Amla Powder Question

[hot_pepper96]

How is this used and what are the benefits for relaxed hair?

 

[january noir]

Bumping ... I have relaxed hair and 300g of Amla powder .
Can I just mix it and apply to my hair for 15 minutes? I just want more fluffy hair 'cause it's thin...

 

[january noir]

bumping again...come on ladies! I KNOW there is someone out there who has a comment or experience that they can share!

 

[january noir]

Not giving up...

 

[dlewis]

You can use amla powder by making a paste out of it or a tea rinse. I normally do a tea rinse but I've tried the amla paste and it took forever to rinse out. But the results were great. My hair was noticablly stronger (after the paste) and darker.

To make a tea I use a 4 cup coffee maker and put the powder in the filter and once it's filtered through, I wait for it to cool down and pour it over my hair and scalp. This is a great conditioner. Be sure to use a good conditioner afterwards.

 

[dlewis]

This is my hair after that alma paste treatment:

 

[january noir]

This is my hair after that alma paste treatment:

I should have KNOWN that you, DLEWIS would come to my RESCUE!
I LOVES YOU WOMAN :littleang ... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Your hair is heavenly! I just rinsed my Amla paste out of my hair ... giving myself a moisturizing conditioner. I will post my results (text only).

Thanks again. You are very gracious Lady!

 

[january noir]

After using the Amla Powder paste, my hair was slightly fuller and had a tad more body. It was a little glossier, but I think the Cassia will give me more shine.

I will use the Amla Powder paste 2x a month and the Cassia 2x a month for the next 2 months to see what, if any, cumulative benefits I gain.

Note to self: take pics for Fotki

 

[dlewis]

january noir, I'm glad you seams to like it. Was it hard to rinse out for you?

 

[january noir]

Hello Beautiful DLewis! :littleang

No, it wasn't. I left it on for only 1/2 hour (imy head was Saran-Wrapped up tight!) and I rinsed it out pretty quickly with my cheapie VO5 Champagne Kisses.

I was surprised it rinsed so well because it was more like a thick facial masque consistency when I finished mixing mine up. Maybe I added more water than most people do. I don't know...

One reason could be because my hair is a tad fine/thin and there's not a lot of hair for the Amla powder paste to hang onto!

 

[seraphinelle]

I heard it gives you some 'curls' and 'waves' back.

I'll be trying it this weekend, when i get my friend to pick some up for me from her Pakistani store.

 

[january noir]

I heard it gives you some 'curls' and 'waves' back.

I'll be trying it this weekend, when i get my friend to pick some up for me from her Pakistani store.

Hi Seraphinelle,
That's what they say. I don't have any curls or waves, so I couldn't bring any back! . I also read that it is a good scalp cleanser. What I do know is that it conditioned my hair nicely (not as shiny as I hoped for), and I will continue to use it to see cumulative benefit.

I think Cassia/Senna will be what I am truly after to add shine/glossiness to my hair.

Keep us posted. There is not a lot of "conclusive" information about the use of Amla Powder out there. I found it hard to get a definitive answer until DLewis answered this thread after repeated bumping. I even went to Mehandi.com and found the info. in the Henna Forum lacking the information I was looking for.

 

[seraphinelle]

Well I tried henna, and it looked like it was more moisturized, but it was all relative, considering the state is was in before.

I'll def. try amla, just to see.

I wouldn't mind some of my texture back.

But I'll take the conditioning any day!

 

[january noir]

Well I tried henna, and it looked like it was more moisturized, but it was all relative, considering the state is was in before.

I'll def. try amla, just to see.

I wouldn't mind some of my texture back.

But I'll take the conditioning any day!

Yes, try it. I was a little nervous to try it at first, but it was easy to apply and easy to rinse out. Just make sure you cover your hair well with plastic Saran-type wrap so it does not dry out. THEN it would be hard to rinse out! It dries up like mud or masque!

 

[tricie]

January Noir, seraphinelle, and DLewis,

Thank you for starting this thread; you aren't kidding when you say there is not alot of information out there on the use of Amla powder, and that is likely why I have been a wimp and not tried mine yet. I purchased the Hesh brand Amla powder from one of the Indian stores here locally.

Thanks, ladies; if I do get the nerve to do it, I'll post some pics...need to anyway!

 

[january noir]

January Noir, seraphinelle, and DLewis,

Thank you for starting this thread; you aren't kidding when you say there is not alot of information out there on the use of Amla powder, and that is likely why I have been a wimp and not tried mine yet. I purchased the Hesh brand Amla powder from one of the Indian stores here locally.

Thanks, ladies; if I do get the nerve to do it, I'll post some pics...need to anyway!

Hey Tricie! I got your back girl! When you are ready let us know. Don't be scurred! I did it and believe me, I understand the caution, but it's a natural product and it doesn't hurt you or your hair (don't forget to do a skin/hair test just to be sure)!

 

[Isis]

Yes, try it. I was a little nervous to try it at first, but it was easy to apply and easy to rinse out. Just make sure you cover your hair well with plastic Saran-type wrap so it does not dry out. THEN it would be hard to rinse out! It dries up like mud or masque!

I just want to say one can use the plastic see-through caps from Sally's for the henna procedure, which also keeps it moist.

 

[tricie]

Hey, January Noir!

Thanks, girl! I will definitely let you all know when I try it, and how it comes out; maybe I'll jump in and do it next week! I'll keep ya posted!

Thanks, my sista!

 

[january noir]

I just want to say one can use the plastic see-through caps from Sally's for the henna procedure, which also keeps it moist.[/quote

Oooooo...Thanks Isis! I didn't know they had those (I should have guessed though ). Me, skipping off to Sally's this weekend (tired of dealing with Saran wrap!)

 

[january noir]

Oh and another about the Amla powder (when used as a paste)...

Catherine at Henna for Hair says to use the Amla BEFORE you do your henna or henna & indigo services because Amla can tone down the color (which you may or may not want).

I noticed this effect this morning when I was doing my hair. Though my hair is still Black, it has acquired a slight brownish tint. It's hard to see, but under a very bright light, I can see it. An attractive feature though.

 

[january noir]

Anyone else's experience? Hoping to get some more feedback. Henna Sooq are you out there? Can you tell us more about using Amla Powder?

 

[MissFallon]

bumping because I want try this over the weekend. I used Jamila henna mixed with amla powder (50/50) and left it in for 3 hrs. My hair is a lot thicker, I usually comb through my hair with ease but they were so thick I couldn't do anything with them. Does Amla powder alone have a thickening effect?

 

[Isis]

bumping because I want try this over the weekend. I used Jamila henna mixed with amla powder (50/50) and left it in for 3 hrs. My hair is a lot thicker, I usually comb through my hair with ease but they were so thick I couldn't do anything with them. Does Amla powder alone have a thickening effect?

Henna is what thickens each strand. Since amla powder adds texture, that can make your hair look even thicker.

 

[MissFallon]

Oh ok. I think I may continue to use the Amla powder alone because it does seem as though it has brought the curl back into the side of my hair that was having issues with the texture and was straighter than the rest of my hair. I will probably alternate bet the amla/shikakai mix and the henna/amla/shikakai mix each week. I am on a mission for thicker hair by June when I figure out whether to relax or BC.

 

[sareca]

I use amla to condition and defrizz. I steep amla (and somtimes brahmi) powder in hot water, strain it, add more water and pour over my braids or hair at least once/wk.

 

[baglady215]

I use amla to condition and defrizz. I steep amla (and somtimes brahmi) powder in hot water, strain it, add more water and pour over my braids or hair at least once/wk.

So now I know what I can do with my brahmi powder.

 

[dlewis]

So now I know what I can do with my brahmi powder.

Your hair is amazing.

 

[SSBD]

so basically henna thickens the hair and alma just brings back the texture??? Can alma thicken up the hair strand by itself???

 

[Isis]

*bumping*
I would also like to know more about how amla defrizzes the hair, as Seraca mentioned. I noticed this happened to my hair and in humid conditions, it isn't frizzing up like it did before. I'll be testing this more, especially in hot and humid conditions...

 

[tenderheaded]

I started using amla powder before I used henna. It definitely made my hair feel thicker, but was hard to get out I use henna regularly with 2 tbl of amla, and the color is richer and my hair doesn't nap up like it used to. I exercise 5-6 times per week and am 11 wks post, so the naps are due