The How-to Index

So, how do you henna your hair?  Here's the basics!

The  basics



When it comes to henna for hair, the simplest mix is the best. Having a basic understanding of the nature of henna and other plant dye powders will lead to beautiful results. Henna is different from boxed dye, so some nervousness or confusion is normal. The internet is filled with conflicting information which makes henna seem more complicated than it is. Ancient Sunrise is built upon decades of research with the goal of providing knowledge and high quality product to the public. The purpose of this article and others in the Henna for Hair 101 series is to educate new henna users so they will feel confident in their knowledge, and excited to begin.

Click HERE or on the image above to learn the absolute basics before you start.

Henna for hair

Read this book if you've  never done this before:
Free Ebook  "How To" Henna Hair
The more you learn before you start, the better your results will be!

Join the Facebook group
for Ancient SunriseŽ


Ask questions and talk to people who are already doing this, and look at the pictures of their results.

formulate your mix

How do you know what to use to get the color you want?

Henna by itself stains keratin a range of shades between copper and dark auburn.

Indigo darkens and browns these shades, and cassia lightens these shades, adding golden tones.

Equal parts henna and indigo will result in a medium brunette on most. More indigo will result in darker and darker shades of brunette.

Equal parts of henna and cassia results in bright, fiery tones of copper and orange. More cassia will result in lighter and brighter tones of strawberry blonde.

Henna first, then indigo second in a two-step process results in a shiny jet black color.

Click HERE or on the image above to learn more.
   

Well… you can if you really want to, but please keep it out of your henna.

If you’ve surfed around the internet looking for information on dyeing hair with henna, chances are that you’ve found dozens of articles and videos on how to create a henna mix for your hair, and many of them have told you to add any of a variety of things into the mix. How do you decide which to use? Should you add coffee? Should you add coconut milk? Eggs? Spices? Oils? Yogurt? Beet juice?

The answer is no. Click HERE or on the image above to learn why.

Fast Shopping!

Order your supplies

Ancient SunriseŽ henna, indigo, cassia and fruit acids, are all tested for purity.

Order henna, indigo, and cassia HERE:


Order fruit acids HERE:

Test henna on your hair

Test a few things see what you need to use to get exactly the results you want.
You'll be glad you did.

Order samples to test on your hair HERE:
dye release

How soon will your henna be ready to use?

Here is a time and temperature chart for dye release.
fade

Use an acidic mix for permanent color that does not fade.
Do not use boiling water.

Order fruit acids HERE:




People frequently ask what they should or should not do to their hair before applying henna. Does hair need to be clean, or left unwashed? Can it have conditioner on it? Should it be wet or dry? As henna works differently from conventional hair dyes and treatments, these questions are valid. This article will explain the best ways to prepare your hair for your henna treatment to obtain the best results.

Click HERE or on the image above to learn how to prepare your hair for henna.
dye release


For the best coverage and permanent results, it is important to mix henna powder with a mild acid and allow the paste to sit for a period of time. This process is referred to as “dye-release.” Improper dye release can lead to weak stains that fade over time, and undesired color results.


Use an acidic mix for permanent non-fading color.


“Orange Panic”

If you are new to using henna for hair or have just tried a new mix you may be startled by the color of your hair upon rinsing out the henna paste. You may have been going for a deep red, or even a brunette tone, but now you think you look more like Bozo the Clown or Carrot Top. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “Orange Panic” within the henna for hair community. Luckily, it is completely normal to see a brighter color at first, and this brightness will go away with time. Henna’s dye molecule is naturally orange or copper in tone. Deepening occurs as the dye oxidizes and settles permanently into the keratin.


Click HERE to learn more about the oxidation process of henna and hair.


For those who are new to applying henna, this process may seem daunting. It is actually quite simple and fun, especially after you get the hang of it. Make sure your floor is covered, and that you have towels on hand to clean up messes. I like to put some music on to help pass the time.

 If you feel you are unable to apply the paste by yourself, see if you can enlist the help of a friend, or find a stylist who is open to applying the paste for you. These stylists use Ancient SunriseŽ Henna for Hair in their salons. Some stylists, even if they are not on this list, are familiar with henna for hair and willing to apply it on their clients for a fee. If your stylist is interested in using Ancient SunriseŽ products in their salon, let them know that they can get a special discount!

Click HERE to learn more about how to apply henna to your hair.

Click HERE to watch a "how to" video.
darkens

https://www.ancientsunrise.blog/full-coverage-darkening

Full Coverage: Why Henna Color Darkens and How to Prevent It

Unlike boxed dyes, henna is permanent and does not fade. With continued applications and exposure to heat or mineral buildup, the color darkens. For those who find their color results too bright, darkening with subsequent applications or heat appliances is a handy technique for adjusting their color. For others who are happy with their color and want to keep it, this can be frustrating. Depending on the cause, you may be able to brighten hennaed hair that has deepened and dulled. In other cases, chemical lightening may be the only option. If you love your result and want to keep it, it is best to be proactive in preventing darkening.

Click HERE or on the image above to learn to prevent oxidation and darkening.  If you want to prevent it.

cool

https://www.ancientsunrise.blog/full-coverage-neutral-cool


Full Coverage:
How to Achieve Neutral or Cool Tones
Using Henna for Hair


A common concern voiced by new henna users is that even a henna/indigo mixture will result in a brunette shade that is too warm for their liking. Many prefer neutral to cool tones in their hair, as they believe it better suits their complexions. While somewhat tricky, neutral and cool toned hair colors are possible using the right combination of henna and indigo (and sometimes cassia), and the right fruit acid. Because each person’s hair varies on undertone, porosity, and dye-resistance, getting the perfect color may take some patience and strand-testing. Remember that our henna experts are available to talk you through the process, and help you troubleshoot if needed, until you achieve your perfect color.

Click HERE or on the image above if you want to learn to reduce the red color of henna as much as possible.
cassia

https://www.ancientsunrise.blog/full-coverage-blonde-how-to

Full Coverage: How to Dye Hair Blonde with Plant Dye Powders

Note: this is only going to work with gray or pale hair!

Henna dyes hair shades of red. Add indigo, and you’ll get brunettes. But what if you have gray, white, or light blonde hair and you’d like to keep your hair light? Mixes that have a higher amount of cassia, and a smaller amount of henna and indigo will help you achieve blonde tones that range from sun-kissed straw to deep, “dishwater” blonde. These mixes are great for those who don’t want red, brown or black hair, and for those who wish to tint their grays to blend naturally with their root growth. This article will cover everything you might need to achieve your ideal blonde.

Click HERE or on the image above if you want to brighten your greying or bleached blonde hair
roots

https://www.ancientsunrise.blog/full-coverage-roots


Full Coverage: Dyeing Roots and How to Rescue Resistant Roots

After the first initial application(s) of henna, there is no need to continue dyeing the full length of your hair each time. Because henna stains hair permanently and does not fade, repeated applications will darken the color over time as henna saturates the hair more and more. If you are not concerned with darkening, or intend to darken the color, you are welcome to continue applying henna to the full length of your hair until you achieve the desired effect. Repeated applications will not cause damage; in fact, additional henna will continue to strengthen and thicken the hair.

Click HERE or on the image above if you want to learn to dye your roots and to get better results with resistant gray.
rinse

How do you rinse henna out of your hair?

If you do not have a strong flow of water from your shower or a basin like this, fill the bathtub with warm water, lie down in it and play "swamp maiden."

A professional's way to do it.
Wear gloves!  Henna stains your hands for three weeks!
Henna will wash out of cotton clothing.

If you do not want a henna stain on your forehead, go along your hairline with chapstick. If your ears get henna on them, the stain will go away in a day or two.
Ancient Sunrise Blog

Read the Ancient SunriseŽ Blog

This blog provides insight into the art, science,  latest research, news, and techniques related to henna.

If you had a 'black henna' temporary tattoo that blistered, do not use chemical beard dye.

bleach


This chapter discusses the application of henna over chemically lightened hair, and chemically lightening hennaed hair.

This chapter demonstrates the technique of highlights with henna and foils.
Relaxed and natural

Ancient SunriseŽ Chapter 11: Henna for Relaxed and Natural Hair

This chapter contains step-by-step instructions for using henna, cassia, and indigo to dye relaxed hair, natural hair, and locs.

Index of specific topics in this chapter:

Page 3: Henna on Relaxed and Natural Hair

Page 5: Cassia and Relaxed Hair

Page 12: Henna and Natural Hair

Page 21: Two-Step Henna-Indigo Black and Locs
Not every person gets perfect results on the first try, but everyone can achieve perfection.  Here's your guide to troubleshooting.  

troubleshoot

Ancient SunriseŽ Chapter 12: Troubleshooting

This chapter provides answers to the most frequent questions from people who henna their hair; these include problems with hard water,  slight adjustments in color, getting complete and permanent color, and the occasional surprise.

Index of specific topics in this chapter:

Page 3: Why Are My Cassia and Henna Turning Brownish, or Worse? (hard water problems)

Page 7: Henna and You
I Itch
Why Is My Urine Green the Morning After Applying Henna? (harmless but startling)
I Don’t Have Enough Time
My Hair Feels Dry After Henna
I Have a Headache
Troubleshooting Paste and Application

Page 10: Troubleshooting Paste and Application
I Missed a Spot.
I Want to Slightly Change My Hair Color
My Roots didn’t Take Up Enough Color
I Mixed My Paste and it’s Too Tunny
I Mixed My Paste and It Is Too Thick
I Mixed My Henna, Got Interrupted, and Forgot About It

Page 16: Understanding the Nature of Henna

My Hair Smells Like a Wet Dog
Indigo Turned My Hair Green
My hennaed hair is getting too dark
I Just Hennaed My Hair and It Is Too Orange
I Don’t Know What I Have
I Made a Mess
I Mixed My Indigo, Got Interrupted, and Forgot About It
My Forehead and Ears are Orange
My Hands are Orange
I Hate This, I Want My Chemicals Back

This chapter provides answers to the most frequent questions from people who henna their hair; these include problems with hard water, slight adjustments in color, getting complete and permanent color, and the occasional surprise. 
Customer Service

Call customer service
to get professional help finding your perfect color:  (USA) 855 - MEHANDI  or 855 - 634 - 2634  and  330 - 673 - 0600  We also have online chat: click HERE for more info.

Learn to do this!
 
If our phones are busy, email info@mehandi.com, and we'll call you!

Watch Ancient Sunrise
Ž Videos HERE and learn how to henna your hair yourself! 
Watch some more videos:

Watch a video of "how to" dye your hair dark brunette with henna and indigo.



Indigo hair for gorgeous BLACK hair without toxic dyes.

Henna does wonderful things for relaxed and natural hair!