Some decisions aren't born from a trend, but from a need: to live with more coherence and to care for yourself with awareness.
Taking the step toward plant-based coloring isn't always easy: doubts arise about grey hair, the result... That's why today we are sharing this real interview: an experience told from the inside, with fears, surprises, and a beautiful result.
Thank you Maria José for sharing your experience with plant-based coloring: double-step Pure Henna and Hazel Henna.
What made you take the step to plant-based coloring?
What made me take the step, above all, was my lifestyle. I’ve been trying for many years to eliminate harsh chemicals both from my body and my home, becoming increasingly aware of what I use.
Every month, when I applied conventional dye to my scalp, I felt like I was damaging my health in some way. It was a feeling of inconsistency with myself, because I was taking care of many aspects of my well-being, but I continued to expose myself to something that didn't feel respectful to either my body or my hair.
Switching to plant-based coloring was a way to be consistent with how I live and take care of myself.
Before trying the double-step of Pure Henna + Hazel Henna, what were you most worried about?
What worried me most was that it wouldn't cover the grey hairs well or that the color wouldn't suit me and would turn out somewhat unpleasant.
I was also quite concerned about the fact that henna, unlike conventional dyes, isn't something you can easily fix. I knew it was a more definitive process and that made me feel somewhat insecure, because I wanted a beautiful, natural result, but without any margin for immediate correction if I didn't like it. It was a step I wanted to take, but I needed to feel confident in the process.
How would you describe your hair "before" and what exactly were you hoping to achieve?
I’ve been dealing with sparse and quite brittle hair for years. It was fragile hair that broke easily, and that generated a certain amount of frustration.
When I started changing my products for more natural options, little by little I began to notice changes. Natural doesn't work overnight: it requires patience and consistency, but it really is worth it. In about a year, I ended up having triple the hair, which was incredible to me, although I still noticed it was somewhat brittle.
I’ve only had one henna application, but even so, I have already noticed very positive changes: I feel my hair is thicker, stronger, and has much more presence. In addition, it has given me a spectacular shine and a healthier look in general.
What was the experience of applying plant-based dye at home like? What was the easiest part and what surprised you most?
The truth is that at first I felt some resistance, because I had heard all kinds of comments: that it’s messy, that it smells bad, even that it smells like a “swamp”... and that made me have doubts.
However, my experience was completely different. I don’t know if it’s because I’m very used to applying dye myself every month, or because I had already had contact with clay masks and similar textures, but for me, it was neither unpleasant nor complicated.
In fact, the smell reminded me more of a natural infusion than something unpleasant, and the application was much more pleasant than I expected. It was almost a ritual. I felt connected to something more ancestral, like a more authentic and respectful form of care. And that surprised me a lot, because I went in with very different expectations.
When you saw the result, what was the first thing you noticed? (and what have others said to you)
The first thing I thought was: Wow!!! I can't say anything else. It was a very positive feeling of surprise.
I was very aware that with plant-based coloring, it’s normal not to get the desired tone on the first try. I had assumed it would be a process of trial and error, of gradually adjusting until I found the result I wanted, even with the risk of going through some moments where I wasn't entirely convinced by the color.
But in my case, it was a success from the very first application. That gave me a lot of peace of mind and confidence in the process.
Also, the people around me think I look great. They notice my beautiful hair, and that also reinforces the feeling that I made the right decision.
How did the color evolve in the days that followed?
As the days passed, the initial intensity softened a little, and the result became more natural. The color settled into a browner tone, and the copper-orange reflection progressively subsided.
It was as if the color had integrated into my hair, merging with my natural base in a very harmonious way. Instead of looking artificial, the result became more balanced and authentic, with very beautiful nuances. I liked that evolution a lot, because the color settled in a very natural and flattering way.
Have you felt supported by Real Earth and the WhatsApp community?
Very much so. The truth is that, although I later made my own decisions, I felt very supported throughout the entire process. I asked a thousand questions to Tina and Sheila, and two thousand more in the WhatsApp group.
I also kept reading about other people's experiences, seeing their results, their doubts, and their processes, and all of that helped me a lot to better understand how plant-based coloring works.
That support gives you security, because you know you aren't alone, that there are people who have already gone through the same thing and that you can lean on their experience. In the end, with all that information, I was able to draw my own conclusions and take the step with much more confidence, using my own judgment and always following my instincts a little.
Would you recommend it to someone? To whom?
I would advise it to everyone, but especially to conscious people, to those who take care of their health and pay attention to what they put on their body.
It is a way of coloring hair without resorting to harsh chemicals, respecting both your health and that of your hair itself. For me, it has been a way to remain aligned with my lifestyle and my values.
I believe it is a wonderful option for anyone who wants to take care of themselves in a more natural way, without giving up looking and feeling good.
Oh… I should add that Before I decided, I did a lot of research on henna and the different brands that exist on the market. To my surprise, I discovered that many hennas can contain heavy metals naturally present in the plant or acquired during cultivation and processing. These metals are what can react in an undesirable way when they come into contact with chemical dyes, and that made me think a lot.
Honestly, I was disappointed, because if I was taking this step, it was precisely to move away from any toxic burden and take care of my health in a more conscious way. It didn't make sense to change something if I wasn't certain that it was truly cleaner and more respectful.
I kept researching until I discovered this brand that carries out a purification process to remove those heavy metals from the henna. Knowing there was that level of care, transparency, and respect for the raw material behind it was what gave me the confidence to take the definitive step.
For me, that was the key point: feeling that I was using a truly natural coloring, aligned with my values and my way of understanding personal care.
Many other brands add chemicals so that the color sets more, or I have even found hennas with pigments that do not come from the plants, and after researching it turns out they add 10% chemical pigment to achieve certain colors; that is why I chose this brand.
Reading testimonials like this one reminds us why we do what we do.
It is not just about "changing a dye." It is about feeling that what you choose is aligned with your way of living. About taking care of yourself without contradictions. About returning to a more honest type of beauty: one that does not require harming your body to look good.