Making a Henna Gloss

[thisischristine]

I can't seem to interpret the instructions on the site very clearly!

Do you mix up henna (with water), and add a tablespoon of this mix to 2 cups of conditioner

OR

Do you mix a tablespoon of henna powder with 2 cups of conditioner?

I have read several different sets of instructions and I can't work out what the authors mean when they say "mix henna and conditioner".

If it's the latter, do you still wait to allow the colour to release?

Thanks in advance!

[Finoriel]

I used to mix my henna with yogurt for a gloss. But in general the basic method is to mix the powder straight into the conditioner of choice. No water, no waiting for dye release.
I can imagine that adding water could make a mix with just a bit henna very drippy. But I guess if you are using a lot of henna some water may be necessary.

I never thought the waiting for dye release would be really necessary. Henna dyes immediately. It just depends which red you want to go for. Coppery shades develop pretty much immediately while the deeper, typical build up henna red develops after more waiting time and/or several applications. And if you don't want to keep the mix on your head for 8 hours you do the dye release thing and glob it on after it released but before it reaches the dye-demise stage.
Since a gloss usually is meant to deposit just a shade of red it won't reach the intensity of the build-up henna color anyways, so I'm unsure what the benefit of waiting for stronger dye release should be.

All in all it's more a matter of preferences, everybody seems to do their gloss a little differently. :) Just try out some different methods and choose the one you like best.

[SwordWomanRiona]

I was also wondering how a henna gloss was done. So, it's only a bit of henna with conditioner? I never use conditioner because it makes my hair greasy. Is it the only way?

[Sjirsten]

I use 3-4 tbs henna powder, mix with water and let it sit til dye release.
Then I mix the henna mud with 1 cup of conditioner, apply with the help of an applicator bottle and leave it on my head for 3 hours.
This gives my dirty blond locks a gorgeous coppery red colour.
I love it!!

[thisischristine]

Thank you! So it's a bit of an experiment then....

[NouvelleNymphe2]

I use 3-4 tbs henna powder, mix with water and let it sit til dye release.
Then I mix the henna mud with 1 cup of conditioner, apply with the help of an applicator bottle and leave it on my head for 3 hours.
This gives my dirty blond locks a gorgeous coppery red colour.
I love it!!

Thanks so much. Definitely going to try this! :rolleyes:

[breezefaerie]

I use 3-4 tbs henna powder, mix with water and let it sit til dye release.
Then I mix the henna mud with 1 cup of conditioner, apply with the help of an applicator bottle and leave it on my head for 3 hours.

I do mostly this also. I mis my henna with water, and wait for dye release. Then I mix with conditioner, honey, yogurt, or whatever is available and let sit on my head for a few hours, concentrating the mess on my roots.
There is no tried and true recipe for this, just what works for you.