How to Get the Best Results from Dark Brown Henna Hair Color

Whether you're a longtime user or new to henna for hair, you've probably discovered that henna isn't a one-size-fits-all product. Henna works with variations in your hair color to produce a unique shade. Other products you use, the softness of the water in your home, and other factors can also affect your results. And if you're using dark brown henna, you probably have even more questions about the process. The good news is that we have answers!

What Is Dark Brown Henna?

Dye from the henna plant only produces one color: red. To get shades of brown, we mix indigo and these herbs into a proprietary powdered blend:

🌿 neem

🌿 amla (Indian gooseberry)

🌿 bhringraj (false daisy)

We never use metallic salts, PPD, or other harsh chemicals in our henna or other products. Henna hair color from The Henna Guys is raw, vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates.

How Does Dark Brown Henna Work?

You'll receive two bags of herbs in your packet of Dark Brown Henna from The Henna Guys. The pouch of pure henna forms the base of your color and is applied as the first step of the coloring process. Don't panic if your hair looks orange-red after applying pure henna. This will be the foundation of your color and won't remain red. However, gray hairs can be notoriously tough to color, so you may need more than one application to cover them.

How Do I Get Brown Color from my Henna?

Once you've established the color base, mix and apply the bag of indigo and other herbs. Apply the mixture as the second step of the dyeing process. You may be tempted to combine the two bags and color your hair in a single step. Resist temptation! Doing so may not allow the dye to "take" properly, and you won't get the color you want. 

How Will my Color Turn Out?

Generally speaking, you'll see a rich, chocolatey brown. However, the shade you get is also determined by your existing hair color. Visit the product page for our Dark Brown Henna, and look for your current color on the left-hand column of our color chart. The 'finished' color on the right gives you an idea of how your hennaed hair will look. Henna cannot lighten hair, so dark brown henna doesn't show up on jet-black hair. Our Dark Brown dye sometimes leaves subtle red undertones that are most visible in sunlight.

Dark Brown Henna Tips and Tricks 

These tips will help you get the best possible results:

1. Follow the directions; don't skip steps! 
2. Instead of mixing your henna hair color with water, try brewed black coffee. Coffee helps you get a darker, richer color.
3. Add two to three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, or ACV, to the henna in the first step. ACV helps color "take," especially if you have grays. Although the acidity in ACV helps the color take hold, adding too much can also cause dryness. 
4. Be aware that it can take three days for the dye to complete the oxidation process. This is when you'll see the final results of your henna hair dye application.
5. Protect your new color with paraben- and sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. Wait 48 hours after applying henna to wash your hair.

Dark Brown Henna Troubleshooting

If you're still seeing gray hairs or your grays appear orange-red, try these solutions:

1. Re-apply Dark Brown Henna. As we mentioned, it can take multiple applications to achieve the color you want.
2. Add a teaspoon of salt to the indigo mixture for better dye release.
3. Wrap a towel around the shower cap or plastic wrap you'll wear during the application process. This helps hold in more heat for better color results.

Henna hair color is most vibrant in the first four to six weeks. Although it's considered a permanent hair color, henna does fade over time. Still have questions about Dark Brown Henna or any other product? Get in touch with The Henna Guys. We want to help you get the best possible results from your henna hair color.