Henna and hair dye

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I’ve read that this might not be a good idea. Does anyone have experience of using a box “natural” hair dye (like Naturtint etc) over previously henna-ed hair? The henna I use isn’t covering my greys in areas where I notice the greys most. Or maybe it just fades out from there faster? I imagine Lush henna over normal henna isn’t much better? I’m not committed to dying but I’m not sure I want to embrace my greys just yet.

I keep reading that it's not good but I use a box dye (usually L'oreal Feria... or what ever it's called now) once or maybe twice a year then use the henna for sale in Holland and Barratt in between which seems to condition my hair and freshen up the colour well. Never had any ill effects for the last 5/6 years so will keep doing it.

Ah ok. Thanks. Maybe I can do a strand test first and see.

It's not a chemical reaction you would ever want to experience. Using Veet as a conditioner gives a similar effect.

Just don't do it. A few lucky flukes for other people isn't worth the risk of doing it to yourself.

Hmm. I do use a proper henna not a henna based dye if you see what I mean. So basically let the hair grow out and when it’s back to it’s natural grey then try a hair dye (having done a patch test first)?

Evenin’ - henna veteran here. I was having problems with the henna not ‘taking’ as well on greys, and here’s my advice FWiW. Don’t bother with box dye. Use a good quality organic, body art quality henna powder. Mix it cold with an acidic liquid - lemon juice or even vinegar will do fine (though the latter smells a bit). Mix to a thick yoghurt consistency and then leave it (overnight ideally) until you see a darker coloured ‘skin’ form on the top (kind of like the skin on a rice pud). This tells you the dye molecules have fully released and this is what you want - it will cling to even the grey hair much better and give you a deeper colour.

@Craftycorvid do you find henna drying? I do have dry curly hair (less curly more frizzy these days) and I always use coconut oil following henna as I find it makes my hair dry. I wondered if I can mix something to make it better and less drying.
(I source henna from India and I know it's pure)

I don’t notice it as drying particularly. I have heard suggestions of mixing natural yoghurt with the henna paste, but have never tried it myself. I do put clingfilm or a plastic bag over my hair when letting it ‘cook’ so perhaps that helps stop it taking moisture from my hair?

@Craftycorvid thanks, sounds like a good idea will try this in the weekend.

Do not colour over henna!!!!!

If you've just been using plain henna powder rather than a boxed mix, you can use a normal box dye over it without the risk of a reaction - I think it's actually the boxed hennas (I don't know much about NAturtint specifically) that have extra chemicals, metallic salts etc which can then react with 'normal' hair dye.

I used body art quality henna powder for years, occasionally used a dark brown normal dye on top when I fancied a change, then used colour removers, with no problems. When I wanted to grow out my henna I switched to a similar shade from L'Oreal and used that til I could cut the henna out.

redferrari, I use henna on curls and yes, it can be a bit drying. I mix clear honey and a bit of olive oil into the mix.

for the next wash (a couple of days later) I always do a deep conditioning hair mask with a tea spoon of aloe vera powder mixed into the deep conditioner and let it sit for an hour under a plastic bag/hat. It usually restores the moisture again.

Thanks you @vengeancer. I have ordered some Aussie 3 m miracle to try.

Thanks!
I mix a little oil into the henna to make it less drying. And usually some lemon juice for acidity (or Amla powder) It’s proper unadulterated henna powder without other dyes added. I sometimes add coffee granules to it. I’ve occasionally also used indigo powder. It just doesn’t seem to take to the greys at my temples which is where I notice the grey most. Maybe it’s a consistency/application issue?
Also, henna needs a few hours to work. I might reach a stage where I don’t want to do that anymore and just need a quick solution. But I might just stick to what I know for now.

Henna expert here. Henna is a pigment rather than a dye, so doesn't actually coat the hair with a new colour in the way boxed dyes do to completely change the colour. As you get older the structure/texture of your hair changes too, hence why it might not 'take' like it previously did. Henna will pigment grey hair, not dye it and as grey hair has a different makeup to coloured hair the effect won't be as bold, hence it might be less red/orange in effect.
In India and Pakistan they use strong tea that has brewed to make it up, the tannin in the tea makes it stronger. In the ME the liquid from boiled hibiscus leaves is used, this makes it more red than orange. I use a fruit tea bag which contains hibiscus (currently using a Lidl one) and find it works well.