Trying henna for the first time can feel exciting, especially when looking for a natural way to color hair. But many people are surprised by the final result. A shade that looks like soft auburn on the box may turn bright orange or barely change the hair at all. That’s because henna works differently on every hair type, and the outcome depends on your natural color, hair condition, and the henna blend used.
To make things easier, many brands offer henna hair color charts, but not all charts are the same. Some show actual color results, while others just list names. In this guide, a few popular henna brands are explained in detail, including Light Mountain, Rainbow, Surya, and Lush. Each one presents its chart differently. Light Mountain shows visual swatches, Rainbow uses clear names, Surya blends colors with herbs, and Lush offers no visual chart, just descriptions.
We’ll walk through what henna really is, how to read these different charts, and what to expect from each brand. You’ll also find the pros and cons of using henna, suggestions for the best dyes, and a henna hair color chart PDF. Let’s get started.
What Is Henna Hair Dye?
Henna is a natural plant-based dye that has been used for centuries to color hair and skin. It gives a reddish or brownish tint depending on the original hair color. Many modern henna hair dyes now come in various shades by mixing other herbs with pure henna. It’s popular for being chemical-free and gentle, especially for those with sensitive scalps or allergies to regular dyes.
Understanding Henna Hair Color Charts
Henna hair dye works differently from regular chemical hair color. It blends with your natural hair shade, so results can vary depending on your starting color. That’s why henna brands usually provide color charts to give you an idea of what to expect based on your current hair color. Let’s break down popular henna hair color charts.
1. Light Mountain Henna Hair Color Chart
This is the Light Mountain Natural Henna Hair Color Chart, and it helps show how different shades of their henna-based dyes look depending on your natural hair color. Let’s break it down:
🔹 Top Row – Your Original Hair Color
From left to right, it lists common natural hair shades:
- Light Blonde
- Medium Blonde
- Dark Blonde
- Red
- Light Brown
- Medium Brown
- Dark Brown
- Black
🔹 Left Column – Henna Color Options
These are the henna dye shades offered by Light Mountain:
- Neutral – No color change, just conditions the hair.
- Light Red – Soft, natural red tone.
- Auburn – Warm reddish-brown.
- Bright Red – Bold, vibrant red.
- Red – Deeper, classic red.
- Mahogany – Rich red-brown blend.
- Light Brown – Soft brown shade.
- Medium Brown – Mid-tone brown.
- Dark Brown – Deeper chocolatey brown.
- Burgundy – Dark red wine tone.
- Chestnut – Warm medium brown with red tones.
- Black – Deep black tone.
🔹 What do the Colors in the Chart Mean?
- Colored Squares: Show what result you can expect on that natural hair color.
- Neutral Row: Across all hair colors, it doesn’t change the color. It’s just for shine and strength.
- Asterisks (*): Means this color is not recommended for that hair shade or may not work properly.
- Black Squares: No or slight color change will show, or the result is unpredictable.
🔸 Simple Examples:
If someone with light blonde hair uses Bright Red, they’ll likely get a very bold red.
If someone with medium brown hair uses Mahogany, they’ll get a warm reddish-brown tone.
If someone with black hair tries Light Red or Bright Red, it won’t really show much, maybe just a slight tint in the sunlight.
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2. Rainbow Henna Hair Color Chart
This is the Rainbow Henna Hair Dye Color Chart, and it helps you understand how each Rainbow henna color will look depending on your natural hair color. Here’s how to read it:
🔹 Left Column: Rainbow Henna Hair Colors
These are the henna shades offered by Rainbow:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Medium Brown
- Light Brown
- Burgundy
- Mahogany
- Sherry (bright reddish)
- Red
- Copper
- Strawberry Blonde
- Marigold Blonde
- Blonde
- Neutral (no color, just conditioning)
🔹 Top Row: Your Natural Hair Color
This row shows different natural hair shades:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Medium Brown
- Light Brown
- Red
- Dark Blonde
- Medium Blonde
🔹 Inside the Chart: Expected Color Result
Where the row and column meet, it tells you what the henna color will look like on that natural hair color. Here’s what the terms mean:
- Deep Black / Black – Strong black tone.
- Warm Red Highlights / Bright Red / Auburn / Chestnut / Copper – Indicates shades of red, auburn, or warm tones added to your hair.
- Golden / Strawberry / Blonde Highlights – Adds light golden or red highlights.
- No color effect – The shade won’t show, but it still conditions your hair and adds shine.
💡 Examples:
- If someone has medium brown hair and uses Mahogany, they’ll likely get a medium auburn tone.
- If someone with dark blonde hair uses Copper, it can give a warm copper look.
- If someone with black hair tries Sherry, it gives bright red highlights in sunlight.
- If someone with light brown hair uses Red, it can turn into a bright red/auburn color.
❗ Important Notes:
- Some boxes have “–” which means the henna color won’t work well or won’t show up.
- The Neutral and Blonde/Marigold/Strawberry Blonde colors won’t add much visible change on darker hair but can add shine and improve texture.
- Color results can vary from person to person depending on hair texture and past chemical treatments.
- It’s always a good idea to do a strand test before coloring your whole head.
3. Surya Henna Hair Color Chart
This is the Surya Henna Hair Dye Color Chart, and it helps show how each color of Surya Henna will look on different natural hair colors. Let us break it down for you, so it’s easy to understand:
🔸 How To Read The Chart
- Each row is a different henna hair dye color (like Black, Dark Brown, Red, Mahogany, etc.).
- Each column shows a different starting hair color (like Black, Dark Brown, Blonde, Strawberry Blonde, Gray, Bleached).
- The small hair swatch under each combination shows what result you can expect if you apply that specific color of henna to that hair type.
🔸 Examples From The Chart
Here’s what happens when different Surya Henna colors are used on various hair types:
🔹 Black Henna
- On black or dark brown hair: Stays black.
- On light brown or blonde hair: Makes it darker and more intense.
- On gray or bleached hair: Turns completely black.
🔹 Dark Brown Henna
- On black hair: Darkens slightly.
- On light brown/blonde hair: Becomes deep brown.
- On gray/bleached hair: Gives rich, even dark brown.
🔹 Burgundy Henna
- On dark hair: Adds a reddish tint (especially under light).
- On lighter/bleached hair: Bright burgundy red shade.
🔹 Mahogany Henna
- On dark hair: Deep mahogany with warm red tones.
- On light/blonde/bleached hair: More rich reddish-brown.
🔹 Red Henna
- On dark hair: Subtle red tones.
- On light hair: Bright red shade.
- On gray/bleached hair: Flashy red-orange result.
🔹 Reddish Dark Blonde
- On dark hair: Slight red tone.
- On light/gray hair: Warm reddish blonde look.
🔹 Copper Henna
- On dark hair: Adds warm copper glow.
- On light/bleached hair: Bright coppery orange.
🔹 Chocolate Henna
- On all hair types: Rich, soft brown with warm undertones.
🔹 Golden Brown / Light Brown / Ash Blonde
- These give natural, soft brown tones.
- On lighter or bleached hair, the color is more golden or creamy.
- On gray hair, they give a nice, even coverage with a natural tone.
🔹 Golden Blonde / Swedish Blonde / Light Blonde
- On dark hair: Might not show much.
- On gray, blonde, or bleached hair: Adds soft blonde tones.
- Great for a natural sun-kissed blonde look.
🔹 Strawberry Blonde
- Adds soft reddish-blonde tone, best visible on lighter hair.
- On dark hair, the color is soft or barely visible.
🔹 Silver Fox
- On gray hair: Brightens and enhances silver tones.
- On bleached/light hair: Gives a cool-toned silver look.
- On darker hair: Not much visible change.
🔸 Key Things To Remember
- Surya Henna works best on gray, bleached, or lighter hair, colors show up more.
- On darker hair, results are soft or just add a tint.
- Each person’s result may vary depending on hair condition, previous dyes, and texture.
- Always do a strand test first to see how the color turns out on your own hair.
4. Lush Henna Hair Color Chart
Lush offers a range of natural henna hair dyes known for their conditioning properties and rich, lasting colors. While Lush does not provide a visual color chart, here’s a detailed explanation of their henna shades and how they typically appear on different hair colors:
1. Rouge (Bright Copper Red)
- On Blonde/Grey Hair: Deep orange-red or copper tones.
- On Brown Hair: Adds warm red highlights and shine.
- On Black Hair: Soft red shimmer in sunlight.
Note: Often used as a base layer before applying darker shades like Marron, Brun, or Noir, especially on light or grey hair.
2. Marron (Chestnut Brown with Red Undertones)
- On Blonde/Grey Hair: Rich auburn or deep chestnut (requires a Rouge base first).
- On Brown Hair: Deepens to a warm, reddish-brown.
- On Black Hair: Adds a soft burgundy warmth.
3. Brun (Cool Brown)
- On Blonde/Grey Hair: Ashy brown tones (needs a Rouge base to avoid greenish hues).
- On Light Brown Hair: Cool hazel or medium brown.
- On Dark Hair: Increases depth and shine.
4. Noir (Deep Black)
- On Blonde/Grey Hair: Dark brown to black (requires a Rouge base to prevent greenish tones).
- On Brown Hair: Deepens to a rich black.
- On Black Hair: Adds luster and a cooler tone.
Note: Always perform a strand test before coloring your entire head.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Henna For Hair
Advantages Of Henna For Hair:
- Natural option: Henna is plant-based and free from harsh chemicals, making it safer for skin and hair.
- No damage: Unlike chemical dyes, henna doesn’t damage or weaken hair.
- Adds shine: It gives hair a healthy shine and can make it feel thicker.
- Long-lasting stain: On skin, henna designs last for days or weeks without needing touch-ups.
- Cooling effect: Henna has a natural cooling property, which can soothe the scalp or skin.
Disadvantages Of Henna For Hair:
- Limited color choices: It usually comes in shades of red, orange, or brown, with no wide color variety.
- Takes time: Applying and drying henna can take several hours.
- Strong smell: Some people find the natural smell of henna too strong or unpleasant.
- Messy to apply: It can stain hands, clothes, and surfaces if not handled carefully.
- Hard to remove: Once applied, the color stays for a while and cannot be easily washed off.
Best Henna Hair Dyes
Here are 6 of the best henna hair dye that deliver the best results, have high ratings, and positive user experiences:
1. Light Mountain Henna Hair Color & Conditioner: A 100% natural, chemical-free henna dye that conditions while coloring. It offers rich shades like red and brown, and is praised for its gentle, long-lasting results.
2. Surya Brasil Henna Cream: A semi-permanent, vegan-friendly henna cream enriched with conditioning botanicals. It provides excellent gray coverage and leaves hair soft and shiny.
3. The Henna Guys Hair & Beard Dye: Made with 100% natural plant-based ingredients, this dye offers bold colors and is suitable for both hair and beard. Its easy application and nourishing properties.
4. Godrej Nupur Henna: A blend of henna with nine beneficial herbs, this powder dye strengthens hair while providing a natural color. It’s known for its conditioning effects and pleasant herbal aroma.
5. Rainbow Henna Hair Color: A pure henna powder that offers a range of shades, including chestnut and dark brown. It’s appreciated for its affordability and the natural shine it imparts to hair.
6. Khadi Natural Hair Color: This herbal formulation offers a natural coloring experience without harmful additives. People love the rich, warm tones it provides and the luxurious shine it imparts to hair. It’s also effective in covering grays and offers long-lasting results.
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Henna Hair Color Chart PDF
Here is the henna hair color chart PDF:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I choose henna hair color?
A1. To select the right henna hair color, consider your natural hair shade and desired hue; it’s advisable to choose a shade lighter than your target color, as henna darkens with each application. Always perform a strand test to preview the result before full application.
Q2. What is the downside of henna in hair?
A2. Henna can cause dryness and brittleness in hair, leading to a rough texture and increased breakage.
Q3. What color henna is best for grey hair?
A3. For grey hair, a rich, deep reddish-brown or dark brown henna color works best, which can provide full coverage and a natural, rich look.
Q4. What color will my hair go with henna?
A4. Henna typically imparts a reddish-orange tint to hair, resulting in rich copper on lighter shades and a subtle auburn glow on darker tones. The final color varies based on your natural hair color and texture.
Q5. How long does henna hair dye last?
A5. Henna hair dye typically lasts between 4 to 6 weeks, gradually fading over time. However, traces of the color can remain for several months, depending on factors like hair type, quality of henna used, and hair care routine.
Q6. How much henna to dye hair?
A6. To dye hair with henna, use about 50-150 grams for short hair, 150-200 grams for medium-length hair, and 200-250 grams for long hair, adjusting based on thickness and coverage.
Conclusion
Henna hair color can feel confusing at first, but with the henna hair color charts from popular brands like Lush, Surya, Rainbow, and Light Mountain explained side by side, it’s much easier to pick the right shade.
Now that you know what to expect from the popular henna brand, you can make a better decision based on your hair color goals. Don’t forget to check out the downloadable chart, too, it’s a quick way to match shades. Ready to give your hair a new natural tint? Just don’t blame the mirror if you fall in love with your reflection.
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