Do ya'll henna?

[douglala]

I just put this comparison together real quickly to show the color I got from henna:

This was exactly what I was going for, so I'm very happy. But I should say that although the color difference is quite obvious in the picture, it really has to do with the lighting. I took both of those pics in the same place (my bathroom) which has bright movie star dressing room type lights. So you can really see the color.

Simply Beautiful!

 

[douglala]

WELCOME BACK VIXXEN!!!

 

[WomanlyCharm]

I just put this comparison together real quickly to show the color I got from henna:

This was exactly what I was going for, so I'm very happy. But I should say that although the color difference is quite obvious in the picture, it really has to do with the lighting. I took both of those pics in the same place (my bathroom) which has bright movie star dressing room type lights. So you can really see the color.

OMG, your hair is beautiful!!! Love the color, think I might stop using indigo from now on.

 

[Mestiza]

Mestiza, you're right. This makes a lot of sense. But still I expected to see a little more pigment from the henna. If not on my hair then at least on my scalp so I could have proof that I significant pigment release was taking place.

I'll stick it out until my supply runs low, since the color is not my main goal. I'm in this for the strengthening factor which could possibly lead to a lot more length.

My scalp and even a little beyond my hairline had an orange tint. Unfortunately it was pretty easy to see b/c I have a very light complexion. My SO said, "You've gone hollywood w/ your orange tan." I can only imagine what I would've looked like had I not put petroleum jelly all over, but I didn't use enough, apparently. The next time I'll glob it on, especially, on my forehead.

 

[Mestiza]

I just put this comparison together real quickly to show the color I got from henna:

This was exactly what I was going for, so I'm very happy. But I should say that although the color difference is quite obvious in the picture, it really has to do with the lighting. I took both of those pics in the same place (my bathroom) which has bright movie star dressing room type lights. So you can really see the color.

Your hair is beautiful, Cichelle!

The children in your siggy are adorable.

 

[Mestiza]

OHHHHHH! That's right! Maybe that's why my test hair came out so much darker than my daughter's and her hair is darker than mine. Okay!

Yep, the amla is probably the reason for that.

 

[Prosperity711]

Cichelle,

Love your hair! How do you know what color to buy, I want to use henna but it sounds complicated erplexed Does it help breakage and shedding?

 

[WomanlyCharm]

Cichelle,

Love your hair! How do you know what color to buy, I want to use henna but it sounds complicated erplexed Does it help breakage and shedding?

Trust me, it's not that complicated...if I can do it anyone can!
Real henna only deposits one color...it gives your hair a reddish tint.
Indigo makes your hair black and cassia is called "neutral" henna, it doesn't deposit any color, just makes your hair nice and shiny.

And since I started using henna, my shedding and breakage are practically nonexistant. I highly reccomend it, not just for the color, but for the conditioning benefits as well.

 

[Prosperity711]

Since I just put color in, maybe I should just try the neutral one, where do I buy it and what brand, anything I need to add to it? How often do you put it in your hair? If I put color in 2 weeks ago how long should I wait to put henna in? Sorry for all of the questions.

 

[WomanlyCharm]

Since I just put color in, maybe I should just try the neutral one, where do I buy it and what brand, anything I need to add to it? How often do you put it in your hair? If I put color in 2 weeks ago how long should I wait to put henna in? Sorry for all of the questions.

Girl, don't be sorry, how do you think we all learned what to do?

Since you put color in, you'll want to do a strand test with whatever you decide to use, to be safe...real henna does not react well with some colors that contain metallic salts, the chemical reaction can turn your hair a horrid shade of green or melt it right off your head. And you want to be sure you're not allergic to whatever you use.

I order Body Art Quality (BAQ) henna from hennaforhair.com and From Nature With Love. I don't trust the brands I see in the store, I'd rather just stick with what I know works for me...but there are ladies who use products from Rainbow and other brands, I know they'll chime in.

As for how often you can use it, some use it once a week, I do it about every two weeks, it just depends on how often is right for you.

There are a number of great henna threads on the board, including this one...it's long, but full of great ideas on how to do it, different recipes, etc. Sareca's fotki also has a henna tutorial. Good luck!

 

[Prosperity711]

Thanks for the info I will check out the website and the other thread.

 

[SweetNic_JA]

Chichelle, I love the results. Your hair looks so thick!

 

[Kimberly]

I learned the hard way to use more henna to keep it from being too thin and running down my neck and making a huge mess. You should've seen me when I first started. Now, I make it pretty thick. I use gloves and apply it w/ my hands, too. I use gloves when it's to time to wash it out of my hair, also.

Yes, I think my first mix was about cake batter consistency. I went to an Indian store here yesterday and asked the sales girl a crap load of questions. She told me that I needed to have it "like paste". I got 200g of the black henna powder that is supposed to be BAQ and she told me that mixing it with amla powder "is very good, very good" so I got a jar of that. I'm thinking of trying a 50-50 mix. She told me to mix it with plain yogurt and juice from one lemon and only a little bit of water if it was too thick.

I saw that they had the 100g of Jamila henna for 1.99 but I'm not going for the reddish tint, I decided to go darker and they didn't have indigo from what I could see (probably the one thing I didn't ask her about). I did pick up the Dabur Amla oil, though and a bottle of almond oil.

I'm going to make up my henna mix tonight. I'm so excited!

 

[Mestiza]

Yes, I think my first mix was about cake batter consistency. I went to an Indian store here yesterday and asked the sales girl a crap load of questions. She told me that I needed to have it "like paste". I got 200g of the black henna powder that is supposed to be BAQ and she told me that mixing it with amla powder "is very good, very good" so I got a jar of that. I'm thinking of trying a 50-50 mix. She told me to mix it with plain yogurt and juice from one lemon and only a little bit of water if it was too thick.

I saw that they had the 100g of Jamila henna for 1.99 but I'm not going for the reddish tint, I decided to go darker and they didn't have indigo from what I could see (probably the one thing I didn't ask her about). I did pick up the Dabur Amla oil, though and a bottle of almond oil.

I'm going to make up my henna mix tonight. I'm so excited!

If dark is what you want, then, the Amla powder is an excellent choice. You purchased some great items.

I've been using Dabur Amla Oil for a long time, now and love it so much! I have Almond Oil, too and it's excellent, also. Henna and Indian powders, oils, etc... are addictive.

 

[SweetNic_JA]

If dark is what you want, then, the Amla powder is an excellent choice. You purchased some great items.

I've been using Dabur Amla Oil for a long time, now and love it so much! I have Almond Oil, too and it's excellent, also. Henna and Indian powders, oils, etc... are addictive.

So are you using the amla oil instead of the powder?

 

[douglala]

I did my last indigo/cassia treatment for at least the next 4 weeks. I'm on the Hide my hair challenge for the next month.

My mix was about 2/3 cassia and 1/3 indigo (with my usual evoo, honey, and distilled water). Left it in for 3.5 hours

I am so happy.....the bling was/is incredible...... I think I've reached the next level of shine. I was not expecting this at all since many of us have not had that much success with the cassia!!

Cassia - I will not longer underestimate you!

 

[Kimberly]

So are you using the amla oil instead of the powder?

I plan to use both. Alma powder with my henna mix and the Amla oil on my hair and scalp...because my head seems to love all kinds of oils....

 

[Mestiza]

So are you using the amla oil instead of the powder?

I use both. I've mixed the amla powder w/ henna, which resulted in very dark hair. I use the Dabur Amla Oil on my hair after washing it and as a leave-in oil on dry hair.

 

[Mestiza]

I did my last indigo/cassia treatment for at least the next 4 weeks. I'm on the Hide my hair challenge for the next month.

My mix was about 2/3 cassia and 1/3 indigo (with my usual evoo, honey, and distilled water). Left it in for 3.5 hours

I am so happy.....the bling was/is incredible...... I think I've reached the next level of shine. I was not expecting this at all since many of us have not had that much success with the cassia!!

Cassia - I will not longer underestimate you!

The shine is amazing!

I didn't think that my hair could get any shinier. I was in for a pleasant surprise.

 

[Cichelle]

Thank you so much for the compliments! I have to say thank you, if I haven't already, to all of you ladies who posted your own experiences, tips and other helpful info. I am sooo loving henna now! I couldn't be happier with the results including both the color and feel of my hair. It actually feels better than it has in a long time...stronger, softer, even retaining moisture better somehow!

I was intimidated at first, but it really isn't hard at all. The mix can be real simple. I think sifting the henna--I don't think this is necessary if you use Jamila (sp?)-- and using a hand mixer made my mix smooth quickly. It was helpful to have the sink and counter area in the bathroom covered with paper towels because they catch any drips...then you just throw away the paper towels when finished. Of course a towel at your feet is necessary too. Have everything you need ready, like a damp wash cloth and paper towels already ripped off for cleaning any drips that go where you don't want them to. I used giovanni direct around my hairline and over my ears. Then after I applied the henna, I immediately scrubbed my hair line/forehead with a wash cloth and I didn't get an "orange ring". Saran wrap around the head helps retain warmth.

Remember, depending on what henna you use, if you mix it with hot water, you can get fast dye release.

I learned these tips from a woman on another site and they really helped me.

Thanks again!

 

[Kimberly]

This question may have been asked already but there are almost 100 pages on this thread so far...are you guys applying your henna to wet hair or dry hair?

 

[WomanlyCharm]

This question may have been asked already but there are almost 100 pages on this thread so far...are you guys applying your henna to wet hair or dry hair?

I've done it on both...it doesn't seem to make much of a difference, my hair loves it both ways.

 

[Kimberly]

I've done it on both...it doesn't seem to make much of a difference, my hair loves it both ways.

Thanks so much...that was quick!

 

[angellazette]

I can't remember if this was mentioned but should the hair be clean before applying the henna?

 

[douglala]

I can't remember if this was mentioned but should the hair be clean before applying the henna?

The directions state that henna should be applied to freshly washed hair but some of us apply it to "dirty" hair.

If you use a lot of cones and serums you may want to wash first so the cones don't prevent the henna from doing it's thing

I don't use a lot of product in my hair so I don't always wash first.

 

[Mestiza]

This question may have been asked already but there are almost 100 pages on this thread so far...are you guys applying your henna to wet hair or dry hair?

Usually, I do it on dry hair, but I've applied henna to wet (not dripping) hair and the results were the same.

 

[Cichelle]

I can't remember if this was mentioned but should the hair be clean before applying the henna?

I didn't wash mine first. But I hadn't used hair products besides a leave in conditioner.

 

[Mestiza]

I can't remember if this was mentioned but should the hair be clean before applying the henna?

I wouldn't apply it to hair that has a lot of build-up. Other than that, it's not a must that it be done on freshly washed w/ no products on it.

 

[Kimberly]

I asked because the henna that I just bought does not say. Actually, it has no directions at all. I guess they expect you to already know what you're doing if you buy that brand I thought that maybe the henna mix would smooth easier on wet hair and maybe I wouldn't even need to use as much?

 

[LaNecia]

I asked because the henna that I just bought does not say. Actually, it has no directions at all. I guess they expect you to already know what you're doing if you buy that brand I thought that maybe the henna mix would smooth easier on wet hair and maybe I wouldn't even need to use as much?

I've tried it on wet hair once and decided that I prefer applying it to dry hair. It's crushed leaves but the texture is more like mud, to me, I had better control with it on dry hair, expecially with a thinner consistency henna mix.

You may try applying it in sections, one part damp/the other dry, see which you like better. I think it may also depend if you use things like honey, yogurt, conditioners or other additives (oils too) as to the ease of application. The Lady that I learned about henna from has hair she can sit on, she prefers to use it on wet/damp hair.

HTH.