Henna is the only colorant to have been safety-approved by the FDA. Unfortunately, it doesn’t
always produce the expected hair shade. If your hair has been previously dyed with conventional hair
dyes, henna is not recommended. Wait for a few months to let the chemical color wash out, and then
perform a strand test with henna, similar to a patch test. Blend a small amount of henna according to
package instructions and apply it on one lock of hair, preferably behind the ear.
Many women use henna not for color but for other benefits, such as increased volume, scalp
irritation relief, and improved manageability of hair. To reap the benefits of henna without dyeing
your hair, you can use shampoos and conditioners with neutral henna. This plant extract will not
change your hair color.
Among the better hair dyes with henna, I would choose Light Mountain Natural (nonbrassy shades
that flatter all skin tones, including Chestnut,Medium Brown, and Dark Brown) and Aubrey Organics
Color Me Natural, which is both perfectly permanent and natural.
Green Color Maintenance
A switch to green, all-natural hair color requires courage, especially if you are used to changing
your hair shade at a single whim of fashion. There are plenty of color-boosting shampoos,
conditioners, gels, and sprays that help protect your natural new hair color. They contain plant
extracts that play up color tones and prevent color from fading. For lighter hair colors, choose
treatment shampoos and masks with lemon, chamomile, sunflower, and calendula. Redheads must
include products with henna (neutral or golden) in their hair care regimen. Dark hair colors benefit
from black walnut, black tea, coffee, and licorice root in their conditioners.
Sadly, most “natural” hair color preserving lines—including ShiKai Color Enhancing line,
Nature’s Gate Organics In Living Color, and Aveda Color Conserve and Color Enhancing shampoos
and conditioners—are formulated with paraben preservatives, polyquaterniums, disodium EDTA,
and urea. Some of the safe green products for colored hair include Kiss My Face Miss Treated
Organic Hair Care Shampoo, Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Shampoo, and
amazing Colorcare Henna Hair Shampoo for dark hair by Logona. Colored hair conditioners are more
scarce. From all that I tried (and I tried a lot), Real Purity Native Earth Moisturizing Hair Rinse and
Dr. Hauschka Jojoba and Marshmallow Conditioner are the best. For deep treatment, a dry mask Zen
Hair and Scalp Detox Spa Therapy by Morocco Method is simply unrivalled.
For added hair health, use the following all-natural home treatments weekly to maintain the shade
of your hair.
Chamomile Rinse for Blond Hair
6 tea bags chamomile tea
1/2 cup plain yogurt
5 drops lemon essential oil
Yield:
4 ounces