Do ya'll henna?

[sareca]

So henna loosens curl in hair? Can it be used like a very mild relaxer? I thought I read in here that the results are permanent. Is that true? Because I'd like to dye my hair jet black but not permanently...

It does loose curl, but the effects are more dramatic in the first coupla days.

Over the next 7 days it tightened back up again some...

After about 10 henna treatments and a lot of silica it looks like this...

Silica did the majority of this, but henna didn't help. Actually I thought the amount of curl that henna removed was perfect.

All pictures are airdried, but the last one was hair dryed in a single braid. My hair doesn't even do braidouts! Ok, ok I'mma let it go for now.


Anyway, henna is permanent and that includes indigo.

 

[sareca]

Here are my 2nd indigo pics.

No flash

With flash

Indoors w/ flash (stupid silica... Ok i'm not getting go)

BTW, the outdoor pics are a phony pony, called the UPA clip, that I bunned.

 

[douglala]

Did my second henna/alma/indigo treatment Friday night.
I punked out though. After 1.5 hours the smell was getting to me so much that I had to rinse it out.

Rinsed a total of 4 times, the first with plain water and the last 3 with conditioner. I used up a whole bottle of conditioner that I just bought that day.

The following morning I shampooed twice, conditioned, rollerset, then lightly flat-ironed. Here are the results.

darn the pic is too big to post...and there is no editing software on this computer I'm using....I'll post the pic tomorrow....


I know part of the shine is due to the camera flash but still...it's an improvement for me.......


I will NOT do another treatment without the gelled pectin........
And Vixxen applicator bottle method...

 

[Dare~to~Dream]

I didn't know silica made one's hair straighter or loosens the natural curl...I only thought it increased the "natural shine" in hair while making the hair "stronger."

 

[Softresses]

Hi Sereca,

Your new hair pics look great. I love how conditioned and shiny it looks!

Softresses

 

[divya]

All pictures are airdried, but the last one was hair dryed in a single braid. My hair doesn't even do braidouts! Ok, ok I'mma let it go for now.


Anyway, henna is permanent and that includes indigo.

Your hair looks absolutely gorgeous! I wouldve loved to henna as i am considering going natural. But i dont want permanent color.

 

[LaNecia]

Sareca, your hair looks fab!! The color is great (just confirms that I can't do the indigo though, too dark for me) and shine is crazy!! =)

 

[Queenie]

I did my first henna this weekend. I like the color. The overall experience was awful, and I couldn't rinse it all out and gave up. I got the grainy pieces out the next day.

I'll try again based on some tips you guys have next month.

 

[sareca]

I didn't know silica made one's hair straighter or loosens the natural curl...I only thought it increased the "natural shine" in hair while making the hair "stronger."

I didn't know either. I've never heard anybody else say it straightened their hair. But I don't know what else to blame. Silica is the only change I've made and this is the second time I noticed straighter hair after taking it. This time I started taking it while I was braided so I didn't know how straight it was making it until I took them out. Maybe there's just something funky w/ my body chemistry. But I now have "relaxed hair." No curls at all! How in world does that even happen from taking something internally?

 

[sareca]

Sareca, your hair looks fab!! The color is great (just confirms that I can't do the indigo though, too dark for me) and shine is crazy!! =)

Thanks. It is dark. I probably wouldn't do it again for a while, but I'll keep my weekly henna (unreleased) treatments. I'm very satisfied. Now if I could just get to BSL. *sigh*

 

[sareca]

Did my second henna/alma/indigo treatment Friday night.
I punked out though. After 1.5 hours the smell was getting to me so much that I had to rinse it out.

Rinsed a total of 4 times, the first with plain water and the last 3 with conditioner. I used up a whole bottle of conditioner that I just bought that day.

The following morning I shampooed twice, conditioned, rollerset, then lightly flat-ironed. Here are the results.

darn the pic is too big to post...and there is no editing software on this computer I'm using....I'll post the pic tomorrow...



I know part of the shine is due to the camera flash but still...it's an improvement for me.......


I will NOT do another treatment without the gelled pectin........
And Vixxen applicator bottle method...

The pectin and app. bottle will help, but henna is always a pain in the butt. After a couple of treatments the results far out weigh the smell and rinsing.

When I rinse, I section my hair into six (3 on each side) sections. I rinse each section separately. That'll help too. Also, rinse a couple of times then let you hair airdry a little and shake each section by sliding your hands back and forth over your scalp. It helps do to it outside or over the tub. When you don't see anymore falling. Rinse again w/ conditioner. Good luck

 

[sareca]

Hi Sereca,

Your new hair pics look great. I love how conditioned and shiny it looks!

Softresses

Thanks. It shines like it's wet. I it.

 

[sareca]

I did my first henna this weekend. I like the color. The overall experience was awful, and I couldn't rinse it all out and gave up. I got the grainy pieces out the next day.

I'll try again based on some tips you guys have next month.

I don't get all the grainy pieces out the first day either. I've been doing this since May. Try shaking them out of almost dry hair once you're tired or bored w/ rinsing. Then poo the next day.

 

[LaNecia]

Thanks. It is dark. I probably wouldn't do it again for a while, but I'll keep my weekly henna (unreleased) treatments. I'm very satisfied. Now if I could just get to BSL. *sigh*

Lol, I'm off to buy some henna this morning after the store opens.

I think with the added strength from the Henna treatments, you'll get to your goal length in no time! My hair is longer now than it's EVER been (and it's not even long yet) . My goal length (for now) is APL. I can barely imagine that, let alone to my BRA STRAP!!

 

[Dare~to~Dream]

I didn't know either. I've never heard anybody else say it straightened their hair. But I don't know what else to blame. Silica is the only change I've made and this is the second time I noticed straighter hair after taking it. This time I started taking it while I was braided so I didn't know how straight it was making it until I took them out. Maybe there's just something funky w/ my body chemistry. But I now have "relaxed hair." No curls at all! How in world does that even happen from taking something internally?

Wow...are you going to stop taking it? As far as henna, I'm tempted to try it after reading this thread and viewing the pics. I tried Gold Medal's Herbal Tame several years ago and because of that I'm not sure if I want to or not . Your hair looks very nice though.

 

[Neroli]

Did my second henna/alma/indigo treatment Friday night.
I punked out though. After 1.5 hours the smell was getting to me so much that I had to rinse it out.

Rinsed a total of 4 times, the first with plain water and the last 3 with conditioner. I used up a whole bottle of conditioner that I just bought that day.

The following morning I shampooed twice, conditioned, rollerset, then lightly flat-ironed. Here are the results.

darn the pic is too big to post...and there is no editing software on this computer I'm using....I'll post the pic tomorrow....


I know part of the shine is due to the camera flash but still...it's an improvement for me.......


I will NOT do another treatment without the gelled pectin........
And Vixxen applicator bottle method...

Douglala:

I find that rinsing in the sink with the drain stopped is best for me cause I can rinse section by section (as suggested by Seraca) starting with the front. I use the water that fills up in the sink to swish my hair around in it then let it drain and put the stop back in and rinse again, moving on the to back, each time swishing my hair in the water before allowing it to drain back out. This method allowed me to SEE when all the henna is out because the sink water finally runs clear and allows me to take my time and rinse without the hassle of the shower.

Once the water in the sink runs clear, I apply moisturizing condish, cover with a plastic cap for at least 15 minutes and then rinsed it out in the sink and proceed with leave ins and oils and air dry. I never have to 'poo after henna. I think the henna itself is very cleansing because my scalp feels like heaven with just the henna and condish. Indeed, I haven't used 'poo in a while now 'cause I'm finding no need -- I do my henna and condish once a week and that's all I need and my hair is soft and strong.

BTW, I only mix my henna with ACV and distilled water and I like the consistency to be a soft paste so that it's easy to apply and yet thick enough to stay on hair without dripping and its very easy to rinse off (sorta like cholestral conditioner or humectress or relaxer creme). I add all my "extras" like oils, honey, coconut milk, whatever, to my condish. . .

Glad you got good results!

HTH

 

[douglala]

Thanks for all the rinsing tips guys!!!

After my last application experience I thought I was going to put the henna away for at least a few weeks.....

But with tips and methods you guys mentioned (rinsing, app. bottle, gelled pectin, etc) I want to do my next one this week. Maybe Wednesday - And that is only b/c I have guests Monday and Tuesday night.....

 

[MizaniMami]

Mods, can we PLEASE make this a sticky?

 

[sareca]

Mods, can we PLEASE make this a sticky?

What a great idea? I end up searching for it everyday. Thanks Mami.

 

[sareca]

Wow, are you going to stop taking the silica? I'm currently taking it. I haven't noticed anything differently though {I haven't really paid much attention }. After reading this thread, I will say I'm tempted to try henna but several years ago I tried Gold Medal's Herbal Tame and that was somewhat disastrous so I'm leery . Your hair looks lovely though.

I'm not going to stop. It gives my hair nice slip and make my skin buttery soft, but I'm definitely gonna cutback. I've never heard of Herbal Tame, but I also haven't heard of anybody having bad experiences with body art quality... well, except trying to rinse it out.

 

[chocolatesis]

Can anyone tell me where I can find the gelled pectin? This thread is so long, I got impatient searching it. TIA

 

[fancypants007]

Can anyone tell me where I can find the gelled pectin? This thread is so long, I got impatient searching it. TIA

Look under the thread "Henna before and after relaxer". Softresses said she purchased it here: The pectin is sold at Walmart or any grocery store. Look for the isle with Jello and canning supplies for making jams and jellies. Hope this helps.

 

[chocolatesis]

Look under the thread "Henna before and after relaxer". Softresses said she purchased it here: The pectin is sold at Walmart or any grocery store. Look for the isle with Jello and canning supplies for making jams and jellies. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for responding fancy. I'm going to look for it tonight.

 

[sareca]

Thanks so much for responding fancy. I'm going to look for it tonight.

Grocery store has it too.

 

[sareca]

I got another henna compliment and thought I'd share. A coworker says to me... "aren't you cold in here w/ your hair wet." I said, "my hair's not wet." She said "really, it's so shiny I just assumed it was."

viva la revolution!

 

[LaNecia]

That's really awesome! I hope I get to that point too!

I've got a question on something I've noticed with my hair since I've been using the henna, does anyone else notice that their hair dries FASTER?

 

[sareca]

That's really awesome! I hope I get to that point too!

I've got a question on something I've noticed with my hair since I've been using the henna, does anyone else notice that their hair dries FASTER?

Hmmph that's weird. I'm surprised YOU don't get that everyday. :notworthy

About the drying thing... YES! I noticed that too. I tried to rollerset my hair and it would dry before I could even get the first section done. I read somewhere it meant your cuticles where in good shape (meaning your hair has good porosity).

 

[LaNecia]

Hmmph that's weird. I'm surprised YOU don't get that everyday. :notworthy

About the drying thing... YES! I noticed that too. I tried to rollerset my hair and it would dry before I could even get the first section done. I read somewhere it meant your cuticles where in good shape (meaning your hair has good porosity).

Why thank you! But, that's probably because my hair is NEVER out!

Good, I'm glad to know that because my mom and I have been noticing this phenom for a few months now and we chalked it up to the henna but didn't have any other sources to compare notes with!

I even used the hand hair dryer on my hair last week on the COLD setting and my hair was dry in 10-15 minutes!

Yepper pepper, henna's a keeper for me!

 

[fancypants007]

That's really awesome! I hope I get to that point too!

I've got a question on something I've noticed with my hair since I've been using the henna, does anyone else notice that their hair dries FASTER?

Yes, I noticed that to right after my henna treatment that my hair dries faster. I try to keep my hair moist inside my bun, or when I put in plaits at night, but I like the thought that it means it's getting healthier. Henna is a keeper for me as well.

 

[Queenie]

That's really awesome! I hope I get to that point too!

I've got a question on something I've noticed with my hair since I've been using the henna, does anyone else notice that their hair dries FASTER?

Oh praise the Lord! I will definately stick with henna then. My wash 'n goes take 12 hr to dry.