I'm a Henna Head!

[FindingMe]

Beany - Henna typically gives reddish tones, so you may want to consider katam or amla for a dark brown tint or indigo for black hair. Amla is usually $2/box where I shop, so not a big investment. Start collecting your shed hairs to use as test hairs.

My hair is also protein-sensitive and henna has taken the place of hard Aphogee treatments for me. Nupur henna + Aphogee Keratin/Tea has worked wonders.

demlew This may be a dumb question, but do you have to mix the amla with henna or can you just use amla by itself for coloring grays? Also, what's katam?

 

[Pompous Blue]

@mssoconfused Great to hear the henna gloss worked for so well! Do you mind sharing your dc recipe?

Thanks in advance for your response,
tishee

@mssoconfused
Sorry, if you have already answered the question (didn't see it) but what is in your DC recipe?

@demlew This may be a dumb question, but do you have to mix the amla with henna or can you just use amla by itself for coloring grays? Also, what's katam?

@FindingMe
Amla can be mixed with henna, but in my experience amla is an herb that will not immediately deposit color on your hair. It deposits the color very, gradually. I've been using amla for over a year and really cannot tell that it's deposited color on my hair. (Maybe it keeps it dark; but I don't think it acts like a dye).

I've used katam to get the brown color I want. My mix is 50g katam and 50g henna. Purchased from http://www.hennasooq.com/color/. She is a LHCF member.

I've also experimented with natural cocoa powder (Hershey's). Same mix. 50g henna, 50g cocoa powder. And I get the same brown color.

Finally, I never let my henna sit. I mix, immediately apply to hair and let it stay on for about 2 hours (1 hour under the steamer; 1 hour not under the steamer). Covers my greys every time. I also do the 2-step process for DH. Same thing. Mix henna; immediately apply it. Same steamer routine. Rinse out. Apply indigo for 1 hour under the steamer. Perfect, jet black hair every time.

HTH

Have you seen this thread? Lots of valuable information.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=335111&highlight=a+new+henna+thread

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

SkySurfer mssoconfused at all henna heads up in here, lol:

I want to try henna so bad for porosity issues because nothing else is working. Do u all recommend that?
My hair like protein, yay so the full henna would be ok for that reason (porosity) ? But I do not care for color just the effects I am however willing to try both if it will correct the constant dryness and breaking.

I really don't want to sort through a lot of posts so I hope to get questions here.

 

[mssoconfused]

Hi all! My Deep conditioner includes;
Shea butter
Cocoa butter
Honey
Egg
Mayo
Jojoba oil
Peppermint oil
Guar gum


Mix it all together and enjoy!

 

[greenandchic]

Henna head too! My henna glosses these days consist of Jamila henna, water, Suave Conditioner and sometimes coconut milk.

 

[greenandchic]

OsnapCnapp! - My hair is porous and henna helps with that big time. When I use protein, I make sure its at least two weeks after my last henna treatment to make sure I don't overdo it. HTH

 

[MsLi@512]

I just did a henna gloss today with Nupur henna mixed with conditioner, grapeseed, and coconut oil. Let mix sit overnight then put on for 2.5 hours. I don't need intense color so I don't add acidic product or let sit on my hair long. But the results were wonderful. Immediately stronger, well conditioned hair with lots of body and looser texture. I am 13 weeks post and could not tell where the NG began and the texlaxed hair ended. I do henna glossing as my hair needs it which shakes out to about every 6-8 weeks.And do light protein d/c every 4 weeks. My hair mainly needs moisture. But this is a keeper and will help me ssstttrrrreeettch my touch ups even more.

 

[demlew]

@FindingMe - not dumb questions at all! Plus I like talking about henna lol. You can use amla separately from henna. I've done it before when I was looking for darker hair without a red tint/halo. Amla isn't like indigo; you have to henna before (or at the same time) as an indigo application in order for the indigo to take.
Amla can sometimes loosen your curls, so you have to be mindful of that. OT: I also used plain yogurt in my latest recipe to see if it would loosen my new growth and it worked! My hair looks/feels like I'm 4 weeks post instead of 9!

OsnapCnapp! - If you're not looking for color, I've read alot of ladies use cassia obovata. It has the same strengthening qualities, but is sometimes called neutral henna because it doesn't impart much color. It might add really subtle brown/blond highlights if your hair isn't black. I've never used it, so I can't speak from experience.
If you would like to henna but without dye release, I'd say you can probably mix with water and apply it right away rather than mix and let it sit out for dye release. And use it for maybe an hour or less. It'll still improve porosity without too much color release, if any.

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

greenandchic
demlew

This sounds promising and I've heard other attest to that. I just don't want to be bald after I do it. You already know im not about to be looking through no old posts girl, too many of em, lol, so I wanna ask all you henna ladies that are natural:

-What brand of henna do you use?
-Would you mind explaining the process step-by-step from mixing to applying?
-After the henna, do you DC and for how long? What is your post-henna regimen?

Sorry ladies I just really don't want to go through those thousands of posts and this is something Im so willing to try if it will help with hair that is naturally porous so holla at me please lol! If these questions have been addressed here already I apologize, Im posting before reading lol.

mssoconfused

 

[Pompous Blue]

Hi all! My Deep conditioner includes;
Shea butter
Cocoa butter
Honey
Egg
Mayo
Jojoba oil
Peppermint oil
Guar gum


Mix it all together and enjoy!

Thank you for this recipe (and I even have the guar gum)

 

[Pompous Blue]

@greenandchic
@demlew

This sounds promising and I've heard other attest to that. I just don't want to be bald after I do it. You already know im not about to be looking through no old posts girl, too many of em, lol, so I wanna ask all you henna ladies that are natural:

-What brand of henna do you use? Jamila and Karishma
-Would you mind explaining the process step-by-step from mixing to applying? See below; quoted myself from another post.
-After the henna, do you DC and for how long? What is your post-henna regimen? See below.

Sorry ladies I just really don't want to go through those thousands of posts and this is something Im so willing to try if it will help with hair that is naturally porous so holla at me please lol! If these questions have been addressed here already I apologize, Im posting before reading lol.

@mssoconfused

This is a post I made in this thread: “Moisturizing after henna”
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=14209409#post14209409

My henna mix: Jamila henna, cocoa powder, Bhringraj Powder, lemon juice. coconut milk, and marshmallow root tea.

I wash and clarify my hair 1st with shampoo, then do a rhassoul or bentonite clay treatment. (clay + marshmallow root tea). Rinse out after 20 minutes.

Mix henna and immediately apply to hair. Steam for two hours.

Co-wash it out with either Hairveda's Amala Cream Rinse, SSI's Conditioning rinse, Oyin's Honey Hemp or Bee Mine's Avocado Cream Conditioner.

I always add pumpkin seed oil AND meadowfoam seed oil to either of the following DC's: KBB Hair Mask, Hairveda's Sitrinillah or SSI's Banana brulee. Steam for 1 hour. Yields very moisturized hair.

Style hair with a leave-in, butter and gel (twists). Hair is very moisturized 'til I shampoo it 3 days later.

I henna every 10 days - 2 weeks. Never had problem with dryness using this method.

Been doing this for over a year and the results are always the same (very moisturized hair). I get the color I want and my hair is very strengthened.

I only do light protein treatments maybe twice a year.

I'm natural with very fine, medium density hair.

HTH

 

[MRJ1972]

Hi Ladies!

To anyone with EXPERIENCE WITH INDIGO- My indigo does not take! My hair is already very black, but I want it jet black..The few grays that I have turn orange within a week of using the indigo, even without me washing my hair.

Any tips on how to get the indigo to take...Or do you know if I can use a semi permanent rinse after henna instead?

 

[demlew]

MRJ1972 - What's your process? Do you blend the henna and indigo together? Or do you do the two-step process? I don't use indigo anymore, but I remember not leaving the henna in that long - maybe an hour and then moving to indigo. I've read that salt deepens the indigo stain, but I've never tried it personally.

 

[demlew]

OsnapCnapp! - PompousBlue's recipes look really good. I might try it too! The only change I'd suggest to you is to not use the lemon juice (or anything acidic). Those are called "terps" and are used to increase the color intensity. Even tea can deepen brown tones. I get darker colors when I use cinnammon or black tea.

 

[Pompous Blue]

Hi Ladies!

To anyone with EXPERIENCE WITH INDIGO- My indigo does not take! My hair is already very black, but I want it jet black..The few grays that I have turn orange within a week of using the indigo, even without me washing my hair.

Any tips on how to get the indigo to take...Or do you know if I can use a semi permanent rinse after henna instead?

MRJ1972
What demlew said:

@MRJ1972 - What's your process? Do you blend the henna and indigo together? Or do you do the two-step process? I don't use indigo anymore, but I remember not leaving the henna in that long - maybe an hour and then moving to indigo. I've read that salt deepens the indigo stain, but I've never tried it personally.

It does. I do the 2-step process on DH's hair. I add about 1 tablespoon of sea salt to the water and indigo; immediately apply and let it sit about an hour or two. Comes out perfectly black every time.

I know that IDareT'sHair receives perfect results every time she henna and indigo.

Hope she comes in here and tell you about her process.

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

This is a post I made in this thread: “Moisturizing after henna”
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?p=14209409#post14209409



HTH

<<<<<<<<<speechless! whoa!

 

[mssoconfused]

What does the coconut milk do?

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

So if I do it like this tell me what would be wrong:

Before henna, shampoo and clean hair?
Mix henna with just water and an oil or just water, no acids?
Apply henna immediately after mixing, cover hair with plastic cap and leave on for 2 hours, 1 hour no heat 1 hour steam (even though I don't have a steamer or dryer to warm my towels so Im lost there)
Rinse henna out after allotted time and then DC for....however long
After DC, apply________________ (I draw a blank there because not sure if Im supposed to apply moisturizer and seal or what)

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@Pompous Blue

Hey Blue!

Yeah I do the 2 Step (too many Greys) Anyway, I always start on Freshly Cowashed Hair.

Rinse Henna out with a Cheapie either VO5 Moisture Milks, Suave Tropical Coconut or White Rain.

Then I mix the Indigo with Hot Water (not boiling tho) and about a Teaspoon of Salt. Allow to Sit 5-10 minutes before applying.

I use Less Henna/More Indigo during my 2 Step Process because I only want the "Stain" from the Henna so the Indigo will have something to 'grab'.

Apply Indigo after allowing to sit 5-10 minutes and wrap tightly with Saran Wrap/Cover with Plastic Cap allow to set 2-4 hours and Rinse with Conditioner.

Deep Condition afterwards with a Moisturizing Deep Conditioning Treatment (I usually Steam afterwards 45 minutes to 1 hour).

Perfect Results Every Single Time.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

OsnapCnapp!

After I Deep Condition (Steam), I apply my Leave-In and Dry under the Dryer. Once Dry, I moisturize and seal as I normally would.

 

[MRJ1972]

MRJ1972 - What's your process? Do you blend the henna and indigo together? Or do you do the two-step process? I don't use indigo anymore, but I remember not leaving the henna in that long - maybe an hour and then moving to indigo. I've read that salt deepens the indigo stain, but I've never tried it personally.

I use the two step process. Indigo with warm water and salt, leave on for 2 to 3 hours. Not sure why it doesnt produce a jet black result? Or why it fades so quickly?

I

 

[IDareT'sHair]

MRJ1972

Perhaps you should adjust your Henna to Indigo Ratio. Less Henna/More Indigo.

 

[greenandchic]

OsnapCnapp!

I use mostly Jamila henna these days.

Full Henna Treatment
150 - 175g Jamila Henna
Hot water (enough to make a cake batter consistency) - Other times I've used green or black tea, but water is good enough for me.
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. oil (either coconut, olive, jojoba, etc)
After mixing it up, I cover and let it "cure" for 4-8 hours. When I'm ready to use it, it may have dried up a little so I carefully mix a little more hot water to make sure its a thick cake batter (or brownie) consistency.

Henna Gloss
100g Jamila Henna
Water (enough to make cake)
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. oil (either coconut, olive, jojoba, etc)
Mix and let it cure.

When I'm ready, I then add about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of Sauve or Vo5 conditioner to the mix. I sometimes mix the conditioner 50:50 with plain, full fat yogurt.

Application:

I usually shampoo my hair to get all the oils and butters out (some people apply it dry, some cowash before). I apply after towel drying my hair. I then wrap my hair in plastic and my edges with cotton coil, then then put on a plastic cab and leave it on for 4 hours or overnight depending on my timing.

After cowashing it out the next day, I DC my hair for about an hour.

HTH! Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[aviddiva77]

aviddiva77 i get my henna from mehandi.com (http://www.mehandi.com/)

Thank you for that website!

Does anyone do their henna first and then apply indigo or do they mix them together?

ETA: Nevermind I just scrolled up!

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

OsnapCnapp!

I use mostly Jamila henna these days.

Full Henna Treatment
150 - 175g Jamila Henna
Hot water (enough to make a cake batter consistency) - Other times I've used green or black tea, but water is good enough for me.
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. oil (either coconut, olive, jojoba, etc)
After mixing it up, I cover and let it "cure" for 4-8 hours. When I'm ready to use it, it may have dried up a little so I carefully mix a little more hot water to make sure its a thick cake batter (or brownie) consistency.

Application:

I usually shampoo my hair to get all the oils and butters out (some people apply it dry, some cowash before). I apply after towel drying my hair. I then wrap my hair in plastic and my edges with cotton coil, then then put on a plastic cab and leave it on for 4 hours or overnight depending on my timing.

After cowashing it out the next day, I DC my hair for about an hour.

HTH! Let me know if you have more questions.

After a few months of not henna'ing, I will use your full treatment. I usually would do a gloss every month. But, I'm going to do a full treatment every two months or so. I'll try this tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[GIJane]

I am also a henna head. I'm a so I really don't know what I am doing. But, I have henna glossed twice. I get color all the time. I haven't henna'd in a week and my grays are still red and my off black hair now looks brown with reddish highlights. I love it. My recipe is below.

1. 2-3 heaping tbl sp of Napur Henna.
2. 1-2 capfuls of ACV
3. Black Tea (I keep pouring this in until I get the right consistency).
4. Vatika enriched coconut oil
5. I let this sit covered with plastic overnight.
6. 2-3 heaping tbl sp of moisturizing conditioner.
7. 1-2 heaping tbls sp coconut milk
8. Put in hair and let sit for 20 minutes.
9. Steam for 20 minutes.
10. Rinse with a cheap conditoner.

Hair comes off soft. I am just a beginner. But I love the way my hair feels after this. I am going to do this once a month. I was doing this every week but I think that was too much for my hair.

 

[sunbubbles]

Thanks so much for the great info! So will indigo still adhere well if I use Cassia instead of Henna??

 

[demlew]

mssoconfused - Coconut milk is a great moisturizer. I've started using it in place of tea for the henna treatments that are for conditioning and not color.

sunbubbles - I've never used cassia instead of henna, but I would imagine the cassia should work since it's sometimes called a "neutral henna". The difference depends on how cassia and henna work on your hair: cassia gives subtle brown/blond highlights whereas henna darkens to brown/red.

 

[Candy828]

I would like to ask what brand of Indigo powder are you all using? I DC'd using amla last weekend and it was great but I need the indigo to get the right color on my hair. There are several brands online but I'd like to use a brand that LHCF is using and has experience with.

Thanks

 

[mssoconfused]

So I did a full henna treatment 2 days ago and my hair is LUSH! What shocks me is how straight it can get too....it is really relaxing my curls and conditioning my hair. I followed the henna treatment with a 35 min deep condition with my steamer and love the results. So much so that I have decided to forego relaxing my hair. I am about 4 months post and one honestly couldn't tell. Given this... hasta la vista creamy crack. Maybe I will revisit u after one year...