How to Henna Your Hair Red

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When you need a fresh, new look for your hair, it's hard to top going red. But that doesn't mean you have to use a traditional dye with harsh chemicals. Henna is a gentle, natural way to go red that's actually good for your hair. Using it for the first time can be a little tricky, though, so it helps to pick up as many tips and tricks as you can.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Henna

PDF download Download Article
  1. While true henna has a reddish, coppery tone, the color is translucent so it blends with your hair color. That means it won’t look the same on everyone. The lighter your natural hair color, the more vivid red your hair will be. With very dark hair, henna likely won’t impart much color, so you’ll just wind up with added shine.
    • Pale blonde, gray, and white hair will wind up with a true, vibrant red shade.
    • Mid-tone hair colors, such as dirty blonde and light brown, typically turn a richer, almost auburn shade.
    • If you have red or auburn hair, you likely won’t see much change with henna. However, it can enhance the natural tones in your hair and cover grays.
    • Dark hair shades, including chocolate brown and black, won’t see any real color change with henna, but your locks will look shinier and glossier afterward.
    • If you do have some grays mixed in with your natural color, keep in mind that you won’t wind up with a uniform color. The henna will make the gray pieces appear like highlights, which can be a nice look with light and mid tone hair shades. With dark hair, though, the red highlights may look strange.
  2. The amount of henna that you’ll need depends on the length of your hair because the longer your hair is, the more henna you’ll need. Henna powder is typically available in boxes, but you can also purchase it as a brick. Read the package instructions carefully to determine how much henna you’ll need.
    • If you have short hair no longer than your chin, a 100-gram box of henna is usually enough. [1]
    • For shoulder-length hair, start with 200 grams of henna. [2]
    • If your hair is past your shoulders, you’ll want to have at least 300 grams of henna on hand. [3]
    • For extremely long hair, you may need as much as 500 grams of henna to color your entire head. [4]
    • Make sure that you're using natural henna powder—there are a lot of artificial ones out there.
    Advertisement
  3. Warm water is the most common liquid to combine with the powder, and you’ll want to add enough to create a thick, mud-like paste with the henna. Try to remove as many as the lumps as possible, so the mixture has a smooth texture like yogurt. [5]
    • You can use other liquids to mix your henna. Lemon, orange, and grapefruit juice are common alternatives. If you don’t mind the smell, vinegar is another option. [6] You can even add essential oils to your mixture.
    • To get the consistency right, it helps to add the liquid a little at a time so you have better control. If the mixture is too thick and stiff, you can add more liquid. It's also a good idea to have extra henna powder on hand, so you can add a little more if the mixture becomes too thin or runny. Just as with the liquid, though, add the powder in small amounts to ensure you don't overdo it.
  4. It will need to sit for at least 12 hours for the best results. [7] Keep in mind that the longer you allow it to set, the more vibrant and red your hair will be. A dark, room temperature location is the best spot to store your henna.
    • If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to wait 12 hours to apply your henna, try to find a warm spot to set your henna. Letting it set somewhere that’s approximately 95 degrees can have your mixture ready in two hours. [8]
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Applying the Henna

PDF download Download Article
  1. It can thicken up as it sets, so you may need to moisten the mixture. Slowly add more water or your chosen liquid until the henna is back to a smooth, mud-like consistency.
  2. Henna will stain anything that it comes into contact with, including your skin, so it’s important to make sure you’re covered. Applying petroleum jelly or another thick cream or balm along your hairline, ears, and necks will prevent the henna from staining your skin. Make sure to wear rubber, latex, or some other type of protective gloves while you’re applying the mixture to your hair. [9]
    • Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained when you apply the henna because drips or spills may happen, and you won’t be able to get the color out of your clothing.
    • It’s a good idea to apply your henna in the shower or bathtub, so you don’t have worry about getting it on your furniture, carpeting, or other surfaces.
    • If you do get henna on your skin, wipe it away immediately. The longer that it sits on your skin, the worse the stain will be. It can take several days for a henna to fade from the skin.
  3. Henna is thicker than other types of hair dye, so it can be difficult to ensure that you spread it all over your head. [10] Working with individual sections of hair makes it easier to saturate all of it. Gather all of your hair and clip it up, leaving only a small section, approximately 1-inch wide, to start with.
  4. You want to really saturate the hair with the henna mixture, so don’t be afraid of applying too much. [11] Take your time to ensure that you cover every strand with the henna too.
    • Do your best to avoid getting henna on the sections that you’re not working on at the moment. Henna can tangle your hair very easily, which may make it harder to work with the other sections later.
    • You can use a piping bag or squeeze bottle to apply the henna if you're having trouble controlling where it goes, but it's usually easier to use your fingers so you can really work it into your hair. [12]
    • For total coverage, apply the henna all the way up to your scalp. You may notice some slight staining, but it typically fades with a couple of hair washes. [13]
    • Because the thickness of henna can make it difficult to apply, you may want to ask a friend to help you color your hair, especially if you have long or extremely thick hair. [14]
  5. Henna is more effective when it’s kept warm, so covering the mixture as it sits on your head helps your red color turn out more vibrant. [15] Check the henna package instructions to see how long you should leave it on your hair. It can take anywhere from one to six hours, but the longer that you leave it on, the deeper your red will be.
    • Letting your henna sit on your hair for three to four hours will usually give you a nice, rich red color.
    • If your natural color is dark, you may want to leave the henna on for six hours to ensure that you get a noticeable red hue.
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Rinsing the Henna

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can remove it in the shower, but the henna may still stain your body as it’s washed away. Try rinsing it under the sink or tub faucet if you’re worried about the mess. [16] Make sure that your gloves are on when you wash the henna out because it can still stain your hands too. You may need to rinse your hair a few times to get all of the henna out of your hair.
    • Start rinsing with straight water. If you’re having trouble getting all of the henna out of your hair, you can use a gentle shampoo to help remove the residue. Using a shampoo can also help get fade the earthy scent of henna that may last for several days in your hair.
  2. You can use a towel to dry off your hair, but don't blow dry it because the heat may dry out your locks.
  3. It’s normal for your hair to be a vivid orange or red right after you henna it. As it oxidizes, though, the color will deepen to a more natural shade of red. In fact, it can take up to three days for the true color to appear. [17]
  4. You don’t want to dry your hair out in the first week or so after you’ve applied the henna. Avoid harsh, clarifying shampoos, and don’t use heated styling tools, such as curling irons and flat irons. [18]
  5. Henna is permanent, so it's not going to wash out of your hair after you've shampooed it enough times. However, your roots will start to grow eventually, so you'll need to reapply when you notice them to keep the color consistent. [19]
    • Because henna is actually good for your hair, you can use it as often as you'd like. It will help condition and boost the shine.
    • When you're touching up your color, you can do a spot application and just apply the henna at the roots or cover all of your hair as a conditioning treatment.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I add egg to henna?
    Harshita Ezil
    Community Answer
    Yes, you definitely can. Egg adds extra moisture to the henna and makes your hair more glossy and soft.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 30
  • Question
    Henna sounds like a great alternative to dyes. Can I clean my hair with vinegar without harming the color?
    Community Answer
    You can definitely clean your hair with vinegar after henna. Henna does not budge!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How frequent should I use Henna?
    Community Answer
    Around once a month if needed is usually enough. However, whenever you feel you need it is also okay as long you wait at least one week between uses.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 13
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Henna looks different on each person who uses it, so don’t assume that your hair is going to turn out the exact same shade of red as you’ve seen in a photo.
        Thanks
        Helpful 18 Not Helpful 4
      • Don’t use henna on chemically treated hair unless you’re using body quality henna.
        Thanks
        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 5
      • You shouldn’t use any type of permanent hair dye over henna. Talk to a hair stylist if you’re unhappy with the color that henna has left your hair before trying to dye it again.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Towels
      • Old Clothes
      • Henna Powder
      • A Bowl
      • A Spoon
      • Water
      • Plastic Wrap
      • Petroleum Jelly
      • Rubber/Latex Gloves
      • Clips
      • Lemon, Orange, or Grapefruit Juice (optional)
      • Vinegar (optional)
      • Shampoo (optional)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Henna to Hair
      How to
      Dye Hair
      The Most Attractive Hair Color for Guys and Girls
      10 Ways to Lighten Hair Dyed Too Dark
      How to
      Dye Roots
      Dyeing the Underside of Your Hair: All the Tips & Products You Need
      How to
      Dye Bleached Hair Brown
      How to
      Get White Hair
      How to
      Mix Hair Dye
      How to
      Color Hair with Beetroot
      How to
      Dye Buzzed Hair
      The Best Styles and Colors for Grey Blending Brunette Hair
      How to
      Dye a Synthetic Wig
      How to
      Color Pubic Hair: A Tutorial
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      2. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      3. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      4. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      5. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      6. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      7. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      8. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      9. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      1. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      2. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      3. ↑ http://thepaleomama.com/2013/11/henna-hair-dye-safe-nontoxic/
      4. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      5. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      6. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      7. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna
      8. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      9. ↑ http://howtobearedhead.com/how-to-use-henna-to-dye-hair-red/
      10. ↑ http://offbeathome.com/2011/11/dying-your-hair-red-with-henna

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to avoid the harsh chemicals found in many hair dyes, going red with henna is a great option. You can expect henna to show up more on lighter-colored hair, although it will also give darker hair a nice gloss and a hint of red. To dye your hair with henna, you’ll need a package of powdered henna, some warm water, a plastic hair cap, and a dye brush. Mix up the henna, cover it tightly, and let it sit for at least 12 hours before applying it according to the package directions. Henna takes longer to work than most commercial dyes, so you might need to let it sit in your hair under a cap for several hours. The longer it sits, the brighter the results will be! For more tips, like how to maintain your henna dye job, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 207,427 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Pili Canallero

        May 26, 2017

        "I have dark black hair, have been dyeing it for many years. I'm tired of having to dye my gray every week; ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement