Misconceptions, Mistakes and Tip in Henna for Hair

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Hi everyone. I finally got myself together to write a blog about this. It's been a piece of work that I've been wanting to do for some time now.
The only thing is that I wonder if I've missed a few things, which I am sure I might have. But need you all to please read it, and let me know what could be added. Like what are some of the things you might have wished you knew about henna in the beginning or just know right away? and any tips, as I put only one that really stands out, the damp hair one.

Please read here: http://hennablogspot.com/common-mistakes-and-tips-henna-for-hair/

Thanks!

 

[jamaraa]

Hi everyone. I finally got myself together to write a blog about this. It's been a piece of work that I've been wanting to do for some time now.
The only thing is that I wonder if I've missed a few things, which I am sure I might have. But need you all to please read it, and let me know what could be added. Like what are some of the things you might have wished you knew about henna in the beginning or just know right away? and any tips, as I put only one that really stands out, the damp hair one.

Please read here: http://hennablogspot.com/common-mistakes-and-tips-henna-for-hair/

Thanks!

Here's a few suggestions from the brief read I gave it:

I would add that both tea and coffee are acidic and recommend that people who use it as their primarily liquid (as opposed to plain water) use weak brews. Otherwise they're getting a huge acid rush, not as strong as lemon juice, of course!

If they're gonna use metal, use cast iron as opposed to stainless steel, IMHO. They traditionally use cast iron to mix and dye release w/ the belief that it'll make the henna darker due to the chemical interactions between the iron and henna.

LOL@ 500grams! Only if you're knee length or beyond....and 5'10! (I don't think many of us non metric people realize that 500 grams is over 1 lb.)

 

[jamaraa]

One more suggestion...indigo should be mixed separately from the henna even if you're gonna do a 1 step. Do it in warm water w/ some salt and let it stand covered about 10 mins. That way, you can see if your indigo is good and kicking before you add it to your henna OR use it alone as your 2nd step.

 

[vkb247]

I have a question: Why use warm water in henna? Everyone seems to do it but I use room temperature water (actually water straight from the tap because its rain water) and I have great experiences with henna.

I also have never used more than 70g of henna for my very dense SL-APL hair. (I mix 2 35g boxes of Jamila and never use it all)

I use more water to prevent the henna from drying. Water is moisture not yogurt and oils.

I understand that people should do what works for them and if it works for you than there is no reason to change it but it seems to me that everyone does this because they see everyone else doing it that way without having a real reason for doing it.

 

[plastic]

I have a question: Why use warm water in henna? Everyone seems to do it but I use room temperature water (actually water straight from the tap because its rain water) and I have great experiences with henna.

I also have never used more than 70g of henna for my very dense SL-APL hair. (I mix 2 35g boxes of Jamila and never use it all)

I use more water to prevent the henna from drying. Water is moisture not yogurt and oils.

I understand that people should do what works for them and if it works for you than there is no reason to change it but it seems to me that everyone does this because they see everyone else doing it that way without having a real reason for doing it.

lol i have never use warm water for my henna

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Very Good Information.

I would suggest that After Application, that use something Moisturizing.

Some people have been known to follow-up with a Protein based DC treatment and say that Henna Dried out their Hair, when alot of the 'dryness' could have been allievated by using a Moisture based product after the Henna Application.

 

[jamaraa]

I have a question: Why use warm water in henna? Everyone seems to do it but I use room temperature water (actually water straight from the tap because its rain water) and I have great experiences with henna.

I also have never used more than 70g of henna for my very dense SL-APL hair. (I mix 2 35g boxes of Jamila and never use it all)

I use more water to prevent the henna from drying. Water is moisture not yogurt and oils.

I understand that people should do what works for them and if it works for you than there is no reason to change it but it seems to me that everyone does this because they see everyone else doing it that way without having a real reason for doing it.

Actually it depends on the state of the water you're using. If it's hard, it can be drying. Oils CAN be moisturizing, depending on what oil you're using.

Yoghrut is mostly used for it's acidic qualities and it's usefulness in rinsing out, methinks. I never use it. The rinse out process can also cause dryness.

I use conditioner at about 1:1 ratio to water....I personally perfer warm water which I feel helps give a better consistancy to my henna. There's no reason you can't use cooler water.

 

[jamaraa]

Very Good Information.

I would suggest that After Application, that use something Moisturizing.

Some people have been known to follow-up with a Protein based DC treatment and say that Henna Dried out their Hair, when alot of the 'dryness' could have been allievated by using a Moisture based product after the Henna Application.

DO NOT use protein after henna, IMHO....henna can have a protein-like effect for some (tho it's not a protein) and this can cause intense dryness. If one is going to do protein...do it a few weeks before or after using henna.

This includes mixing up eggs in henna mixes as some recipes suggest. NO GO.

 

[MsBoinglicious]

On the site you said...

"Lemon juice is acidic, and can be very drying on your hair. You can add a small splash of lemon juice, if you’d like. The most highly recommend liquid to use is warm water. You can even use tea (any variety of your choice), or coffee brews as well."

When I got my henna from Mehandi they said do NOT use any coffee. But you say its okay. Is it with certain brands of henna you can or cannot use coffee (i have Jamilla)? I am confused.

Anyone know?

 

[vkb247]

Actually it depends on the state of the water you're using. If it's hard, it can be drying. Oils CAN be moisturizing, depending on what oil you're using.

Yoghrut is mostly used for it's acidic qualities and it's usefulness in rinsing out, methinks. I never use it. The rinse out process can also cause dryness.

I use conditioner at about 1:1 ratio to water....I personally perfer warm water which I feel helps give a better consistancy to my henna. There's no reason you can't use cooler water.

How about bottled water than.

Oils can be conditioning but anything moisturizing must contain water or simply use water. In the blog post she mentions yogurt for moisture.

Anything with sugar will make the paste smooth - juice, apple sauce, honey, etc. I don't use hot water because I don't want to cook my henna.

 

[jamaraa]

^^^^^ You CAN use coffee/tea to mix up your brews w/ any natural henna (ie non chemical). People use it in lieu of lemon juice as a less acidic alternative. People use acids because they believe that it helps the dye uptake better.

The difference is that henna mixes are really about the preferances of the user....there are tons of recipes out there. LOL...I follow none and my hair is grateful for that , but others use them just fine.

I use ZERO acid, but I dye release 24 hrs or so. I have no trouble w/ color uptake and no dryness.

 

[vkb247]

Why do you dye release for 24 hours?

 

[jamaraa]

How about bottled water than.

Oils can be conditioning but anything moisturizing must contain water or simply use water.

Anything with sugar will make the paste smooth - juice, apple sauce, honey, etc. I don't use hot water because I don't want to cook my henna.

Bottled water? If you want the extra expense, why not?

Nobody said HOT water, but warm....let's just make that plain. Hot water is a no no.....

honey interacts w/ water and produces small amounts of peroxide...so no go for me.

apple juice and sugar are both acidic...no go for me. With sugar, you must be sure it melts because the crystals can cut your hair...they're sharp.

Frankly, water ISN'T moisturizng for me...my hair much prefers oils in general, but I have hard water. I won't pony up for bottled water except as something to spray my hair w/. It's about what YOU'RE willing to spend, I guess.

 

[jamaraa]

Why do you dye release for 24 hours?

Mainly because I live in an environment that's rather cold and I refuse to use acids. I do it to make sure I get the maximum dye release and I get the right consistancy.

If you live in warmer climates 12-15hrs is probably good. (ie in Bermuda I'd need less time than I do for the results I want)

 

[vkb247]

But if henna doesn't need warm water than what does the climate have to do with dye release.

BTW: Bermuda is not tropical and not in the Caribbean so its not always hot here. The closest place to us is North Carolina. People from Florida are cold here in the winter.

 

[Okay]

can one lighten hair with henna?

 

[jamaraa]

vbk LOL....you're making this entirely too complicated. Do what works for you. My way works for me!

I already told you I like warm water for consistancy. As for climate, in colder climates, it takes longer time to dye release....it's gets very cold where I live (in Ohio). I know this from personal observations in various seasons. I have no more explanations than this.

 

[jamaraa]

can one lighten hair with henna?

No...you can't. If you want to lighten your hair, you need something that will 1st strip the natural color. Henna is not a dye, byt a stain. It will only ADD color unless you bleach it 1st.

 

[MsBoinglicious]

Jamarra you shouldn't have opened up your mouth! You seem smart with henna, now I am about to papparzi you with questions. lol

Is it better to use Henna on freshly washed/damp hair? Or on dry hair? I can’t figure that one out. Some say NO the henna will slip others say yes.

Also I understand people using conditioner in henna mix (to help rinse it out and not being drying) but wouldn’t that make the color release less effective since both the conditioner and henna are trying to get into the hair shaft? Sounds like a war to me lol

I was going to use 2 boxes of 100g henna (i believe i am BSB not sure yet) and use Chamomile tea. I figure if i use tea instead of lemon juice. The henna would be less drying therefore i don't have to put any oils to combat the dryness. The less stuff in the henna the better the result. Does that make sense?

 

[washize]

don't use acid at all! I put coffee in my henna, (I followed directions on the internet) Which was a huge mistake. IF you have overly dry hair, take a small section of hair and aplly it, see how your hair will react. IF it is dry and tangled, do not apply to the rest of your hair.

 

[vkb247]

vbk LOL....you're making this entirely too complicated. Do what works for you. My way works for me!

I already told you I like warm water for consistancy. As for climate, in colder climates, it takes longer time to dye release....it's gets very cold where I live (in Ohio). I know this from personal observations in various seasons. I have no more explanations than this.

Not trying to make it complicated just trying to make sense of it and sort fact from fiction. I like knowing as much as I can about what I do to my hair so that I can make the best decisions and prevent problems.

Boing Boing...I'm not a henna expert but ITA that the simpler the henna recipe the better.

 

[jamaraa]

washize coffee IS acidic.

boing boing almost every question you've asked, I've answered many times...and a few on this thread! No, conditioner doesn't mess w/ dye uptake for me, but as I said I do a long dye release.

You can use it on either wet or dry hair. I've done both, makes no diff I find.

Why not use plain water? As I said...coffee/tea are both acidic, so if you're worrying about dryness and/or dye uptake, use plain water!

vbk what have you tried? It's easier to work w/ a little info.

 

[baddison]

My henna mix/procedure is also rather simple:
75g NUPUR henna
10 oz. room temp brewed coffee
2 tbsp Aubrey Organics White Camelia conditioner
2 tbsp Dabur Amla Oil
NO DYE RELEASE...."slap" it in my hair, and go to bed.

Rinse in the morning, the proceed with my ultimate moisturizing deep conditioning.

That's it!! Been doing this 2x's per month for over a year.

I'm with Jamaraa....DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Since I have a considerable amount of "grey" I always use Apple Cider Vinegar to release the dye and perhaps a splash of Amla Oil (nothing else) no lemon juice, conditioner, no beer, no eggs. etc...(Although others have and said they got 'great results')

I normally always do the 2 Step. I currently get mine from Mehandi as well, and have talked to Catherine on several occasions when I first started Hendigo-ing. To make sure I would get the desired results and to ask about mixing properly i.e. general questions

At times, I have mixed Henna & Indigo together.

But Mixing Henna & Indigo Separately initially then combining. However making certain I use the Indigo (always mixed with a Dash of Salt) within the allotted time.

 

[Okay]

jamaraa - how do you suggest to go about it if i want to lighten my hair??
i want to use henna because of all the benefits but i want to color my hair lighter ..

 

[washize]

washize coffee IS acidic.

boing boing almost every question you've asked, I've answered many times...and a few on this thread! No, conditioner doesn't mess w/ dye uptake for me, but as I said I do a long dye release.

You can use it on either wet or dry hair. I've done both, makes no diff I find.

Why not use plain water? As I said...coffee/tea are both acidic, so if you're worrying about dryness and/or dye uptake, use plain water!

vbk what have you tried? It's easier to work w/ a little info.

I know I'm saying not to use anything acidic, thats how I know not to do it because I used coffee in mine and it jacked my hair lol

 

[jamaraa]

^^^ Umm...well if you want lighter hair, you're gonna have to bleach it assuming you're starting at very dark brown like most Black people. I'd bleach it and use a mixture of cassia and henna....this will give you anywhere from a strawberry blonde-to a deep red, depending on how much henna to cassia you put.

How light do you want to go? LOL

 

[jamaraa]

I know I'm saying not to use anything acidic, thats how I know not to do it because I used coffee in mine.

You said you used no acids...then you said you used coffee. All I pointed out is that coffee IS an acid to clear up any confusion. People keep saying they're confused, so there you have it1

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I've done it on 'dry hair' maybe only once (no problems).

I always Co-Wash with Something Uber Moisturizing. Then I apply My Henna. Wrap with Saran Wrap and Put on Plastic Cap 3-4 hours. Rinse out with something like V05 Moisture Milks (lately I've been using Suave Tropical Coconut).

Then I apply the Indigo. Re-Wrap. Rinse again with Conditioner and then I DC for about an Hour Afterwards.

I've never slept in Henna or anything like that.

Although, people do it overnight. I just can't rest well with damp/wet hair.erplexed

 

[washize]

You said you used no acids...then you said you used coffee. All I pointed out is that coffee IS an acid to clear up any confusion. People keep saying they're confused, so there you have it1

lol ok I worded that wrong. I meant to say Do not use any acids, when you use henna. I mistakenly used coffee in my henna which is an acid, and my hair did not like it, it made my hair overly dry, tangled, and brittle. IF you use henna make sure you use it on a small section first, too see how your hair will react. If the henna makes that section of your hair dry and tangled, do not apply it to the rest of your hair.