Henna Oil: The Complete Guide

What it is

Henna has been part of Mediterranean and North African beauty for thousands of years, mostly as the powder that dyes hair and skin. Henna Oil is something different. It is pressed from the dried leaves, not steeped, so it carries the plant's green, grassy character without the dye. It will not stain your skin or change your hair color, whatever color that is.

What it does do: condition the scalp, add shine and softness to hair, and help over-plucked brows and fragile lashes look fuller and healthier over time.

Where it comes from

The henna grows on small farms in the Nile Delta. The leaves are dried and pressed in small batches by Amr, our oil maker in Egypt, and his team, then bottled in hand-blown glass with a cork and an olivewood applicator.

How to use it

Scalp and hair

1. Scalp massage, 2-3 times a week. Part your hair and massage a few drops into the scalp with your fingertips.
2. Pre-wash masque. For a deeper treatment, work a little more oil through the roots and lengths of damp hair, leave it on for 20-40 minutes, then shampoo and condition.
3. Leave-in shine. Or simply smooth 1-2 drops through damp ends and leave it in. Textured hair may want a little more; fine hair, a little less.

Brows and lashes (daily)

Dip the olivewood applicator into the bottle and apply a thin line to the roots of your brows, and to the upper lash line like eyeliner, keeping it out of your eyes.

Henna and Black Castor are a great pair: Henna is lighter and absorbs fast, so use it in the morning or during the day; save the thicker Castor for nights.

The chemistry

Henna's famous dye molecule, lawsone, is what stains when you mix henna powder with water and leave it on for hours. Henna Oil is pressed from dry leaves and used as an oil, so it conditions without staining.

Who it's for

• Dry, flaky-feeling scalps.
• Dry, dull, textured or greying hair that wants shine and softness.
• Over-plucked brows and lashes worn down by extensions and mascara.
• Every hair color: it won't tint blonde or grey hair.

For professionals

Brow and lash artists use Henna Oil as daily aftercare between services, alongside Black Castor for nights. Stylists use it for scalp massage during treatments.

Storage and shelf life

Henna Oil has a 2-year shelf life. Keep the cork closed and the bottle out of direct sun and bathroom steam. For the freshest oil, we suggest enjoying it within 3-6 months of receiving it.

Safety

Keep it out of your eyes. If you get oil in your eyes, rinse with plenty of lukewarm water.

For external use only. Patch test any new product: apply a little to your inner forearm once a day for two days. If you notice redness, itching or swelling, rinse with cool water and stop using it. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, check with your doctor first.

Questions