A New Henna Thread

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

I have done a lot of research on lhcf about henna, weighed up the pros and cons and decided to try it this weekend. I mixed my 100% herbal henna with lime juice for dye release and left it overnight, I then added jojoba oil and garlic puree before applying it on Friday night. I left it in my hair for 7 hours as I was hoping to get some colour. When i was rinsing it out I noticed a lot of shed and broken hair. I also struggled to get all the henna out of my hair, after cowashing thoroughly 3 times, I sill had some tiny herb remains in my hair. I shampooed until the water was clear and DCed overnight. When I rinsed the DC this morning there still red colour coming out of my hair and lots of shedding and tangling! I think I lost three times as much hair as I normally do when I detangle. My hair also felt rough as it was airdrying. I am disappointed it didn't work out as I hoped but struggling to identify what exactly has caused the problems, is it the henna, lime juice or garlic puree?

My hair does feel and look thicker and stronger though, so not sure whether to give another try in the future or drop it like a hot potato!

The amount of time you left the henna and herbal mix in your hair is a bit too long. The average time that's good enough is 4-5 hours. With heat, less time is needed as well.

First I'd focus on which henna and herbs you used. Which brand? use a brand that is finely sifted like Jamila and some herbs (maybe even organic) that will be easier to wash out. That'll benefit your hair, and save time.

It also sounds like you need extra moisturization so use a richer hair oil, such as argan oil, or cocoveda for hair strengthening or a straight coconut oil. You can add that direactly to your henna mix, and use a bit afterwards as well. Even a conditioner right into the recipe is a good idea as well.
If you play around with your regimen, that should help, figure out exactly what your hair needs and still be able to use henna and herbs. I hope this helps!

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

This is the Henna I used;

View attachment 98741

It does not specifically states that its BAQ but the ingredients are 100% henna and its for use on skin and hair. I kinda suspected the lime juice might be the culprit. I used the juice of one lime

Shoot I missed that ingredient. Yes drop the lemon juice and/or lime juice you use, and this applies to anyone who has this happen. It's drying. and you should use warm water instead.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Ok ladies I need your expert advice. I really want to start using henna b/c of all of the benefits (especially strengthening and thickening of the hair) but I don't want the red color. Is using the cassia obovata the only way to avoid that or can you also achieve it with regular henna? Also, is cassia obovata as good in terms of the strengthening benefits as the regualr henna? Any reccs on specific brands of henna's/recipes would be greatly appreciated. Oh and one more question. I have been using an egg/condish mix for my protein treatments, which I love. If I start using henna should I cut this out? or is it still ok to do protein treatments when you henna?

Cassia is a good alternative to henna, for sure. It has all the benefits of henna, and you can even add other herbs to promote hair growth, hair strengthening etc... as well. The only thing with cassia is that it is NOT as long term as henna, so you can do your cassia treatment every 3-4 weeks, rather then with henna every 4-6 weeks.

 

[DarkandLovely]

Cassia is a good alternative to henna, for sure. It has all the benefits of henna, and you can even add other herbs to promote hair growth, hair strengthening etc... as well. The only thing with cassia is that it is NOT as long term as henna, so you can do your cassia treatment every 3-4 weeks, rather then with henna every 4-6 weeks.

Thanks for the info!

 

[JC-Junkie]

Okay sure, but could you list some questions so we could address them directly because the tips above is a good start, the one I posted already but there would need to be more info and questions asked, because everyone is so unique I'd just hate to generalize.

Thanks !
-What henna mixes do you use for relaxed hair ? Natural hair ? Or is it the same ?
-How often can she use henna and how often can I use henna ? (I'm natural)
-Does she have to do a protein treatment, even though she has done a henna treatment ?
-Do we have to do a moisture treatment afterwards ?

Any tips in general ?

Do you heat the henna to mix it or do you just melt it with water at room temperature, because there are diffrent ways Do some of you ladies leave your henna in over night and does colour release mean that you allow your henna mix to sit for a bit so that the dye releases ? I know a bit about indigo, when your about to wash out your henna you make your indigo mix, wash out the henna and then put your indigo in straight afterwards, leave it in for about 3-5 hours and then wash it out

Sorry for all the questions we're a bit nervous TBH lol

TIA and HHG Ladies !!

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Natural and relaxed hair can use the same types of recipes. What sets recipes apart is individual hair, and dry to oily scalps. The extra additions and care varies as drier hair would need more moisturization. So the general recipe can be the same but the extra additions needed vary and this depends on your friend's hair type and scalp.

You can use henna every 4-6 weeks on average and some have faster hair growth so 3-4 weeks is fine as well, or root touch ups in between if the person is covering grey.

Not everyone needs a protein treatment but some ladies do use it as well, so this again depends on your/their hair type.

Yes more then likely you'll have to do a moisture treatment either use natural shampoo bars that have extra added oils, and/or a good hair oil/conditioner afterwards.

Henna and herbs usually come powdered unless they are in another form, but most use it powdered. You warm up your liquid and add it to the henna and mix it. Henna directions are found here:
Henna Blog Spot

So start reading articles with directions and then let us know if there are questions.

 

[JC-Junkie]

Thank you ! When you say natural shampoo bars do you mean that we should shampoo our hair after the henna treatment and then deep condition ? Or can we wash our hair with normal conditioner until all the henna is out and then deep condition ?

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Welcome. Some shampoo bars that are handmade and natural contain extra oils that are actually really moisturizing rather then using a shampoo that might contain SLS and other chemical ingredients, if you'd rather focus on being as natural as possible.
But if you don't have that, then yes a deep conditioner would work great. You can use both. Yes you can condition and then deep condition afterwards as well. Even some leave-in cream conditioners are great. I have a big thing for Curls brand, but I want to head over to Oyin Handmade since it's actually near me, and they have handmade hair goodies!

 

[JC-Junkie]

Thank you !

 

[ntm103]

Just an update on my hair post-henna. I DCed twice this week and now my hair is well moisturised and strong. The shedding is back to normal and my hair feels silky. I can definitely see the benefits of the henna now and will be doing it regularly!

 

[Bigmommah]

Congratulations ntm103 on your successful henna experience.

My simplified henna mixture (nothing but warm water & henna) worked very well. I will have to add the pictures to my hair album at some point this week. The color is a richer red than it has been in the past but I'm not bothered by it. I kept the henna on for 3 hours or so, rinsed and then applied my dc, put in 2 braids, put on a plastic cap and my granny cap. When I woke up this morning I rinsed put all my products on and came to work.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

I think I'm going to hop onto my weekly henna treatments again. I did one last week, I think another is in the works for tomorrow!

 

[Pompous Blue]

I think I'm going to hop onto my weekly henna treatments again. I did one last week, I think another is in the works for tomorrow!

Great idea! I now henna weekly since I found out using the steamer shortens the process and I still get the same benefits. I now henna on a Wednesday or Thursday which is way more convenient for me and frees up my weekends!

My hair loves me for it!

 

[Majestye]

Ok, so I did my second ever henna today to touch up my grays. I am so pleased that it came out much better this time. I listened to you ladies and used mostly warm water with a bit of ACV and Lemon juice, added some lavender oil for the scent and honey for moisture.

I realized that the instructions say to use diluted lemon juice not full strength! Which was my error last time. Interesting how missing one word can make such a BIG difference. I also added suave conditioner to the little bit of leftovers and made a type of 'gloss' for the rest of my hair and ends.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Am I the only one who does full head henna? Or do some of you just apply to NG kinda like a relaxer touchup?

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

I do a whole head of henna everytime. If a person does root touch ups, they should still put in a full head application every 2-3 times they do a root touch up, so that the coverage is all equal as possible, and so the ends get re-protected as well.

 

[Bigmommah]

I put it on my entire head.

 

[Aggie]

Am I the only one who does full head henna? Or do some of you just apply to NG kinda like a relaxer touchup?

I always redo my whole head of hair also ND. I prefer to layer the henna on my hair strands for extra protection and thickening.

 

[Majestye]

Am I the only one who does full head henna? Or do some of you just apply to NG kinda like a relaxer touchup?

My main purpose for using henna is as a natural alternative to coloring my 'starting to show' gray hairs. I'm new to Henna and only apply between installs (about every 3 months) so I made a type of gloss to cover the rest of the hair and in particular my ends. It just didn't seem right to leave them out!

 

[Platinum]

I haven't Henna'd in a few months but I'm using Nupur Henna right now. I noticed that during the time that I stopped using Henna, I started having more split ends and SSKs. I need to start Henna'ing regularly for strength.

 

[Aggie]

^^Yeah I notice this too Platinum. Henna really keeps the splits a little under control for me. I use it mixed in with my other powders to condition with now too.

 

[IslandDiva08]

I am using Jamila, Moroccan, and Yemen and i get all my henna products from Henna Sooq. Sometimes i mix my henna powder as well.

My mix is really simply:
100g of henna
1 cup of warm green tea
and 1 tbsp of honey

I don't let my henna sit for more than on hour anymore. I found out that i get the same results if i mix and apply the henna paste to my hair within on hour of mixing. So this is what i do, after mixing i hop in the shower and wash my hair. After washing my hair i use an old t-shirt to dry out most of the water and then i apply the mixture to my hair. I always mix in the honey right before i use the mixture.

I guess i should also mention that i do overnight henna treatments.

 

[IslandDiva08]

I always redo my whole head of hair also ND. I prefer to layer the henna on my hair strands for extra protection and thickening.

i always do a full head application once per month, i am thinking that i might go back to my bi-weekly applications.

 

[Lex_Artis]

Thanks to all of the "henna ladies," I think I'm ready to take the plunge. I've ordered samples to test for allergies, etc., but was curious about ordering henna in bulk (just in case everything goes as planned).

This company - Monterey Spice Company - popped up, and on their site, they list "Henna Neutral" (Lawsonia inermis 95%, and lichen 5%) at a cost of $4.50 for 1 lb (453 grams).

After a search for reviews (of the henna), I ran across mzmillion, from YouTube, who uses it for a Henna Melt/Henna Gloss, but not really for color.

Has anyone here used the Monterey Spice Company's henna for color? I plan to mix it with indigo or katam.

Thanks so much.

ETA: The samples are from another vendor, but I think I'll send an email to Monterey Spice to ask if they'll send out a small sample for testing.

 

[Tolle]

Sooo I finally tried Henna (Karishma herbal) and I LOVE IT!!!!! I did a mixture that gave no color release (thanks kinnikakes) because I love my black hair. I knew immediately after using it that my hair was stronger and thicker. The deal was sealed after my BF noticed the results (yaaaay) and he barely notices anything I do to my hair. He said it looked thicker and shinier, I d*mn near did a cartwheel b/c that was my sole reason for using Henna. A new staple for sure!

 

[Hersheygurl]

I just hennaed with my favorite, Nupur and am sitting under the dryer now ( ponytail rollerset). I tweaked my mix, and added an egg and Greek yogurt this time. This was BY FAR the easiest henna rinse-out i've ever had. I am not sure how much color I have, but will try to add pics later. My hair is not the least bit dry, rough, or tangly like it can be sometimes on henna day. I will definitely add the egg and yogurt to my henna from now on. Here's what I used this time.

200-300 grams henna
honey
splash of lemon juice
yogurt
egg
coconut oil
Raspberry Zinger tea
cloves

I really wanted to get more red for the holidays.

 

[motherpopcorn562]

This is my 5 time using henna. I used Nupur before and I really like it because it is easy to rinse out and it does condition well. I wanted more color release so I tried Karishma. VERY HARD TO RINSE OUT BUT It is a gorgeous color. It looks like I spent hundreds of dollars in the salon for lowlights and highlights lol. ( will post pictures later)

I used apple cider vinegar to dye relase
yogurt (plain nonfat)
Paprika for color
olive oil
rosemary oil

Left overnite on top of the fride and overnight on my head.
Rinsed with condish and DC with Lekair under dryer for 20 minutes

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I'm thinking of buying either Jamila or Napur from ayurnaturalbeauty.com. Can someone give me the pros and cons of both, if you've used them?

Thanks.

 

[motherpopcorn562]

This is my 5 time using henna. I used Nupur before and I really like it because it is easy to rinse out and it does condition well. I wanted more color release so I tried Karishma. VERY HARD TO RINSE OUT BUT It is a gorgeous color. It looks like I spent hundreds of dollars in the salon for lowlights and highlights lol. ( will post pictures later)

I used apple cider vinegar to dye relase
yogurt (plain nonfat)
Paprika for color
olive oil
rosemary oil

Left overnite on top of the fride and overnight on my head.
Rinsed with condish and DC with Lekair under dryer for 20 minutes

Here is a pic but the color didnt come out well. Its almost like a glow or an aura.

2nd Bantu knot out on flat ironed hair.

 

[chebaby]

i henna once a week for the most part. i missed two weeks because i was trying other ayurvedic mixes but i am going back. this sunday will be a mix of dulhan henna, amla, bhringraj, hibiscus and of course water lol.
im going to leave it on for 6 hours and then twist my hair up.