Prepare Your Hair

Want to get the best results out of your henna hair color? Or maybe your hair is damaged and you want to get it in better shape? Either way, you should start by prepping your hair! This is especially good advice if you are new to henna or are making the switch from chemical to natural dyes. This preparation will add a layer of protection to your hair, particularly if it's chemically damaged. It will also help your henna (and indigo) stick better. These same steps can be used to condition and strengthen your hair, even if your final goal is not to color your hair. 

Step 1: Clarify Your Hair & Scalp

Morrocco Method’s Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo - Our best selling shampoo is also the best place to start prepping your hair for your new color! Remember that the perfect wash means washing your hair twice. The first wash is for your hair, the second is for your scalp. Apple cider vinegar nourishes the hair and scalp and increases the activity of the sebaceous glands to flush out debris, excess oil build-up, and unhealthy bacteria.

- For bonus points, use an apple cider rinse in your hair afterwards. 

 

Step 2: Strengthen, Condition, and Prep with Neutral Henna

Neutral henna has so many benefits for your hair! Neutral henna is an excellent hair conditioner that strengthens your hair and makes it feel thick and look glossy while promoting scalp health. You can safely use neutral henna on previously chemically dyed hair to help strengthen and repair damage caused by bleach, relaxers, and other chemical treatments. Neutral henna will help red henna and indigo stick to hair that would otherwise be too porous to take up the color. It's also great practice for if you decide you want to use a henna hair color. Knowing how long it takes to apply the paste to your hair is invaluable if you're using indigo as part of your henna hair color.

How to use it:

Mix your Morrocco Method Neutral Henna with 16oz of filtered water and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice or other fruit juice/acid (enough that your water is tart). Add more or less water to get the correct consistency, which should be easily spreadable, but not dripping from the spoon. Aim for thick Greek yogurt.

Cover the mix and let rest 8-12 hours. Neutral henna still goes through the process of dye release the way natural red henna does, but the transparent pale yellow dye molecule isn’t visible on hair much darker than medium blonde. On white/gray/lightest blonde hair, neutral henna will leave a golden wheat stain that will wash out over time.

Apply the neutral henna paste to clean, dry hair from root to tip and wrap with plastic or a shower cap, and cover to keep your paste warm and moist.

Rinse after 1-4 hours. **If you're using neutral henna before the light blonde kit, or if you have color-resistant grays, keep it on for 4.

Related Blogs: Neutral Henna - Get Strong & Glossy Without the Color, How to Apply Henna