Henna is the Natural Alternative to Traditional Hair Dye

Many of us are familiar with henna used for traditional purposes or, even recently, faux freckles. However, this multi-functional ingredient also serves as an all-natural and nourishing hair dye alternative, producing a rich auburn color (depending on your starting hair color). While this may seem like a new beauty phenomenon, hair coloring with henna has been practiced for centuries by Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures alike. Here, L’OFFICIEL Ibiza shares everything there is to know about using henna powder to dye your hair. 

One of the oldest known pigments, henna is a red-orange dye derived from the plant Lawsonia inermis, also known as the henna tree. The leaves are dried and then crushed to form a fine, dark-green powder. Usually mixed with varying liquids, the paste leaves a rich copper color upon application on the hair or skin. 

Beyond being a hair-healthy alternative to synthetic dyes, henna holds a strong cultural significance in Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures. The most well-known use of henna is mehndi, an art form consisting of drawing temporary, decorative henna on one’s hands or legs. Henna is often worn during traditional marriage ceremonies, as it is believed to bring love, good fortune, and prosperity to the wearer. 

Even though most people associate henna’s origin with India, the earliest use of henna for beauty purposes originated from the ancient Egyptians. Dating back to 1,200 B.C., this color-rich pigment was used to dye the hair and nails of pharaohs.

Thanks to its nutrient-rich properties and pigment, henna is ideal for those seeking natural hair dye alternatives. Along with acting as a coloring agent, henna targets multiple hair concerns such as stimulating hair growth and alleviating dullness. Unlike traditional box dyes, pure henna powder doesn’t contain hair-damaging additives such as parabens, ammonia, alcohol, peroxide, fragrance, and more.

While protecting your tresses, henna also serves as a viable option for those with scalp issues, as it contains antifungal and antimicrobial properties. This multi-functional ingredient has been proven to balance your scalp’s pH levels in addition to maintaining excess oil production by restoring the normal function of your sebaceous glands. 

There are mainly three variants of henna for beauty purposes: natural, neutral, and black henna. Natural, or red henna, is a pure form of henna and produces a rich, red-brown color. Natural henna is recommended for those who strive to dye their hair without causing any additional damage. Neutral henna, however, doesn’t provide any color to the hair whatsoever and is mainly used as a natural conditioner. Lastly, black henna is typically mixed with indigo to create a black dye. It’s important to note that black henna with PPD (para-phenylenediamine) should be avoided when it comes to beauty purposes as it is known to cause chemical burns and allergic reactions when in contact with the skin. You may also look for henna hair dyes formulated for specific shades, ranging from brunette tones like light brown to vibrant colors like orange-red.

Most henna hair dye will come in a pure powder form, with the exception of Surya Brasil Henna Cream. Depending on the instructions of your henna powder, the general idea is to mix the powder with a liquid to form a paste. Options range from olive oil, water, lemon mixed with water, black tea, and more. Although not necessary, some recipes may include essential oils. After applying the product to your hair (be careful during this process as the henna may stain your skin as well) and leaving it in for the desired amount of time, rinse the dye out to reveal auburn or red-brown locks. Similar to box dye results may vary in terms of color intensity depending on your starting hair color. 

Henna is a permanent hair dye and its vibrancy may last up to four weeks before gradually fading. Likewise, do keep in mind that henna is hard to lift out of your hair, so going for a lighter shade in the near future may be difficult.