Hair dying Henna Style

Like many people in their early 40’s the number of grey hairs on my head are increasing exponentially! My hair has ‘needed’ dying for several months.

I am really trying to live more sustainably. Back in July I started using bar shampoo and conditioner. Scouring for days and finally settling on a 2 in 1 from Peace with the Wild. My first bar is still going, the second in the cupboard ready when needed.

So my research into zero waste hair dye started. As a teenager I was an avid fan of The Body Shop henna dye. It was smelly, messy and took up the whole day! They don’t appear to sell it anymore. I found loads of vegan hair dyes, but they still came in plastic packaging. Finally I decided to take a look at Lush and discovered their Henna bars. I bought one (along with a few stocking fillers for the kids) and eagerly awaited my parcel.

It arrived! All £13 of it, quite a large bar, smelled delicious too!! It sat in a cupboard in the bathroom for a few days, I was due a hair cut so there was no point using more than necessary.

So this morning I set about having a go. Since my hair is pretty short I cut the bar in half, chopped it into small pieces and poured boiling water over it. Then lovingly stirred until it was a delightful sloppy cow pat consistency. Smelled just like I remembered. Went on the same way, I was a bit messy! But then did have to take my glasses off when a dollop landed on them. I didn’t use all of it so I could have probably got away with cutting the slab into 3.

I wrapped my head in an old plastic bag (I don’t buy clingfilm any more) with a towel over the top.

Then I waited…

…and waited…

…and waited some more.

It was finally time to take it off! I was a a bit apprehensive taking the bag off my head. I needn’t have worried. My head looked like it was covered in dry mud!! Took me a while to get all the gritty bits out, once I did I washed it twice. The main difference between using the henna than ‘normal’ hair dye I noticed much less hair falling out.

Time then to dry and straighten. My hair feels really soft, and is super shiny AND is so lovely to touch. Still smells a bit herby but the hubby assures me that it’s not a bad smell. I’m really pleased with the colour, where it was grey it is a light chestnut colour the rest is a bit darker. It’s like I have my own unique highlights.

I think I may have found the way I’ll be dying my hair for the foreseeable. Yes it was messier and a bit more time consuming. But nothing has gone in the bin. I sat and snuggled my youngest whilst watching a film instead of squeezing the process in after the kids have gone to bed.

If you’re looking for a zero waste way to dye your hair then I think this is the way forward. I’m definitely a convert!