My natural hair color is black with considerable amount of gray. I used to use commercial hair dye to cover the gray. Last summer my sister introduced henna to me. From then on, I henna my hair once a month.

My mix is very simple: with my short but thick hair, I use about 50g henna. I put henna power in a large bowl and make a paste with a mildly acidic liquid. I cover the bowl and let the paste sit for about 12 hrs (if the weather is cold, I leave it a bit longer, up to a day.)

I apply henna paste to my dry hair with a tint brush, (It’s less messy, I think, I do have gloves on and plastic cover on my shoulder) section by section, until all hair is covered. Then I put on a shower cap and wrap in a big towel. I wait for about an hour and rinse the henna out. Then apply shampoo and conditioner. Conditioner (lots of them) really helps to get the last bits of henna out.

Notes and references

Products
Ancient Sunrise henna for hair kits with everything included – https://www.mehandi.com/page/kits
Henna indigo and cassia: https://www.mehandi.com/Henna – Indigo-Cassia-Powder-s/287.htm

Publications
Ancient Sunrise “Henna for Hair” Book – https://www.mehandi.com/page/asbook_chapt1
Chemical hair dye allergy – https://www.mehandi.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/chapt1b_epidemic.pdf
Don’t have fruit juice on hand? – https://www.mehandi.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/chapt6f_around-house.pdf
Mildly acidic liquid – https://www.mehandi.com/Fruit-Acid-for-henna-dye-release-s/299.htm
More info on mildly acidic mixes – https://www.mehandi.com/page/asbook_chapt6
Link to time/temperature dye release chart – https://www.mehandi.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/chapt7_mixing-testing.pdf (pp. 10-12)

Video How-To
Mixing Ancient Sunrise Henna – https://youtu.be/bnuIHSffukQ
How to apply henna – https://youtu.be/7jVmq6MIoVk
Using henna for root touchups – https://youtu.be/bjZd1gzd7cw