๐ŸŒฟ Free U.S. shipping on orders over $35  ยท  Unlock 10% off your first ritual

Henna Guide: Powder for Hair, Cones for Body Art

Henna (Lawsonia inermis) has colored hair, beards and hands for more than 5,000 years. Freegrin henna is triple-sifted, 100% plant-based and always PPD-free โ€” whether you want to cover grays without chemicals, deepen your natural shade, or draw body art for Halloween, Eid, Diwali or a wedding. This page helps you choose the right product and use it well.

Which henna do you need?

Henna Powder โ€” for hair & beard color

Loose, triple-sifted leaf powder you mix into a paste. Coats each strand with color and shine, covers grays, and conditions as it colors. No ammonia, no peroxide, no PPD.

  • Pure Red โ€” classic copper-red on light hair, auburn glow on dark hair
  • Deep Brown โ€” henna + indigo blend for warm chestnut brown
  • Soft Black โ€” henna + indigo for a natural, dimensional black; best gray coverage

Shop henna powder

Henna Cones โ€” for body art (mehndi)

Ready-to-use paste in a precision cone โ€” no mixing, no waiting. Draw on clean, dry skin, let it set, and reveal a stain that deepens over 48 hours and lasts 1โ€“3 weeks.

  • Natural Reddish-Brown โ€” traditional mehndi color, plant-based paste
  • Fine tip for line work, mandalas, florals and lettering
  • Beginner-friendly: practice on paper first, then your palm

Shop henna cones

Powder vs. cones at a glance

Henna powder Henna cones
Best for Hair, beard and gray coverage Hand, arm and foot designs
Prep Mix with warm water, rest 4โ€“6 h None โ€” snip the tip and draw
Time on 2โ€“4 hours (hair) 1โ€“4 hours (skin)
Result Permanent color that fades gradually over 4โ€“8 weeks Stain lasts 1โ€“3 weeks, darkest after 48 h
Coverage 100 g โ‰ˆ shoulder-length hair; 2 packs for long hair 1 cone โ‰ˆ 2โ€“3 hand designs

How to use henna powder on hair

1. MixWhisk powder with warm water (add a squeeze of lemon for red shades) to a yogurt-thick paste. Cover and rest 4โ€“6 hours so the dye releases.
2. ApplyOn clean, dry, product-free hair, section and saturate from roots to ends. Wear gloves; henna stains skin and towels.
3. WaitWrap in cling film and leave 2โ€“4 hours (longer = deeper). Warmth helps.
4. RinseRinse with water and conditioner only โ€” no shampoo for 48 hours while the color oxidizes to its final shade.

How to use henna cones on skin

1. PrepWash and dry the skin; no lotion or oil. Snip 1โ€“2 mm off the cone tip.
2. DrawSqueeze gently and keep the tip just above the skin. Start with simple shapes.
3. SetLeave the paste on 1โ€“4 hours; dab with a sugar-lemon solution to keep it moist. Do not wash.
4. RevealScrape off the dried paste (no water for 12โ€“24 h). The orange stain darkens to reddish-brown over 48 hours.
Safety first. Natural henna stains orange-to-brown, never jet black. So-called “black henna” contains PPD, a chemical that can cause serious skin reactions โ€” Freegrin never uses it. Always do a small patch test 24 hours before first use, keep paste away from eyes, and avoid use on broken skin. Freegrin henna is a cosmetic; it is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition.

Henna guides

Henna tattoos for Halloween: a PPD-free guideDesigns, timing and safety for October
How to mix henna powder for hair (step by step)Coming this week
Henna vs. chemical hair dye: an honest comparisonComing this week
Covering gray hair with henna & indigoComing this week
What is PPD, and why “black henna” is not hennaComing this week
How to use a henna cone: beginner designs that always workComing this week

Frequently asked questions

Will henna cover my gray hair?

Yes. Grays take henna very well โ€” on Pure Red they turn bright copper, on Deep Brown and Soft Black (henna + indigo) they blend into the surrounding shade. Very resistant grays may need a two-step process: pure henna first, then indigo.

Can I use henna over chemically dyed or bleached hair?

Usually yes โ€” plant henna sits on the hair and does not react with previous color. Do a strand test first, because the result depends on your starting shade. Do not use henna if you plan to bleach within the next few weeks.

How long does a henna body-art stain last?

One to three weeks, depending on skin thickness and washing. Palms and soles stain darkest; keep paste on longer and avoid water for the first day for the deepest color.

Is Freegrin henna safe for sensitive skin and during pregnancy?

Our henna contains only plant powder โ€” no PPD, ammonia or metallic salts โ€” and is generally considered gentle. Sensitivities to any plant are possible, so patch test first. If you are pregnant, have a skin condition, or are unsure, check with your doctor before use.

Why is my henna paste orange, not brown?

That is normal. Fresh henna stains orange and oxidizes to reddish-brown over 24โ€“48 hours. On hair the final shade settles after two days โ€” judge the color then, not on rinse day.

Shop henna powder   Shop henna cones

Currency
EUR Euro
CAD Canadian dollar
Scroll to Top