Lush FAQ

[dropinthebucket]

Here goes - the Lush FAQ! compiled from your wonderful response. Please let me know if I've left anything out, or if there's anything that should be added. More responses, updates, and PICS are all appreciated, and will help add to the FAQ. :)


1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
LHC'ers have used all of them - Rouge, Marron, Brun, Noir. You can see which gave which results in the thread posts.

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
A wide range of results has been reported, from a very slight stain that deepened the hair colour just a bit, to a strong stain with definite colour results. Variables affecting colour results include: hair texture, porosity, how long left on, how mixed, what mixed with. Starting colour included virgin hair, previously coloured hair, and previously hennaed hair -- all of which, of course, affect the colour result, as well!

3. How do you prepare it?
The most common preparation is chopping and then mixing with warm to boiling water. Some creative suggestions for getting that brick into something you can apply on your hair, though, were also given! -- bag and smash with a hammer; use a cheese grater; use a meat tenderizer; put through the grinder or processer. Many found that the smaller you got the pieces, the easier it was to get them mixed. LHC'ers also offered some great suggestions for mixing with the Lush, including: lemon juice, tea (and herbal teas), coffee, ACV, paprika, essential oils, 'cone-free conditioner, and olive oil. We are mostly agreed: the mixture should be the consistency of cake batter, yogurt, or pudding.

4. How long do you leave it on?
The reported range so far is 2 - 12 hours. The average reported time is 4-6.

5. Do you bag it?
It's virtually unanimous -- we cover it! with cling wrap, or anything that will keep it moist. Some wrap a towel on top of that to catch any drips or provide heat. A few of us have left it uncovered, and found that it's very hard to remove, and a couple have also found that the stain is weaker this way, as well.

6. Do you find it fades?
Some have experienced almost no fading, and others have experienced pronounced fading. The majority of us have noticed that it does fade to some degree. However, some have reported that it deepens, and fades less, with each application. The question I know most new users will have: do the Brun and Noir fade to red? Some have reported yes, the indigo fades a bit, leaving a red undertone. Some have reported that the henna and indigo fade off together, leaving no real red. It also seems that the darker colours were reported more frequently to fade, with the henna reds fading less. (Perhaps because of the indigo, the darker shades can show more fading.)

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
LHC'ers were split on this one. Some noticed that it did deepen and build up. Others noticed no build-up of colour at all. The split was almost 50-50, with more frequent users more likely to report that they noticed colour build up.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
Most do full length, with a couple of us doing roots only, or alternating with roots only.

9. How do you wash it out?
Most popular methods: LOTS of water, LOTS of conditioner! Mermaid soaks (bucket, sink, or tub) and showers. Many just use lots of water and conditioner, many also use shampoo. Almost everyone uses conditioner, with whatever else, to get the mud out!

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
Most of us have not used other brands. This suggests to me that Lush is a popular first choice, possibly because it is available at the Lush stores. Those of us who have used other brands, however, have used Henna Hut, Surya, Mountain Rose Herbs, and unspecified brands. Compared to Lush, the other brands named were reported to be cheaper, faster, and have a stronger stain. However, some found that Lush had better conditioning properties. Some also warned to be careful of compound henna mixes (with metallic salts, etc.).

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
Several have also tried the BAQ henna or henna+indigo. Compared to Lush, the BAQ leaves a much stronger stain, doesn't fade, and has enhanced conditioning properties. Some, however, liked that Lush fades, so they don't have a huge commitment to the colour. Some were happy to use Lush to "try henna out," without a change that would be too drastic. Most agree that Lush is much more expensive than BAQ henna, or indigo, on a per/use basis. Some also found that Lush irritated their scalp, whereas BAQ henna did not. Many, though, reported no irritation with the Lush.

This is what we've got so far - thanks, all! I'll be very happy to add to this as more info. gets added to the thread. I've also left the original set of questions (below) so posters can still easily cut-and-paste it.


1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
3. How do you prepare it?
4. How long do you leave it on?
5. Do you bag it?
6. Do you find it fades?
7. Does the colour build up and darken?
8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
9. How do you wash it out?
10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?

Thanks!!

[little_cherry]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
I've used all the lush bars...rouge, marron, brun and noir...as well as blends of all or some of them.

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
Starting colour=faded compound henna. Results were:
Rouge: orangey red gloss. Marron: a faint burgundy. Brun: Chestnutty brown. Noir: a nice cool dusty black.

3. How do you prepare it?
Chopped the bar up and mixed with warm water.

4. How long do you leave it on?
From 4-7 hours.

5. Do you bag it?
Most definitely...if it wasn't bagged/covered, the cocoa butter would set in my hair making it almost impossible to wash out. >_<

6. Do you find it fades?
Yes...it is a diluted henna.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
Yes...it takes a while, though!

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
Entire length always...

9. How do you wash it out?
Let the warm water run on the hair for 10 minutes before touching the hair...then I gently massage it out with some conditioner.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
I've used a compound henna. Awful stuff.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
Lush is more like a gloss...it's no where near as strong as BAQ henna.

[Timkerbelle]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Caca Marron

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
The result is a (imo!) lovely chestnut colour. My own colour is a slightly mousy brown that gets golden streaks in the summer. Medium brown perhaps? I also have a few strands of grey now that show up a more intense orangey red with the henna

3. How do you prepare it?
I grate the block with my cheese grater, add some boiling water and stir. I let it sit for a minute or so and add some more water until it becomes gloopy.

4. How long do you leave it on?
As long as I can put up with, but in general 3-4 hours

5. Do you bag it?
I'm not sure what this means? I put cling film over my hair while it's in, if that's what the question relates to?

6. Do you find it fades?
Not particularly, but yes - a little bit. It prevents the growth line from being harsh which I like, but it's still a nice colour after a month or two. I would say compared to what I hear the "pure" henna users say about colour permanence, it does fade

7. Does the colour build up and darken?.
Not from what I have noticed.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
I do the entire length, but do keep in mind that my hair is VERY short compared to most here. It's barely even shoulder length.

9. How do you wash it out?
I rinse as well as I can with water in the shower, then I do a couple of CO washes to get it all out. With my fine thin hair this works a treat.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
No, I have only used Lush.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
No, not in a very very long time. I tried it some time in the 90s, but I was very young and not very aware of different qualities etc, so can't really comment.

[ellen732]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Caca Marron.
2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
Starting color medium brown with a reddish hilight; color result was medium brown with a reddish hilight.
3. How do you prepare it?
I put the blocks in two ziploc bags and crushed them with a hammer. I then added black cherry tea with a couple tablespoons of ACV.
4. How long do you leave it on?
6 hours.
5. Do you bag it?
Yup, and put a towel on top.
6. Do you find it fades?
Not so far.
7. Does the colour build up and darken?
Not so far.
8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
Entire length.
9. How do you wash it out?
Lots of conditioner and rinsing.
10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
I used Henna Hut "brown" previously and will be going back to it. Lush was extremely messy, the cocoa butter in the mix kept hardening during the application process which made it crumble. I also had to keep it on for 6 hours as opposed to the 1 hour I leave the Henna Hut on for and achieved pretty much the same color.
11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
The Henna Hut color I used has indigo in it, same as the Lush. I tried the Lush Caca Marron because I was looking for a little more red, but I think I will just add a little Yemeni henna to my Henna Hut "brown" next time.

[apae]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Caca Rouge

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
Starting colour was black
Results, redish golden brown tint in the sun indoors, a dark dark brown

3. How do you prepare it?
Pounded the block in a pestle then used a knife to chop the clumpy bits
Boiled water, a lot of paprika and lemon

4. How long do you leave it on?
10 hours

5. Do you bag it?
Yes, cling wrap and then a towel over it

6. Do you find it fades?
Not as of yet

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
Only used it once

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
Entire length

9. How do you wash it out?
Showered without shampoo and then a ''mermaid'' rinse in the sink

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
Not as of yet

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
Nope but to say lush caca rogue has a heavy smell made me sick, would say the next time to add essential oils. Its very time consuming but the block i had was soft and easy to break up overall i was quite pleased with the results as I thought it wouldn't show up any change at all

[trinc]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Caca Brun

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
Dark brown, a little glimpse of red shine, but in some lights it's just chocklate'ish brown. my starting color is dark ashy brown my virgin roots (about 10cm), and really destroyed and bleached and colored hair the rest. the damaged part looks more red, I guess there is no dark natural pigment there, so the red shows off more.

3. How do you prepare it?
I grate it and then pour hot boiling water and mix it.

4. How long do you leave it on?
3 hours

5. Do you bag it?
yes

6. Do you find it fades?
a bit, yeah. the roots are not showing sharply, but my own color is quite the same darkness as well. the tone gets lighter in like 3-4 weeks.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
not yet, I have been using it 3-4 months. I hope it will not build up!

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
entire length

9. How do you wash it out?
just a really long showering. and two times shampoo, then conditioner.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
no, haven't used.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
no, haven't used.

[Artsy]

*I'll compile a summary of our answers once we have enough of them and post it here, at the top of the first post. Thanks in advance to all of the experienced members for sharing! I know a lot of us would like to find out more about Lush, and it seemed like it was time for an FAQ.
Thanks!!
The thread name is a bit confusing right now, I am not sure if you can edit it a bit. Lush has a few products in bars, not just Lush Cacas.

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
I was using Brun, Noir and mix of the two

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
My starting colour was dark blond with highlights. I ended up with medium brown even with straight Caca Noir

3. How do you prepare it?
I crushed the block with a knife into chunks. Warm water worked best for me (compared to hibiscus tea, camomile tea, lemon juice, very hot water). I kept the mix in the sink with hot water too keep it from solidifying.

4. How long do you leave it on?
8-12 hrs

5. Do you bag it?
I left it to dry once, it was not a good idea:D I bag it

6. Do you find it fades?
Both brun and noir fade on me after 4 washes to a medium brown and stay that way for a while. Noir is close to a black only before the next wash.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
The colour did build up on my highlights a bit and evened out the overall tone of the hair. It was a dull brown all over:rolleyes:

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
I had to do entire length all the time

9. How do you wash it out?
Co wash in the shower

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
No

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
I have switched to henna+indigo to get the darker and richer colour, also I have started to develop an allergic reaction to Cacas. I leave my henna and my indigo for about 1 hr instead, it does not fade, it is easier to apply. My hair feels nicer/more conditioned with pure henna and I don't itch like crazy.

[CaityBear]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
- Caca Rouge

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
- Starting color was dirty blonde and it resulted in a orange.

3. How do you prepare it?
- I grated it/chopped it and added warm water. I might've added a bit of extra lemon juice...

4. How long do you leave it on?
- I left it on for 4-6 hours.

5. Do you bag it?
- Yes.

6. Do you find it fades?
- I didn't leave it long enough in between treatments to find out. I do know that with my mom you could notice fading.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
- I used it two or three times only and found that it did darken. The first two times I think I did them within a month of each other.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
- Entire length

9. How do you wash it out?
- First time was just rinsing it a lot and using conditioner. Oh, and let my hair soak in a pail of water first.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
- Haven't used others.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
- I MUCH prefer BAQ. It colors much better (though I didn't mind the orange, but would've prefered a quicker trip to actual red. But the Rouge and Marron looks good on darker hair where it adds the red shine) I also like mixing up the BAQ better, I use way less of it and it rinses out much better.

[Gabriel]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?

I've used Rouge, Marron and Brun

2. What is your color result? What is your starting color?

My starting color is dark brown (some would say black but it's not really.)

With Rouge I got a kind of bright auburn sheen over my hair and a slightly red tone to my few greys/silvers.
With Marron I got a burgundy type of sheen with a darker red tone to my greys/silvers.
The Brun seemed to make my hair slightly richer looking with added warmth.

None of them made a dramatic color shift in my hair though.
　
3. How do you prepare it?

I cut off the amount of squares (usually two) and popped them in my Magic Bullet and grind into a fine powder. Mixed with hot water or tea and applied to my hair.

4. How long do you leave it on?

Usually 6-8 hours.

5. Do you bag it?

Definitely always covered with plastic disposable shower cap.

6. Do you find it fades?

Yes

7. Does the color build up and darken?

If I consistently remembered to apply every month the color would be richer. Not necessarily build up and darken though. Once I stopped though the color faded away with no demarcation line.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?

Entire length

9. How do you wash it out?

Remove cap, apply lots of conditioner and work it in. Dunk head in a bucket of warm water and work conditioner around more. Empty bucket and repeat a few more times. Then lightly shampoo and condition in the shower.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?

Yes, Mountain Rose Herbs Henna. Lush was definitely less coloring for me. However the added ingredients in the Lush were nicer conditioning wise.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?

I use BAQ henna now (Yemeni from Henna Sooq) and they are definitely different. For me and my dark hair Lush Hennas were like training wheels for henna coloring. Great for learning about henna and dipping a toe in before diving in.

[kyraninse]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?

Caca rouge

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?

I have black hair naturally, but have a lot of white hairs as well. It doesn't even bring a red highlight to the black hair and has a pale gold colour for the white hairs.

3. How do you prepare it?

I chop it up, mix it with lemon juice, hot water, and some essential oils.

4. How long do you leave it on?'

3 to 4 hours, minimum, as with all my other henna preps.

5. Do you bag it?

Yes. Always.

6. Do you find it fades?

Yes, definitely, and the colour was pale to begin with.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?

Not that I've noticed. Frankly, at 22 dollars a bar and tailbone length hair back when I was using Lush's bars, I couldn't afford to do it more than once every 6 months.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?

Entire length.

9. How do you wash it out?

This was back when I was still using shampoo, so I'd just shampoo and wash as usual. If I ever have the blunt again, I'll try using it again to see how baking soda only washes with lemon juice work to get all that cocoa butter out. Figure it might be an interesting experiment.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?

I used the Surya brand prepped henna that I found in Whole Foods. It was like a syrup, claimed to be henna-derived, and a cursory look at the ingredients didn't tip off major warning bells. It was really easy to use, took 45 minutes to settle in, and looks pretty gorgeous. It was the chocolate though, and I used it on my friend who is an ash blonde. Lush is blown out of the water in both price (12 dollars for a bottle that covers shoulder length hair) and ease of use.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?

I've always used BAQ henna, or rather, pure henna powder found in bulk from Aura Cacia in natural food stores. Now that I've moved away from the co-op that carries it though, I don't know where to find it in bulk. Lush compares poorly. The cocoa butter seem to dilute the color far too much, makes it harder to use what with all the grating and chopping and melting, and makes it more irritating to wash out. I have no idea why anyone would use the Lush bars, unless they're afraid to make their own mixes at first , because they're so bloody expensive, esp. if you're a long hair. $22/bar, really?

[KatCooke]

I purchased (and am currently waiting for) my Lush CaCa Rouge. I had a gift card so I thought I'd take the plunge. Since it is henna only without indigo, I am planning on mixing in some chamomile tea, paprika and acv and waiting for dye release. I am also planning on leaving it on overnight. (Basically treating it like BAQ)
We'll see how it goes...

[lascuba]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use? I first used the Caca Marron. Since then I use the Caca Noirl

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour? My natural color is a dark-almost black-brown. When I first used the Marron I had over an inch of natural color and the rest had been bleached and dyed red. The result was a slight darkening of my ends and no visible difference to my roots. (I hadn't gotten the memo that henna doesn't lighten hair.) I decided to just focus on getting my hair one color, so I used the Noir and have been using it ever since. It pretty much gives my natural color a warming boost and makes my grays a range of light blond to coppery red. The grays down the length are a dark auburn now after several applications.

3. How do you prepare it? I currently just use warm water until it's the consistency of yogurt. I used to use coffee and a bit of vinegar, and I might have gotten a bit better coverage on my grays, but nothing remarkable.

4. How long do you leave it on?At least 4 hours.

5. Do you bag it? I wrap in saran wrap.

6. Do you find it fades? A bit. Not my grays, but the first couple of days after application my hair looks even darker than usual to me, but my hair is so dark already that it's hard to quantify.

7. Does the colour build up and darken? From what I've noticed on my grays, yes.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length? Entire length.

9. How do you wash it out? I first fill up a bucket with very warm water and dunk my head in for several minutes. Once the cocoa butter has softened, gently work my fingers through my hair and scalp. Then I rinse with warm water for several minutes, gently scrubbing my scalp. I then apply a ton of conditioner, let it sit for a while, scrub scalp, and rinse. I apply a very-diluted shampoo (less than 1/8 tsp in 8 oz of water)to my scalp only. After that's rinsed and the water is running clear, I condition as usual.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares? No, Lush is my only experience with henna.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares? No, but I'm planning to next week. I will keep you posted.

[Intransigentia]

I've only done it once, but I thougt I would contribute my experience:

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use? Caca Brun, 4 of the 6 squares, for fine but moderately thick BSL hair.

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=6596&pictureid=93988 http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=6596&pictureid=93986
Before... After
My silvers didn't seem to take on any colour, which I was really happy about.

3. How do you prepare it?
Chopped it to coarse crumb consistency with my chef knife, put the crumbs in a metal bowl. Put the bowl in a sink full of hot tap water, (which melts the cocoa butter) and mix in warm distilled water until it had a pudding consistency.

4. How long do you leave it on? 8 hours. I might do less next time.

5. Do you bag it? Absolutely. I can't imagine the mess I'd make if I didn't.

6. Do you find it fades? It doesn't seem to have so far.

7. Does the colour build up and darken? Only done it once so far. I'd be OK with going darker.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length? Whole length. Eventually I might change that.

9. How do you wash it out? First I filled a big bucket full of warm water, and dunked my head in there and swirled my hair around and squished it and massaged my scalp. Then I loaded it up with a couple palmfuls of lightweight conditioner and did a CO wash. After four such washes and thorough rinses with a handheld showerhead on high pressure setting, my hair was free of grit.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares? No

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares? I did simultaneous "on board" strand tests with the caca and BAQ henna. I went with the caca because it was the colour I wanted. The BAQ henna was much easier to apply and rinse out, but I found the caca was more forgiving to mix - with the henna there's a very small difference between too much liquid and not enough.

[Leinaah]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Mix of 2 cubes marron and 3 cubes rouge

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
My staring colour was strawberry blonde, and I got a beautifully deep bright red colour!

3. How do you prepare it?
I grate the cubes, add boiling hot water until it is a mixture the thickness of cakebatter and keep it as hot as possible.

4. How long do you leave it on?
Three hours

5. Do you bag it?
No I don't I always have enough.

6. Do you find it fades?
No. For me it didn't! It does get better with more applications!

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
It does. It gets better and better with each application.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
I do strongly advise to do rootapplications in stead of complete applications.

9. How do you wash it out?
Lots of water, and conditioner.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
No. I only used Lush Henna

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
No Only Lush henna

[dropinthebucket]

Forgot to add mine, LOL!

[quote=dropinthebucket;1400083
1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
Caca Brun.

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
Starting colour was tricky: 1/3 virgin medium brown, 1/3 hendigoed medium brown, 1/3 hendigo-over-dyed blonde (faded medium brown).
Resulting colour: a more evened out, deeper medium brown.

3. How do you prepare it?
Smack it with a hammer or heavy shoe, while in its bag. I use 3 squares for my past-APL, fine hair, and mix with very hot water until it's a runny consistency. I find the heavy, thick mud causes too much damage on my fragile hair - I think the weight breaks it, or maybe it just takes too much manipulation and movement to rinse it out. So I mix it thin and runny.

4. How long do you leave it on?
Four hours.

5. Do you bag it?
Absolutely! first time I tried it, I left it without a covering, to get "a browner stain," like the instructions say. Huge mistake! It was horrid to rinse out once it had dried into the hair.

6. Do you find it fades?
Yes. It's all gone on my hair within three weeks.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
This is only my third application, so I'm not sure, but so far it's not looking like it.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
Whole thing.

9. How do you wash it out?
Mermaid soak. Then shampoo bar and several further rinses in clean water.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
Have not tried other brands.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
The stain is about the same, but without henna/indigo's lasting power. At first, it's about the same colour result, but it completely fades, which BAQ henna with indigo will not do!! I also find that the conditioning/strengthening properties are just not there, the way they are with BAQ henna.

All in all, I would say that I love the temporary colour boost, and not being tied to it the way you are with BAQ henna. I like that it doesn't cover my few silvers, and I like that it washes off and I have my virgin colour back after a bit. I don't like the cocoa butter, though - it leaves my hair waxy, super stringy, and is generally such a pain to get out that I always decide the texture difference until I finally get it out is not worth the colour. Though I do like the colour.
[/quote]


Thanks so much for all your replies so far! FAQ summary coming soon!

[Hotrox]

This is a great idea, thanks for organising it :D


1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?

I have used Caca Brun 3 times and Caca Maroon once

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?

Dark brown with the Brun, more chestnut with the Maroon. Starting colour is a mid brown,

3. How do you prepare it?

Grate with a cheese greater, add boiled and slightly cooled water. Nothing else.

4. How long do you leave it on?

About 2 hours

5. Do you bag it?

Have done it both ways, bagging is preferable - better colour up-take and easier to remove

6. Do you find it fades?

Yes, just a little. But I think it is only the indigo that fades, the red undertone remains

7. Does the colour build up and darken?

I don't think so

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?

Alternate between full and roots only every other month

9. How do you wash it out?

In the shower, with a lot of water and conditioner. I think the Maroon was easier to wash out than the Brun!

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?

Never used

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?

Never used

[dfotw]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use? I use half Caca Noir and half Caca Brun

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour? I have very dark brown to start with, and I end with... very dark brown. A smidge darker during the first week or so.

3. How do you prepare it? Cut three blocks of each colour, put them in a freezer bag, and whack them with a meat tenderiser until they're little pieces; then, add hot water until it reaches a runny brownie batter consistency. Add a little cone-free conditioner and olive oil (makes it easier to wash out), put in hair.

4. How long do you leave it on? I leave it overnight, so it's about 10 hours.

5. Do you bag it? Wrap my hair in cling film.

6. Do you find it fades? Yes, definitely, the darker cast to my hair is gone within the fortnight.

7. Does the colour build up and darken? Not that I've noticed.

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length? Whole length, every time.

9. How do you wash it out? Fill the sink with warm water. Swish hair in it. Drain. Repeat at least three times, until the worst of the mud is off. Then, jump in the shower and wash off the rest with loads of cheap cone-free conditioner and patience.

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares? Yes, I've used prepared brands of the kind you can get in health food stores. They're easier to prepare (no chopping/grating) and the colour fades less/doesn't fade. I love the conditioning properties of the Lush Bars, though, the cocoa butter or whatever it is does wonders for my hair! :crush:

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares? No, I haven't (yet).

[dropinthebucket]

The new FAQ is ready! ;)

[Lemur_Catta]

1. Which Lush bar(s) do you use?
I used Lush Caca Noir

2. What is your colour result? What is your starting colour?
My hair was two toned...I had about 3-4 inches of dark brown virgin growth and the rest was deep red from henna and bleach...in the sun the difference was very visible.
Now my hair is all dark brown, it was almost black after the first wash. The red can still be seen in some places, but I think that's my fault, not the henna's :D

3. How do you prepare it?
I started grating it but it took too long so I broke the bar in little pieces and added hot black tea. Then I started stirring but to make things easier I put the bowl in the microwave for a minute :D

4. How long do you leave it on?
4 hours. I could have left it on a lot longer since for the first time I wasn't leaking :D but 4 hours were enough.


5. Do you bag it?
Yes, I use plastic wrap and a old t-shirt as a turban.

6. Do you find it fades?
I can't answer this yet! I can say that the first time I shampooed after the indigo (not the rinsing process, the next shampoo) it bleed a bit, but today I shampooed again and it didn't bleed at all.

7. Does the colour build up and darken?
Well it's difficult to darken black hair :D

8. Do you do roots only, or the entire length?
If it fades on me, I will do the entire length, for obvious reasons.

9. How do you wash it out?
I rinsed with water first, then conditioner, then shampoo, then vinegar rinse. I guess I didn't shampoo well enough (I washed upside down) because my hair ended greasy, but after the first real shampoo it was amazing!

10. Have you used other prepared brands (Colora, Logona, Rainbow Henna, etc.)? How would you say Lush compares?
Never.

11. Have you used pure BAQ henna (or henna/indigo)? How would you say Lush compares?
I used BAQ indigo, it stained the same as Lush but it was PURE HELL. Grainy to apply, leaked everywhere, terrible to rinse out, and it bled a lot in the following weeks...I stained a lot of clothes T_T. So, for me, Lush is best :D at least for indigo.