Reformulated (again) with your feedback! We’ve increased the cocoa butter levels again, so you can get back to the color you love. Glaze your hair strands with our henna hair dyes, varnishing the outer-layer of your hair with a tone of your choice. Indigo, noni fruit and coffee combine in this cool-toned hazel brown henna glaze for added luster and depth. Brun adds beautiful cool hazel tones to brunette hair, adding body and incredible shine! You can build cooler tones with further applications.
Rouge will give fiery copper hues to blonde and red hair, warm red tones to brunettes and adds a subtle, glossy warmth to very dark heads of hair. Use over greying hair for a warm, twinkly highlights effect, or as an essential base before applying Lush's Noir, Brun or Marron Henna hair dye to fair, white or greying hair. If you desire the reddest version of Rouge, be sure to use our reusable Henna Hair Wrap throughout the development process. Got a burning question? You can make sure henna is the right choice for you by reading our FAQ.
Made in Canada
What’s in it for you
- Our 100% natural hair dye is ideal if you have an existing hair dye allergy, are looking for a safer alternative to synthetic hair dye or just want shiny, healthy hair.
- Henna contains a pigment called lawsone that has an affinity to the keratin in your hair. It adheres to the cuticle, adding a layer of sheer color without changing your natural hair color. This will very gradually fade over time.
- We add cocoa butter, which softens and aids slip through the hair, and enables us to make a solid, self-preserving product.
- Henna can be used to help bind other materials to the hair like the hibiscus in Rouge, which brings added depth and vibrancy to your color.
Leaving the world Lusher than we found it: Synthetic hair dyes contain chemicals known as aromatic amines that are not only associated with health risks, but may bioaccumulate in our ecosystem. Hair salon wastewater has been found to contain color molecules unconsumed by the dye process, as well as mutagenic byproducts, that are not believed to be effectively removed from our water systems. Choosing a plant-based, ppd-free hair dye like Lush henna reduces the number of these materials in circulation.
How to store: Your henna brick will arrive in a beautiful recycled paper packaging, with designs inspired by intricate patterns of lace from the Italian Renaissance. Keep your henna brick in its wrap in a cool, dry place, ready for when you use it. Henna bricks are best used fresh and you can put any leftover melted henna in your compost. To continue our commitment to reduce single use plastic, your henna will no longer come with plastic gloves. Please protect your hands with your trusty reusable rubber gloves. Melt Warning: This product was made to melt on contact with skin which means it also melts easily in warmer weather. We recommend picking it up in-store rather than having it delivered. Do not use in the area of the eye.
Applying henna hair dye is a lovely, messy, hippy process. The idea is to get as much on the hair as possible without getting too much on the floor, yourself or in your ears. Each brick is designed to be enough for one head of shoulder-length hair, but if your hair is very thick, curly or coily, you may need more. You want to be able to slather it on generously. So, if in doubt - get more!
What you’ll need
- Your henna brick (you may need more than one if you have a lot of hair or it’s very thick)
- A kettle or saucepan
- A bain-marie or glass heatproof bowl and a stirring spoon
- A pair of protective gloves
- Conditioner and a shampoo or co-wash
- A friend to apply your henna for best results
- Tinting brush
- A protective balm, like Ultrabland, to apply to your hairline
- A shower cap or hair wrap for warm tones
- Clips to section your hair if it’s long
What colors does Lush henna come in? Rouge, Marron, Brun, Noir, and Vénitien each offer different levels of warmth, depth, and shine, with Rouge serving as an essential base for lighter hair to achieve blonde or grey with coppery highlights.
How henna works and why it’s different
Henna contains a pigment called lawsone that has an affinity to the keratin in your hair. It adheres to the cuticle, adding a layer of sheer color without changing your natural hair color. This will very gradually fade over time. The cocoa butter in Lush henna softens and helps it slip through the hair as you apply, while also creating a self-preserving solid product. Henna can be used to help bind other materials to the hair, like indigo, coffee and noni fruit - a technique historically made famous by Iranians.
Our 100% natural hair dye is ideal if you have an existing hair dye allergy, are looking for a safer alternative to synthetic hair dye or just want shiny, healthy hair. We add cocoa butter, which softens and aids slip through the hair, and enables us to make a solid, self-preserving product. Leaving the world Lusher than we found it, synthetic hair dyes contain chemicals known as aromatic amines that may bioaccumulate in our ecosystem; choosing plant-based, ppd-free hair dye reduces these materials in circulation.
How to apply and guidance for different hair types
- Break down your brick and gradually add freshly boiled water to form a creamy paste with the consistency of hummus. Do not let it be too wet.
- Start at the roots with a tint brush, working from the nape upwards, to ensure maximum color uptake.
- Wrap the hair for warmer red tones, or leave unwrapped for deeper tones. After a couple of hours, rinse and shampoo.
- If you’re aiming for darker tones, base with Rouge first, then apply Brun, Noir, or Marron on dry hair. Development time increases for darker shades.
- Strand tests are recommended to check the color before committing to a full head application.
For a step-by-step tutorial on how to apply our henna, check out this video on Lush YouTube. What’s next? You can apply another coat once hair is dry if part of a two-step process.
Styling with Rouge as a base
Rouge is used to create the reddest versions and to enable other bricks to render on blond, fair, or gray hair. Noir provides cool brown hues with ample shine. The latest Vénitien shade adds warm strawberry blonde tones to naturally blonde and light brown hair, and can warm up previously lightened hair if bleaching is being discontinued.
Henna is best used fresh; you can keep experimenting by layering different bricks to tailor color depth and brightness. For grey or white hairs, henna creates a twinkly highlight effect rather than full coverage, which many users find desirable for a natural look. Reapply as needed to maintain vibrancy and depth.
Frequently asked questions
What is henna? Lawsonia inermis is a flowering plant whose leaves contain lawsone, producing a rich red to orange dye. Henna has been used for thousands of years in regions of northern Africa and the Middle East to dye hair, nails, and skin. How does henna work? It adheres to the hair cuticle, coating the outer layer and imparting color without altering the natural pigment beneath.
Will henna cover gray hair? Henna can tint gray hairs in a twinkly, natural-looking way. For more uniform coverage on mixes of color and gray, Rouge as a base followed by a darker brick is recommended. Reapplication helps maintain brightness and reduce visible roots.
Is henna suitable for textured hair? Yes, it can protect curls from 3A to 4C, adding shine and body. It may feel slightly denser, so allow extra time and consider a friend’s help for even application. The cocoa butter improves slip during washing out for textured hair.
Can I color my extensions or beards with Lush henna? Yes, you can. Always perform strand tests first to confirm color matches and assess removal. Henna is not designed for eyebrows or eyelashes and should be kept away from eye areas.
Do not use henna before bleaching because alkaline conditions can push lawsone deeper into the hair fiber. If you’re transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, henna can be a lovely choice but may increase hair diameter and throughput of detangling. Relaxed ends may be more porous and receive color faster.
Henna Hair Dye Application Guide - Step By Step Process
Practical notes and takeaway
Henna bricks are a rich, natural option offering color, gloss, and conditioning benefits without synthetic chemicals. The cocoa butter content helps with slip and shine, while the brick format reduces waste and packaging. The process is time-intensive but results in longer-lasting color than many temporary options, and you can refresh color by applying Rouge as a base and layering with Brun, Noir, or Marron as desired.
Verdict: While extremely time-consuming, Lush henna provides a durable, healthier alternative to conventional dyes, with the benefit of conditioning hair and enhancing curl definition for textured hair. If you’re seeking color, gloss, and vibrance with minimal chemical exposure, henna is a compelling choice.