Winter Hair Colors With Henna
If winter has your hair looking flat, dry, or washed out, you are not alone.
Short days and indoor heat are rough on color. A lot of people reach for stronger box dyes this time of year, which only makes hair feel more tired. The better move? Slow it down, mix a clean herbal color, and let your winter shade also be your hair treatment.
This guide walks you through winter shades for both women and men using Discovery Naturals colors, with real links so you can pick a shade in one click.
Women’s winter shades live here
Men’s winter shades live here
Quick promise before the details:
- Pure henna gives copper to auburn and strength.
- Henna plus indigo gives brown to black with depth.
- Cassia blends add shine and soft gold.
- All of it stays free from harsh chemicals.
Emma’s “indoor lighting” problem
Emma works in an office with cold overhead lights. In November, her summer highlights turned dull and stripey. She wanted depth, not damage.
She moved to Hair Color for All Chocolate Dark Brown from the women’s color page. Mixed it, let it sit, watched a movie, rinsed with water. Two days later her hair looked like a smooth, glossy chocolate curtain instead of three different browns fighting each other.
That is the winter energy we are after.
Now let’s talk shades.
Espresso Brown and Soft Black
Best for:
Dark bases, high gray coverage, or anyone who likes a clean, polished look.
How to get it:
Use the darker shades from the Hair Color for All line and, when needed, the Black 2 Step Process to lock in depth on stubborn gray.
Why it fits winter:
It frames the face, looks rich in low light, and still reads soft because the color sits on the hair instead of blasting through it.
Cool Chocolate Brown
Best for:
Light to medium brunettes, blended grays, and anyone who hates orange.
How to get it:
Choose shades like Chestnut Medium Brown or Chocolate Dark Brown from the women’s and men’s collections. Adjust timing, not harsh chemicals, to control depth.
Why it fits winter:
It looks neutral, expensive, and low effort. It also grows out with less line than synthetic dye.
Deep Auburn
Best for:
You love red, but want it to feel rich, not loud.
How to get it:
Pick Auburn Reddish Brown, Ginger Natural Red, or Wine Dark Red from the women’s page and follow the longer sit times. On gray, they give bold auburn. On darker hair, a deep red sheen in the sun.
Why it fits winter:
Deep auburn against sweaters, scarves, and neutral makeup looks intentional, not harsh.
Wine Red
Best for:
People who want drama without neon.
How to get it:
Use Wine Dark Red or layer a red shade to build tone. Expect it to look brighter the first day and then settle into a cooler wine.
Why it fits winter:
It adds interest when outfits go darker and days feel repetitive.
Soft Gold and Shine
Best for:
Someone who says “I want my hair to look better, not totally different.”
How to get it:
Use Sunshine Light Blonde or a cassia rich blend as a gloss from the women’s page. On darker hair it boosts reflection. On some grays it adds a soft gold veil.
Why it fits winter:
It fights dullness without forcing a big commitment.
Nate’s beard line
Nate is a dad of two who was tired of sharp black box dye on his beard. Under winter light, it looked painted on. He switched to Men’s Hair Color for All Chocolate Dark Brown from the men’s page.
He mixed it thicker, tested under his jaw, and kept timing short at first. The result looked like his natural shade from ten years ago, not a marker line. His beard matched his hairline and his skin stopped burning.
Winter is a great time for men to fix that problem quietly at home.
Men’s shades to highlight:
- All Golden Light Brown
- Chestnut Medium Brown
- Chocolate Dark Brown
- Mahogany Darkest Brown
- Midnight Natural Black
- Wine Dark Red and Auburn options for bold types
All at: Men's Natural Hair & Beard Dyes
Women’s shades to highlight:
- Golden Light Brown
- Chestnut Medium Brown
- Chocolate Dark Brown
- Mahogany Darkest Brown
- Midnight Natural Black
- Strawberry Reddish Blonde
- Bronze Shiny Copper
- Ginger Natural Red
- Wine Dark Red
- Auburn Reddish Brown
- Black 2 Step Process
All at: Women's Natural Hair Dyes
Simple winter method (for both)
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Wash with a gentle shampoo. No heavy coating products right before color.
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Mix your chosen herbal color in a non-metal bowl. Follow the instructions on your shade.
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Patch test and strand test. Always.
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Apply to roots first, then lengths. For beards, keep the paste thick and controlled.
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Cover and keep warm so the color develops evenly.
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Rinse with water. Skip shampoo for 24 to 48 hours.
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Let the shade deepen. Judge it after two days, not ten minutes.
Quick gray coverage notes
If you like warm coverage:
Choose Auburn, Ginger, or Wine shades. Great for soft blending.
If you want neutral or cool:
Use Chocolate, Chestnut, Mahogany, or the Black 2 Step method on higher gray.
If fronts go lighter:
Spend more time and more paste on hairline and temples. That is normal, not a fail.
The couple color + movie night
One of our favorite emails came from a couple who turned a January weekend into “color and movie night.”
She used Wine Dark Red from the women’s line.
He used Chestnut Medium Brown from the men’s line on his beard.
They mixed bowls at the kitchen table, took turns applying, watched a movie, and rinsed. Monday morning they both went to work looking fresh, without the smell or sting of a salon dye job.
That is the type of experience this page should invite.
Winter care and gloss
Use a hydrating, color friendly shampoo and conditioner to protect your herbal shade.
When color looks flat:
- Mix a small spoon of your shade with conditioner.
- Apply 15 to 30 minutes.
- Rinse.
This gives a quick refresh without a full sit.
For shine only:
Use a cassia rich option from the women’s page in a light gloss.
Safety reminders
- Stick to plant based products with clear labels.
- Avoid anything billed as “black henna” with mystery ingredients.
- Always patch and strand test, especially on previously bleached or heavily dyed hair.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What winter henna shade should I start with?
Pick a shade close to your natural color. For women, choose from the Hair Color for All collection here. For men, use the Men’s Hair Color for All shades here.
How often should I refresh my winter henna color?
Most people do a full color every 4 to 8 weeks and a quick gloss every 1 to 3 weeks if hair looks dull. If your gray grows fast, focus touch ups on roots instead of the full length.
Will henna make my hair feel dry in cold weather?
Right after rinsing, hair can feel firm. This softens in a day or two. Use a gentle, color safe conditioner and a light oil on damp ends. If needed, do a small gloss with your shade and conditioner.
How do I keep brown shades from looking too red or orange?
Choose brown or soft black shades from the winter friendly options and follow timing closely. Keep paste thick, give temples extra attention, and avoid stacking strong red shades if you want a neutral look.
Can men use these winter henna colors too?
Yes. Men’s Hair Color for All is made for short hair and beards. Mix it thicker, test under the jaw, and start with shorter timing. The result looks more natural than harsh box dye lines.
Is henna safe if I have old salon color or highlights?
Often yes, but always strand test first on a hidden section. Check how your hair reacts before a full application, especially on lightened or fragile areas.