These three photographs show the range of colours that can be achieved with an amla (Phyllanthus emblica) mix. The hair used in these tests is exactly the same dark, ash blonde hair, and the photos were taken a week after application. Products used are from the Hennacat webstore.

Notes / Observations

1. On ash blonde hair, Amla gives a beautiful golden tone which lightens and brightens the colour.
2. On darker hair, Amla doesn’t change colour but you to benefit from the amazing conditioning effect.
3. Amla gives a beautiful silky conditioning effect to all types of hair.
4. An Amla mix made with cool tea gives a range of slightly darker shades.
5. The longer you leave the application on, the more saturated the shades will be
6. A longer length of time, doesn’t make a huge difference to colour.

The simplest and the best recipe for Henn-indigo hair dye treatment from Hennacat

Sift the amla powder into a bowl and then add the liquid (I use cold tea). Mix to a yoghurt like consistency, and then leave for 1 hour to brew. Make sure you cover the Amla paste with a couple of layers of cling film to ensure it does not dry out. Use a large cone to apply the paste to your hair, paying particular attention to the roots.

There are a seven main things to remember to ensure that the application is a success.

1. Use clarifying shampoo
2. Use a large cone / piping bag to apply the henna paste to your roots
3. Wear gloves
4. Leave on your hair for a minimum of three hours for a strong colour
5. Cover your hair in cling film to ensure the Amla paste doesn’t dry on the hair
6. Mermaid your hair before rinsing
7. Wait for three days to let the colour fully develop
8. Use beautiful natural herbal products like Amla instead of expensive damaging treatments.

Here is each tip in more detail:

1.       Use clarifying shampoo

Preparation is everything as build-up of natural oils, shampoo, conditioning and styling products can shield the hair shaft from herbal treatments, especially if you use silicon containing products.

It is therefore really important to remove this product build up by using a ‘clarifying shampoo’ on your hair before applying henna or herbals. Clarifying shampoos cut through natural oils and product build up to leave your hair squeaky clean and ready for henna or herbal application.

2.       Use a large cone / piping bag to apply the paste to your roots

The simplest and least messy way to get henna or herbal paste to your roots is to use a large cone or icing bag, to direct the paste right on to your roots. You can then use your fingers to push the paste down onto the hair shaft.  Ensure that all your hair is completely covered, otherwise you will get an uneven colour. Pay attention to the crown of your head, back of your neck and the full length of your hair, as that can miss out on the paste.

3.       Wear gloves

Henna and herbal pastes will stain quickly, and they just loves to stain skin and nails, so make sure you wear gloves for both application and rinsing out of henna / herbals. If you don’t wear gloves you will stain your hands orange, and your nails as well (this will be permanent until your nails grow out)

4.       Leave on your hair for a minimum of three hours for a strong colour

The longer you leave henna / herbals on, the stronger the colour or conditioning effect. I usually leave my henna / herbals on for 3 hours, but if I want a particularly strong colour, I’ll leave it on for up to 12 hours.

5.       Cover your hair in cling film to ensure it doesn’t dry on the hair

I have conducted experiments that show that if the henna or herbal treatment dries on the hair, it essentially stops the dying / conditioning process. To ensure that you get the best colour, wrap your head in cling film, and foil, to keep the paste nice and sticky.

6.       Mermaid

When it comes to rinsing out your henna / herbals, you will find that my products rinse out like a dream. To make the process even less messy why not ‘mermaid’ your hair. To do this you fill your kitchen sink or other large bowl with warm water and soak your hair for a few minutes. This loosens and removes a lot of paste and means that you can then rinse you’re the rest out very quickly with a shower attachment.  Remember that whatever the henna / herbal comes into contact with, it will stain.

7.       Leave for three days to let the colour fully develop

Dry and style your hair as normal, and make sure that you wait for three days for the colour to develop.

8.   Use beautiful natural henna

You should notice much improved condition and shine when you use henna/herbals on your hair – so keep on using it. But do make sure you buy from a reputable henna supplier. Here at Hennacat™, independent henna and herbals suppliers, we use our products all the time and make sure that they are of the highest quality.  Where possible we work with organic suppliers, and always buy direct from the manufacturers to ensure the provenance of our products. You can check out our products over at our shop site.

Hennacat™  strives to provide reliable information about henna and other herbal products based on experience and experimentation. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch through the website if you have any questions.

www.hennacat.com

To buy henna for hair, go here. Our secure online henna shop has all the supplies you need! To talk to a henna for hair expert get in touch with hennacat through the contact form.