Phitofilos Henna Red Blond, 100 g

The mixture includes henna (Lawsonia inermis) and Senna Italica (Cassia Obovata). It is characterised by an intense colour with a hint of gold-brown. Suitable for brown and black hair, and for grey coverage, it can be used for a refresher and nourishing care of sun-bleached or dull hair. For the latter, add more liquid to the paste and keep a short exposure time. It is very important to keep a close eye on the dyeing process to monitor the colour intensity.

• The plant powders are of natural origin. Period of use (PAO) 12 months. The pack size is clever in that it has been specially created for different hair lengths. If you have shorter hair, one bag is sufficient; the second can be stored in the original packaging until needed again. Each product comes with a detailed instruction manual, which also includes exposure times and tips for the best results. Henna and the other colour blends are ideal for people who value beautiful hair without damaging it.

Instructions:

• When dying your hair with henna it is best to follow a few steps. Experience and good judgment are the best factors for success in applying the product. Each person's hair is unique and reacts individually to the treatment. The use of herbal colourants and care is like a work of art.

1. Stir the powder with very hot water to make a paste (preferably in a bowl of glass or earthenware and use a wooden spoon) that is large enough to add yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice or honey (depending on your preference), until you reach a creamy consistency without lumps. Acidification of the mixture (with vinegar, lemon or yogurt) is an essential process in the preparation / application, which allows the colour to get a better grip on the hair. If you prefer to use yogurt, it is recommended to leave the final mixture to steep for 6-8 hours; which will give the hair softness and give the colour more support.

2. Apply the ready-stirred paste is applied to washed, still damp hair, starting at the neck.
Once mixed, the dye should be applied to clean hair because dirt and sebum create a water-resistant film, which makes it difficult for colouring pigments to bond with the keratin in the hair. This is a physical / chemical process: the keratin is predominantly negatively charged (anionic), whereas dirt and dust are predominantly positively charged (cationic). The opposite charge causes attraction, which only a cleanser can successfully resolve, as it is primarily based on anionic surfactants. Bear in mind that a second hair wash will affect already clean, cation-free keratin and charge it further anionically, so it's only a small step from there to electrostatic charging. It is only at this moment that you will notice foaming because after the cleansing process is complete, the shampoo begins to combine with the oxygen in the air. This causes foam bubbles to form, which in turn have damaging effects on the hydro-lipid mantle. Furthermore, it should be noted that conditioners and hair balms applied after shampooing are cationic and thus neutralise the negative charge of the hair again.

3. After applying the colour paste evenly, cover your hair carefully with cling film or aluminium foil and leave it on for half an hour to an hour.

4. Henna (like all vegetable dyes) does not penetrate the hair structure (unlike chemical dyes), but coats the outer layer. It thus strengthens the hair, increasing the diameter and thus the volume and protection.

5. Rinse thoroughly after the dyeing the hair with a very mild shampoo to remove all residues. Wear gloves while applying the dye to prevent discolouration of the skin. Because skin also contains keratin, the same protein that is found in hair.

6. The longer the exposure time of the hair dye, the more intense the result. In some cases, adding black tea may be beneficial. This will not affect the colour intensity but can enhance the colour brilliance. This effect is caused by the tannins contained in tea.

Did you know that ...?

• Henna powder is environmentally friendly because it contains no harmful substances.
• Henna plants are grown on the edge of deserts to curb the progressive desertification and thus represents an important source of income for the local population.