Do ya'll henna?

[Lucky's Mom]

Aloe Juice...............hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Aggie]

I finally did my first henna about 2 weeks ago and at first, I thought I was gonna hate it, because my hair felt soooo dry. But after I dc-ed and like a couple of days later I noticed that my hair was gorgeous and it had this magnificent shine. Of course you know, I'll always use it now. I bought 5lbs of henna from www.fromnaturewithlove.com so this will last me a long while I think.

 

[miami74]

Aggie,

Can you share with us how you mix the henna, what ingredients you included in there and how long you kept it in your hair?

 

[Aggie]

Aggie,

Can you share with us how you mix the henna, what ingredients you included in there and how long you kept it in your hair?

Hi Miami74,

I put approx. 100 grams/3 and a half ounces of henna in a bowl and mixed in:-

MY POWDERS
1 TBS of brahmi powder
1 TBS of bhringraj powder
1 TBS of amla powder
1 TBS of shikakai powder
1 TBS of hibiscus petal powder
1 TBS ginger root powder (for the fragrance)

MY OILS
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS amla oil
I also added 10 drops each of lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood essential oils (again for the fragrance).


I mixed all of my dry powders together making sure they blended well first then added my oils, 2 oz of regular vinegar, 2oz strong brewed coffee and enough distilled water to make a paste into a yogurt consistency. I covered it with a plastic wrap then some foil over that and plus a large bath towel then left overnight on top of the microwave oven and went to bed.

I used it the next day (kept in for 2 hours) and guess what I discovered? This batch was enough to be used twice and I threw it out not knowing that I could freeze it and use again later. Thanks to one of the ladies in another ayurveda thread, I will be preserving it in the freezer for my next use. Apparently I can get a double boiler to warm it up and use again when I'm ready which will most likely be within 3 weeks.

I think I might not use the coffee and vinegar in my next batch though and replace it with some moisturizing conditioner instead. I believe the amla is enough acid to use.

I have an important question though and maybe SARECA can answer this, but if anyone else knows, please chime in. Lavendar mentioned that amla powder is not moisturizing but acidic in nature and that it is the main culprit in the drying effect it has on our hair and that shikakai powder happens to be more moisturizing, is this true? I want to use them both, but I want to use more of the one that will leave my hair soft and moisturized. Please help.

I am really loving the effect of these powders on my hair and I can't wait to master it.

 

[Aggie]

This question may have been answeres already, but how often is it safe to apply henna to relaxed hair? Could I safely apply henna every 10 days to 2 weeks?

 

[Aggie]

If your hair is breaking or starting to split I would recommend splitting the weeks further apart each time you do a henna treatment because your hair might need more of a break. If every 2 weeks is too much try every 3 or every month. Every month is a good balance and you can cover your roots in between. It depends if you have grey or not.

I hope this helps have a good weekend everyone

Khadija

Never mind ladies. I found the answer from Henna Sooq further back in the thread about how often to apply the henna. Thanks Henna Sooq.

ETA: I read further on in the thread that apparently some of the ladies, like Sareca and I think VWVixen have been applying the henna to relaxed hair once per week with no issues. This is all I needed to know. This is a really long thread. I have about 140 more pages to read, Whew!! I'll do that over the course of a few days I think.

 

[Aggie]

Thanks Sareca. I'll start looking around locally for pectin as I want to henna again in a couple of weeks.

BTW, I just purchase henna from www.fromnaturewithlove.com and I compared it to the little bit of mehandi henna I have left over and it is identical. I am so excited because I paid $6.25 for 1 pound (423 grams) from FNWL whereas mehandi charges $6.50 for 100 grams!

hellooooo. . .[/quote]

I get mine from there as well and it works very well. No particles, very very fine, perfect and yes inexpensive.

 

[Lavendar]

Aggie, your hair looks beautiful...it's thickened and grown so much, especially from the middle to the ends. Your progress since your last pic is amazing!!! You GROW on girl.....I see ya!!!! :Flahsssss

 

[Aggie]

Although I don't think it would be harmful, I do think it would be stinky. Henna smells funky and takes a while to rinse out. I'd be worried your hair would stink from the leaves and stems leftover by the henna. Instead of henna you could do an amla tea rinse. I just braided my hair yesterday and I've already done one rinse. There's no stuff to rinse, it's odorless, and conditions as well as henna.

This is what I'm planning to do with my braids, although I will make it a shikakai, amla, brahmi and bhringraj tea rinse instead. I will only make a cup at a time using 1/2 teaspoon each of amla and shikakai powders and 1 teaspoon each of brahmi and bhringraj powders, strain and add to my spray bottle with about 5 drops each of rosemary and peppermint esssential oils. I just bought 16oz bhringraj oil from www.garrysun.com and I might add about 1 - 2 teaspoons of it in this mix. By the way, they carry mineral oil free Amla oil as well.

 

[Aggie]

Aggie, your hair looks beautiful...it's thickened and grown so much, especially from the middle to the ends. Your progress since your last pic is amazing!!! You GROW on girl.....I see ya!!!! :Flahsssss

Thanks Lavendar. I think I will try your recipe in your fotki next. I remember liking it when I saw it. I believe I even printed it out. Will go check. You're right though about the drying effects of the amla powder so I simply reduced the amount I use now in my recipes. Thanks for all your help honeyand encouragement. I really like your hair.

 

[mistifying]

Hi Miami74,

I have an important question though and maybe SARECA can answer this, but if anyone else knows, please chime in. Lavendar mentioned that amla powder is not moisturizing but acidic in nature and that it is the main culprit in the drying effect it has on our hair and that shikakai powder happens to be more moisturizing, is this true? I want to use them both, but I want to use more of the one that will leave my hair soft and moisturized. Please help.

I thought it was the other way around...with shikakai being more of a "cleansing powder" and amla being more moisturizing, I could be wrong though. I hope someone who knows for sure chimes in. I've been using a 2:1 ratio of bhringraj:shikakai in my tea rinses.

 

[PassionFruit]

I thought it was the other way around...with shikakai being more of a "cleansing powder" and amla being more moisturizing, I could be wrong though. I hope someone who knows for sure chimes in. I've been using a 2:1 ratio of bhringraj:shikakai in my tea rinses.

Shikakai is a cleanser... alma is a conditioner, not necessarily moisturizing... just not drying like shikakai

pre-was oiling is advised anytime you use shikakai because it tends to be drying.... post washing DC and/or oily maybe helpful as well

 

[Aggie]

Shikakai is a cleanser... alma is a conditioner, not necessarily moisturizing... just not drying like shikakai

pre-was oiling is advised anytime you use shikakai because it tends to be drying.... post washing DC and/or oily maybe helpful as well

So amla neither shikakai powders are moisturizing, hmm, this is good to know. They are apparently both drying as well since amla powder is acidic, right? Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep my brahmi and bhringraj powders in my tea rinses. Thanks for the tips PassionFruit.

 

[nitavcc]

I have been lurking around this site for awhile, and I finally subscribed...
You guys are the best.. I used henna for the first time and my dark hair had great highlights...

I mixed burgundy and mahogany and ------ it looks great in the sun.

I want to thank each and every one of you that placed their info on this thread..

I know it may sound mushy to many of you, 'cause I'm half a newbie. ( I have been lurking for a minute), but for me to henna, and I have never EVER, died my hair in my life -is a big step... Thanks to you all!

You gave me the courage to go forth!

 

[Miss*Tress]

Welcome to LHCF, nitavcc.

 

[Lavendar]

Shikakai is a cleanser... alma is a conditioner, not necessarily moisturizing... just not drying like shikakai

pre-was oiling is advised anytime you use shikakai because it tends to be drying.... post washing DC and/or oily maybe helpful as well

Well the exact opposite holds true for my hair....so I guess it's what kind of effect you get on your hair. Amla makes my hair like straw and easy to break, while shikakai makes it thick, glossy, and bouncy with no pre-oiling necessary, unless it's the soap which I rarely use now. The powder does an incredible job of conditioning my hair when mixed with coconut milk. So the ultimate test will be how you hair is affected by the powders.

 

[miami74]

Hi Miami74,

I put approx. 100 grams/3 and a half ounces of henna in a bowl and mixed in:-

MY POWDERS
1 TBS of brahmi powder
1 TBS of bhringraj powder
1 TBS of amla powder
1 TBS of shikakai powder
1 TBS of hibiscus petal powder
1 TBS ginger root powder (for the fragrance)

MY OILS
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS amla oil
I also added 10 drops each of lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood essential oils (again for the fragrance).


I mixed all of my dry powders together making sure they blended well first then added my oils, 2 oz of regular vinegar, 2oz strong brewed coffee and enough distilled water to make a paste into a yogurt consistency. I covered it with a plastic wrap then some foil over that and plus a large bath towel then left overnight on top of the microwave oven and went to bed.

I used it the next day (kept in for 2 hours) and guess what I discovered? This batch was enough to be used twice and I threw it out not knowing that I could freeze it and use again later. Thanks to one of the ladies in another ayurveda thread, I will be preserving it in the freezer for my next use. Apparently I can get a double boiler to warm it up and use again when I'm ready which will most likely be within 3 weeks.

I think I might not use the coffee and vinegar in my next batch though and replace it with some moisturizing conditioner instead. I believe the amla is enough acid to use.


Thanks so much for the info Aggie! I'm planning to henna for the first time during my next stretch.

 

[Lavendar]

Hi Miami74,

I put approx. 100 grams/3 and a half ounces of henna in a bowl and mixed in:-

MY POWDERS
1 TBS of brahmi powder
1 TBS of bhringraj powder
1 TBS of amla powder
1 TBS of shikakai powder
1 TBS of hibiscus petal powder
1 TBS ginger root powder (for the fragrance)

MY OILS
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS amla oil
I also added 10 drops each of lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood essential oils (again for the fragrance).


I mixed all of my dry powders together making sure they blended well first then added my oils, 2 oz of regular vinegar, 2oz strong brewed coffee and enough distilled water to make a paste into a yogurt consistency. I covered it with a plastic wrap then some foil over that and plus a large bath towel then left overnight on top of the microwave oven and went to bed.

I used it the next day (kept in for 2 hours) and guess what I discovered? This batch was enough to be used twice and I threw it out not knowing that I could freeze it and use again later. Thanks to one of the ladies in another ayurveda thread, I will be preserving it in the freezer for my next use. Apparently I can get a double boiler to warm it up and use again when I'm ready which will most likely be within 3 weeks.

I think I might not use the coffee and vinegar in my next batch though and replace it with some moisturizing conditioner instead. I believe the amla is enough acid to use.


Thanks so much for the info Aggie! I'm planning to henna for the first time during my next stretch.

Now that's an awesome mix right there! That's very similar to the mix I used for the first year I used henna, minus the vinegar. Might I suggest that you mix your EO's in, let the color release, and then mix in the amla, EVOO, and coconut oil right before applying to your hair. Mixing in the heavier oils before color release will tend to hinder the color somewhat. Also, after freezing, you only need to let it thaw on the kitchen counter. Just take it out well ahead time. Heating it up could accidently kill the conditioning and coloring properties and waste your batch. Trust me, I've cried to Khadija enough times for killing my henna. Lesson learned.

 

[Aggie]

Now that's an awesome mix right there! That's very similar to the mix I used for the first year I used henna, minus the vinegar. Might I suggest that you mix your EO's in, let the color release, and then mix in the amla, EVOO, and coconut oil right before applying to your hair. Mixing in the heavier oils before color release will tend to hinder the color somewhat. Also, after freezing, you only need to let it thaw on the kitchen counter. Just take it out well ahead time. Heating it up could accidently kill the conditioning and coloring properties and waste your batch. Trust me, I've cried to Khadija enough times for killing my henna. Lesson learned.

Thanks a million Lavendar. I know you will look out for me for sure. I really would hate to waste my henna due to lack of knowledge. I really appreciate your help hun.

 

[wonderstar]

I didn't know you could add essential oils before the dye release. Does before/after produce the same end result?

 

[Carolina18]

Well the exact opposite holds true for my hair....so I guess it's what kind of effect you get on your hair. Amla makes my hair like straw and easy to break, while shikakai makes it thick, glossy, and bouncy with no pre-oiling necessary, unless it's the soap which I rarely use now.

I've experienced the same thing too. I was adding amla and maka to shikakai and brahmi and noticed that my hair was very 'caustic', even 'irritated' and shrinking up like crazy with no curl pattern.
I read that amla had the effect of defining curls, so I left it out of my past 2 washes and just used shikakai, brahmi and maka, and my hair has been fine.

 

[Lavendar]

I didn't know you could add essential oils before the dye release. Does before/after produce the same end result?

Oh sure you can. Some EO's are used as terps to enhance the color release. Cajeput is one I can think of now. I use lavendar, rosemary, clary sage, and sweet orange in my regular henna mix.

 

[Lavendar]

I've experienced the same thing too. I was adding amla and maka to shikakai and brahmi and noticed that my hair was very 'caustic', even 'irritated' and shrinking up like crazy with no curl pattern.
I read that amla had the effect of defining curls, so I left it out of my past 2 washes and just used shikakai, brahmi and maka, and my hair has been fine.

Thanks for sharing this Carolina. I hope a lot of ladies read this and realize that amla is not a moisturizer and can cause a lot of problems if they are not careful and mindful. Amla oil is much safer than the powder, IMHO.

 

[oooop2]

I did my first 1 last month. And my experience was definitely not all that great. Took me FOREVER to get all the grit out of my hair. Drove me nuts. But since then, I've talked to some seasoned Henna users, so I'll chalk my first experience up to (INEXPERIENCE). I do plan on trying again in a few week.

 

[aya221912]

I did my first 1 last month. And my experience was definitely not all that great. Took me FOREVER to get all the grit out of my hair. Drove me nuts. But since then, I've talked to some seasoned Henna users, so I'll chalk my first experience up to (INEXPERIENCE). I do plan on trying again in a few week.

oooop2, what do you do to get rid of the grit? I'm thinking about trying...

 

[oooop2]

oooop2, what do you do to get rid of the grit? I'm thinking about trying...

Apparently I didn't have enough conditioner/oils on my hair pre-henna. Also, I didn't co-wash enough initially. And lastly, I don't think my henna batch was all that great. So I purchased some henna directly from India.

 

[AngieB]

Hello everyone! Been lurking for a few months and decided to take the plunge and actually participate. I am particularly interested in henna (today anyway). I have purchased my henna and amla and I'm thinking about going to mix it up so I can apply tomorrow. My question is this...My current hair color is dark brown (and gray). If I apply henna and amla alone, am i going to end up with bright red hair?My goal is a reddish brown with no gray...lol I also ordered indigo but it hasn't arrived yet and I'm getting anxious. any thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help...

 

[JustKiya]

Hello everyone! Been lurking for a few months and decided to take the plunge and actually participate. I am particularly interested in henna (today anyway). I have purchased my henna and amla and I'm thinking about going to mix it up so I can apply tomorrow. My question is this...My current hair color is dark brown (and gray). If I apply henna and amla alone, am i going to end up with bright red hair?My goal is a reddish brown with no gray...lol I also ordered indigo but it hasn't arrived yet and I'm getting anxious. any thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help...

You should end up with reddish brown hair, with copper/red highlights from the dyed grays.
Do you have any shed hair laying around? Do a quick test, and see if you like the color.

 

[AngieB]

Thanks for the fast reply. I'm sure I can find some shed hair. So..if I mix the henna with amla, lemon juice and EVOO or another oil and let it sit until tomorrow that will be sufficient? Or is there a better way?

 

[JustKiya]

Thanks for the fast reply. I'm sure I can find some shed hair. So..if I mix the henna with amla, lemon juice and EVOO or another oil and let it sit until tomorrow that will be sufficient? Or is there a better way?

And water! Don't forget the water.

Personally, I don't use the lemon juice - I find that it dries out my hair.

If you want to let it sit til tomorrow, that's fine- the color will have definitely released by then. And, depending on when you start, doing it tomorrow just might be simpler, overall. Depending on your henna though, the color can release within an hour, so you wouldn't have to let it sit overnight.

My personal henna mix is henna + water into a thick paste til the color releases, then I add an equal amount of a cheapie, cone-free conditioner (V05/Suave/White Rain), and put it into my hair. The conditioner, I've found, makes rinsing the henna out SUPER easy.