The henna - Dye without damage

Good to know >  Skin | Hair cares > The henna: Dye without damage

You want a new color, but don't want the damage of chemical hair dye? Henna is the natural solution for you!

For before / after photos of a chocolate brown henna without red highlights, click here!

Henna is a coloring plant made with 100% pure plants. Some are sold in powder, others in bar with other ingredients, such as plant-based oils and essential oils.
People used them since antiquity for their many virtues. It dyes the hair without changing the nature of the hair fiber and don't cause any damage to the hair. On the contrary, it protects them from external aggressions. Because it can tighten the hair cuticles, the hair is stronger, shinier and more flexible. Unlike silicones (found in polluter chemical shampoos, conditioners and leave-in), henna doesn't clog hair or scalp and don't weigh down the hair.

It can also be used to make temporary tattoos or dye nails and eyebrows.
Neutral henna, on the other hand, is non-coloring. It can be used alone as a care or mixed with other henna for a subtler coloring.

fake henna, be careful!

In natural health stores, be careful of the fake "natural" dye!
Some dye called themselves natural, while they are far from there. They contain chemical ingredients that damage the hair. Always look the ingredients list! Most of the time, when it comes to plants only, you will have the words "leaf extract".

Here are the names of different henna you might find:

• Lawsonia inermis (natural coppery henna).
• Indigofera tinctoria (black henna, bluish black).
• Cassia italica or obovata (neutral henna).
  

Other coloring plants

​There are several coloring plants, other than henna, to give slight reflections. Unfortunately, they don't make the hair as strong and brilliant as henna do. They can be mix with henna, these plants offer a magnificent variety of reflections that are more durable.

• Chamomile: Blonding and sanitizing.
• Rhubarb Roots: Maintains blond highlights.
• Rhapontic: Gives blond highlights.
• Turmeric: Yellow highlights on pale hair and golden highlights on dark hair.
• Ceylon Cinnamon: Slightly brightening.
  
• Walnut husk: Gives brown highlights.
• Katam: Gives chocolate brown highlights.
• Coffee: Gives brown highlights.
• Cocoa: Care for brown highlights.
• Green and black tea: Care for dark highlights.
• Madder: Gives red-orange highlights.
• Carrot juice: Maintenance red highlights.
• Beetroot: Maintains red and copper highlights.

Thanks to the henna and coloring plants, you can get all the shades of brown, black, copper and even go to vibrant red!

And you, are you tempted? Have you ever tried this hair dye? Or are you already a henna enthusiast?