How to Mix Henna for Hair

Co-authored by Moushami Iyer

Last Updated: January 30, 2024 Approved

Using henna is a wonderful way to dye your hair red without using chemical dyes.^{[1]
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Research source} Natural henna thickens hair, helps protect the scalp from sun damage, and contributes to healthier hair and scalp. Rather than chemically coating your hair, it stains it with a different shade, allowing your natural color to show through.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Henna

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1
Buy pure, natural henna. You will need about 50-100g for short hair, 100g for medium hair, and 200g for long hair. Don’t worry about being precise; it’s a pretty forgiving process. When buying henna, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Some henna comes already mixed with additives. If you have purchased a henna that describes a particular color, you may not want to experiment with adding to the mix unless you are an experienced henna user. The additions described here are intended to be added to pure henna powder.
- Henna out of the box should be green to brown, and smell like dried plants or grass clippings. Do not buy any henna that is purple or black, or that has a chemical smell.
- If you have severe allergies or sensitive skin, do a patch test before using. Apply a small bit of the henna mixture to your skin, wait a couple hours, and watch to see how your skin reacts.
- You can shop for henna powder online or at ethnic stores.^{[2]
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  Moushami Iyer
  Henna Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.}
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Know what you're getting into. This is not a precise science. There are a huge number of variables, and you may not get exactly what you wanted the first time around. Results will vary, and your hair may dye unevenly. If you are a perfectionist about your hair, this process is probably not for you.
- Pure henna can only achieve shades of red. If a product called "henna" purports to dye your hair black, it contains indigo. Some henna mixes can give you a blonde color, but it will always be a reddish blonde.
- Rather than obscuring your natural hair color, henna blends with it. This is important to remember when mixing a color. Aim for a color you want to combine with your natural one, not the color you want to achieve. Keep in mind that very light colored hair will probably need to be dyed multiple times to become dark.
- Because grey hair is translucent, it creates a cleaner canvas for henna. This means the mixing effect that happens with non-grey hair will not take place, and your color will be much closer to the color created by the dye. It also means it is easier to dye your hair unevenly, as hair with more dye on it will become noticeably darker.^{[3]
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Gather your supplies. There is a vast array of ingredients you can combine with pure henna powder to create different effects. The list is longer than can be contained in one article, but here are a few to consider.^{[4]
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- For a bright strawberry blonde, use lemon juice, vinegar, or red wine.
- For an intensified red, use brandy.
- For a less intense, browner red, use coffee or black tea.
- If you dislike the smell of henna, you can add good smelling things like essential oils, rosewater, or cloves.
- You do not need to add anything to change the color of pure henna. Water will work fine as well.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Moushami Iyer
  Henna Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.} However, you should add a dash of lemon, orange, or grapefruit juice to oxidize the dye. If this is your first time using henna, you may want to see how it combines with your hair on its own, so that in the future you can decide what, if anything, you want to add.
Get creative with henna hues. "I loved how the article went into detail about the different additives you can use to change the color of henna. I had no idea you could tweak the shades so much by adding things like lemon juice, vinegar, or cloves. Knowing I can experiment to create different hues makes me excited to try this. The tips opened up fun, creative possibilities I didn't know were possible." - Imani K.

Follow a simple, logical process. "As someone new to using henna, the step-by-step instructions were super helpful. The article explained every part of the process in an easy-to-follow logical order — from prepping the mix to rinsing it out of your hair later. Now I feel ready to try dyeing my own hair with henna, thanks to the simple guidance that walked me through everything involved." - Peck T.

Understand realistic results. "I appreciated that the author mentioned up front that dyeing with henna isn't an exact science. Having realistic expectations is important so I'm not disappointed later. Since my hair is very dark already, the article helped me understand that leaving the dye in overnight probably won't magically turn me into a strawberry blonde. Knowing what's actually possible with henna helps me use it in the best way." - Lisa S.

Refresh knowledge with a helpful refresher. "It had been 10 years since I last used henna on my hair. This article was the perfect refresher to remind me of all the steps. It walked me through the full process again — from making the henna mix to properly rinsing it out later. Following the instructions gave me the confidence I needed to try using henna again after so long." - Cathy R.

We want to hear from you! Advice from our readers makes our articles better. If you have a story you’d like to share, tell us here.
4
Mix the henna. This is a pretty straightforward process. Pour the powder into a bowl. Gradually incorporate liquid, and stir.
- Use a ceramic, plastic, glass, or stainless steel bowl.
- There is no way to tell precisely what amount of liquid you will need. Add it a little bit at a time, stirring until the mixture is the gloopy consistency of yogurt.^{[7]
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- This will be a messy mixture, and it will stain any surface it gets on. It may be a good idea to wear gloves, and you should immediately wipe the mixture off of anything you accidentally smear it on.
5
Let the mixture sit. Cover it with plastic wrap and wait at least a couple hours, or overnight for best results. You will know it's ready when the henna darkens from green to dark brown. This means the dye has oxidized and is ready to be used.
- Four to 6 hours is a good range of time to wait.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Moushami Iyer
  Henna Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Ready to Apply the Henna

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Your body’s natural oils will help the dye. It is ok to shower—the water won’t remove the oils from your scalp on its own—but skip the shampoo.
Have everything you need within easy reach, so you don’t have to get up to get something mid-dyeing process. You should have a garbage bag, some petroleum jelly, the henna mixture you prepared, a towel you don’t mind getting messy, and a pair of plastic gloves.^{[10]
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This is basically a full-body bib. Put it on. Alternatively, you can wear old clothes, or use an old towel.^{[11]
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If this grosses you out you can skip it, but you may wind up accidentally dying some of your skin. The idea is to apply it along the parts of your skin that are next to the edges of your hair: along your hairline, your ears, etc.^{[12]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Applying the Henna

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1
Work the henna through your hair. Make sure you put your gloves on first. The most crucial thing here is to coat your hair evenly with the henna mixture.
- Pay special attention to the ends and the roots, particularly along your hairline.
- Err on the side of using too much.
- When your hair is evenly coated, pile it on top of your head, and wrap your hair securely in a towel.
- Wipe off any excess henna with a wet washcloth.^{[13]
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2
Let it sit. For best results, leave it in overnight; you may want to cover your pillow with a garbage bag, or something you don’t mind getting dirty.
- If you don’t want to sleep with the dye in your hair, you can simply leave it in for a few hours. The longer you leave it in, however, the more intense the effect will be.
- The greater change you want to effect, the longer you will need to leave the dye in.
- It is easier to darken light hair than it is to lighten dark hair. If you have very dark hair to begin with, even leaving henna in overnight won’t make you a strawberry blond.
3
Rinse out the henna. You will want to wear gloves for this as well, or your hands will be stained orange. Be very careful; it is easy to dye things you don’t want dyed. Depending on the length of your hair, this part of the process can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.
- Kneel over the bathtub rather than standing in it, or you will dye your whole body.^{[14]
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- Carefully remove the wrap covering your hair.
- Rinse thoroughly, until the water runs clear.
- Get into the shower. Apply shampoo, and rinse.
- Apply a deep conditioner and let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing.
Go check out your new hair color in a mirror! Don’t wash it or get it wet for another 24 - 48 hours.

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Question

I have 100% henna powder. How much alma powder do l add to the mixture for pepper and salt hair? Should l use coffee water to mix it?

Community Answer

For about 60g of henna, you can add a tablespoon of alma powder. What you must add to your henna paste depends on the shade you wish to attain on your salt and pepper hair. Plain water might give you a wine/orangish/regular red. Adding lime juice can give you a strawberry blonde. Coffee/black tea can boost the brown. Green tea is a very healthy option, too, and helps with hair loss. If you wish for an overall deep tint, soak your henna paste in an iron bowl. This helps henna oxidize to form a blackish pigment that cuts down on the red/orange and tends towards brown.

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Question

Is it possible to save leftover henna that's already been mixed for later use?

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Yes. Already-mixed henna can be stored in a freezer and thawed out when needed.

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Question

Do I apply on wet hair or dry hair?

Community Answer

Henna should be applied to dry hair. It's best to wait 24 hours after washing hair, or 12 hours if you have oily hair.

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Tips

Unused mixed henna can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer, or for a week in the refrigerator.

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Be prepared for the process to be incredibly messy. It will probably exceed your expectations in this regard.

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The instructions that come with henna powder when you purchase it are often insufficient. It is a good idea to read multiple guides before you start, so you really understand what you’re getting into.

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