Calling ALL HENNA EXPERTS: HELP ME!!!

[tffy2004]

Ok, I use to be scared to color my hair but I am transitioning to my natural hair, which is something I never thought I would do, and figured What the Heck, I might as well go ahead and color my hair.

So I was thinking I don't want to use one the chemical coloring system I want to try Henna. The thing is I know nothing about Henna, and that where you come in. Take me under your wings and show me all I don't know.

As for the color I want to try, I eventually want to get to a color that is close to my skin tone but for my first coloring I want to just lighten my hair 1 or 2 shades. I have been made aware of two sites that sell henna

http://www.bytheplanet.com/index.htm
http://www.hennasooq.com/

What color henna should I start out with?
Is it like a relaxer and I have to touch up every so many weeks?
What do I mix the powder with before I put it on my hair?
Is it safe to use when you're pregnant?
When you go to wash your hair the first time after using it does it leave the bottom of the tub dirty looking??



HELP

 

[alexstin]

Sereca has a great henna tutorial:http://journals.fotki.com/Serica/

 

[aileendq]

Hi, I LOVE that gorgeous pony of yours! Wow!

Anyway, henna does not lighten hair. Henna is a red color naturally, to which other ingredients are added to produce red/brown-black colors. (The black comes from indigo).

I overlap my henna (no need to touchup). Since henna bonds to the keratin in your hair, it serves as a conditioner / strengthener. It aslo proved excellent shine, as the deposited color fills in the hair shaft and thus refects light better.


I've not had a problem with the henna staining my tub in subsequent washes.

Be careful that the henna is body grade henna (ie does not have metallic salts or other harmful additives). Also, henna is messy! (But SO worth it, IMHO.)

I don't use powdered henna, but do try and use a natural mixer if you opt for powder (such as yoghut).

Do a Google search on henna. There are a couple of excellent henna for hair sites that aren't trying to sell you something.

Happy Hennaing!

 

[Cayenne0622]

Ok, I use to be scared to color my hair but I am transitioning to my natural hair, which is something I never thought I would do, and figured What the Heck, I might as well go ahead and color my hair.

So I was thinking I don't want to use one the chemical coloring system I want to try Henna. The thing is I know nothing about Henna, and that where you come in. Take me under your wings and show me all I don't know.

As for the color I want to try, I eventually want to get to a color that is close to my skin tone but for my first coloring I want to just lighten my hair 1 or 2 shades. I have been made aware of two sites that sell henna

http://www.bytheplanet.com/index.htm
http://www.hennasooq.com/

What color henna should I start out with?
Is it like a relaxer and I have to touch up every so many weeks?
What do I mix the powder with before I put it on my hair?
Is it safe to use when you're pregnant?
When you go to wash your hair the first time after using it does it leave the bottom of the tub dirty looking??



HELP

Sareca and VW Vixxen have given me some of the best advice on Henna so PM one of them. THere are several other ladies too and there are quite a few henna threads. One of the best things Sareca told me was to only leave it on for an hour the first time around. The best thing I did for myself was remove the ACV from my recipe because it dried my hair the 1st time around. I use Jamila with EVOO, Honey, Amla Powder, Indigo and a couple of tablespoons of moisturizing conditioner. I include the indigo so that my hair gets a nice balanced dark brown with auburn undertones. I love it. Pic in avatar is from my henna treatment.

 

[tffy2004]

Thanks Alexstin for the link to the album I will make sure to go there to look at the tutorial.

Alieendq thanks for the compliment on my ponytail. I think henna would be a great product for me since I don't want to get back into putting chemicals on my hair. I will also make sure to do a search on Google.

Cayenne0622 I love the color of your hair and it looks so healthy, do you have more pictures here on LHCF? I will be sending PM's tonight to the ladies you recommened.