Henna is a universal remedy that is used in medicine, cosmetology, and the textile industry. The most famous use of the product is henna coloring of hair, eyebrows, skin masks and body painting. All these manipulations with henna have been known since ancient times, therefore they are considered not only safe, but also useful.
The main characteristics of henna
Henna is a ready-made powder, which is obtained by drying and grinding a plant such as lavsonia. Lavsonia grows in countries with a hot climate: Egypt, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other areas of the Middle East and Southern parts of Africa.
Most popular features:
- Henna coloring does not cause allergic reactions. In addition to giving color to the scalp: destroys dandruff, regulates the sebaceous glands of the head, strengthens the root, eliminates hair loss.
- The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes. Essential oil is extracted from the flowers, the upper leaves are used as a dye for textiles and cosmetics, the lower leaf cover is used for medicinal purposes.
- In countries where lavsonia grows, the plant is also used for decorative purposes: it is formed from shrubshedges, flower beds, front gardens.
- The finished henna powder has a spicy smell. The color of the powder is slightly green with a yellow tint. The texture of the powder should be smooth and feel like a velvety texture.
Useful properties of natural dye
Henna hair coloring is not the only useful application that is characteristic of this plant. The list of favorable qualities consists of many items:
- Helps restore hair by coloring curls in a pleasant copper color.
- Used for tattooing and skin painting.
- Relieves toothache and inflammation in the mouth.
- Treats dermatitis, skin diseases.
- Saves headaches.
- Used as a natural dye for textiles.
- Essential oil of the plant is included in many lipsticks, perfumes.
Lavsonia is used in folk and official medicine. Scientists are constantly researching the plant and finding new useful properties that can help a person in solving many issues of beauty and he alth.
What is basma
A very popular procedure in cosmetology is hair coloring with henna and basma. Henna is used more often than basma, so not many people know about the second natural dye. The features of basma as a natural dye are as follows:
- Basma is a powder made from indigofer. Indigofer is a tropical shrub that grows in hot regions.
- Used for dyeinghair, eyebrows, eyelashes, mustache. Previously, basma was the main raw material in the manufacture of ink. Grey-green powder gives hair a darker tone.
- It has anti-inflammatory, healing, regenerating and nourishing properties.
- Thickens the hair structure, gives shine and volume to curls, stabilizes the sebaceous glands, accelerates hair growth. Protects hair from negative external influences.
The principle of the effect of basma and henna on curls and the body is almost identical. The difference lies in the color result after using the product.
Which option to choose
A woman or girl who wants to dye her hair for the first time, basically always uses henna or basma. Natural dye can be washed off immediately when necessary, it will not harm the hair and will have a good effect.
In some cases, it is very difficult to decide on the choice of hair dye. It is worth considering some nuances to simplify the selection procedure:
- You can decide on the dye in accordance with the color of the hair.
- For dark-haired people, both basma and henna are suitable.
- For fair-haired and blondes it is better to use henna, it is worth applying for only a few minutes.
- It all depends on the degree of damage to the hair. If the hair is badly damaged, then it is better to use basma.
- If you want to change your hair color radically, then the best option is henna.
- Problems regarding dandruff, hair loss and inflammation of sebaceousglands can be eliminated with henna or basma - it doesn't matter.
To make the right choice, you should take the advice of a specialist. By evaluating the condition of the curls, you can determine how to restore the curls.
Advantages and disadvantages of natural plant dyes
Any dye, even natural, has its advantages and disadvantages. The same goes for henna and basma.
|
Benefits henna and basma |
Flaws of natural hair dyes |
| Doesn't harm the hair while maintaining the structure of the curls. | Do not process already dyed hair. |
| If necessary, can be quickly washed off with regular shampoo. | May leave marks on clothing or bedding when rinsed off. |
| There is a colorless basma and henna that will not change the color of the hair. | It is difficult to wash the remnants of dry leaves from the hair after dyeing. |
| Repairs damaged and split ends. | Requires constant maintenance as it rinses off quickly. |
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Henna coloring gives a wide variety of colors - it all depends on exposure to the hair and the original shade. |
In some cases, you may get an unexpected hair color that will have to be corrected. |
Contraindications andcoloring precautions
Neither basma nor henna have specific contraindications for use. Allergy to basma or henna components is a very rare occurrence. There are other contraindications for use:
- If the hair is too dry, then it is better not to use henna - the paint will dry out the curls even more.
- If the hair is treated with henna, then the synthetic dye will not be fixed on the hair.
- Don't use it to cover gray hair - the situation will get worse.
- It is difficult to bring out the dark shade that is obtained due to basma. Not suitable for short term use.
Other contraindications regarding the use of natural dyes can tell the hairdresser who will work with the hair.
What could be the results of the color palette
Henna coloring in the photo in each case looks special. To achieve a certain effect, it is worth preparing a certain proportion:
- To get rich black or dark chestnut, you need to combine basma and henna in a ratio of 2:1.
- Chestnut will turn out with an equal connection of parts of two dyes and with a long exposure on the hair.
- Slightly copper shade is easy to get by mixing basma and henna in a ratio of 1:2.
You can use henna and basma separately, then the result will solely depend on the original hair color and timeexposure of the mixture on the hair.
Hair preparation and products before dyeing
In order to dye your hair with henna, it is not necessary to visit a hairdresser. You can perform the procedure at home, and even without outside help.
Henna coloring at home:
- Hair must be clean.
- It is better to slightly moisturize the curls.
- It is advisable to comb the curls well before applying the dye.
- The skin near the hair should be greased with a fat cream so that there are no traces in the form of dark spots.
Properly prepared mixture is the key to success. If the mixture is too thin, the color will not set or will come out in patches. Subsequent preparation is to prepare a mixture of natural powder:
- Mix the henna and basma powder in the required proportion.
- Dissolve the powder with boiling water. Pour in water gradually, stirring the composition.
- It should be a creamy mixture.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes.
Sometimes a little hair conditioner is added to the already cooled mixture. This will help moisturize the scalp and soften the effect of dyes, preventing drying out.
Principle of dyeing hair
It is worth using a little powder for coloring. For short hair, 50 grams is enough, and for long hair, 200 grams of a mixture of powders. It is worth preparing protective gloves, a cape, combs, clips, a plastic cap.
Henna and basma coloring is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Comb your hair and divide the entire hair into three main parts. Pre-distribute all parts into curls.
- Cover your shoulders with a protective cape, and protect your hands with gloves.
- Apply the mixture from the root. To the tips, spread the mixture from the roots with a comb.
- To distribute the mixture more evenly along the length of the hair, it is worth rubbing the hair with massage movements for several minutes.
- Roll up your hair and cover your head with a plastic cap. Wrap a towel on top.
- To get a rich color, you need to withstand the mixture for 1.5 hours, for other purposes - from half an hour to 10 minutes.
Rinse the mixture from the hair with warm running water. Wash your hair again with shampoo or conditioner. It is worth washing off the paint until the water becomes completely transparent.
How to color your eyebrows
Eyebrows are often tinted with henna and basma. Such products are safe for the skin and eyes, the result is always positive, allergic reactions are completely excluded.
Eyebrow henna is done according to the following principle:
- Prepare a mixture of basma and henna. 1:1 for brown and 2:1 for black. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a little boiling water. The mixture should have the consistency of sour cream.
- Smear the skin around the eyebrows with a fat cream. Apply with a thin brush. Remove residues from the skin immediately with cotton wool.
- Stay the composition for half an hour, and then rinse with warm water. In the process, do not smear the mixture all over your face.
When first stainedThe color may not be what you want. A week later, it is worth re-staining.
Opinion of users of this coloring tool
Reviews about henna hair coloring are different, but mostly positive. Everyone likes that the product treats hair, restores the structure, and prevents split ends. Sometimes there are negative reviews that describe a terrible result regarding hair color or dryness.
Such troubles happen if you do not read the instructions regarding the methods and ways of using natural dyes of this type. As for the coloring of the eyebrows with henna, the reviews here are only positive. There are almost no negative reviews regarding this use.
The only drawback is that synthetic dyes cannot be used after and before applying basma and henna. If the desired color does not work out, then it can always be corrected by re-staining.
