Is it the ACV or Emui Oil in my Henna?

[starfish]

Hi Ladies,
Last week I decided to put some ACV in my henna as a 'terp', even though I normally don't use a terp. I just let the mixture sit overnight to release the dye. I mixed about 2 cups of ACV with some water to make a thin paste and let that sit for a little over 12 hours.

My hair was a bright coppery red, just like I like it, but my hair was so dry it was almost matted. I DC'd with 10 en 1 and used black castor oil this week and the dryness went away.

This week I used water in my mix, and added emu oil to my mixture right before I put it on my head and the resulting color wasn't very red, no copper color, a darker brown with reddish highlights.

Hmmmm. I read Catherine's book on henna and realized that it might be the emu oil that is preventing the dye to penetrate my hair.

I'll try it again next week with no ACV or emu oil and see what happens. If the ACV is the culprit for the color I like, I'll have to do some major deep conditioning because I loved that color.

Thoughts anyone?
Thanks!

 

[WomanlyCharm]

Too much ACV, that's what caused the dryness you experienced. You really only need about a tablespoon or two if you use it as a terp.

I always mix the oil into my henna right before I put it on, to make sure it doesn't interfere with the color release.


Try doing the henna with just plain water, I think you'll probably get a nice bright color like you want. HTH!

 

[LaNecia]

Keep in mind too that the coloring effects of henna are cumulative. The color you got last time will most likely be darker/deeper next time you do it. If you like the color that you achieved, I'd do the same mix (less the acv) and do a gloss. It'll serve to highlight without really changing the color a lot.

 

[starfish]

Thanks! Wow, just a tablespoon? No wonder I could barely put a comb in my hair! (I must remember less is more....)

Keep in mind too that the coloring effects of henna are cumulative. The color you got last time will most likely be darker/deeper next time you do it. If you like the color that you achieved, I'd do the same mix (less the acv) and do a gloss. It'll serve to highlight without really changing the color a lot.

VWVIxxen, This would explain it. I hadn't henna'd my hair in a month before using it last week, hence the bright red color. When I gloss and add henna to my conditioner, do I let it sit for a while or no?

Thanks!

 

[LaNecia]

VWVIxxen, This would explain it. I hadn't henna'd my hair in a month before using it last week, hence the bright red color. When I gloss and add henna to my conditioner, do I let it sit for a while or no?

Thanks!

If you want to use the henna for a bit of color, let it color release as usual prior to mixing in the conditioner and apply to the hair. You can leave it in your hair as long as you wish, I think Isis did this recently and her hair turned out great.

Threads to reference Henna Glossing:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=116688&highlight=gloss

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=114943&highlight=gloss

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=109238

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=88939&highlight=gloss

Hope that helps!!