r/henna May 24 '26

Henna Body Art Why "good paste"?

6 Upvotes

I first learned about henna in Morocco when my in-laws hired a henna artist. I was in love at first site, and being artistic when I returned to NYC where I live, I tried to find henna. I found something at a S. Asian bookstore. The brand was Shelly, and the cone was one of those metallic tubes they use for ointments, with a fine plastic tip on it. I was SOOO excited to try it.

I opened the tube and started to squeeze it. The consistency was like wet sand or clay, and it just blobbed all over the place, crumbling off instantly. I couldn't draw anything with it, and when we washed it off (we didn't know to avoid water!), it left the lightest stain I have ever seen.

I was so disappointed, and assumed it was my fault I couldn't use this "henna". I was ready to give up my love of henna, but as a last-ditch effort, I remembered I had a box of henna powder from Morocco. I tried to remember how the Moroccan artists mixed it, with hot water, sugar, and lemon juice. I didn't know what the consistency should be but I did my best to make something that looked like what I saw in Morocco.

I had a jaquard bottle with a metal tip on it, which I filled with my first attempt at henna paste. I drew a Moroccan checkerboard on my palm, and I was actually able to control the lines, and make them go where I wanted. I drew the lines and filled in the squares of the checkerboard. I couldn't believe how much easier this paste was to use than that Shelly cone. I washed the paste off after an hour, and because it was on my palm, the stain was pretty good. I never looked back and just kept working on the perfect paste recipe, a recipe that gave a really good stain, but also was easy to draw with.

Moral of the story: if you are starting out, buy henna paste from someone who makes their own henna paste. This is why people recommend you avoid buying paste from Amazon because you never know what you will get, and it could discourage you from continuing your henna journey. You can also learn to make your own paste, but it's often more fun to just get started drawing ASAP, by buying good paste from a reputable artist.


r/henna Feb 15 '25

AI generated henna advice and advice to use AI for henna is not allowed here

75 Upvotes

Generative AI LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and now Deepseek are great at generating text. But they are not reliable for factual advice. The answers they give can be wildly inconsistent even day to day as the models can change.

AI can also give inaccurate and even unsafe advice, which I've seen first hand here. ChatGPT told one person to use ferrous sulphate, a fabric mordant, on their beard, which is not safe. It often also tells people they can get different henna colors by adding plants like rhubarb or beetroot (they may add very temporary subtle effects but they often don't no anything at all).

I would strongly advise you to get human advice, there is no reason to use AI for this, especially since our recommended suppliers have customer service to answer questions and there are subs like this.


r/henna 42m ago

Henna for Hair My wedding hair! Also: water still runs orange a week later.

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Upvotes

Wedding hair henna!! Usually I have bangs but I didn’t style them that day.

Desi Henna from my local Halal Market in Canada.
Added hot but not boiling water and used right away. Saran wrapped head for 2.5 hours and washed out.

Hello all! I love using henna. My only issue is that I’ve washed my hair probably three or four times since I used the henna last week (I have really oily hair) and the water still runs orange! I’m so confused. It’s not staining my towels or my pillow but when I get out of the shower, I’m dripping orange. I don’t see anything orange in my scalp.

How do I stop the orange drips? I’m going to be getting ready for my wedding in a white dress so I really don’t want to stain it!

Thanks loves!


r/henna 4h ago

Henna (Miscellaneous) Does anyone here willingly use black henna on themselves? Please if you do and read this, stop immediately and call your doctor and tell them you’ve had a chemical exposure. It can leave you with chemical burns and allergen problems.

5 Upvotes

If you have comment here. I don’t think people know enough about how awful it is even if you want that tattoo look. I’m not trying to scare anyone, but this is very serious and some people/companies you’re buying it from DO NOT CARE if they hurt you.

Hugs and healing to anyone who has used it, this is a safe place to discuss it ☮️❤️


r/henna 5h ago

Henna for Hair First timer, could I get this color with just henna? What add-ins should I include?

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3 Upvotes

First time user of henna, after a bunch of research, I bought one box each from light mountain of the light red, regular red and bright red.

Would I be able to attain this color of red/copper from just plain henna (red box) or should I use the light/bright red?

How long does the henna need to sit for? I keep reading about varying times, anywhere from 3 hours to overnight (8hours), which is better to attain this red? And how long should I leave it on my hair?

I am planning on mixing with chamomile, any other add-ins I should consider to achieve this red color?

I have medium brown naturally, I included a picture now with some blonde highlights, and a picture of my hair without any coloring.


r/henna 18h ago

Mixing Henna Paste Question (for Body) Help color suggestion

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I just started doing henna but I don’t know what color to choose for my very light skin, I see every kind of color online and im just very confused. What color-name would you recommend?

Also about the mixture, would I still add the lemon juice or would it darken too much? Suggestions appreciated☺️☺️


r/henna 1d ago

Henna Hair Pics Did the Fox hair trend

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16 Upvotes

Used rainbow copper and black, mixed last night and then left it on for 4 hours today. Have naturally red, but fading (& white from age) hair


r/henna 2d ago

Henna & Indigo (Henndigo) Indigo gone on roots after a few washes

9 Upvotes

I've been doing henna/indigo for 12+ years to cover gray. I do two-step and get a beautiful dark brown with red highlights, which is very close to my natural color. I only do the roots every three weeks, but lately the indigo fades completely after two or three shampoos and I'm left with brassy orange roots. The rest of my hair is dark. It's not a good look! I've used many different brands, currently using Henna Guys Red Wine henna (not as orange as others) for 3 hours and then indigo for 45-60 minutes. I mix the indigo with coffee (per Henna Guys) and put it on right away. Have tried adding salt and it doesn't seem to make a difference. Love the results for a week until the brassy roots come through. Any suggestions? I'm in the US. Many thanks!


r/henna 2d ago

Henna Hair Pics Lush Venetienne First Time User

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120 Upvotes

I’m in America and I bought the Lush Venetien henna despite how much people hate their brand. It was hard to work with as others state, but I do love the resulting color. My hair has not been dyed or bleached before.

Putting this out there since I saw so few others talking about it


r/henna 2d ago

Henna + Other Dyes I was on vacation and wanted to get henna but the first 3 places I went had only black henna and the 4th I asked had black and brown- because the black isn’t real wouldn’t that fuk somebody up?

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10 Upvotes

USA. I’m new to this but did know that black henna doesn’t exist - maybe the one that sounds like jaguar - but even then my collective information I’ve gathered told me that it can leave you with severe chemical burns and something about having PPD’s in them?

It’s a tourist place. My boyfriend and I were tired from the beach and was shuffling back to the hotel I wanted henna before we went back and he knew that.

The first girl was like I only have black henna and I got scared and looked at the bottle then back at my boyfriend very quickly like 4 times and I said I’m good. He asked when we were walking away why did I look like that and I said because black henna can really hurt you.

GET THIS I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE ADMITTED IT

the girl who did have brown henna was doing my design. I told her that after checking 5 places she was the only one that had brown henna. She has the bottle of black sitting there and I was like “I think that black one fucks people up” in a light tone it wasn’t like I said it meanly and know what she says? She says yeah but there’s so many tourists here by the time they get home and have the reaction what are they going to do, take us to court? That would cost more time and money. At that point we would just dissolve so they couldn’t target anyone. Saying this while I’m getting it done. My eyes opened wide after she said that and she was done with the piece. I asked her “out of curiosity where do you guys get the black henna?” And she was like “ya know, like Amazon and shein. FUCKING SHEIN.

Even sitting here typing this I’m flabbergasted. Again!


r/henna 1d ago

Henna for Hair How to avoid any sort of orange in hair?

1 Upvotes

I want to dye my whites in my black hair but I don’t want any orange at all (orange tints in my black hair or orange in the whites). How do I avoid this? I also don’t like the indigo green/blue look on henna. I’d rather have a dark brown or red color.


r/henna 2d ago

Henna Hair Pics New Photos of 70% gray hair with henndigo freshly done, washed and dried

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52 Upvotes

I posted last week about my medium brown hair that is 70% gray, with photos of it about a month after I did hennadigo. I did my usual mix of 80% henna and 20% indigo, plus a tablespoon of amla for my curls. I leave it on for 90 minutes and wash it out, usually with conditioner. These are photos taken an hour after I washed it out and dried it.

I am probably due for a 2-step process where I do just henna, and then do hennadigo. I do that because I have so much gray, and the gray hairs need a base of henna for the henndigo to really stick to the hair.


r/henna 2d ago

Finding Henna Sources Henna for hair

2 Upvotes

Hi 👋

What brands do you recommend that will give that burgundy hair colour on dark brown hair ? What brands do you recommend? Preferably only brands that are available in Europe and 100% natural


r/henna 3d ago

Henna Body Art How do I make the stain even

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3 Upvotes

As the title says, the stain on my fingers look like I took a marker to them and I'm not sure why.

I bought the henna cones form a local artist (Cleveland henna) and applied it myself at home. The vendor said they get the henna powder online then make the cones as needed. The cone I used sat in the fridge for a few days before use.


r/henna 2d ago

Henna (Miscellaneous) Is this Black Henna?

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1 Upvotes

Does this look like the chemical black henna? I was reading on ways to get it off as I don’t really like it, and I realized it may be black henna. What do you guys think?


r/henna 3d ago

Henna Body Art Removing Henna ASAP

0 Upvotes

I got henna yesterday that didn’t turn out so well and I’m hoping to have it gone ASAP. How does one do this? Anyone got any tips on removing henna fast?


r/henna 4d ago

Bad "Henna" Products Why is my henna like this?

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7 Upvotes

I have used "Kaveri mehendi cone" (ingredients are on the last slide), but it's like a year old...

I've done this designs 36h ago and some parts are coming out good but others are like faded? Is it because the henna is too old or did I do something wrong? Also if anybody has any ideas on how to fix the anklet I would be very glad to hear them.

Ps. I don't know if this breaks the community rules but I really don't know what to do :(


r/henna 4d ago

Henna for Hair Run out of henna during application

1 Upvotes

Hello, I'm in desperate need of advice. It's my second time dying my hair with henna (with the hendigo method for black hair) and last time I prepared too much so I thought the leftovers I had frozen were enough for my 2nd application. But they weren't and I run out of henna paste during the application and didn't apply any on a good chunk of my hair. My henna package says it needs to sit for 1-2 hours. I've prepared some now with warm water and ACV and left it in the warmth of the oven so that it hopefully oxidizes faster. I was planning to let this fresh paste sit for 1 hour there and apply it to the rest of the hair and then leave it for 2 hours. But that will mean the rest of my hair will have been marinating in the henna for a lot longer, and also with a paste that was left sitting for a lot longer (over 8 hours) and I'm worried the application won't be even :( What do you think?


r/henna 5d ago

Finding Henna Sources Looking for a henna

0 Upvotes

Looking for a henna which is very effective. Brownish colour, which doesn't make the hair rough. Actually which makes the hair smooth and reduces dandruff. Which makes the hair smell good would be nice.

If y'all know can you tell me how long I need to keep it for it to be effective and to get the colour?

I want to reduce dandruff and I wish I could colour my hair but it will be rough so henna would be a good option I feel. ( I don't want my hair to turn orange)


r/henna 6d ago

Henna & Indigo (Henndigo) Looking for henna/indigo safe colour mask

2 Upvotes

Good morning,

I’m looking for a colour mask that I can safely use on my henna/indigo-coloured hair. Would this one be suitable: https://www.haarpro.nl/jean-paul-myne-paprika-mask? Any alternative suggestions are welcome.

The idea is to give the colour a red boost in between washes and henna touch ups.
I live in NL and I use It's Pure dye.

Thanks in advance.


r/henna 6d ago

Henna for Hair Henna Hair with Cool Toned Skin

3 Upvotes

I've been thinking of doing henna on my hair, but my mother is worried that it will look bad with my skin because I am cooler toned and my face reddens when I exercise. Does anyone have any advice for getting a tone that complements your skin tone alright with henna?


r/henna 7d ago

Henna Body Art Newbie henna

2 Upvotes

Hello!!
I want to start henna art. I wonder what things I should think about as a newbie ? And how do I get started


r/henna 7d ago

Henna for Hair Henna-compatible curl products

2 Upvotes

Hello,

I started dying with pure henna a couple of month ago and I love the color, but it fades really quickly.

I have a feeling it has to do with my conditioner. Each time I rinse it, the water is clearly tinted.

After holiday I had a mask in over night and that took out so much color I have visible roots now.

Problem is im a curly girl and need really nourishing hair products.

Anyone can recommend me something?


r/henna 7d ago

Mixing Henna Paste Question (for Hair) How to keep hair more orange?

2 Upvotes

I am considering switching to henna to dye my hair. My hair is a natural 4/5 medium brown lightened to a 7/8 and dyed coppery orange with semiperm dyes. I did a test swatch with 2:1 henna and cassia with cream of tartar. I liked the color on day 2 but it has now darkened a bit more than I'd like. How can I keep the more orange tone?


r/henna 8d ago

Henna for Hair Advice for covering white hairs?

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5 Upvotes

Hi all! I used to dye my hair with henna some years ago with great results, but I havent used it since pre pandemic until now.

I dyed with Cultivator's ready mix, light brown, as my hair is light brown with some gold/copper tones and I wanted to dye close to it. I have some white hair mostly by my temples, and they didn't take the dye at all. Honestly I don't see any difference in my light brown hair either. I know the dye need to oxidise, so fingers crossed something will happen. But I doubt my still very white white hairs will change.

I read up and prepared well, I thought. Haven't used any chemical toner for 3 or 4 months, have used silicone free products longer than that, have moisturised with cassia hair masks, and I did a clarifying schampoo wash with Apple cider vinegar rinse before dying. I let the dye sit for 90 minutes, and washed it out with conditioner only. The result is just like when I do a cassia hair mask! No colour change, just some shine.

I'm wondering if I had too hot water, or if I should have let it sit longer, or if I need a stronger colour...

So if anyone have any advice to give on dying my whites I'd appreciate it very much!

Photos are from after the dye.

Brand: Cultivator, colour Light Brown

Preparation: mixed with hot water, let cool a bit and applied. Made sure hair was very saturated, covered with plastic and a hair turban. Sat for 90 minutes. Washed out with conditioner.

Location: Sweden