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.