I wish to henna my hair and need advice

[mkmulwee]

I have dyed medium brown hair and I'm looking for a natural red color. I would love to know what others with similar starting colors to mine have used!!

[little_cherry]

Hi there!
My starting colour is a medium ash brown with scattered silver highlights. I love Yemeni henna.

[mkmulwee]

Hello to you too! Thank you for responding to my post!! May I ask what your result was and what your recipe was/is? Also the birds in your avator are gorgeous!!

[Olivia23]

Mine too! I was a medium brown. I use Yemeni henna. All I use in my henna mix is water and I sprinkle in some ginger to cut down on the strong smell. It really does work!

I usually plan to henna my hair on a day where I will be home all day. First I wash my hair usually the night before. I do a clarifying wash and I skip the conditioner (skipping it seems to help my hair take henna better). Then you have to make sure you follow the instructions on how long you need to let your henna sit. I usually make it a day before and put it in a glass bowl with several layers of saran wrap over it so it won't dry out. You know your henna is ready whenever it has turned brown and will leave an orange stain on your skin.

Then I put vaseline all around the edges of my face, neck, and ears so the henna won't stain them. Then I put on some latex gloves (very important so you won't be left with orange fingernails for days), and glop the henna on thick all over. I then try to leave it in at least five hours or more. I then wrap my hair up with saran wrap (cover every part of your hair so the henna won't get dry) and watch movies etc.

When I'm done, I get in the shower and hold my head back as far as I can and let the shower rinse most of it out. Remember it's like mud! Then I use conditioner only to scrub the rest of it out of my scalp. People on here have suggested not to use shampoo to wash it out. Then your done!

Also you shouldn't wash your hair for a few days after, something about letting the henna oxidize.

[little_cherry]

Hello to you too! Thank you for responding to my post!! May I ask what your result was and what your recipe was/is? Also the birds in your avator are gorgeous!!
The first time I hennaed, it was a little on the orangey side, so I did several applications to get a cherry red and then a darker cherry colour.

As for mixes, I stick to a simple mix of henna, bottled water and hibiscus powder....sometimes I'll add a tbs of lemon juice or just use chamomile tea as the liquid.

I'm in the process of updating my photos....will post here when I'm done!

Edit. The birds in my avatar are the two that chat quite a bit. :)

[Naughtalee]

Was your medium brown natural? I have dyed red hair and wonder how the henna will effect the previous color on my strands. oooo Using chamomile tea for the liquid sounds delicious and soothing. (ahhh spa) I need one after this week is over, finals!!!

[mkmulwee]

I used to have a quaker parakeet when I lived with my parents and she was more talkative than most people I know! Since I have two votes for yemeni I'll have to try that one. My only issue is that I work at Home Depot and I may not have unnatural hair colors. Also, I would like to congradulate Naughtalee on survivng finals.

[Pierre]

I have natural brown hair and henna turns it into a deep reddish brown. I usually do mine on Saturday or Sunday night, as I also henna my nails, and that gives enough time for the blotches to wear off my fingertips before I next go to church.

[Annalouise]

.. My only issue is that I work at Home Depot and I may not have unnatural hair colors. ..

Oh my, Home Depot dictates what hair color its employees can have! :rolleyes:

[mkmulwee]

I'm sad to say that alot of Home Depot policies exist to specifically stamp out and displays of originality. I'll just have to order more henna than I need and some indigo in case I have an "OH NOES" moment.

[Naughtalee]

mkmulwee Thank you!!! My last two tests were friday, Im so happy its over. I used to work at lane bryant and there was a strict dress code, hair code, and fashion code. It was frustrating not being able to sport my piercings and hair color of the week. Good luck with your henna ^_^