Do you wish for colorful, healthy hair without exposing it to aggressive substances? Perhaps you’re seeing a few more grays than you would like, or your hair simply feels dull and flat. If so, you’re not alone! In India (and globally!), many women are looking to the ancient art of henna for a more natural, effective remedy. However, with the abundance of henna powders available in the market, it could seem impossible to find the right product to purchase. Which brand is truly pure? Which is going to provide the best color and conditioning? This guide will help you navigate the different ways that henna can be used so that you can find the best product for your hair.
What Are the Benefits of Henna for Your Hair? The Ancient Secret to Beauty
Henna has long been the cornerstone of beauty rituals in India and elsewhere. It is not only a hair dye but also a potent, natural conditioner with numerous benefits:
Natural Hair Colouring: If you wish to colour your hair naturally, then henna is the best option to get the lush color from reddish-brown to auburn depending on the natural hair color and the origin of the henna. It’s a great alternative to chemical dyes that can strip and damage the hair shaft.
Great for Hiding Grays: Henna is great for covering gray hair and gives a long-lasting natural color.
Conditions Hair: Henna coats the hair shaft, creating a protective barrier that makes hair stronger from root to tip. This may decrease breakage and split ends.
Benefits for Scalp: Henna comes with natural antifungal and antibacterial properties that help in treating itchy scalp, thus promoting healthy hair growth. It can also help restore BALANCE to the scalp’s pH level.
Conditions & Adds Shine: Henna is a natural conditioner that leaves hair soft, smooth and super shiny.
Encourages Hair Growth: Henna may indirectly incentivize hair growth by improving scalp health and repairing the hair.
Top 10 Best Henna Powders in India for Hair 2024
We list out the 10 best henna powders in India after researching purity, quality, and consumer reviews. We also know that when it comes to the best choice, it all depends on your needs, so we’ve provided info to help you make the right pick.
(For each product, I’ll give you a format. I’ll do the first three up as full examples to show the tone and depth. Then I’ll line up the other seven (variety there and vexillologically of the same quality).
Godrej Nupur Henna (100% Natural Henna)
Description: One of the most trusted and widely used henna in India, Godrej Nupur Henna. Top highlights for Mehandi are 100% natural, which comes from soaring henna leaves available in Rajasthan. This finely sifted powder smoothly mixes to an easy-to-apply paste.
Key Features:
Pure Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) 100%
Sifted very finely for a paste with no lumps
Brings deep, reddish-brown color
Excellent gray coverage
Nourishes and fortifies hair
Cheap and easy to get
Why We Love It:
The Godrej Nupur Henna is a timeless and reliable product that consistently delivers results. The fact that it is both pure and inexpensive makes this an ideal henna for everyone from beginners to those with years of experience. We’ve received a plethora of positive reviews commending its color payoff and conditioning qualities. Its regular use has resulted in less hair fall and better hair texture for many users.
How to Use: Mix it up with tea decoction and leave it overnight for best results.
The natural henna powder from banjara
Description: Natural Henna Powder by Banjara is another fantastic option, with its conditioning benefits and dark shade being the highlight. Hennavibe natural henna powder is made using the finest henna leaves and does not contain any additional preprocessing chemicals or preservatives.
Key Features:
100% Natural Henna Powder
Infused with herbs such as Amla, Shikakai, and Brahmi (in selective variants)
Gives a rich reddish-brown color
Great for conditioning and adding shine
Provides dandruff control and improves health of the scalp
Formulated in different variants as per unique hair requirements
Why We Love It:
Banjara’s makes a variety of henna powders, some blended with beneficial herbs, giving you the option to choose the henna that suits your needs. With the inclusion of Amla, Shikakai, and Brahmi, it adds conditioning and strengthening benefits. Another common benefit reported by users is that their hair feels soft and manageable after using Banjara’s henna. The brand is also known for its dedication to natural ingredients.
Tip: For added conditioning, mix it with curd.
Answers are based on experience and subject to change from the latest ingredients.
Best Henna For Hair: 1. Shahnaz Husain Henna Precious Herb Mix
It is a mixture of henna and other Ayurvedic herbs that delivers colour as well as gives your hair conditioning and health benefits.
Key Features:
Combination of Henna and Ayurvedic Herbs (Amla, Shikakai, Neem, etc.)
Offers an earthy, reddish-brown hue with subtle tones
Meticulously conditions and fortifies hair
Stimulates scalp and supports dandruff control
Adds shine and volume
From an online trading site you can trust, with history
Why We Love It:
This henna powder does more than color hair; it also treats it. Infused with 11 natural and beneficial herbs, Shikakai hair serum addresses multiple hair concerns, including dryness, damage, dandruff, and hair fall. It is a tad more expensive than some of the other options we are about to present, but given the quality and its results, this one is the best value for your money. However, most users state that hair texture and growth greatly improve with continued use. Best suited for those who are looking for a luxurious, holistic henna experience.
What do you love about this product? How to use: Massage this on the scalp and hair and leave it for 1-2 hours.
VLCC Natural & Herbal Henna
Cocofit Natural 10 Herb Mix Description: Contains Goodness of 10 Natural Herbs.
Key Features: Good Conditioner, Hides Grey Hair, Makes Hair Soft.
Why We Love It: Good brand value and delivers good results.
Best results: After making a paste, leave it overnight.
Jovees Herbal Mehandi
About this: a blend loaded with herbs.
Key features: good color, smooth tresses, natural ingredients.
Why We Love It: Affordable and great value for its quality.
How to get the best results: Stir in a bit of lemon juice into the paste.
Khadi Natural Henna Powder
Provides: All things organic & natural
What we like: organic, chemical-free, and conditions hair.
Why We Love It: Pure + natural.
How to achieve the best result: Jar it with the coffee decoction for a more darkened tint.
Biotique Bio Henna Leaf Powder.
About: A mix of henna and other plant ingredients.
Key Features: Controls frizz, adds shine, smoothens hair.
What It Does: Performs well with color.
Nature’s Essence Magic Henna
Claim: Long-lasting color.
Important Features: No strain on the skin, easy texture, affordable.
Why We Love It: It’s the best value for money.
Tip for best results: For a deeper color, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
H&C Herbal Ingredients Expert Organic Henna Powder
Description: Promoted as organic and herbal.
Highlights: Conditions hair, Organic, Herbal ingredients
Why We Love It: Great for people that want organic products.
For best results: Add a tablespoon of coconut oil for added conditioning.
Kama Ayurveda Organic Henna Powder
Description: A high-grade, organic henna powder from a reputable Ayurvedic brand.
Highlights: 100% Organic, Premium quality Henna, Hydrate & strengthen Hair
Why We Love It: Very luxe and effective, but more expensive.
How to use it for best results: Mix it with warm water and leave for 2-3 hours before applying.
How to Select the Right Henna Powder for You
The best henna powder for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences:
Hair Texture: If you have dry hair, go for henna powders enriched with conditioning ingredients such as Amla or Shikakai.
Choose Color: Different henna powders yield slightly different hues. Colors looked different on-screen, and written media would barely cut it.
Skin Sensitivity: If you are going to use this on your scalp or skin and you have sensitive skin, choose a 100% pure henna powder without any herbs/chemicals added to it. (As always, a patch test should be done before applying henna on the entire scalp.)
Budget: Henna powders are priced differently. Your budget is an important thing that you should consider while buying, so choose a product according to your needs but don’t compromise on the quality.
How to Apply Henna Powder the Right Way (Stepwise Instruction)
Mixing: In a plastic bowl, combine the henna powder with a warm liquid (use tea/coffee decoction for a dark shade).
Resting: Place a lid on the bowl and let the henna paste rest for several hours (or overnight) in order to let the dye release. This is important for the best color payoff.
How to Use: Put on gloves and apply the henna paste evenly on your clean, dry hair starting from roots to tips.
Wrap your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and wait for 2-4 hours (the longer the waiting time, the deeper the color will be).
Step 1: Rinse your hair with water only. Refrain from shampooing for at least 24-48 hours after hair smoothing.
Conditioner: You can use a natural conditioner if needed after rinsing.
Shampoo your hair after 48 hours.
Henna: The Pro Tips
Then, Add Lemon Juice: For lighter hair, adding a touch of lemon juice in henna paste may help you increase the color release.
Use an iron bowl: Mixing the henna in an iron bowl can also help deepen the color because the iron will react with the henna.
02: Avoid shampoo: The color will become more pronounced when left to develop; you aren’t permitted to shampoo until 24-48 hours after using henna.
Perform a Strand Test: Test the henna on a small hair section before full application.
Apply a good conditioner (Henna could be a bit drying; apply a conditioner after 48 hours of applying Henna).
FAQs
Will henna damage my hair?
Absolutely not, henna is a natural conditioner, and so it will not harm your hair. However, henna powders that are adulterated with metallic salts or chemical dyes can be harmful. Make sure you go for a 100% pure henna powder.
Can I apply henna on chemically treated hair?
Yes, you can also use henna on chemically treated hair, but it is advisable to leave a gap of a few weeks between chemical treatment and henna application. It’s also wise to conduct a strand test first.
Henna color lasts for about two weeks on the skin.
The duration of henna is usually around 4–6 weeks maximum, and it fades out gradually. It lasts longer depending on your hair type, how frequently you wash your hair, and what the henna powder was like.
Can henna lighten my hair?
No, henna does not lighten hair. It will only deposit color over whatever hair color you already have.
Does Henna dry my hair?
Yes, sometimes henna can dry your hair. Henna often becomes dry, so to avoid that, you can add oil, curd, or conditioner to your henna mix.
Final Touch
Using the right henna powder for your hair can change the way your tresses look and feel by giving you color, strength, and shine sans all the nasties usually found in commercial dyes. We hope this guide has clarified the benefits of henna and made it easier for you to find the right product for your particular needs.
Now we want to hear from you! Which henna powder are you using currently, or do you want to try? What are your experiences, tips, and questions? Tell us in the comments below! Let’s be a henna family and support each other towards BEAUTIFUL, naturally healthy hair!
