Henna
Henna for hair
This section explains how pure henna behaves on grey, blonde and dark brown hair, how much powder to mix, and how long to allow for dye release and application. Henna cannot lighten hair and gives red-orange tones; the starting colour affects the result. Colour is usually brightest and most orange just after rinsing, then deepens over about 24–72 hours.
Choose a guide by your starting shade or practical question: check the quantity guide for shoulder-length hair, and the dye-release and application guides for timing. Before using henna, learn how to distinguish pure from compound henna. The guides also cover PPD in black henna and strand testing before chemical dye or bleach, as compound henna may contain metallic salts.
How much henna by length
| Hair length | Henna powder (medium thickness) |
|---|---|
| pixie-length | 50-75 g |
| chin-length | 75-100 g (approx.) |
| shoulder-length | 100-125 g |
| bra-strap-length | 150-175 g |
| waist-length | 250-300 g |
Source: Henna Sooq preparation guides; approximate rows marked on the planner.
Henna on grey hair: what colour to expect and how to apply
Pure henna colours grey hair vivid copper-orange; the shade deepens over about 24–72 hours, while indigo is needed for brown or black tones.
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- Henna on blonde hair: what colour to expect and how to applyOn blonde hair, pure henna usually gives vivid copper-orange that deepens; adding cassia can create a softer strawberry-toned result.
- Henna on dark brown hair: what colour to expect and how to applyOn dark brown hair, pure henna adds a red-auburn glint, most visible in sunlight, without lightening your base colour.
- How much henna powder for shoulder-length hair (grams by thickness)For shoulder-length hair, use about 100–125 g of henna powder for medium-thickness hair; fine hair needs less and thick hair more.
- How long to leave henna in hair by result wantedLeave henna in your hair for about 2–4 hours, choosing the shorter end for a lighter tint and the longer end for a deeper result.
- How long to let henna dye release (lemon vs water vs tea)Henna dye release can take about 3–4 hours or overnight (8–12 hours), depending on the powder, room temperature and liquid; follow its instructions and test for an orange stain.
- How to tell pure henna from compound hennaPure henna lists Lawsonia inermis as its only dye ingredient and produces red-orange tones; other colours or added ingredients indicate a compound product.
- Black henna warning: PPD and why it is not henna“Black henna” is not pure henna: it often contains PPD, a hair-dye ingredient that can cause serious skin reactions.
- Henna for hair at home: step-by-step for beginnersFor a first home application, use pure henna powder, check it with patch and strand tests, allow dye release, then apply in sections and rinse thoroughly.
- Why henna looks orange on day oneHenna looks orange on day one because its fresh stain has not finished deepening; the colour usually develops over about 24–72 hours.
- Henna turned my hair orange: how to fix itWait 24–72 hours for henna to deepen; if it remains too orange, strand-test a second henna layer or a henna–indigo mix, and avoid untested bleach or box dye.
- Can you use box dye over henna (metallic salts test)You may be able to use box dye over henna, but check which henna you used and test a hair clipping first; colour results can be unpredictable.
- Can you bleach hair that has hennaYou can sometimes bleach henna-coloured hair, but results are unpredictable; test a hidden strand first and use a professional colourist, especially after compound henna.