Below are some tips for coloring stubborn hairline gray with henna hair colors or henna hair dyes.
I have had a few people ask me this question “henna hair color works great for me, but it doesn’t seem to cover the stubborn hairline gray, what should I do?” This is not because henna hair color doesn’t cover gray but the reason for this is because, you guessed it, the gray along your hairline are resistant to henna hair colors and the solution to cover the gray is very simple.
Slather on the henna hair color on your hairline really thick to where the hair is completely covered and you can’t see the hair at all and then some, more the better, just layer it on.
Another tip is to leave the henna color on for an extra hour from what you normally do. This should further help with color absorption and covering of the gray. Keep the color on your hair for 3.5 – 4 hours.
Also, when you’re covering the hairline, to make sure you got it all, start from beyond the hairline to make sure you’ve covered it all with henna hair color.
Make sure to add a bit lemon juice, orange juice or apple cider to your henna mix for optimum color release.
Let us know about your experiences with covering stubborn gray hair. Have these simple techniques worked for you? Please feel free to comment and share your experiences with using henna hair colors/dyes and do share useful tips too.
Should You Create Your Own Henna Hair Colors Or Use Pre-Mixed Henna Hair Dyes?
This shouldn’t even be a question folks, it’s better to create your own henna hair colors as they’r more effective and provide better results because everyone’s hair is a unique shade. The second reason is because of the the way these natural colors and herbs work (the chemistry of their development). For the sake of this article the term henna hair colors will be used as a broad term for hair colors created using any combination and proportion of henna/indigo/amla/cassia. Also, when we say pre-mixed henna hair colors, we’re referring to pure henna hair colors from reputable sellers and not the henna hair colors that advertise a range of shades, which they create by adding ppd and other chemicals. They then try to sell it as “all natural,” so please be aware and educate yourself on what constitutes as good henna hair colors.
Now if the pre-mixed box of henna hair color says it’s a dark brown, yes, it’s probably going to color someone’s hair dark brown but not yours (as in not for the majority of you) as everyone’s hair color is different. The same advertised brown can be achieved by creating your own henna hair color. Say your friend has light brown hair, you have dark brown hair and your friend has red hair, each of you will need different proportions of the key herbs to achieve the same brown. This is why a standard box of brown will not work on all hair and it is advised that you mix/create your own henna hair color.
Henna hair colors do not work like conventional hair colors. Conventional hair dyes color over your current hair color, whereas henna hair colors are translucent dyes; they bind to your current hair color to give you the resulting hair color. So the exact same pre-mixed henna hair color that’s applied on different hair colors will give you different results with unique-to-you highlights and lowlights. Now that you understand why, it’s time to create your own henna hair color!
Indigo, Henna & Amla On Medium Brown Hair
The second reason why you should mix your own henna hair colors and not used pre-mixed henna hair colors is because of weak color development. The two main ingredients of most henna hair colors – henna and indigo develop their respective colors in varying time frames. Henna takes longer to develop – anywhere from 4-8 hours and indigo develops in 5 minutes and is ready for application. So, how can a premixed package containing both of these ingredients work effectively? If you prepare the pre-mixed henna/indigo combo for application and let it sit for 4 hours, the indigo is going to lose it’s potency. And if you create the paste and apply it within 10 minutes of mixing as many sellers suggest, the indigo is going to work just fine because it develops within minutes but the henna in the mix wouldn’t have reached it’s full potency yet, so you’re going to end up with a diluted color which is not the true color. Had you mixed henna hair colors the right way — to allow for maximum potency, it would give you the true and desired color.
For many of you, the pre-mixed colors may seem easy but it’s not going to give you the color you want. Don’t think of mixing your own henna hair colors as a chore, it’s 15 minutes of time well spent, to give yourself soft, silky beautiful hair in the exact shade and color you want. It may take a little bit of experimentation to figure out the exact combinations needed for your desired color but it’s not going to ruin your hair, so go ahead and create your own unique henna hair colors. Here’s the Natural Nirvaan Henna Hair Color Chart and Natural Nirvaan Cassia Hair Color Chart to help you with process of choosing the shade you want, which is to be used as a basic guide only. Remember you can adjust the proportions for the all the ranges in between these basic shades to find a color that suits you better. Make a little time for beautiful healthy hair just as you do for your health and wellness. Your hair is your crowning glory and do what you can to keep it healthy and shiny for the rest of your life! Be bold and beautiful – create your own unique henna hair colors!
How To Do Root Touch Ups With Henna, Indigo & Cassia Hair Colors
First of all, can you touch up your roots with henna, indigo and cassia hair colors? Yes! In this article, we will show you how to do root touch ups with henna, indigo and cassia hair colors (or henna and it’s related hair colors, in short henna hair colors). With henna hair colors, it is suggested that you first go through a couple of complete henna (indigo/cassia) hair color sessions to allow your hair to settle into the color you want before switching to doing just your roots. And, of course, use your judgment to figure out how often to do root touch ups. Ideally, you want to color your entire head of hair every two to three months or so and switch root touch ups in between the hair-coloring sessions.
And how do you do your roots with henna, indigo and cassia hair colors? Use the same method you do when you normally color your hair with henna hair color paste but instead of applying the paste to the entire length of hair, just apply the henna paste generously to about an inch up from the roots. Fill the henna up in a squeeze bottle and use it for easy application or just slather it on with your gloved fingers, which I like best and find easiest. Our Natural Nirvaan hair colors come with a pair of free gloves and shower cap for your convenience.
Here are the steps broken down simply:
First divide your hair into two sections on either side of a center part, tie one side up into a pony tail or a put it up into a bun, or if it’s really short, you can ignore this step.
Next, work on the free side, in little sections. Use the pointed tip of the handle of your comb to draw an imaginary line from your front hair line to the top of your head, as far back as you can go, to the right or left of the center part (depending on which side you start with).
Hold the hair up in this section and apply the henna paste about an inch up the hair shaft. Then push this hair over so you can work on the next row of hair and so on.
You can also work in square inch sections and cover it up with aluminum foil but the previous way is better because if you have any left over you can use it to glaze the remaining hair to condition it!
So that’s the way you touch up your roots with henna, indigo and cassia hair colors, if you’re confused or if you have a different method, please share it with us. Questions and comments are always welcome!
Not everyone likes the organic dry-leafy scent of henna, some think it smells similar to hay. First, why does it smell like hay you might ask… Simple, because it’s made from dried leaves. Henna leaves are dried in the hottest sunshine of the arid, dry regions they grow and thrive in and then is powdered and sifted at least three times to get the fine quality powder that is Body-Art-Quality Natural Nirvaan Henna.
From experience we have learned that the best way to neutralize the dry leafy scent of henna is to add about a tablespoon of ginger powder. Adding ginger powder neutralizes the hay-like scent of henna quite nicely!
Now the next question is, Where can you find ginger powder? You can find it at most, if not all, health food stores. If like me, you like saving money, then check the bulk spices section where you only need to buy as much ginger powder as you need at a reasonable price.
