Do ya'll henna?

[Neroli]

After my one henna treatment all I can say is WOW! I love the stuff.

I plan on doing a touch up on Saturday with my Silk Elements lye. What I'm wondering, is how is it processing a relaxer after having hennaed (if that's a word) your hair? I hope the relaxer will still be able to penetrate and do it stuff. Does the henna affect the hair's ability to process a relaxer? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm juat curious though, since henna is supposed to coat the hair.

Also has anyone used Colora henna powder before? I saw this at my BSS and was wondering if anyone here has used it and if it's any good.

TIA, guys.

I did my first henna two weeks before touch up and my hair is awesome, no problems whatsoever. The relaxer is stronger enough to penetrate thru almost anything on your hair and henna is really like a protein coating on the hair so the relaxer chemical will just eat right thru it . . .

 

[HoneyDew]

I did my 2nd Henna treatment lastnight!!



I am in love. My hair has so much more volume and strength.

I used a Surya Henna powder kit, the neutral one. It has pure honey in the kit to mix in. NICE!

I am now offically addicted to Henna.

I have one more of those Surya Henna powder kits, a 1/2 jar of the neutral Rainbow henna and one Colora Henna kit. I am going to use those up before trying the bulk bags of of cassia and Rhazya stricta "neutral henna" that are on the way.

I think it will be easier and more cost effective to use the henna purchased in bulk vs. little kits.

Note: Columbia/Maryland ladies: Davids' Natural Market (Rainbow and Litght Mountain), Roots Market (Surya and Rainbow) and the new BSS in Owen Brown (Colora) all have henna kits.

 

[Neroli]

I did my 2nd Henna treatment lastnight!!



I am in love. My hair has so much more volume and strength.

I used a Surya Henna powder kit, the neutral one. It has pure honey in the kit to mix in. NICE!

I am now offically addicted to Henna.

I have one more of those Surya Henna powder kits, a 1/2 jar of the neutral Rainbow henna and one Colora Henna kit. I am going to use those up before trying the bulk bags of of cassia and Rhazya stricta "neutral henna" that are on the way.

I think it will be easier and more cost effective to use the henna purchased in bulk vs. little kits.

Note: Columbia/Maryland ladies: Davids' Natural Market (Rainbow and Litght Mountain), Roots Market (Surya and Rainbow) and the new BSS in Owen Brown (Colora) all have henna kits.

It is EXTREMELY addictive, no doubt about it! And you're right about buying bulk. After my first treatment, I knew I was hooked so I when looking to buy large quantities cheaper. At www.fromnaturewithlove.com, I buy henna $6.25 for 1 pound (453 grams) and next time I may buy an even larger quantity, say 10 pounds. Unfortunately, FMWL doesn't stock the neutral henna yet . . .

 

[fancypants007]

After my one henna treatment all I can say is WOW! I love the stuff.

I plan on doing a touch up on Saturday with my Silk Elements lye. What I'm wondering, is how is it processing a relaxer after having hennaed (if that's a word) your hair? I hope the relaxer will still be able to penetrate and do it stuff. Does the henna affect the hair's ability to process a relaxer? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm juat curious though, since henna is supposed to coat the hair.

Also has anyone used Colora henna powder before? I saw this at my BSS and was wondering if anyone here has used it and if it's any good.

TIA, guys.

If you find Softresses thread entitle "Hennaed before and after relaxer" she explains in detail what she did. I did this last week following her instructions and my hair has never felt and looked so good! I did my henna last tuesday and waited three days. On saturday I did my touchup using SE lye, after neutralising, I did 2 deep conditioners, (60 minutes using oil and porosity control, and the second using soft and beautiful HMC conditioner and getting under a hair steamer for about 1 1/2 hours). Then I did my second henna treatment and all I can say is WOW! I have to admit that I was a little nervous for the same reasons as you, but Vwvixen encouraged me and said that the henna probably would not hurt my hair and she was right. I am just loving my hair. It is so moisturised, strong, and healthy looking. And did I say I'm starting to get that bling, bling from henna. I just put in another order, but it's nice to hear that fromnaturewithlove's henna is comparative to henna for hair which is more expensive. I'm becoming a henna junkie for real. I will be doing henna treatments every two weeks. I just love henna.

 

[HoneyDew]

So I'm sitting here after doing my first henna treatment and I must say this stuff smell like a$$ and is very messy. I made too little the first time and didn't have enough to finish the last section of my hair so I had to mix a little more. I prefer spreading it in my hair using my hands unprotected by gloves. IDK feels like I can spread it better.

I am surprised the coloring effect worked as fast as it di. I didn't use a terp and used right after mixing and my hands still got a lil orange tint to it. I'll update after I wash it out

You know, the 2 treatments I have used never smelled bad. They smelled kinda earthy. One smelled like tea, actually.

 

[Cichelle]

What does that mean, "neutral henna". Are you talking about Cassia? I didn't think actual henna can be neutral.

 

[sareca]

What does that mean, "neutral henna". Are you talking about Cassia? I didn't think actual henna can be neutral.

Yeah it's cassia obovata. People call it neutral because it's colorless. http://www.hennaforhair.com/faq/cassiaobovata.html

Congrats on your second henna HoneyDew. You'll still be saying it's be best henna ever like 6 weeks from now. It just gets better and better. I feel sorry for the people that henna'd once, hated it and never did it again.

I've said it before, I'll say it again... Rinsing henna is like opening a really stinky, sticky Christmas present with a totally awesome gift inside and each gift is twice as good as the last.

 

[HoneyDew]

Yeah it's cassia obovata. People call it neutral because it's colorless. http://www.hennaforhair.com/faq/cassiaobovata.html

Congrats on your second henna HoneyDew. You'll still be saying it's be best henna ever like 6 weeks from now. It just gets better and better. I feel sorry for the people that henna'd once, hated it and never did it again.

I've said it before, I'll say it again... Rinsing henna is like opening a really stinky, sticky Christmas present with a totally awesome gift inside and each gift is twice as good as the last.

Good way to put it! I was almost one of those people to give up. I am so glad that I did not!

I have an area of hair that had gotten damaged and thin from blowdrying misuse. You cannot even tell now. I am so happy that a natural product does so well in helping me care for my hair.

And on top of that, I need less product and heat for styling. That flatiron just went though and smoothed my hair like butter last night. I was done in no time!

 

[Neroli]

Can I refrigerate extra henna for 1 week? I know it keeps well in the freezer for weeks or even months, but wondering if it'll do well in the fridge for 1 week . . .

 

[LaNecia]

What does that mean, "neutral henna". Are you talking about Cassia? I didn't think actual henna can be neutral.

You're right, it's not HENNA but is in the family (if you will). Cassia has no coloring properties.

@ neroli: I am not sure. I just put mine in the freezer for a few days rather than have it go 'bad'. It thaws easily so it's not a big deal (unless you forget to take it out in advance of wanting to use it!)

 

[LaNecia]

And on top of that, I need less product and heat for styling. That flatiron just went though and smoothed my hair like butter last night. I was done in no time!

For a while I thought that was just my imagination, good to get confirmation on that!

 

[LaNecia]

Sareca!! I ordered the Jamila from HennaforHair.com. It won't be here before I leave for my trip to 'meet the parents' but as soon as I get back.... Henna Time!

 

[Wildchild453]

You know, the 2 treatments I have used never smelled bad. They smelled kinda earthy. One smelled like tea, actually.

I didn't think it smelled bad until I added water to it. Then is started smelling like funky spinach and I hate spinach, so I was trying not to gag

 

[sareca]

Sareca!! I ordered the Jamila from HennaforHair.com. It won't be here before I leave for my trip to 'meet the parents' but as soon as I get back.... Henna Time!

Ok...you've were warned... I haven't even tried the other henna I brought. I'm not using anything but Jamila if I can help it.

 

[sareca]

I didn't think it smelled bad until I added water to it. Then is started smelling like funky spinach and I hate spinach, so I was trying not to gag

You're right it does smell like funky spinach! Fortunately, I love spinach. I eat it raw, right out of the bag. yummie!

Henna will start to smell different to you after a while. I don't even mask the smell anymore. Just take it straight to the head. In the meantime, get some essential oils to mask the smell. Lemon essential oil works pretty well, but you gotta use 30-40 drops.

 

[alexstin]

I've never seen anyone else mention this but my head stinks!!!! I did my first henna last Friday and my hair has been stinking every since. I think it's more so my scalp but I rinsed until the water was clear. Does that mean I didn't do a good job rinsing my hair?

 

[Neroli]

I've never seen anyone else mention this but my head stinks!!!! I did my first henna last Friday and my hair has been stinking every since. I think it's more so my scalp but I rinsed until the water was clear. Does that mean I didn't do a good job rinsing my hair?

That's weird, I haven't heard that either nor have I experienced that after 8 weeks of using. My hair doesn't smell like henna -- it smells like whatever condish I use afterwards. What do you use after washing out the henna?

 

[HoneyDew]

That's weird, I haven't heard that either nor have I experienced that after 8 weeks of using. My hair doesn't smell like henna -- it smells like whatever condish I use afterwards. What do you use after washing out the henna?

same here.

I used to wash my hair every 3 days. After usign Henna I have been able to go to 5 days. By that 5th day, my hair smells like it needs to be washed, in my opinion, but not like henna or anything else.

 

[WomanlyCharm]

I've never seen anyone else mention this but my head stinks!!!! I did my first henna last Friday and my hair has been stinking every since. I think it's more so my scalp but I rinsed until the water was clear. Does that mean I didn't do a good job rinsing my hair?

I did a very diluted shampoo/conditioner afterwards and the smell was gone.

You might want to shampoo/condition your hair and see if the smell goes away.

On one of the henna boards, I read some people's hair does keep that smell for days afterwards...whether they rinsed, shampooed, conditioned, or did whatever. No one ever really said why...

 

[fancypants007]

Ok...you've were warned... I haven't even tried the other henna I brought. I'm not using anything but Jamila if I can help it.

Sareca just placed my order for Jamila at the website that you recommended instead of hennaforhair. I ordered 3 kilos (30 boxes). Hopefully I will get it soon. I talked to this person David Parkins and he said that many of his clients say once you try Jamila henna you will not try any thing else. I can't wait to get it.

 

[alexstin]

That's weird, I haven't heard that either nor have I experienced that after 8 weeks of using. My hair doesn't smell like henna -- it smells like whatever condish I use afterwards. What do you use after washing out the henna?

I used conditioner to help get out the henna. I then deep conditioned with condish and oil and then rinsed. Maybe I need to try a little poo next time.

 

[alexstin]

On one of the henna boards, I read some people's hair does keep that smell for days afterwards...whether they rinsed, shampooed, conditioned, or did whatever. No one ever really said why...

I would be the one that this happens to!erplexed I had a lady hug me today unexpectedly. I was soooo embarassed! I'm sure she smelled my hair.

 

[sareca]

I've never seen anyone else mention this but my head stinks!!!! I did my first henna last Friday and my hair has been stinking every since. I think it's more so my scalp but I rinsed until the water was clear. Does that mean I didn't do a good job rinsing my hair?

Yep, my head stinks for days too. You need to shampoo again. Put the poo (diluted if you want) on your head and let it sit for a minute or two before rinsing.

ETA: I usually let my head stink for 3 days. I think it keeps conditioning and coloring the longer you leave it. I might be making that up in my head tho. :wink2:

 

[wish4longlocs]

I just finish henna with my second application of jamila, that was the fastest rinsing I have had with henna. I can't give an accurate experience for my first time since I was out of town and had poor water quality and pressure. I am going to conditon with ors rp over night and then bright and early in the morning going to rollerset my hair. Will post pictures soon.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

Hi Priestess, you used the rainbow henna, right?

Yes, I do. Although I am tempted to order From Nature with Love because at $6.95 a jar, my henna addiction could easily turn into a crack habit.

Wow, the 1lb. of henna for $6.25 is a steal!! Although I am tempted to try the Jamilla too. Has anyone had success with the From Nature With Love henna?

BTW, those who have difficulty with the smell of henna I mixed mine with plain Dannon yogurt, mayo, oil and an ORS RP and I didn't have any problems. I especially reccomend using the ORS RP as it has orange oil in which is delightfully fragrant and I'm sure it helps neutralize any henna odor.

 

[Neroli]

Yes, I do. Although I am tempted to order From Nature with Love because at $6.95 a jar, my henna addiction could easily turn into a crack habit.

Wow, the 1lb. of henna for $6.25 is a steal!! Although I am tempted to try the Jamilla too. Has anyone had success with the From Nature With Love henna?

BTW, those who have difficulty with the smell of henna I mixed mine with plain Dannon yogurt, mayo, oil and an ORS RP and I didn't have any problems. I especially reccomend using the ORS RP as it has orange oil in which is delightfully fragrant and I'm sure it helps neutralize any henna odor.

Hey Priestess, I only use FNWL henna for the last 6 weeks or so with great success. I ordered 100 grams from mehandi for the my first time and have used FMWL since. IMO, its exactly the same thing, just much much cheaper. No way can I afford the mehandi prices if I continue to henna every week like I do 'cause I need at least 100 grams per application and 1 pound (453 grams) FNWL is only $6.25. Just cant beat that price! I am tempted to try the jamila for special occasions and use FNWL for weekly maintenance. . .

 

[LovelyLionessa]

Hey Priestess, I only use FNWL henna for the last 6 weeks or so with great success. I ordered 100 grams from mehandi for the my first time and have used FMWL since. IMO, its exactly the same thing, just much much cheaper. No way can I afford the mehandi prices if I continue to henna every week like I do 'cause I need at least 100 grams per application and 1 pound (453 grams) FNWL is only $6.25. Just cant beat that price. . .

Ooooh... thanks Neroli for the review. You are so right, I would love to henna weekly too, and with my brastrap length hair I need to buy in bulk so I can henna effectively and for a great price too!

 

[WomanlyCharm]

Hey Priestess, I only use FNWL henna for the last 6 weeks or so with great success. I ordered 100 grams from mehandi for the my first time and have used FMWL since. IMO, its exactly the same thing, just much much cheaper. No way can I afford the mehandi prices if I continue to henna every week like I do 'cause I need at least 100 grams per application and 1 pound (453 grams) FNWL is only $6.25. Just cant beat that price! I am tempted to try the jamila for special occasions and use FNWL for weekly maintenance. . .

Good to know FNWL's henna is decent...I ordered the one pound bag!
While I love the stuff from henna for hair, it will get way too expensive for me to use everytime. It's Jamila for special occasions only!

 

[sareca]

I just finish henna with my second application of jamila, that was the fastest rinsing I have had with henna. I can't give an accurate experience for my first time since I was out of town and had poor water quality and pressure. I am going to conditon with ors rp over night and then bright and early in the morning going to rollerset my hair. Will post pictures soon.

Yay I Jamila. It's crazy how much faster it rinses out. I also think it colors better. Now if I could only find a Jamila version of indigo.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

Good to know FNWL's henna is decent...I ordered the one pound bag!
While I love the stuff from henna for hair, it will get way too expensive for me to use everytime. It's Jamila for special occasions only!

I plan to order a one pound bag myself this weekend too!

I might pick up some Alma powder too. :scratchch