Choosing colorless henna

Henna without color is becoming more and more popular among people seeking natural hair care products. Colorless henna provides the advantages of the plant without altering the color of your hair, in contrast to traditional henna, which is distinguished by its vivid red tones. It’s a great option for enhancing texture overall, adding shine, and fortifying hair.

This all-natural powder, which is made from the Cassia obovata plant, is ideal for people who wish to forgo chemical hair treatments without sacrificing the appearance of healthier hair. Colorless henna is something to think about if you have sensitive skin, worry about the condition of your scalp, or just want to give your hair a natural boost.

This post will discuss the qualities that set colorless henna apart, its application, and its advantages for various hair types. For the best outcomes, you’ll also find advice on how to use it effectively.

Requirements

For the experiment’s objects, I only had one requirement: henna had to be sold in physical stores or pharmacies. After circling the surrounding areas, I came across a tiny catch:

1. Henna from Fitokosmetik (about 50 rubles)
2. Indian henna from Artcolor (somewhere 150 rubles)
3. Indian henna Sanavi (300+ rubles)
4. Colorless henna from Artcolor (somewhere 150 rubles)
5. Indian henna from Fitokosmetik (somewhere 100 rubles).

We examine the composition and expiration date. Everywhere, Cassia Obovata is mentioned

A natural, chemical-free method of strengthening and nourishing your hair without altering its color is with colorless henna. It’s perfect for those who want to add volume, shine, and improve the health of their hair without making the commitment to dye. With the benefits of traditional henna without the risk of color change, this adaptable treatment is ideal for all hair types and is a gentle and safe option for regular use.

Colorless henna

What is Cassia Obovata

The earliest species known to botanists was Cassia obovata, also known as Italian senna, which was first discovered in the first part of the 16th century and is still available in pharmacies under this name. There are roughly 400 different kinds of cassia worldwide.

Cassia was used to treat eczema and skin infections in India.

Why is this plant still in demand after all these centuries? What makes it so interesting?

• rutin (Vitamin P) penetrates the hair roots and strengthens them, has anti-inflammatory properties;
• zeaxanthin (yellow pigment), which is also found in saffron and turmeric. Have you noticed that after a mask of colorless henna, your hair becomes more golden? This is its merit.)
• betaine has a complex effect on skin care, due to the ability to retain water in cells, effectively moisturizes the skin, strengthens cell membranes;
• chrysophanol is used as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent.

P.S. While I could not find any evidence of the use of other ingredients in cosmetics, this is obviously not the complete composition of cassia. Unfortunately, there aren’t many studies on this subject.

What else can be hidden under the guise of colorless henna

It’s important to pay close attention to Artcolor Henna because the cardboard packaging frequently conceals jujube. Furthermore, store shelves will be overflowing with either one or the other, depending on the area.

I was hoping to compare two kinds of "colorless" henna and locate at least one jujube, but sadly, neither marketplaces nor stores satisfied me. They sent me another box of Cassia obovata after I tried to order Artcolor, which included jujube in the composition.

The "real" colorless henna, Lawsonia, from which the coloring pigment has been removed, may also be concealed by this name (but I will tell you about it at another time).

Packaging

Similar-quality cardboard boxes composed of somewhat thinner cardboard. I think the designs of Artcolor are more fashionable, particularly the Indian one on the left.

There are bags with cassia inside. Sanavi is ahead of the game here because a thick foil bag is more practical for repeated use and storage.

Raw materials

My attention was drawn to the color difference right away! It still amazes me that, prior to this experiment, I thought the Indian henna from Fitocosmetic (the one on the right) wasn’t all that horrible. And I wasn’t bothered by it at all.

Let’s examine them more closely. The images are all in the same sequence:

The remaining raw materials have a similar appearance when the color difference is taken into consideration. At first look, even the grinding appears to be the same. However, let’s hone in a bit more:

Seen a big stick in the initial henna design? I’m curious about the level of purification required in production to allow for the passage of debris this size.

It really only takes a few minutes to remove such big particles. You will need a basic Soviet flour sifter for this. I enjoy sorting through henna, even if it appears flawless at first. This combination gets more voluminous, brews more easily, and is much simpler to remove from hair.

I would have assumed it was clay if I hadn’t noticed the henna in the first and last pictures.

Brewing

I now advise you to observe the brewing process. Every picture was taken under identical lighting conditions on the same day to maintain the experiment’s integrity.

Additionally, you can see how much the shades vary between manufacturers here.

I brew with regular tap water.

Try making a decoction of flax seeds if you want the mask to have a viscous consistency that is easier to wash off and does not crumble. It also adds shine and moisturizes as an added bonus. Try making a nettle decoction if you have dark hair, especially if it’s light brown in color. It will help to reinforce the roots and bring attention to the natural shade. Look more closely at linden or chamomile if you have light hair or are aiming for a golden shine. Additionally, hibiscus tea will help your red hair appear brighter and richer if you have that type of hair.

Usually, I whisk the herbs together (or, if I’m feeling very lazy, I use a blender), but because this mixture was so tiny, I had to use a fork.

I have to share my all-time favorite photo:

Fitocosmetic henna nearly never absorbs water and is incredibly difficult to blend and "break up" into lumps. She also smelled like stuck hay, very distinct.

Iranian henna from Artcolor was the simplest to prepare; it absorbed water almost perfectly and almost completely without lumps. I added a lot of water, but I did it very slowly so the herbs could absorb all the moisture they required. The "mass" should ideally grow in size well.)

The henna from Sanavi surprised me in an unpleasant way. It was very tasty-smelling and absorbed a lot of water, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not get rid of the lumps (not even a blender could help!).

How to apply and wash off

It was to be expected—Fitocosmetic’shennais the worst to use. It is difficult to stretch along the entire length and crumbles. Sadly, not even sorting it could save it. It is also the most difficult to remove. After such a mask, your hair is dry, tangled, and the ends crunch menacingly. Your scalp also itches, and you really want to wash your hair the following day.

Is this henna good for me? Yes, as surprised as you will be! This henna can be useful if you tend to overmoisturize your hair or if you want your hair to hold a hairstyle for as long as possible without using a lot of styling products. However, I would regularly look more closely at other options.

The most unexpected behavior came from Sanavi’s henna. It was viscous and pliable to the touch, as though I had brewed it with a flax seed decoction instead of water. It was applied better than all, did not crumble during exposure, stretched well, and washed out perfectly with water (I prefer not to wash off herbal masks with shampoo), even though there were a lot of lumps that I was never able to stir. The next day, my scalp and hair felt fantastic.

My all-time favorite.

What I add

Top 5 ingredients I add to herbal masks are:

1. Peppermint essential oil is a wonderful way to turn a strengthening mask into a hair growth mask.
2. Bhringraj – in India, they believe that this plant helps to make your natural hair color brighter and prevents gray hair. I will also believe.
3. Chamomile – sometimes I add powder directly to the mask, sometimes I brew it with chamomile infusion; for shine and goldenness.
4. Any light oil.
5. Citric acid – also for golden shine.

What other henna to try

I tried henna from Indibird and the Soap Nuts brand, which are easily (and most importantly, quickly!) obtained in Russia. Though they are reasonably priced, both cassias brew well and are easily cleaned off.

There’s no difference in the henna from Artcolor, in my opinion. just in terms of cost and delivery time.

Benefits of Colorless Henna	Considerations Before Use
Strengthens hair and reduces breakage	May cause dryness if overused
Natural shine and volume boost	Results may vary based on hair type
Helps with scalp health	Patch test recommended for sensitive skin
No chemicals or artificial additives	Not suitable for dyed hair as it may alter the color

If you want to strengthen your hair naturally without changing its color, colorless henna is a great choice. Renowned for its ability to nourish, improve texture, and enhance shine, this product is a favorite among those looking for a more natural approach to hair care.

It’s easy and affordable to add colorless henna to your hair care regimen. When used consistently, this product can provide noticeable results in a matter of time, regardless of whether your hair is dry, damaged, or just needs extra care.

But, it’s imperative that you test the henna on a small portion of your hair beforehand, particularly if you have very light or chemically treated hair. This guarantees that it complements your hair type well and won’t have any unanticipated side effects.

Video on the topic

Colorless henna for hair. Mask of colorless henna and castor oil

Strengthening hair with colorless henna / natural care

Colorless henna for hair: harm or benefit?