In one step, with only minor Herculean efforts, gray hair can take vegan color. I tried it myself, and was able to get 100% gray coverage that lasts. Here are the details:

Ingredients:

• I used a 4-oz. box of Light Mountain Natural hair color (powdered henna). Over many months, I tried both the Medium Brown and the Dark Brown, and found the Dark Brown to work better.
• A plastic cap with elastic around the edges.
• An emollient to paint around the hairline, so the henna won't stain your face: Alba Un-Petroleum Multi-purpose Jelly is non-animal tested.
• A soft, thin towel to put over the plastic cap - one that you don't mind getting henna stains on.
• 2 eggs, beaten (Use any non-metalic bowl and non-metallic egg beater.)
• 1 cup of extra strong, fresh brewed coffee
• A wide-toothed comb.
• A mild, leave-in, non-color-stripping conditioner like Philosophy's shear splendor. Philosophy's products are not tested on animals.

Procedure Notes:

• If you're just coming off commercial hair color, I suggest waiting at least 2 weeks before using henna. During that time, wash your hair every day with your strongest shampoo, use conditioners and leave-in products, and anything else you can think of to strip the old hair color.
• Be careful - your results could be different than mine; you might be sensitive to certain products or ingredients. It's best to do a patch test for each ingredient, before you start.
• There are hennas specifically designed for gray hair, but most of them are a 2-process procedure. I tried one, and just didn't like the feel of the first step, which was a clay-like substance.
• Never use anything metallic in working with henna, not even metal hair clips.

Procedure:

1. Wash hair, don't condition, let dry. (I used Jason Biotin Shampoo because it's gentle and non-animal tested. You can wash your hair the day before, but don't use any styling products.)
2. Empty the powdered henna into a glass, ceramic, plastic, or wooden bowl. (It will stain the wood and some plastics, so if that's an issue for you, glass would be best.)
3. Mix in the coffee. Stir. Then slowly add just-boiled water if necessary, until the henna is the consistency of a smooth paste.

4. Apply the emollient around your hairline.
5. Using the wide-tooth comb to section your hair about every quarter of an inch, apply the henna mixture to your hair. (The Light Mountain kit comes with plastic gloves.)Starting at the roots, apply the henna paste generously.
6. If just the roots are gray, apply to all the roots first, and then go back and put the remaining henna on the rest of your hair. If your hair is all gray, make sure each strand is coated from the start.
7. Put on the plastic cap, and over that, put on the towel.
8. Set a timer or jot down the time, according to your patch test. I've been leaving the henna on just my roots for an hour, then taking off the plastic cap and smooshing the henna through the rest of my hair, spritzing the whole thing with a little water, re-applying the plastic cap and towel, and then leaving it on for a second hour.
9. Rinse the henna out until the water runs clear and there are no clumps or flakes of the paste left on your scalp.
10. Apply a gentle conditioner, like Jason Natural Sea Kelp (non-animal tested) and rinse it out after 30-seconds.
11. Put a drop of the Philosophy shear splendor on your damp hair and comb it through. You can now style your hair as usual.

Notes:

Wait at least 2 days before your first shampoo.

When you do shampoo, use the gentlest one you can find, and get it out of your hair ASAP. Same with conditioner. If you can, shampoo every other day instead of daily.

Shampoo in tepid water, never hot.

Spread the bangs out to make sure they're the same length on each side, and straight in the middle. If not, make careful adjustments.

I've noticed that no matter what color henna I choose, or what color the picture is on the box, my hair always comes out with a bit of red in it. The coffee is supposed to tone the red down.

Let Me Know How You Do

I'd love to hear your henna-over-gray stories. Just email me from the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page.

Reader Comments

Nancy says, "I've been a henna head for about two years now..."

"Hi Suzann. I am a fellow henna user and cover my white roots very easily. I am growning out chemical brown color but I only use red Body Art Quality henna from Mehandi.com. This stuff has a killer stain and I do my roots and top of my head every two weeks. It keeps the white a nice dark red and it blends very nicely with the rest of my hair, which is almost tailbone length. That henna site has grown so much since more people use henna now. I love the stuff! I have been a hennahead for about two years now, on and off.

I love your site and the information listed on cruelty-free companies. I use Philosophy products and try to buy cruelty-free all of the time. Mineral makeup has saved my skin too. Keep up the good henna!

Sivan says, "I am now 50% gray...

"Thank you, Suzann, for helping us uninitiated navigate the mysteries of henna. My natural color is medium/dark brown. I am now 50% gray, and was comfortable going natural until someone asked my 8-year-old daughter whether I was her grandmother. I've colored my hair before but never liked the harsh chemicals involved. I was too impatient to do a strand test, so I crossed my fingers and jumped right in. Following your instructions [coffee + egg], I applied Light Mountain Dark Brown for four hours. Though I loved the shiny, healthy result, the color result was a bit orange so the next evening, I applied Black for two hours. The orange is toned down now. I think next time I'll leave the Black in for longer, to try to get closer to my natural color. Overall, I am thrilled to be a member of the Henna Club! Thanks again."