Is HENNA really worth it?

[lil'paw]

Ok, I used a 70/30 mix of henna and indigo. It was the body-art quality from mehandi.com. I didn't want blue black but just a shinny black. Because my hair was commercially colored jet black previously, my hair mid-shaft and ends are jet black w/some red highlights and my roots are dark brown w/some red highlights. I have some indigo left and I would like to darken the roots but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea right now.

So my mixture was 70/30 henna and indigo with ACV and water w/2 tbsp. olive oil and couple drops of rosemary oil. I let that sit over night and then in the morning before application, I mixed the alma with water and mixed it into the henna and indigo and applied it to my hair. I kept in on for 8 hours and rinsed it out. I shampooed and did use a moisturizing conditioner afterwords.

What can I do about the breakage? Wouldn't a protein treatment be too much right now?

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

So you left the indigo and the henna together overnight? Did you get the color results you wanted? Because indigo doesn't need a long dye release time as henna does. Make the henna have dye release and then add the indigo and let sit another 15-30 mins and then use. I want to see if your results changed because of the indigo sitting out so long. Thanks for sharing

Khadija

 

[january noir]

Ok, I used a 70/30 mix of henna and indigo. It was the body-art quality from mehandi.com. I didn't want blue black but just a shinny black. Because my hair was commercially colored jet black previously, my hair mid-shaft and ends are jet black w/some red highlights and my roots are dark brown w/some red highlights. I have some indigo left and I would like to darken the roots but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea right now.

Did you see/use this Catherine's chart on page 49 of her book, "Henna for Hair How-To" when going for your color? It will tell you what color to expect. You probably want to go to a "Warm Black "and then use Cassia for gloss if you are currently "black

So my mixture was 70/30 henna and indigo with ACV and water w/2 tbsp. olive oil and couple drops of rosemary oil. I let that sit over night and then in the morning before application, I mixed the alma with water and mixed it into the henna and indigo and applied it to my hair. I kept in on for 8 hours and rinsed it out. I shampooed and did use a moisturizing conditioner afterwords. Don't use the ACV (or lemon juice) or the essential oil. It's too drying on the hair. Use just a touch of orange juice or even a little tea; just about 2-4oz. I used 8 oz. of orange juice and 8 oz. of warm water and I probably could have used even less orange juice.

What can I do about the breakage? Wouldn't a protein treatment be too much right now?

YES, I believe so. DC with Humectress or other moisturizing conditioner for 1 hour. You could also apply Amla Oil or EVOO overnight on your scalp and hair and them rinse out before your do you DC .

 

[lil'paw]

Thanks Girl, I'm going to get my hair together then I'll try again this time without the ACV and the alma. THAT combo is probably what messed me up in the first place.

 

[january noir]

Thanks Girl, I'm going to get my hair together then I'll try again this time without the ACV and the alma. THAT combo is probably what messed me up in the first place.

Another thing or two...

The Amla powder shouldn't have been the problem, I think it was the ACV (how much did you use?) and the length of time you kept the mix on your hair. 8 Hours is quite a long time. 3-5 hours (unless your hair is super resistant) should do it...Did you wrap your hair well with the plastic wrap?

I found that conditioning with an intense moisturizer BEFORE henna/indigo services helps "prepare" the hair and prevent additional drying.

 

[lil'paw]

Another thing or two...

The Amla powder shouldn't have been the problem, I think it was the ACV (how much did you use?) and the length of time you kept the mix on your hair. 8 Hours is quite a long time. 3-5 hours (unless your hair is super resistant) should do it...Did you wrap your hair well with the plastic wrap?

I found that conditioning with an intense moisturizer BEFORE henna/indigo services helps "prepare" the hair and prevent additional drying.

When I was on that henna-for-hair site there were so many exotic mixtures so I tried to do just a simple mixture. I did use Catherine's
recipe to mix the henna, alma and indigo but I left out the lemon juice and use the ACV. Her recipe did say leave in for 2-4 hours, I guess I got the 8 hours from someone else's recipe.

I did use the plastic wrap. I washed & conditioned the day before because I remember reading that henna should be applied to clean hair. Anyway...I do believe the recipe I used in addition to the products used before after contributed to the dryness though.

Next time I will make sure my hair is moisturized before and after, no ACV and keep the henna in for no more than 4 or 5 hours.

 

[TwistNMx]

Well I have never tried henna, though I am dying to. My beautician, who is Dominican..told me that her mother Henna'ed her hair and it all fell out! Now she has me worried about using it.

I never heard of this before. Henna has worked great for me. It made my hair stronger. I can always tell right away.
I've used henna (and different brands too).
Now I'm going in reverse though because my husband wants to try this stuff.
Are you sure it was henna???

 

[RosesBlack]

I've been researching and reading all the henna threads and was wondering.

How much henna should I buy? My hair is very thick and lower neck length.

If I buy more than I need I can store it in the freezer right?

Thanks ladies!

 

[Isis]

I've been researching and reading all the henna threads and was wondering.

How much henna should I buy? My hair is very thick and lower neck length.

If I buy more than I need I can store it in the freezer right?

Thanks ladies!

Catherine suggests using up to 100 grams of powder in every 5" of hair.

She also says in her instructions we can freeze extra henna powder and extra henna paste (but not with amla or indigo in it). Henna can be frozen for several months.
Indigo powder must be kept in a dark place since freezing it will kill it. One can't save mixed indigo at all.

 

[RosesBlack]

Catherine suggests using up to 100 grams of powder in every 5" of hair.

She also says in her instructions we can freeze extra henna powder and extra henna paste (but not with amla or indigo in it). Henna can be frozen for several months.
Indigo powder must be kept in a dark place since freezing it will kill it. One can't save mixed indigo at all.

Wonderful thank you. I'm ordering this weekend and hopefully will do my treatment next weekend.

 

[CynamonKis]

Hi Henna Sooq:

I love your site -- I purchased some Ghassoul & made an "anti-aging" facial mud by mixing lavendar, EVOO and rosewater into the mud. It feels so LUXURIOUS! I also brought some henna there as well.

So you left the indigo and the henna together overnight? Did you get the color results you wanted? Because indigo doesn't need a long dye release time as henna does. Make the henna have dye release and then add the indigo and let sit another 15-30 mins and then use. I want to see if your results changed because of the indigo sitting out so long. Thanks for sharing

Khadija

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Thanks Cynthia
I love the ghassoul so much too ! I am waiting on a fresh bunch about come. I am trying to be patient. But when it comes from so far it takes some time with all the in betweens stuff and preparations !

Enjoy it ! It's just really good at not stripping away your natural oils which can be too much for some of us.

Khadija

 

[missnappylady]

I keep coming back to this post and all of you are making me want to henna.

 

[sareca]

Yep, without a doubt.

Also, please share info about your Henna regimens....

What brand of Henna do you use? Jamila Where do you get it? mehndiskinart.com

How often do you do your treatments? once/wk unless I'm in braids

What if anything do you add to your henna? just water, maybe a little oil (same goes for my indigo)

What benefits have you seen in your hair? shiny, strong, dark hair

How long have you been doing Henna Treatments? May 2006
What is your hair type? 4a

Do you have any additional henna info that you think is helpful? Be patient and don't expect too much too soon

 

[TwistNMx]

Though all of my trials and tribulations , henna has been "simply the best!"
Try it and see for yourself.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Sareca that is a beautiful henna design WOW !

 

[Nefertiti0906]

There is a poll that has been done here. I recommend that for the change in hair texture that you read this:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=47481


I would like to work with a couple of women who have african textured hair. I say african, because many women are either african american, west indian, moroccan, africa, puerto rico etc....but there is also a lot of variety in between. We would like to compile some information on how henna has or has not worked out for women of african hair texture, as there is not enough information out there. Some women just think they can't use henna because they are black or because they have a perm etc....
So if you having been using henna and any other herbs for at least 6 months (or have at least a 6 month committment to henna or herbs and can share their experiences) or more please PM me or email me at [email protected], so we can discuss this further.

Thank you !!

Khadija

Could you clarify what do you mean by african hair texture? I'm African and my hair is kinky, curly, wavy all mixed together.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Like meaning the hair type of women who are darked skinned naturally. There is different ways to treat hair when it comes to the different varieties of hair we have. Some wash once a day some once a week, as it depends on your hair and how dry or oily it is or can get.

Learning more about henna and how it affects dark skinned women of all nationalities is something we all don't have a lot of information on, but it would nice to add that to the collection of henna information because there is some differences in usage of herbal hair treatments when it comes to our hair texture and scalp.
I haven't been able to follow up with that but I would really like to know personal thoughts on such things as how does henna work for you? is it more drying? Do you add extra moisturizing? What do women who have this hair texture need to know about henna? What is different or unique about using herbal hair treatments compared to how women with straight hair (white) use it? Are there some things you wish you knew before or right away to help in your decision in the world of henna?

Things like that. I would like to know what is important to know about henna and all herbal hair treatments/conditioners?

I hope this clarifies what I was trying to say.

 

[tffy2004]

My hair is natural and I did my first Henna not too long a go and the only thing I liked about my henna was the color it gave my hair. It did make my hair more manageable but only because it loosened my curls and that is the part that I don't like and the reason I won't use it again. Here is a picture:

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Your hair looks real nice, but it's kind of hard to see the reddish tones the henna must have given you from your application from the pictures.

So you like henna for the color, but not because it made your hair more manageable? Or do you not like the henna because it loosed up your curls? Henna does tend to straighten out some people's hair over time.
So I am a bit confused because isn't more manageable a good thing ?

Khadija

 

[CaramelPrincezz]

I mixed my Henna today using just hot water...I'm letting it sit and plan to apply it tomorrow for the first time. I might add some conditioner in there also. Wish me luck!!!erplexed

 

[tffy2004]

Your hair looks real nice, but it's kind of hard to see the reddish tones the henna must have given you from your application from the pictures.

So you like henna for the color, but not because it made your hair more manageable? Or do you not like the henna because it loosed up your curls? Henna does tend to straighten out some people's hair over time.
So I am a bit confused because isn't more manageable a good thing ?

Khadija

The henna I used was black so it just darkened my hair, no reddish tones at all. I like the fact that it made my hair darker, and as for the manageablility that really isn't important to me right now, but it make my hair more manageable. The one thing I detest about henna is that it loosened my curls WAY too much.

Manageablility is a great thing but for me its not really a priority because I have a product, Kids Organics Shea Butter, to handle that. I would trade manageablility for my curls in a heartbeat.

 

[HoneyDew]

The henna I used was black so it just darkened my hair, no reddish tones at all. I like the fact that it made my hair darker, and as for the manageablility that really isn't important to me right now, but it make my hair more manageable. The one thing I detest about henna is that it loosened my curls WAY too much.

Manageablility is a great thing but for me its not really a priority because I have a product, Kids Organics Shea Butter, to handle that. I would trade manageablility for my curls in a heartbeat.

Black henna, tffy? What product was that if you don't mind me asking? thanks.

 

[tffy2004]

Black henna, tffy? What product was that if you don't mind me asking? thanks.

I don't mind at all, the brand is Light Mountain. I ordered a neutral henna online before I realized they sold it locally at a health food store, so I am looking to get rid of the neural one. It hasn't been opened or anything and it has the instructions and gloves still in it. Here is a picture:

 

[sareca]

Sareca that is a beautiful henna design WOW !

Thanks! I wish she lived here. That wasn't a stencil. She made up that design and free-handed it on. She also makes her own paste and sifts the henna in-house. It was fun to talk shop while on vacation.

 

[HoneyDew]

I don't mind at all, the brand is Light Mountain. I ordered a neutral henna online before I realized they sold it locally at a health food store, so I am looking to get rid of the neural one. It hasn't been opened or anything and it has the instructions and gloves still in it. Here is a picture:

Oh, okay. THanks. I have used Light mountain before, but only the neutral. I own one of the "Color you grey" kits that has henna in one bag and indigo in another. I have yet to use it since I started using the products from other people. I find that Light Mountain just did not sift their powder well enough. I hate that!

 

[ghanaian dime]

Thanks Cynthia
I love the ghassoul so much too ! I am waiting on a fresh bunch about come. I am trying to be patient. But when it comes from so far it takes some time with all the in betweens stuff and preparations !

Enjoy it ! It's just really good at not stripping away your natural oils which can be too much for some of us.

Khadija

Hi,

Someone else asked this question on one of the henna threads and did not get an answer, so I wanted to ask again. I don't want to color my hair, so I'm thinking of using cassia. A few questions:

1) Is there a particular brand of Cassia that you recommend?

2) Should I mix the cassia with anything besides water? (oil, conditioner, etc...)

3) If I use henna and don't add acid or give the dye time to release, will I be able to get the conditioning and strengthening benefits w/out any color?

4) Is cassia as good as henna for strengthening and shine?

 

[tffy2004]

Oh, okay. THanks. I have used Light mountain before, but only the neutral. I own one of the "Color you grey" kits that has henna in one bag and indigo in another. I have yet to use it since I started using the products from other people. I find that Light Mountain just did not sift their powder well enough. I hate that!

You know now that you mention it, there were lots of little twig like particles in it and I couldn't get it creamy in consistancy. Nonetheless I won't use henna again so no worries!

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Oh k I understand what you meant now Tiffany. thanks for the explanation!!

 

[MadisonK]

Hi,

I have thick, black colored hair that's 2 inches above my waist. I want to henna for the strengthening effects and for the black coloring.

How much henna should i buy? and how much Indigo should i buy? Also, once I henna, how much Indigo should I use for a pretty, shiny black?

thanks!