Henna On Naturally Red Hair

[Red.]

Hey everyone! I tried searching for this subject but didn’t find much.

I’ve been doing a lot of research about henna and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful examples, mostly on people that don’t already have red hair. I’m interested in trying the Red Raj henna from Hennasooq.com, possibly other options too. Does anybody have experience with using henna on already red hair? I would like a boost in my natural color as well as the other benefits that come with using henna.

I had a couple samples of henna from Nightblooming, the copper one and the strawberry blonde one. Neither of them did anything for my hair, but that could be because they weren’t stored correctly. I didn’t realize this until after I had prepared them and left them on for hours, derp. I will say that one thing I do not want is any burgundy tones in my hair. From what I understand that mostly comes with repeated use of henna though, I believe. I like the fiery bright red/orange tones.

I would get a sample of the Red Raj but I believe they are out of stock right now and the only way to get it is to pre order the full size. I will definitely sample it first when I get it but it is a good amount of money to pay if I decide against it.

So in conclusion I’m asking - Does anybody have experience in this situation? Or pictures? Or just opinions from anybody that’s familiar with henna would be really appreciated! Thank you!

Edit - There’s a lot of pictures of my hair color in my album if that is helpful.

[lapushka]

Best answer? Test strand... and do it with different recipes, with cassia mixed in perhaps.

I think if you smack full-on henna on already red hair, it might get dark quite fast, so do your ground work and make test strands. Collect your shed hair for at least a month, and test different recipes 50/50 cassia/henna, 25/75 cassia/henna, and 75/25 cassia henna, those are the 3 most important ones.

But I would not do full-on henna on red hair. Unless you want to go real dark real quick.

[Red.]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I don’t want it to go too dark so cassia is a good idea.

[Scarlet_Heart]

I disagree. The darkness of your result depends on the darkness of your hair, not the hue. One application of henna isn't going to make you go burgundy all of a sudden. However, if you want to avoid a cooler tone, I would start with a less potent henna. Red Raj has pretty much the highest lawson content you can get. I would try Jamilla. Just my two cents. Good luck, henna is fun. :)

[Red.]

Thanks Scarlet_Heart, I think for now I’ll get some samples of Jamilla since it’s easier to get a hold of anyways, and see how I like it.

[Lady Stardust]

Jamila is great for orangey-red. It will still build up to burgundy though if you do multiple applications, but not as quickly as the stronger strains.

I don’t know how it looks on red hair but if you’re happy with the colour it gives first time, you’ll be fine if you just do root touch ups.

If you find that Jamila is too red you could try mixing it with cassia - this is what Nightshade will have done in the samples you got from Nightblooming. It might be worth trying those samples again and also trying Jamila to see which colour you like best.

The other way to get a more orangey colour is to do a gloss - mix some henna paste with conditioner and leave it on for an hour or two. This still gives permanent colour but not such a strong shade.

[Red.]

Thanks Lady Stardust A gloss is another option I was considering. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Lush one but mainly that it washes out or doesn’t leave a lot of a stain. I suppose I could make my own too. I went ahead and bought some Jamila as well as Moroccan henna because they were only a buck for the sample size. And I also got some cassia just in case. We’ll see how this goes!

[Lady Stardust]

Thanks Lady Stardust A gloss is another option I was considering. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Lush one but mainly that it washes out or doesn’t leave a lot of a stain. I suppose I could make my own too. I went ahead and bought some Jamila as well as Moroccan henna because they were only a buck for the sample size. And I also got some cassia just in case. We’ll see how this goes!

Oh it’s all good fun :)

I used Lush years ago and the colour wasn’t awful but it was really messy, it dripped like crazy and was a pain to mix and to rinse out, and yes the colour faded too. One of their colours was a lovely chestnut though. Anyway your plan to use straight henna and/or cassia sounds good!

[Red.]

So I got my henna in the mail and finally had a chance to test it out. Here are my results.

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E5613_zps3mywhjet.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E5613_zps3mywhjet.jpg.html)


Indoor lighting. Henna is on the right.
https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E5609_zpsfjdjnkwy.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E5609_zpsfjdjnkwy.jpg.html)


And outdoor lighting.

[MusicalSpoons]

Ooh, looks quite fiery to me! Are you pleased with the result?

[Red.]

I like it a lot! We will see how much the color changes in the next couple days. I think I’m going to end up buying henna today since there’s a BOGO sale at Hennasooq. I used the Jamila and left it on for 3 hours. I think I could leave it on another hour or so next time too. Aside from the color my hair feels really smooth and it left my hair with some soft curls at the ends.

[Lady Stardust]

Lovely - it’s a more intense version of your natural colour.

[Red.]

Thank you! It reminds me of my hair color when I was a kid, before it darkened to a more auburn red.

[Alex Lou]

Many years ago, I tried henna on my already red hair. My hair was quite a fiery copper back then. I just bought a box henna dye in the store though because I didn't know any better. I could not tell the difference in my color indoors. But other people noticed outdoors. It was brighter.

It's a nice option if you want a brighter orange red. And you should be able to grow it out any time you like without a demarcation line.

[Red.]

Agreed. That was exactly what I was looking for, a brighter color. I like that it still looks like my hair. I'm sure as a redhead you've heard a million times "don't ever dye your hair!"

At this point I like my hair and wouldn't want it anything but red. So henna is perfect for me. And yes not having a harsh line when my hair grows out is definitely a bonus.

[Alex Lou]

Now you have me wanting to try it again. A gloss probably would be safe to start. Hmm.. this will require much thought and a strand test.

[Red.]

Yes let me know what you decide. :) I thought about it for a while before deciding also. Then the strand test solidified my decision. My henna was just shipped today so I’ll be doing my full head this week hopefully.

[Red.]

Henna has been on my head for about 2 hours now! Two more hours to go! I was expecting the henna to feel a lot heavier on my hair but so far it’s fine.

[lithostoic]

Looked great in the side by side! This makes me miss my (dyed) red hair.

[Red.]

Thanks Lithostoic!

Here are my results:
Direct sunlight-

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E0427_zps8rs1b0kw.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E0427_zps8rs1b0kw.jpg.html)

Shade - It's difficult to get an accurate picture in this lighting!

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_5405_zpsdiwdofdl.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_5405_zpsdiwdofdl.jpg.html)

Before and after

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_5711_zpsqgw7ucnx.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_5711_zpsqgw7ucnx.jpg.html)

[Lady Stardust]

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous. Your natural hair is amazing anyway and that colour is like a supercharged version :)

[Obsidian]

That's spectacular. I wish I could get that shade with henna. I'm more like your natural color which I love but would love to kick it up a notch

[samanthaa]

Wow, I love it, Red.!

[Red.]

Thanks Samanthaa!

Lady Stardust thank you and yeah I’m really happy about that! I think it’s really obvious that I changed my hair color but my aunt didn’t even notice. :p So it looks different, but not outrageously different.

And thanks Obsidian I forgot to mention that I added some “henna kisses” that Hennasooq sells. I think that brightened it up even more.

[hoggle]

I have Auburn hair that's turning to brown, when I was younger it was red like yours...jealous. I use nightbloomings copper one and I love it.

[Red.]

Thanks Hoggle! It’s funny because now when people compliment my hair I feel obligated to tell them it’s henna. Like yes I’m a natural redhead but I also henna over it!

[MoreSky]

Thanks Hoggle! It’s funny because now when people compliment my hair I feel obligated to tell them it’s henna. Like yes I’m a natural redhead but I also henna over it!

That is funny! I hear myself responding enthusiastically it’s henna, it doesn’t fade, it’s good for your hair, and then ooops, stop myself, said too much (again). It was just a compliment, no one will be paying attention how fast it fades. :lipssealed:

[Obsidian]

I only mention henna if someone asks if its my natural color. Orherwise, I just don't want to get into the whole explanation of henna and how it works.

[hoggle]

Thanks Hoggle! It’s funny because now when people compliment my hair I feel obligated to tell them it’s henna. Like yes I’m a natural redhead but I also henna over it!


i have that same conflict too.
then I'm like i am a redhead..my skin, features are just soooooooooo redheaded.

[ArabellaRose]

Didn't know where else ask this so thought I'd try here.

I'm naturally a strawberry blonde, my hair is quite light at the moment quite dull thanks to the summer. Would a henna gloss give the colour a boost without going too bright and what's the best way to prepare it? I've had a search and the different recipes are blowing my mind, I've got no clue when it comes to henna!

[Red.]

I’m definitely not an expert but I would say add cassia to your mix. Maybe try the Nightblooming Strawberry Blonde one? It’d be easy because it’s already mixed. As for preparing it, I didn’t do anything complicated. Just mix the powder with some water (I used hibiscus tea) and let it dye release then put it on.

[wispe]

Didn't know where else ask this so thought I'd try here.

I'm naturally a strawberry blonde, my hair is quite light at the moment quite dull thanks to the summer. Would a henna gloss give the colour a boost without going too bright and what's the best way to prepare it? I've had a search and the different recipes are blowing my mind, I've got no clue when it comes to henna!

I’m naturally a strawberry blonde and I boost my color with a henna/cassia mix :) I have spoken about it in the henna/cassia thread. (https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=29242) I use Nightblooming mixes (the blonde boost one and the strawberry blonde one). I have considered just doing the strawberry blonde one by itself instead of diluting it further but have been hesitant since I don’t really want visible roots, I just want to slightly boost the color. If I make that change I’ll be posting results in the aforementioned thread when I do so.

I just mix mine with plain hot water, dye release for several hours, and put it on for about 2.5-3 hours. I just redid my roots Wednesday.

(eta: for reference, my hair is it’s natural color in my avatar picture - well the roots are, not the pink ends obviously. And I posted photos of the before and after in the henna/cassia thread October last year, and just recently posted a photo in the henna/cassia thread showing 4” of my regrowth next to the glossed ends to compare the colors.)

[Hiyotoris]

I'm a natural redhead! I use Jamila henna mixed with cassia. 2scoops jamila to 1 scoop cassia. it just adds a great shine and makes my colour more vibrant!

[maborosi]

Didn't know where else ask this so thought I'd try here.

I'm naturally a strawberry blonde, my hair is quite light at the moment quite dull thanks to the summer. Would a henna gloss give the colour a boost without going too bright and what's the best way to prepare it? I've had a search and the different recipes are blowing my mind, I've got no clue when it comes to henna!

Henna/cassia gloss can give a really nice boost, and provided you cut the henna enough, you shouldn't see a super dark color change!
Red., mentioned the Rusalki mix from Nightblooming- I second that. Although I have a very light starting color, I get some pretty nice results with it (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FHFQCDour4E/WfgAAGv0tXI/AAAAAAAAAfM/vLcQXdYAiFscqpPckuAstoIZvZ4ImLnJwCLcBGAs/s1600/eightstrandbraidedbun2electricboogaloo2.jpg). (That pic is a couple of weeks after doing just my roots with Rusalki for about 2 hours- it's been my routine for a couple of years now, I'd say.)

Red., your results are FANTASTIC! It is so vibrant!! I've always been curious to see more natural red + henna results! I know a girl who had very dark red hair and did some light henna over it to give it a boost of color. From the times I've seen it looks like people who already have red hair naturally get really vibrant results.

[Red.]

Maborosi thank you and so have I, that’s partially why I did it myself. I couldn’t find many other examples. And now that I’ve done it I love it! I need to get another good picture of the color since it has settled a bit since the first one. And I love your color as well! It looks very natural.

[dagny]

Didn't know where else ask this so thought I'd try here.

I'm naturally a strawberry blonde, my hair is quite light at the moment quite dull thanks to the summer. Would a henna gloss give the colour a boost without going too bright and what's the best way to prepare it? I've had a search and the different recipes are blowing my mind, I've got no clue when it comes to henna!

It can. I am a natural dark strawberry blonde/light golden coppery brown color and used henna for the exact same reason you are deciding (lightened up and dulled due to summer). I would highly recommend doing test strands on hair that has been harvested from your hair brush (or the drain). Depending on how light your natural color is, I would suggest you start with a cassia:henna blend. More cassia if you want more gold and more henna if you want more red. You could start with a 70:30 blend, for example, and then increase the henna portion to adjust to your preferences. So something like mixing up 1/4 tsp henna with 1 3/4 tsp of cassia for your test strands. After getting dye release, leave it on for 1-3 hours to see how it comes out. Don't forget that the color will oxidize over the following week or two! In the meantime, continue to harvest all of the shed hairs (natural, un-hennaed hairs) you can so you can use them later if you ever want to change up your recipe.

[dagny]

Red -- your hair looks great (both before and after the henna!!).

I recently used henna on my natural red/golden copper hair and I am kicking myself for leaving it on longer than I did the test strands (I fell asleep...). Not sure what to do with my roots now!

I'm curious to know how your hair has settled and what you intend to do when your roots start to show (if they do at all).

[Red.]

Hey Dagny I finally got around to taking some pictures. Here is how it has settled and my roots which have significantly grown out. Also I'm not sure what I'll do with my roots. I do have a bunch of frozen henna so I could fix it whenever, they're not bothering me as they are now though. Maybe when they grow out a bit more.

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E0688_zpslnedvz4a.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E0688_zpslnedvz4a.jpg.html)
https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E0691_zps8aymt5ai.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E0691_zps8aymt5ai.jpg.html)

[MusicalSpoons]

:thud: absolutely gorgeous Red! Wow!

[maborosi]

Red- your results are awesome! What a great color! I can't see any obvious root growth, either. It just blends so naturally.

[Curlyeve]

Hey Dagny I finally got around to taking some pictures. Here is how it has settled and my roots which have significantly grown out. Also I'm not sure what I'll do with my roots. I do have a bunch of frozen henna so I could fix it whenever, they're not bothering me as they are now though. Maybe when they grow out a bit more.

https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E0688_zpslnedvz4a.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E0688_zpslnedvz4a.jpg.html)
https://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o594/RedHead4321/IMG_E0691_zps8aymt5ai.jpg (http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/RedHead4321/media/IMG_E0691_zps8aymt5ai.jpg.html)

I love your color :inlove:. I would love to get similar results, but my hair is too dark for that.

[Red.]

Thanks guys! I’m pretty happy with the end result.