Henna Preparation

How is henna applied?

Terza Luna online shop offers quality henna, the same type of henna used in tattooing, making it safe and effective on dyed, bleached, highlighted, sun-kissed, straightened, and permed hair.

Some tips for the best application of henna on hair.

Mix the henna with lemon juice until you get a paste with the thick consistency of mashed potatoes. Bottled lemon juice works just as well as squeezing many lemons by hand. If the skin is sensitive to lemon and you feel itching after using henna, use orange juice, grape juice, or a less acidic liquid than lemon juice. Vinegar and wine work well for the preparation of henna, but they are very smelly.

Avoid using yogurt for the application of henna on hair, as it is not as effective as lemon juice in the long run and may lead to dandruff. Instead, slightly acidic herbal teas, with a little lemon added, will work just as well. However, do not mix henna with coffee: it will not change the color and will be smelly and could cause headaches. A pinch of coffee powder can intensify the color of henna but may also irritate the skin. Do not add "terps" to the henna paste because it will require much more henna on the hair, and this increased application of henna could cause headaches and even nausea.

Do not mix henna with boiling water. The color of henna mixed with boiling water will turn towards a brass/orange color. The color of henna mixed with lemon juice will gradually become darker, transforming into a more natural and intense red color.

If you are in a hurry and need to speed up the preparation of henna, it is recommended to place the henna paste in a warm, but not excessively hot place. By taking this precaution, the henna will be ready in just two hours at a temperature of 35 °. When the henna paste is ready, it is suggested to mix everything with a little lemon juice or flavored tea to make the paste thick, similar to yogurt.

How to apply henna in the best way? More tips.

• Do not be stingy with the mixture; longer and more abundant applications give a richer color; • if you prefer, you can dye the roots occasionally between one full application and the other; • wear gloves to avoid staining your hands; • hair can be rinsed more easily by filling a bathtub with water, lying in the water and spreading the hair around. Then rinse the residues under the shower; • henna works great on beards and mustaches.

How much henna should be applied to the hair? With 100gr you can cover long hair down to the nape. The pack should be applied thickly on the strands, as if glazing a cake. Make sure all the hair is completely covered by the pack, down to the scalp. This technique is very different from the application of chemical dyes. Among the various advantages of applying henna, it is important to remember not to be afraid of getting dirty or using a large amount of henna. Preparing henna is relaxing, refreshing; there are medical exams that show how massaging the head with henna can relieve headaches. Henna is not heavy on the head and during the application it can even be fun and relaxing when massaging it on the scalp. In North Africa and the Middle East, when women hennaed their hair, the process lasted a day, and included massages, snacks, gossip with friends, and baths. When all the hair is infused with henna, it is recommended to wrap film around the head, clean the hairline and ears, and let it rest for 2-4 hours or even longer if the hair is particularly resistant to dyes. In the meantime, you can find a comfortable place and even lie down and rest, being careful to place a towel on the pillow. After the exposure time, the henna pack can be washed off. If the hair is very long and you want to speed up the process, it is recommended to lie in a bathtub full of water and soak for a while. The smell of hennaed hair is generally appreciated, but if you don't like the smell, it is suggested to boil a teaspoon of lavender flowers or powdered rosemary and then apply the solution to the hair to rinse it. Final clarifications: • Hair will take 3 days to reach the final color. It is an oxidative process similar to what happens when an apple is cut and left in the open air. • There is no need to be stingy when applying the henna pack to the hair. Generous, longer applications will ensure a more intense final color. Apply henna evenly and down to the scalp. • You can choose to dye only the regrowth: you can henna your hair as often as you like. • Always wear gloves, as henna stains hands. If you don't wear them, your hands will remain stained for a long time, be careful! • This process can also be used on mustaches and beards!

List of henna available on our online shop:

Very Strong Red Henna "Mahogany" Henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis L.) - Cassia obovata leaves (Cassia obovata Collad.) - Sodium picramate Normal Red Henna "Titian" Henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis L.) Dark Brown Henna 100% vegetable powder consisting of Walnut hull (Juglans regia L.) - Madder root (Rubia tinctorum L.) - Alkanet root (Alkanna tinctoria Tausch) - Cypress berries (Cupressus sempervirens L.) - Rhubarb rhizome (Rheum rhaponticum L.) - Cassia obovata leaves (Cassia obovata Collad.) - Sandalwood (Santalum album L.)