If, like us, you're tired of the damage that comes with box dye, then why not try the best henna hair dye as a natural alternative? The best hair dye won't ruin your locks, in fact, some even condition your hair while you colour it. Henna actually protects it by binding with the hairās cuticle and strengthening it from within. Who'd have thought?
An age-old method for colouring your hair, it's one of the oldest forms of pigmentation out there. Henna is an all-natural, plant-based dye. In other words, it's a fab alternative to the dyes that are full of chemicals and strip your hair's protective barrier. It's made with the leaves of the Henna plant, which are crushed into a powder and combined with a liquid to form a thick, green paste.
Closer's best henna hair dyes at a glance:
Editor's Choice: It's Pure Organic Henna Hair Dye in Strawberry Blonde, Ā£12.95 on Amazon
Best budget henna hair dye: Rainbow Research Henna Hair Colour in Medium Brown, Ā£7.10 on iHerb
Best pure henna hair dye: H&C Pure Natural Henna, Ā£8.09 on Amazon
Pure henna creates more of a red hair dye. But, a combination of other ingredients produces different shade results, from strawberry blonde to brunette. There are so many shade choices, and here at Closer, we've made it easier for you by rounding up the best.
So, are you looking to get this season's trending colour with a cowboy copper hair dye? Henna is particularly known for its bold copper hues, so you'll have fresh, new and on-trend 'do in no time. Just, without all of that added damage, and packed full of plant-based goodness instead. The only question is, which colour will you go for?
SHOP: The best henna hair dyes
Editor's Choice
AmazonAs a favourite shade of ours, get strawberry blonde locks with the It's Pure Organic Henna Hair Dye. There's a whole range of shades to choose from, including auburn hair dye, but we love this strawberry blonde colour. Made with all-natural and organic ingredients, it's free from any nasties that will harm your hair's health and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Customer review: "I was worried about using dye as Iāve developed an allergy to regular hair dye. This natural dye is brilliant, it is fun, easy to use and has hidden my grey hairs. I left it on for an hour so it has blended in my greys rather than completely eradicating them, so for the total eradication of grey hairs, I would recommend leaving for more than an hour. Iām a natural auburn redhead and this strawberry blond was a perfect match for me."
Pros
- 100 per cent natural and organic
- PPD-free, ammonia-free, peroxide-free and gluten-free
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for brunettes
Best budget henna hair dye
iHerbuk.iherb.com
At such a steal, the Rainbow Research Henna Hair Colour from iHerb has this brown hair dye that we just can't resist. This pure natural henna plant powder is free from all chemicals and can even supposedly be used to cover greys. as well as add body and shine to all hair types. We're snapping this one up.
Customer review: "I have been using this brand for a while now and absolutely love it! I have stubborn greys and the chemical colouring was actually destroying my hair. It took a bit of tinkering to get rid of the strong scent on my hair. Now I mix it with chamomile and lemon and the smell doesnāt linger as much on my hair. My hair is shiny and strong as well. Good size for the price. I think Rainbow Research is the best quality brand out there. Great package."
Pros
- Free of all chemicals, preservatives and dyes
- Can be used to cover grey or white hair
Cons
- May come out warm on some
Best pure henna hair dye
AmazonFor those familiar with mixing their own henna or those wanting an authentic copper red shade, the H&C Pure Natural Henna is the one for you. Naturally sourced from the henna plant, this powder is made from freshly cultivated henna leaves and free from harsh chemicals or PPDs. Depending on your desired shade, you may have to mix it up with indigo powder. But, if you want a vibrant copper 'do that turns heads, just check out the reviews to see impressive results.
Customer review: "All I can say is wow. I am so so happy I tried this brand and am completely amazed that this beautiful colour is all-natural. I have been using henna for the last 6 months or so as my scalp was suffering and my hair too from peroxide and box dyes. The colour is beautiful I'm still in awe of it and get so many compliments."
Pros
- Free from chemicals and PPD
- Delivers a vibrant colour
- Hair feels soft and shiny
Cons
- You have to mix it up yourself
Best popular henna hair dye
AmazonNearly sold out, the Khadi Plant Hair Dye is a popular choice at Amazon. Containing Amla powder as well as henna, its organic formula consists of highly potent plants. Reviewers claim it covered their greys, and the result was a natural-looking shade with a soft and shiny feel. We'll take it, thanks.
Customer review: "Iāve tried so many natural products that claim to cover grey/white hair. Most of them donāt work. But this absolutely does! And an added bonus is it doesnāt stain your skin or the bathroom furniture! I used the hazel colour as my hair is quite dark and the grey hair has come out a golden colour."
Best henna hair dye for beginners
AmazonAt a reasonable price, the Herbal Time Henna Natural Cream Colour is by far the easiest to apply on our list, making it the best for beginners. Not only is it suitable for sensitive skin being free from PDD, parabens and sulfates - but the botanical extracts actually protect AND nourish the hair. Choose from a cruelty-free range of shades, all formulated to deliver a vibrant colour.
Customer review: "I've been colouring my hair myself for years and only recently changed to henna. I've had a few powders that you mix with water that get cloggy and smell awful but this smells love and is by far the easiest to apply. The colour wasn't as bright as I expected but still covered my grey giving me a vibrant, even colour all over"
Pros
- Processing time is shorter than other henna dyes
- Nettle extract, olive oil, and resin oil improve hair structure
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for some hair types
Best trending henna hair dye
AmazonCopper is all in this season, and the Henna Hair Colouring Cream from Henne Color is a much-loved favourite for its copper shade. Highly recommended, this trending product is a favourite for those who regularly love henna. So, can you blame us for adding this to our basket? The reviews speak for themselves...
Customer review: "You can't go wrong with this product - it's an amazing colour, it's colourfast (if you do it right), it's completely no-nonsense, it has no toxic chemicals, it's quick and it's so simple to use that you won't go back to have your hair dyed and pay 20x times the amount for it!!!!! There's so much good to say about this - it does not cause (at least to me) any reactions of ANY kind. My hair is a bright colour of copper afterwards - but then I have fairly greying, dark blonde hair with already quite a few white streaks. Those white streaks btw turn a beautiful bright colour of copper! I have been using this same product for over 10 years and I sure hope it will never stop being made. I'll use it until the end of my days if I can. (not exaggerating, this is honest)"
Pros
- Highly recommended
- Vibrant colour that covered greys for some
- Easy to apply
Cons
- May not be suitable for some hair types
Best natural-looking henna hair dye
AmazonA final one from Henne Colour, their shade of auburn Henna Hair Colouring Cream has us SO impressed with the results, seriously. Delivering a natural-looking hue that sits between a ginger hair dye and a brown tone, you'll have salon-worthy results in no time. There's also more choice within their Brown Henna Hair Colouring Cream range, but their auburn shade has us OBSESSED.
Customer review: "Used on completely natural hair as I'd grown out all previous hair dyes. I'm a natural dark blonde. It's a gorgeous copper colour. It smells delicious as well, which is a bonus point. My hair feels soft. Will be using this regularly from now on!"
Pros
- Stunning natural results
- No PPs, no SLS, no ammonia, no parabens, no oxidants
- Covered greys for some
Cons
- The colour is said to fade quickly by reviewers
Best multipack henna hair dye
AmazonIf a few packs of henna hair dye is what you're looking for, then look no further. Henne Color's Pack Of 3 Henna Hair Dye Powder comes in shades of brown, black and blonde. Forming a protective layer around hair and enhancing your natural highlights, it's safe for sensitive skin and free from harmful ingredients.
Customer review: "Great colour, shiny hair, a bit messy to apply but this is expected with real henna products. Fantastic product, will definitely buy it again"
Pros
- Best for sensitive skin
- No PPs, no SLS, no ammonia, no parabens, no oxidants
- Different shades available
Cons
- Has a messy application
What to be mindful of with henna hair dye?
Selecting your dye: Always read the ingredients. A chemical called PPD is commonly used in products claiming to be 'black henna' or used in some 'black henna' hair dyes and can cause allergic reactions. Check that any premixed product is made from pure henna and plant dyes, with no additives, chemicals or metallic salts.
Mixing your henna: If you have pure henna instead of premixed henna, you'll have to mix up your dye. Adding certain ingredients will change the outcome of the dye's colour. There are guides on how to mix henna and video tutorials you can watch to help with this part.
Testing your product: Always do a patch test and a strand test in the days before. We don't advise you to colour your hair without doing a patch test. A strand test will give you an idea of what the result will be. Keep in mind, there'll be natural variations using henna dye and it may not be as effective on previously coloured hair or greys.
The development time: This takes a bit longer than your average box dye. Leave the dye on your hair for the time instructed, which is usually anywhere from about three to six hours. Again, the colour result can vary but tends to deepen the longer that you leave it on.
The final shade: Be warned that henna does stay in your hair for some time, as the pigment stains your hair. One thing to be mindful of is that you may have to repeat the process if the shade isn't as vibrant as you'd like the first time around. A final point is that henna cannot lighten hair, so managing your expectations if you're anticipating brand-new blonde locks is for the best.
How to dye your hair with henna from home?
It's no secret that henna is difficult to remove, and no amount of shampoo for stripping hair colour is going to shift it. But, if you're sure about your colour and ready to go, then here are a few steps on how to dye your hair with henna from home:
Step one)Ā Following our tips above, select your dye. There are two types of henna, pure henna powder and premixed henna powder. Premixed dye is better for beginners, so this is what we'd recommend.
Step two)Ā Put on an old shirt. You'll want something you can button open and something you won't mind the dye dripping onto. Henna is usually a thick paste, so it's sure to get messy.
Step three) Apply a barrier cream around your hairline, ears and the back of your neck. This prevents the dye from staining your skin, but if you do, follow our guide onĀ how to remove hair dye off your skin.
Step four) We recommend you pop on a pair of gloves and use a brush and bowl for application. Sectioning your hair into layers with clips, follow the instructions that come with your henna. Apply it thickly to dry hair.
Step five)Ā Unlike regular box dye, henna takes a lot longer to develop. So, you might want to block out the rest of your afternoon! After the developing time is up, wash your hair as instructed.
If the colour isn't as vibrant as you'd like, repeat the process again a few days later until you get the desired result. Or, use a shampoo for red hair to enhance the colour (if you've gone for a red hue). Et voilĆ , hair envy pending.
Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Closer magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.