Do ya'll henna?

[asha]

It depends on how dark you want your hair. I tried it once by itself and I didn't like how dark my hair was. I love the red of henna but it doesn't do well on my grays.

I like my hair really dark so I may have to try it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[january noir]

I like my hair really dark so I may have to try it. Thanks for the reply.

Using Indigo alone is not recommended. It will give your hair a greenish-bluish color that is not very flattering (I read this on the Henna for Hair board; lot's of people try it and find out it's true!). You should henna first. The indigo bonds to the henna which coats the hair shaft and makes the effect shiney and luxurious.

 

[seraphim712]

Using Indigo alone is not recommended. It will give your hair a greenish-bluish color that is not very flattering (I read this on the Henna for Hair board; lot's of people try it and find out it's true!). You should henna first. The indigo bonds to the henna which coats the hair shaft and makes the effect shiney and luxurious.

I want to try henna once I get my hair to APL. Can henna be used on natural hair, and if it can will hair still be natural or considered chemically treated once henna is used? My color of choice is midnight black, you know like the asian girls/ so black that blue light reflects off the hair. What type of henna should I use for that?

 

[Isis]

Using Indigo alone is not recommended. It will give your hair a greenish-bluish color that is not very flattering (I read this on the Henna for Hair board; lot's of people try it and find out it's true!). You should henna first. The indigo bonds to the henna which coats the hair shaft and makes the effect shiney and luxurious.

I was going to post the same thing as January Noir did. I too read about this on the Henna for Hair board and on LHC. Indigo alone is best to dye jeans with, not hair.

 

[Isis]

I want to try henna once I get my hair to APL. Can henna be used on natural hair, and if it can will hair still be natural or considered chemically treated once henna is used? My color of choice is midnight black, you know like the asian girls/ so black that blue light reflects off the hair. What type of henna should I use for that?

Many more natural heads use henna than relaxed heads. Your hair would still be considered natural since henna is a plant, not an artificial chemical.

For the blue-black you want, you'll need to do henna first for about 3-4 hours, rinse, then do indigo (another plant) for a while and rinse. Besides many pics here on LHCF of this particular color, there's a pic of a black girl at www.hennaforhair.com who did this blue-black henna/indigo treatment.

The only henna I know is body art quality henna from www.hennasooq.com or www.hennaforhair.com Henna is always red but when done this way, henna first then indigo, the results are blue/black.

 

[seraphim712]

Many more natural heads use henna than relaxed heads. Your hair would still be considered natural since henna is a plant, not an artificial chemical.

For the blue-black you want, you'll need to do henna first for about 3-4 hours, rinse, then do indigo (another plant) for a while and rinse. Besides many pics here on LHCF of this particular color, there's a pic of a black girl at www.hennaforhair.com who did this blue-black henna/indigo treatment.

Thanks, I'll go check it out

 

[seraphim712]

Wow... I've read the instructions for applying henna. I definately need someone to help me out with this.

 

[asha]

I was going to post the same thing as January Noir did. I too read about this on the Henna for Hair board and on LHC. Indigo alone is best to dye jeans with, not hair.

Okay...thanks for this. Do you have to use the indigo right after the henna..or can you wait a couple days. I did my henna on Saturday. Do I have to re-henna and then indigo?

 

[JLove74]

Okay...thanks for this. Do you have to use the indigo right after the henna..or can you wait a couple days. I did my henna on Saturday. Do I have to re-henna and then indigo?

for best results, do it right after you rinse out the henna.

 

[Cayenne0622]

Yes Cayenne...your hair is fabulous as usual. Great growing!

Thanks!! You are so sweet. You are one of the ladies who I stalk (fotki, I mean). lol Your hair is GAWGEOUS!

 

[VeryBecoming]

So I ordered both kinds of henna from the henna for hair site.

The Jamila is darker, like a brown-ish color in the packaging and I don't notice a smell with it.

The Rajasthani or whatever it is is like bright green and as soon as I opened the package I could smell it. It also seems like more in it's package but I guess it's just not as tightly packed as the Jamila.

I'm not sure which one I want to try first..help me out!

 

[sareca]

Okay...thanks for this. Do you have to use the indigo right after the henna..or can you wait a couple days. I did my henna on Saturday. Do I have to re-henna and then indigo?

Hey asha I think I'm one of the few people around here that use indigo regularly. I blue-black hair. I henna once every blue-moon and indigo as often as I can. Henna does seem to condition better than indigo, but I never saw any difference between using it immediately and waiting a week. I also don't re-henna before every indigo treatment; just when it starts to get dull (indigo doesn't impart shine like henna) or when I want it red again. I take Catherine's word as henna gospel, but everybody else on her forum w/ a grain of salt . They have lighter color hair and henna/indigo far less often than we do.

Have you see her e-book? It has pics of hair indigo with and without doing henna first (starts on page 44).

 

[asha]

Hey asha I think I'm one of the few people around here that use indigo regularly. I blue-black hair. I henna once every blue-moon and indigo as often as I can. Henna does seem to condition better than indigo, but I never saw any difference between using it immediately and waiting a week. I also don't re-henna before every indigo treatment; just when it starts to get dull (indigo doesn't impart shine like henna) or when I want it red again. I take Catherine's word as henna gospel, but everybody else w/ a grain of salt. They have lighter color hair and henna/indigo far less often than we do.

Have you see her e-book? It has pics of hair indigo with and without doing henna first (starts on page 44).

OOOHHHH!!! This is what I wanted to hear. I will definately check out the book. Maybe I will do a strand test just using indigo to see how it will come out. I really don't want to re-henna again.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[sareca]

I am curious as well. Here is my rotation in February alone:

2/4 Henna and then Indigo for Black har
2/7 Amla Powder treatment
2/9 Henna gloss from leftover henna of 2/4 (toned down the black in my hair)
2/16 Cassia treatment
2/25 Henna and then Indigo again

I have some nice BLING and the condtion of my hair is great. Should I expect more?

Sorry noir and doll, I didn't see you guys there.

Noir you just started on 2/4? Oh girl, the bling and conditioning are just beginning. My hair was didn't reach it's full shine and condition until I'd done about 5 months of weekly henna treatments.

<--pre-henna (pic in full sun)

<-- first henna (pic in part sun and part shade)

<--first indigo/henna (full-sun) 3 months later

<-- 5 months later

HENNA DISCLAMIER: My hair is not wet and it's not greasy. It only has about a tablespoon of avocado oil on it and nothing else. That's all henna shine. :wink2:

In the pic on the left it is actually reflecting the setting sun (that's what the brownish-yellow is); the pic on the right is in full-shade. I henna!

 

[sareca]

So I ordered both kinds of henna from the henna for hair site.

The Jamila is darker, like a brown-ish color in the packaging and I don't notice a smell with it.

The Rajasthani or whatever it is is like bright green and as soon as I opened the package I could smell it. It also seems like more in it's package but I guess it's just not as tightly packed as the Jamila.

I'm not sure which one I want to try first..help me out!

The Jamila might smell differently when you add liquid to it; occasionly I've had my plastic packages open up inside the box and ruin the henna.

But as for Rajasthani, (which I haven't heard of) IMO henna really shouldn't be bright green. I have some Mumtaz that's bright green and Mestiza had a nasty reaction to it.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=87256&page=30

 

[LaNecia]

The Jamila might smell differently when you add liquid to it; occasionly I've had my plastic packages open up inside the box and ruin the henna.

But as for Rajasthani, (which I haven't heard of) henna really shouldn't be bright green. I have some Mumtaz that's bright green and Mestiza had a nasty reaction to it.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=87256&page=30

I has some of the Rajasthani and it was also 'bright' green. I didn't have a problem with it.

 

[VeryBecoming]

The Jamila might smell differently when you add liquid to it; occasionly I've had my plastic packages open up inside the box and ruin the henna.

But as for Rajasthani, (which I haven't heard of) IMO henna really shouldn't be bright green. I have some Mumtaz that's bright green and Mestiza had a nasty reaction to it.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=87256&page=30

Hm. I think I read something about the Rajasthan henna in the book by Catherine. I don't think it's unsafe. It's the henna sold in the silver packets from mehandi.com

 

[Blu217]

OMG--I just henna tested some harvested hair. I'd been using cassia, but the henna seems to be a world of difference... I'd love to use it but...

MY HARVESTED HAIR TURNED SOOOOOO RED! I mean, it's a vivid, deep orangey red! I figured my dark sandy hair would really take the red from henna, but good grief is that ever red! I'm halfway tempted to give myself a huge change and just go for it... but dang, ya'll. That's RED. I don't necessarily want to use alma to get a brown color. I just have to decide if I'm feeling like becoming a major redhead!

 

[january noir]

OMG--I just henna tested some harvested hair. I'd been using cassia, but the henna seems to be a world of difference... I'd love to use it but...

MY HARVESTED HAIR TURNED SOOOOOO RED! I mean, it's a vivid, deep orangey red! I figured my dark sandy hair would really take the red from henna, but good grief is that ever red! I'm halfway tempted to give myself a huge change and just go for it... but dang, ya'll. That's RED. I don't necessarily want to use alma to get a brown color. I just have to decide if I'm feeling like becoming a major redhead!

You can always mix the henna with indigo (in different percentages) to take it from red to brown to dark brown, to deep brown to black.

 

[Isis]

OMG--I just henna tested some harvested hair. I'd been using cassia, but the henna seems to be a world of difference... I'd love to use it but...

MY HARVESTED HAIR TURNED SOOOOOO RED! I mean, it's a vivid, deep orangey red! I figured my dark sandy hair would really take the red from henna, but good grief is that ever red! I'm halfway tempted to give myself a huge change and just go for it... but dang, ya'll. That's RED. I don't necessarily want to use alma to get a brown color. I just have to decide if I'm feeling like becoming a major redhead!

The good thing is if you ever make that leap and decide you don't like the red hair afterall, you can always easily go darker.

 

[sareca]

Hm. I think I read something about the Rajasthan henna in the book by Catherine. I don't think it's unsafe. It's the henna sold in the silver packets from mehandi.com

I remember Rajasthan, I have some. I ordered samples of it a long time ago. Mine isn't that bright of a green, at least not when compared to as Mumtaz (which I still use because I have 1000g of it). Mumtaz is electric green.

 

[sareca]

OMG--I just henna tested some harvested hair. I'd been using cassia, but the henna seems to be a world of difference... I'd love to use it but...

MY HARVESTED HAIR TURNED SOOOOOO RED! I mean, it's a vivid, deep orangey red! I figured my dark sandy hair would really take the red from henna, but good grief is that ever red! I'm halfway tempted to give myself a huge change and just go for it... but dang, ya'll. That's RED. I don't necessarily want to use alma to get a brown color. I just have to decide if I'm feeling like becoming a major redhead!

Awwww, I bet it would be beautiful on you.

 

[Blu217]

Awwww, I bet it would be beautiful on you.

Well, thankee. I looked again at my sample this morning, and it's gone crazy-lady burgundy on me. Boo. I've got to get that color closer to brown, or try the boiling water trick to kill the color. I REALLY want to use the henna; my sample feels awesome!

 

[tsiporah]

I remember Rajasthan, I have some. I ordered samples of it a long time ago. Mine isn't that bright of a green, at least not when compared to as Mumtaz (which I still use because I have 1000g of it). Mumtaz is electric green.

Do these silver packs have ladies on them? (I have the brand by Ayur 200mgs.) The Rajasthani region henna I like a whole lot. It does stain my hands well if I didn't use gloves. (duh!)

 

[HoneyDew]

Well, thankee. I looked again at my sample this morning, and it's gone crazy-lady burgundy on me. Boo. I've got to get that color closer to brown, or try the boiling water trick to kill the color. I REALLY want to use the henna; my sample feels awesome!

Blu, Did you try to mix it with some Amla powder. I find that it is darker with amla powder. I really got it darker when I mixed 2 part henna, 1 part cassia and one part amla powder.

 

[Blu217]

Blu, Did you try to mix it with some Amla powder. I find that it is darker with amla powder. I really got it darker when I mixed 2 part henna, 1 part cassia and one part amla powder.

I don't have any alma, but I was thinking of using something like brewed coffee... or maybe just living dangerously and applying it right after mixing and leaving it on for just an hour to minimize the color release some.

Thing is, I love my natural color. A change would be nice--a little redder maybe--but um... not burgundy.

 

[stinastina]

I don't have any alma, but I was thinking of using something like brewed coffee... or maybe just living dangerously and applying it right after mixing and leaving it on for just an hour to minimize the color release some.

Thing is, I love my natural color. A change would be nice--a little redder maybe--but um... not burgundy.

I have tried coffee and it made no difference. You can get amla powder at the local Indian store.

For those of you who order from Everyday Mehndi, how long does it take to get your order ? I placed an order last weekend and so far nothing....

 

[Blu217]

Well, I'm here to report that using hot/boiling water does NOT decrease the color deposit. I decided to live a little, so I did some research, mixed up my henna with some castor oil and condish--and before I'd finished smushing it in my palms were already orange. I left it in for 45 minutes and in the shower I could already see the ends had gone red. Good thing I've been thinking a change would be nice...

The power went out last night from bad storms before I had a chance to dry my hair, so I had to braid it and go to bed. All I know for sure at the moment is that I'm at least a little bit red today. It's darker, for sure. And it looks shiny! I'll report back once I know the final results.

 

[sareca]

Do these silver packs have ladies on them? (I have the brand by Ayur 200mgs.) The Rajasthani region henna I like a whole lot. It does stain my hands well if I didn't use gloves. (duh!)

Mine were samples so they didn't come in the original packages. I remember it staining fast and dark, but more burgandy than I wanted... or something like that. I only tried it once on some harvest hair. Shortly after then I discovered Jamila and the rest if history.

 

[sareca]

Well, I'm here to report that using hot/boiling water does NOT decrease the color deposit. I decided to live a little, so I did some research, mixed up my henna with some castor oil and condish--and before I'd finished smushing it in my palms were already orange. I left it in for 45 minutes and in the shower I could already see the ends had gone red. Good thing I've been thinking a change would be nice...

The power went out last night from bad storms before I had a chance to dry my hair, so I had to braid it and go to bed. All I know for sure at the moment is that I'm at least a little bit red today. It's darker, for sure. And it looks shiny! I'll report back once I know the final results.

Someone said nuking it would destoy henna. I tired that. It didn't work either. But I'm glad you found something that works for you. Don't forget your pics.