Is HENNA really worth it?

[lsw29]

I would really like to try Henna, but I am afraid that I will loose my natural curl pattern. I am really only worried about the front and middle of my hair because my curl pattern is more wavy and loose in the front of my head while my texture in the back is tight. Maybe I will only do the back of my head where the texture is tighter and not the front. I am really torn right now. If I decide to do this I will post my experience.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

I understand your concern, because yes the herbal treatments can be a bit straightening on the hair. I wouldn't recommend you do part of your hair because henna will color your hair and I am sure you don't want two-toned hair. Rather you could use some cassia obovata but it is beneficially for the herbal treatments to reach and work on the scalp of the hair too where the roots are.

So the curl pattern is no doubt going to be a factor, But you could add some amla powder to maintain that volume and wave for sure. That would be beneficial and an option.

Khadija

 

[Aggie]

I understand your concern, because yes the herbal treatments can be a bit straightening on the hair. I wouldn't recommend you do part of your hair because henna will color your hair and I am sure you don't want two-toned hair. Rather you could use some cassia obovata but it is beneficially for the herbal treatments to reach and work on the scalp of the hair too where the roots are.

So the curl pattern is no doubt going to be a factor, But you could add some amla powder to maintain that volume and wave for sure. That would be beneficial and an option.

Khadija

Henna Sooq, does the benefits of the cassia obovata just as good as the henna in terms of adding thickness and strength or not? I am thinking about using it as well on my dark brown/black hair but I don't really want any coloring. I want to remain it's natural color but I want the strength and thickness benefits of henna. Do you have any recommendations on this? Also, what coloring effects does cassia obovata has on just a few greying strands?

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Absolutely you get the same benefits from henna as you do cassia obovata. But cassia on dark hair gives no color, those with light colored hair might get an uplift of golden tones, and get their grey looking shiny and uplifted as well.

So give that a shot, you will probably like it

Khadija

 

[beautifulisaunderstatment]

I tried henna once a long time ago when I had relaxed hair. I HATED IT. It made my hair hard and took forever to wash out. My mom used it a month or so ago on her relaxed hair. She hated it as well. Im gonna pass on the henna for now. Maybe when they come with some henna that wont require moer than 5 minutes to mix and release and require 50-11 mix ins to work, Ill try it again.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

The thing with any herbal treatments is that if your hair can become hard or dried out, then the herbal treatments should be used along with a deeep conditioner or good hair oils right into the henna mixture in order to balance it all out. Using a good henna powder such as body art quality makes a huge difference as well.

But henna is something that needs to be patiently used. I just go to sleep with mine in as I am way too busy usually otherwise. Wash out in the morning and go about my business.

 

[lsw29]

I understand your concern, because yes the herbal treatments can be a bit straightening on the hair. I wouldn't recommend you do part of your hair because henna will color your hair and I am sure you don't want two-toned hair. Rather you could use some cassia obovata but it is beneficially for the herbal treatments to reach and work on the scalp of the hair too where the roots are.

So the curl pattern is no doubt going to be a factor, But you could add some amla powder to maintain that volume and wave for sure. That would be beneficial and an option.

Khadija

Thanks Henna Sooq, that is a good option, Maybe I will try cassia obovata.

 

[Aggie]

Absolutely you get the same benefits from henna as you do cassia obovata. But cassia on dark hair gives no color, those with light colored hair might get an uplift of golden tones, and get their grey looking shiny and uplifted as well.

So give that a shot, you will probably like it

Khadija

Thanks Henna Sooq. This is perfect for me. Next question - How long do I have to wait to use henna and any other ayurveda powders after getting a relaxer? I need to relax my hair this coming weekend and I don't know if I have to wait a while before I use my henna and my shikakai/amla rinse. Help please. Any of the knowledgeable ladies on ayurveda hair care can chime in and thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Welcome!

I would give your hair a bit of a break after the relaxer such as a 1-2 weeks if you can wait. I believe in balancing out your hair and not to over stress it, plus this will give you a clearer view of how the products are working for you rather then doing it closer together as it would be hard to see differences in different techniques/chemicals/herbs.

I think that would work best for you! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I tried Cassia Obovata for the first time 2 weeks ago. I Was impressed with the strength of my hair. I mixed honey and water with it... and I am all natural. I also used a yogurt treatement afterwards.....and my hair was slightly dry. I will use only moisture nex time......Anyways....

I have noticed that my greys are Brighter - that was not the goal, but - I was afraid to use regular henna....

I don't want to change my hair color - but I do want to banish the Greys.

What do I do????? Can I add Amla to this mix of Cassia?

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

NOTE: reply was exchanged via email

 

[Aggie]

Welcome!

I would give your hair a bit of a break after the relaxer such as a 1-2 weeks if you can wait. I believe in balancing out your hair and not to over stress it, plus this will give you a clearer view of how the products are working for you rather then doing it closer together as it would be hard to see differences in different techniques/chemicals/herbs.

I think that would work best for you! Let us know how it goes.

Thank you Henna Sooq.

 

[Aggie]

I tried Cassia Obovata for the first time 2 weeks ago. I Was impressed with the strength of my hair. I mixed honey and water with it... and I am all natural. I also used a yogurt treatement afterwards.....and my hair was slightly dry. I will use only moisture nex time......Anyways....

I have noticed that my greys are Brighter - that was not the goal, but - I was afraid to use regular henna....

I don't want to change my hair color - but I do want to banish the Greys.

What do I do????? Can I add Amla to this mix of Cassia?

Henna Sooq, no fair. I want the answer to this question too. A lot of the questions here I don't know the answers to and I'm here looking for answers not only to my own questions but also to questions that I haven't thought about myself. Thanks for your response here.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

Oh ok hehehe! She had just emailed me directly for the answer as well as posting here, so anyhow...
I am going to post it right here for you! I hope this one helps too


"Okay so your greys became too bright correct? I would add the amla powder or even some coffee/tea to your mix, as long as caffeine doesn't bother you too much.

If you use henna alone your hair will become reddish toned and your greys will come out like reddish highlights but more visible then your darker hair. If it continues to bother you then you may have to color your hair with henna and amla combination or the henna with indigo combination but for now I would say give a goos shot of either the coffee or tea to your cassia mixture or even the amla powder. A good dose of it, maybe like add at least 35% amla powder to it."

 

[Aggie]

Oh ok hehehe! She had just emailed me directly for the answer as well as posting here, so anyhow...
I am going to post it right here for you! I hope this one helps too


"Okay so your greys became too bright correct? I would add the amla powder or even some coffee/tea to your mix, as long as caffeine doesn't bother you too much.

If you use henna alone your hair will become reddish toned and your greys will come out like reddish highlights but more visible then your darker hair. If it continues to bother you then you may have to color your hair with henna and amla combination or the henna with indigo combination but for now I would say give a goos shot of either the coffee or tea to your cassia mixture or even the amla powder. A good dose of it, maybe like add at least 35% amla powder to it."[/quote]

See now that's what I'm talking about. I never would have guessed I could do these combinations you mention here. Caffeine doesn't bother me at all and thank you so much honey. Lots of hugs and kisses for Henna Sooq:blowkiss:.

 

[Dogmd]

I am going to apply henna to my hair today for the first time... Do you apply it to clean and dry hair, freshly shampooed wet hair or dirty hair? Which technique is less drying?

 

[stormy07]

ok I ordered my henna and I'm waiting for it to come. When I had done a harvest hair test before I loved the color I had when I first washed the henna out....but it darkened over the next couple of days I read somewhere the lemon juice makes it darken when it oxidyzes and I know I didn't spell that right but is there an acid I could use to really release the dye but that won't darken as much? TIA I'm excited I can't wait untill my henna comes!!!

 

[Dogmd]

Just finished. The henna part was easy...the indigo part was messy and didn't take. I need to try it again.

Questions for Henna Sooq...

1) how soon can i re-apply the indigo?
2) do i need to re-apply henna prior to 2nd indigo?
3) does the indigo need to sit after mixing prior to applying to hair?
4) if so...how long?
5) my grays are red...and i want them black.. should i add anything to the henna or indigo to get this effect?

TIA

 

[january noir]

Just finished. The henna part was easy...the indigo part was messy and didn't take. I need to try it again.

Questions for Henna Sooq...

1) how soon can i re-apply the indigo? (after conditioning hair, at least a day, or 2-3 days to make sure your moisture level is up)
2) do i need to re-apply henna prior to 2nd indigo? (No you do not)
3) does the indigo need to sit after mixing prior to applying to hair? (No - indigo can be and should be used minutes after mixing)
4) if so...how long?
5) my grays are red...and i want them black.. should i add anything to the henna or indigo to get this effect? (add a pinch of salt to your indigo mix, and let indigo stay on your head at least an hour)

TIA

I'm not Henna Sooq but I'll answer your question.

 

[Aggie]

Questions for Henna Sooq...

1) how soon can i re-apply the indigo? (after conditioning hair, at least a day, or 2-3 days to make sure your moisture level is up)
2) do i need to re-apply henna prior to 2nd indigo? (No you do not)
3) does the indigo need to sit after mixing prior to applying to hair? (No - indigo can be and should be used minutes after mixing)
4) if so...how long?
5) my grays are red...and i want them black.. should i add anything to the henna or indigo to get this effect? (add a pinch of salt to your indigo mix, and let indigo stay on your head at least an hour)

TIAI'm not Henna Sooq but I'll answer your question.

Thank you so much JN.

 

[january noir]

Questions for Henna Sooq...

1) how soon can i re-apply the indigo? (after conditioning hair, at least a day, or 2-3 days to make sure your moisture level is up)
2) do i need to re-apply henna prior to 2nd indigo? (No you do not)
3) does the indigo need to sit after mixing prior to applying to hair? (No - indigo can be and should be used minutes after mixing)
4) if so...how long?
5) my grays are red...and i want them black.. should i add anything to the henna or indigo to get this effect? (add a pinch of salt to your indigo mix, and let indigo stay on your head at least an hour)

TIAI'm not Henna Sooq but I'll answer your question.

Thank you so much JN.

You are welcome!

 

[drasgrl]

Found this site for henna info. Here's part of the info.

http://hennabycynthia.homestead.com/FAQ.html

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Special Recipes and Hints
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Coffee
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]To help tone down red tones, deepen brown-red tones, or cover grey, substitute coffee for water. Used brewed, black coffee (not instant or decaffeinated). After coffee is brewed, bring to a boil. Mix as directed.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Teas
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Ceylon or Black China Tea will add gold highlights to Light Brown Henna. Red Zinger Tea enriches red tones in Burgundy, Sherry, Mahogany and Red Henna. Chamomile Tea brightens and adds highlights to Neutral, Blonde or Marigold Blonde Henna. Let tea steep for 20-30 minutes. Bring to a boil. Substitute tea for water. Mix as directed.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Apple Cider Vinega[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]r
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]To help color hold on grey hair, add 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar to Henna mixture.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Cinnamon
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]To brighten and highlight red tones, add 2 tbsp cinnamon.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Lemon Juice
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]To lighten blonde shades, add 2 tbsp (or more) lemon juice to Henna mixture.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]To Deepen Red Shades
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Red, Sherry, Mahogany or Burgundy can be deepened by mixing a darker shade. For example, 3 oz Mahogany + 1 oz Dark Brown = Dark Auburn.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Dry Hair
[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Add 1 egg, 2-4 tbsp olive oil, or 2-4 tbsp plain yogurt to Henna mixture. These natural ingredients not only condition, but help with the application and rinsing processes.[/FONT]

 

[Aggie]

Found this site for henna info. Here's part of the info.

http://hennabycynthia.homestead.com

Nice site drasgrl. Just saved it in my favorites.​

 

[phyl73]

I've been using henna for about 4 or 5 months and each time my hair would be dry. I would always follow up with a deep condition and everything would be fine. Today, I mixed my henna before I went to the gym and sat it on the counter. That was at 9:30 in the morning. I was out all day and when I got home, I pre-pooed with amla and coconut oil for about 15 minutes and then added the henna. I got under the dryer for 25 minutes and then rinsed. My hair was so soft and moisturized.

To the henna I added water, amla oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. I think this has made all the difference. I love henna.

 

[Aggie]

I've been using henna for about 4 or 5 months and each time my hair would be dry. I would always follow up with a deep condition and everything would be fine. Today, I mixed my henna before I went to the gym and sat it on the counter. That was at 9:30 in the morning. I was out all day and when I got home, I pre-pooed with amla and coconut oil for about 15 minutes and then added the henna. I got under the dryer for 25 minutes and then rinsed. My hair was so soft and moisturized.

To the henna I added water, amla oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. I think this has made all the difference. I love henna.

Great tips Phyl73. I really think it is the coconut oil. Two days ago I washed with shikakai, amla, brahmi, and bhringraj powders and my hair was super hard. I was afraid to really comb it and in order to do so I mixed together 1/2 ounce each of carrot oil, olive oil and coconut oil (increase or decrease amount of oil depending on length of hair) and heat in the microwave oven for 30 seconds and put it in my scalp and hair then put on my pantene R/N hair conditioning mask and DC-ed for 1 hour, then I used Cantu shea butter leave-in conditioner and my hair was soooo soft afterwards.

Now bear in mind that I did this same thing 3 days prior but did not use the heated oil mixture but I only DC-ed with Nexxus humectress for an hour and my hair was still hard.

Now I will always take the step that softened my hair with the heated oils and my DC.

 

[Khadija.D.Carryl]

January Noir always can answer everyone's questions really well! They were great answers.

I wanted to add a few things: that one, I find and many do, that applying henna or herbal hair treatments onto damp hair that it goes one much smoother/easily.
Indigo yes can be messy unfortunately, it is a different plant and therefore the different texture.

Lemon juice well I don't recommend it for everyone and I especially don't recommend it for those with dry scalps that can take dry ingredients like drying acidic lemon juice. I personally haven't used lemon juice all that much and the most I ever add is a dash of it. I find without lemon juice, it takes just as well and I have been using henna at least 10 yrs now. and I don't even have to do it very often like every 1-2 months (I don't have greying issues as yet ). Warm water or a nice brewed liquid like a tea or coffee works wonders. I have used chamomile tea in the hair before.

Also a better hair lightener then lemon juice, is honey as it is a natural hydrogen peroxide. So I have used that along with cassia obovata before and a strong chamomile tea as my liquid because when you've been doing henna for a long time it can build up some, so I took a bit of a break to tone down my color before it got too dark/deep. I don't like burgundy too much and I really like the cassia/honey recipe.

We are completely snowed in but hope you all are enjoying the weekend!

 

[*closer*2*my*dreams*]

I finally did my first application of henna last night. I underestimated how difficult it would be.

It took FOREVER for the mix to be consistent. Even my 4 year-old cousin stated that i was taking forever (she was hilarious, but a huge help).

I used henna, lemon juice, olive oil, amla oil, and one egg and no matter how i mixed it, it would not get consistent, it still had lumps in it.

Once i got it on though, it was fine. It did take a while for it to completely rinse out of my hair. I then dc for an hour with my ors replenish pack but my hair did'nt feel as soft and moist as it normally does. i added some giovanni leave-in and some amla oil and used the baggy method overnight and my hair felt a little better.

This morning all i did was a combthru and a bun, my felt strong, but it made a "crunchy" sound whenever i ran the comb through. I think i'm going to cowash on wednesday with a dc and rollerwrap it. maybe then it will feel a little softer. or maybe i would just try some heated oils and baggy overnight. maybe that'll help.

other than that, i think i liked it. i'll probably do it again just because i'm determined to get the right mix and the right consistency...

 

[january noir]

I finally did my first application of henna last night. I underestimated how difficult it would be.

It took FOREVER for the mix to be consistent. Even my 4 year-old cousin stated that i was taking forever (she was hilarious, but a huge help).

I used henna, lemon juice, olive oil, amla oil, and one egg and no matter how i mixed it, it would not get consistent, it still had lumps in it.

Once i got it on though, it was fine. It did take a while for it to completely rinse out of my hair. I then dc for an hour with my ors replenish pack but my hair did'nt feel as soft and moist as it normally does. i added some giovanni leave-in and some amla oil and used the baggy method overnight and my hair felt a little better.

This morning all i did was a combthru and a bun, my felt strong, but it made a "crunchy" sound whenever i ran the comb through. I think i'm going to cowash on wednesday with a dc and rollerwrap it. maybe then it will feel a little softer. or maybe i would just try some heated oils and baggy overnight. maybe that'll help.

other than that, i think i liked it. i'll probably do it again just because i'm determined to get the right mix and the right consistency...

Congrats on your first henna! What an accomplishment!

I want to comment so you will even have a better experience the next time you henna.

You do not need acid to process your mix. Leave out the lemon juice. It's not needed and it's very drying. I haven't used an egg before, but I would leave that out as well. The egg is adding more protein to a treatment that acts like a protein, it can be too much for the hair, make it hard and more prone to breakage.

I learned all this the hard way!

 

[Dogmd]

I would like to thank everyone for their responses to all of my questions. My hair has kept up well since the last wash day and henna/indigo application...2 days ago. My gray hairs are not as noticeable as they were a few days ago.. not sure why..but glad that they are not gray anymore. No dryness at all. Thanks to all of you who mentioned adding oils and conditioner to the henna mix. It helped immensely. I am currently 10 weeks post relaxer. Type 4b hair.

Here is my post henna hair. i didn't take a pre-picture because i was in such a rush to get these herbal treaments applied to my hair before my baby woke up from her nap.

 

[january noir]

I would like to thank everyone for their responses to all of my questions. My hair has kept up well since the last wash day and henna/indigo application...2 days ago. My gray hairs are not as noticeable as they were a few days ago.. not sure why..but glad that they are not gray anymore. No dryness at all. Thanks to all of you who mentioned adding oils and conditioner to the henna mix. It helped immensely. I am currently 10 weeks post relaxer. Type 4b hair.

Here is my post henna hair. i didn't take a pre-picture because i was in such a rush to get these herbal treaments applied to my hair before my baby woke up from her nap.

BEAUTIFUL!