Starting my Henna journey

[Daisy778]

So after experiencing a nasty reaction to chemical hair dye in December ( if I'm honest with myself I've been progressively getting more sensitive to the stuff) I have embarked on a natural henna journey. Its been a little scary after researching as it's fairly permanent and difficult to predict results, however I decided to take the plunge and go from a highlighted strawberry blonde/light brown/ grey to a darkish plum. I did a 2 stage henna application and used pure henna all over on one application and ended up with a vibrant copper and then applied an indigo. I must say after doing to colour test of hair rescued from my hair brush the final colour came out darker than planned. I'm happy with the colour but still adjusting to it on me..... I can't help feel like I'm wearing a wig, anyway don't know why I'm sharing, just thought if anyone was looking for people's experiences on here I'd add mine. Taking this step has been quite daunting, however I have been very impressed with the coverage, the comfort of applying it rather that the horrible chemical stuff and my hair feels healthier than it has done in years. I'd love to hear any other experiences and am now researching how to touch up roots when the time comes... wish me luck!

If you decide henna is too unpredictable and messy have a look at Daniel Field Watercolour. It's a finely ground small amount of powder that you mix in an application bottle to produce a foam.
Lots of colours.

Henna can be unpredictable on hair that's had chemical dyes on it before, and vice versa.

I'd say if you have lots of greys, a dark colour is not the best option but up to you! You do get hairdresser who use other natural dyes made from vegetable sources etc - have a Google in your area.

I sometimes use normal copper type henna, it gives my brown hair a bit of a tint but not draatically. Henna also often fades a bit so you might find thenwig effect lessens over time.

I loved henna used it for years then decided to go natural/grey. Sadly you can't colour over henna as I found it on speaking to several hair dressers and I ended up cropping my long hair. Was a very long time to get rid of it all, but I did love it at the time.

I always use a lighter colour than my natural hair, so for example I use a golden blonde mix (mostly cassia) on my light brown hair, it makes the whites look blonde and the rest of my hair the same as before, without the whites.

once I have more white, I’ll go to light brown.

I think the risk is going too dark, as chemical dye typically gets lighter over time, whereas henna gets darker with each application

I am allergic to all hair dyes but can tolerate highlights done in foils as my hairdresser is very careful to keep them lower than my scalp, so no contact.

Having used Henna in my teens it is not something I'd go back to!

Very interested in this as planning to do the same. I'm hoping to get a light brown effect that covers the greys adequately. Has anyone tried the Khadi brand?

I use henna regularly. My white hair has gone copper colour. I have been considering using indigo but don't know to and not sure how the final product will look like... I think it helps in hair conditioning too OP. Thanks for this thread I will look into applying indigo...

I use the light brown Pure from amazon. I used to use Lush but I find this one easier as it's a powder.

You can colour over henna- as long as the henna you have used doesn't contain metallic salts.
I used lush henna for years (it doesn't contain metallic salts). Successfully dyed over it several times with standard box dye when I fancied a change/couldn't get hold of the henna.

Well that wasn't my experience so was just sharing what I was told by hairdressers following strand tests or when I asked about henna.

@OneFrenchEgg most hairdressers won’t touch henna-dyed hair, as it makes the chemical colouring they do unpredictable, you’re right

Henna coats your hair and adds condition and volume. I’ve been henna’ing my hair for years now and am very happy with the results. Where I would have grey streaks, I’ve coppery ones which I like. Otherwise, henna will just add a red glaze over your natural or base colour so if you have white or blonde hair, you will get a true copper red, the darker the hair the more you will get reddish highlights that glow in the light. The smell of henna can be a bit….challenging. I mix the powder with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or cider vinegar.