Henna Instructions English
Instructions for coloring and conditioning with Rainbow Henna
PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:
Rainbow Henna may be applied on wet or dry hair, but it is
important that the hair be clean and free of any hair sprays, gels, or conditioners.
If you wish to shampoo first, towel dry hair before applying.
Pour Rainbow Henna Powder into a glass or plastic bowl.
Use enough powder to cover all the hair it’s being applied to.
*DO NOT USE A METAL BOWL OR UTENSILS*
The quantity of the henna powder you need depends on hair length & texture.
Below is an approximate idea of how much you will need per application:
Short Hair (above ear) 50-75 grams (4+ tbsp)
Mid Length (shoulder) 75-100 grams (8 tbsp)
Full Length (lower back) 100-150 grams (full jar+)
Hip/Waist Length 150-200+ grams (1-2 full jars)
Boil 8-16oz of liquid (water, coffee, or tea). Add the liquid gradually using a wooden or plastic spoon mix thoroughly to reach a creamy yogurt like consistency. You may not use all the liquid; more liquid can be added if mixture is too thick or thickens up during application.
APPLICATION:
Wear plastic or rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands, although henna does not typically stain the skin or scalp. Henna is heat activated and we recommend using it shortly after it is mixed.
*HENNA DOES NOT TYPICALLY CAUSE A REACTION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY KNOWN ALLERGENS, IF YOU HAVE SENSATIVE SKIN OR CHEMICAL SENSATIVITIES A PATCH TEST ON THE SKIN IS RECOMMENDED BEFORE APPLYING THE FULL APPLICATION
- Section hair. Sections should be about 1" thick.
- Once Henna mixture is at a safe heat (warm to hot) begin at the scalp and paint on the Henna with a brush, applicator bottle or hands from roots to the ends.
- Continue until all the hair is thickly coated with the Henna mixture.
- Place a cotton or tissue band around the hairline(optional).
- Cover the hair with a shower cap, plastic bag, or plastic wrap to keep henna on hair.
- Wrap towel around turban style to keep heat in.
TIMING
For best results, use a Salon dome dryer, Heat lamp, or Thermo Heat Cap.
Leave on as follows:
Black, Red, Sherry, Mahogany, Burgundy, Dark Brown, Medium Brown,
and Copper–with heat 45-60 minutes; without heat 60-75 minutes.
Strawberry Blonde, Blonde, Marigold Blonde, Light Brown and
Neutral–with heat 30-45 minutes; without heat 45-60 minutes.
Timing may be increased if hair is resistant.
When timing is completed, rinse thoroughly with hot water, then rinse with cool water. Follow with Rainbow Henna Shampoo and Conditioner. Rinse thoroughly and style.
To see full results hair must be completely dried.
Hair Products containing essential oils as the fragrance should not be used if coloring the hair with henna. The essential oils will strip the henna coating from the hair shaft causing the color to fade out more quickly. (see removal Q&A for more information)
SPECIAL RECIPES AND HINTS FOR USE ON GREY HAIR OR TO CUSTOMIZE RESULTS:
To Help Cover Grey or White Hair mix Henna powder with coffee or tea in place of water.
We also recommend adding 1 tbs of apple cider vinegar per 2oz of henna powder.
To cover grey/white hair, substitute coffee or tea for water:
Coffee or Black Tea (English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Ceylon): To help tone down bright Reds & deepen all Brown or Black tones. Use brewed, black coffee not instant. Coffee alternatives can also be used. Can be used with All Red, Brown & Black henna shades.
Red Teas (Rooibos, Raspberry Leaf, Red Zinger): To help enhance red tones and make them more vibrant. Can be used with all henna shades.
Chamomile Tea: To help enhance and bring out golden blonde highlights. Can be used with Blonde, Marigold Blonde, and Strawberry Blonde henna shades.
For Dry Hair:
Add 1 egg or 2-4 tbsp. olive oil or 2- 4 tbsp. plain yogurt to the Henna mixture. Only select ONE of these options. These natural ingredients not only condition, but can help with the application and rinsing processes.
Neutral Henna: Use as a conditioner to help add body and shine to the hair. Neutral or “Clear” henna does not deposit color. Mix with boiling water to desired consistency and apply to hair the same way as the color shades.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Can I Try a Test Strand First? Yes. Mix about 1 tsp Henna
with 1 tbsp. boiling water. Apply to 1" section of hair (enough
to wrap around a finger). Wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for
required time (see Timing). Rinse off, shampoo, and dry.
Can Henna Be Used on Grey or White Hair? Yes, If you have over 20%
Grey hair we suggest doing a “test strand” first. See *Special Recipes and Hints” for formulas that work best.
Can I mix different colors together? Yes, our colors can be blended together. To deepen red shades, you can add medium or dark brown to the mixture, to enhance the red in a brown tone you can add any of the red shades to the mixture. Adding blonde to a dark color will not add blonde or gold to the results.
Examples of common mixes:
3 Parts Dark Brown + 1 Part Medium Brown + Coffee + 1-2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar = Medium/Dark Brown
3 Parts Dark Brown + 1 Part Black + Coffee + 1-2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar = Darker Brown
3 Parts Black + 1 Part Medium Brown + Coffee + 1-2 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar = Darkest Brown
To brighten up or add more red highlights to a darker color mix in one of the red shades: Red, Mahogany, Burgundy, Sherry
To Deepen Red Shades – Red, Sherry, Mahogany, or Burgundy can be deepened by mixing a darker shade.
For example: 3 parts Mahogany + 1 part Dark Brown = Dark Auburn.
Is Henna Safe to Use Over a Chemical Color/Tint? It can be used if the hair is in excellent condition and not damaged, When Henna is used over bleached or white hair color results may vary. Test strand is highly recommended to determine results on chemically colored hair
Is Chemical Color/Tint Safe to Use Over Henna Hair Color? Yes…. BUT you need to remove the coating that henna leaves on the hair shaft prior to using any chemical or non-henna hair color. The coating is naturally removed after 4-6 weeks, but the color can still appear on the hair after the coating is removed. Removing coating will NOT remove color. See next question for removal process
What Is the Best Way to Remove Henna? To help remove the Henna coating from the hair shaft, use a liquid dishwashing soap (dilute with 50% water) or strong essential oil soaps/shampoos scented with Tea Tree, Peppermint, or Citrus oils. Lather generously all over hair, let set for 5-10 minutes then rinse off. You can also apply warm mineral oil to the hair. Leave on 20-25 minutes. Rinse out with warm water then shampoo.
These suggestions are to remove the coating henna produces on the hair shaft. This will not remove the color instantly but will speed up the removal causing the henna to fade out more quickly. This will also allow the hair to receive a chemical treatment safely.
These procedures are recommended prior to using a perm or chemical tint/color or treatment or to speed up the removal of the color.
The coating produced by the henna is naturally removed after 4-6 weeks with a normal shampoo cycle of 2x-3x a week.
Can I Henna After a Perm, Relaxer, or Straightener? Yes. After any of these processes, wait 2
weeks or 5 shampoos before applying Henna. This will allow the hair to be free of any chemical residue.
Can I use a Perm, Relaxer or Straightener After a Henna? Yes, Henna coats the hair shaft and,
in some cases, prevents the chemicals like the perm lotion from penetrating. Prior to any treatment, remove the Henna coating from the hair shaft.
(see removal Q&A for more information)
Can Hair Be Lightened After a Henna? No,
Henna color will remain on the hair even if highlights, blonde tints or
bleaches are used. You must wait 4-6 weeks or remove the coating before attempting a chemical lightener. (see removal Q&A for more information)
Will Henna Lighten Hair? No. Henna does not contain
any lightening chemicals. Blonde Henna can bring out yellow and
golden brown highlights. Marigold Blonde brings out gold and
yellow highlights. Both add shine and body to grey or white hair.
Can Rainbow Henna be used for Skin Art, Mehndi tattoos? Yes, when applying henna to the skin you can use our Red Henna color. Other shades will not transfer onto the skin.
Can Rainbow Henna be used for Facial Hair? No, Henna will not take or appear on any facial hair. Henna is only recommended to use on the hair on your head.