do multiple applications to achieve a darker color. You cannot lighten hair with henna.
Tools:
Small Mixing Bowl (glass or wooden preferable)
Plastic Sealable Baggie, 2
Mixing Spoon (wooden preferable)
Measuring Spoon (wooden preferable)
Gloves (vinyl/rubber)
How to Do a Strand Test:
Measure out:
Light Brown: 2 tsp Henna, 1 tsp Indigo
Medium Brown: 2 tsp Henna, 2 tsp Indigo
Dark Brown: 1 tsp Henna, 2 tsp Indigo
Please read the "How to Mix & Apply Brown Henna" instructions below to judge what liquid to use with the Henna. If you are using apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, use only 2 tsp worth.
In a small bowl, empty the Henna powder and, if applicable, stir in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Then stir in enough black tea (or other liquid) to achieve the consistency of yogurt. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap, pressing to remove any excess air, and let sit the mixture for 8-12 hours at room temperature.
Empty the bag labeled LT/MD/DK Brown Indigo powder into a clean bowl. Mix with warm filtered water until it is the consistency of yogurt.
Add Indigo mixture into the set henna mixture. Mix thoroughly and use a little water if needed to get the yogurt consistency again.
Use hair removed from your hairbrush or clippings from a recent haircut. You can snip a lock of hair from the middle of your head as well. Ball it up or attach ends to a piece of tape to hold them together. You need enough hair to be able to discern color difference, so half a handful should be fine. While wearing gloves, coat the strands with the henna mixture, thoroughly saturating them.
Store strands in a plastic bag. Then double bag to prevent dye from seeping through. Keep it on your person, in a pocket for instance, to include body heat as a factor in dye release. Leave in bag for 1-4 hours.
Rinse henna from hair strands and inspect the color. Let strands sit for 72 hours to get the most exact result. View test strands in artificial light and sunlight, as the color does change with light source.
To achieve Brown, mix in Indigo after letting the Henna sit with enough water to get the right consistency.
Put it in a plastic bag. Then double bag to prevent dye from seeping through. Keep on your person, in a pocket for instance, to include body heat as a factor in dye release. Leave in bag for 1-4 hours.
Rinse henna from hair strands and inspect the color. Let it sit for 72 hours to get the most exact result. View test strand in artificial light and sunlight, as the color does change with the light source.
How to Mix & Apply Blonde Henna
Tools:
Mixing Bowl (wooden or glass preferable)
Mixing Spoon (wooden preferable)
Measuring Spoon/Cup
Gloves (vinyl/rubber)
Plastic Wrap -OR- Plastic Shower Cap
OPTIONAL: Fabric Cap (beanie, ski cap, etc.)
Ingredients:
Blonde Henna Kit (1 bag Blonde Henna powder, 1 bag Blonde Tea)
Warm Filtered water, 3 cups
Lemon Juice, 2-8 tablespoons
OPTIONAL: Euro Oil, 1-3 teaspoons
*One Henna Kit is enough for shoulder length hair. Longer hair may require additional kits.
Mixing & Application
Boil water and add Blonde Tea. Let steep for 15-30 minutes. Strain out flowers and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Put Blonde Henna powder into a mixing bowl and mix in lemon juice. The more you use, the better dye, but the more drying it can be for your hair.
Add the brewed Blonde Tea a little at a time while mixing, until it is the consistency of yogurt. The mixture should not drip from the spoon but should still be easily spreadable. You may not need all 3 cups of tea to achieve this.
Add Euro Oil to mixture, if using. Use more Euro Oil if you added a lot of lemon juice. Do not use more than 3 teaspoons, as the oil can prevent the color from sticking.
Cover with plastic wrap, pressing to remove any excess air, and let sit 8-12 hours. If the environment is cold and/or higher amounts of lemon juice were used, we suggest letting it sit the full 12 hours.
Section your hair, put a towel around your shoulders, and apply Euro Oil to your hairline and ears to prevent skin staining. Using gloved hands, apply henna to clean, dry hair. (It can be applied to towel-dried hair but not wet).
Wrap hair with plastic wrap or put on a shower cap. Optionally, put on a fabric cap over the plastic to trap body heat. The key is to keep the paste moist and warm.
Leave mixture in hair for 1-4 hours. The longer it is left, the more dye will saturate into your hair. Do not leave it in overnight.
Unwrap your hair and rinse with water only. Use a drain catcher to prevent possible clogging. Use Pearl Essence Creme Rinse or a few drops of Euro Oil to aid in the henna rinsing process, especially if you used a lot of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
The Morrocco Method Scalp Massager may also help in removing the henna. Do not shampoo your hair until 24 hours after the henna treatment. The full color will appear after 72 hours. This color will last 6-8 weeks.
Important Note About Chemical Dyes
Our Brown Henna Hair Color is 100% pure plant dye. There are no chemicals, metallic salts, or PPD. Our henna hair color is the safest form of hair dye you can use, and it even has healthy benefits for your hair. You can safely use henna on previously chemically dyed hair, but we suggest waiting 6-8 weeks after your last dye job to allow for detox.
But if choose to continue with chemical dyes after applying henna, you'll need to wait 6-8 weeks until it fades. It won't "burn" your hair, which is a reaction to chemically-adulterated henna, but it can give you unpredictable results. Plant dyes don't lift easily out of your hair, leaving the end color unpredictable, and it fades faster because henna makes your hair less porous.
Going lighter cannot be done with a box dye, and the amount of developer you will need to lift the henna will damage your hair to the point where it won't take dyes well. When dying your hair with henna and indigo (using any of the Browns or Black), it will only lift the henna, and not the indigo, giving you green hair. The amount of chemicals you need to remove indigo from your hair will make your hair too damaged to hold any dye at all. You can, however, dye your hair the same color or darker.
