Henna strand testing help?

[kshennya]

I have three 3g samples from H4H (Celebration, Purity and African Hair). I have been using a semi permanent chemical dye to cover my greys and add reddish highlights for a year or so now (the color is called light auburn), so know I am ok with red for the long haul. I decided Henna would be much healthier and better for my hair. My hair is light brown with some red highlights naturally. I have 9 hairballs saved up to test. My question is this:

What would you suggest I do as far as testing? Would 1g of henna be enough to test per hairball or should I make one mix and just pull out hair balls at different time intervals?

If 1g is enough, what should I add/change per type to test the color for most effective change?

Assuming I am going more for auburn then flaming red... what time interval should I start with? 30 minutes? An hour?

I guess there are so many variables I was getting frustrated and confused on how to start this process and wanted advice. Thank you to any and all who have some to offer!

[Medievalmaniac]

I do all of the hair at once in a batch, then pull out at intervals, rinse well, and tape to a piece of paper for comparison. I start removing samples from the baggie at ten minute intervals, beginning with 20 minutes and going through 1.5 hours. I have found consistently that for me, 50-55 minutes is the optimal length of time for the coppery red I love so much.

[kshennya]

Thank you for the advice. That makes a lot of sense. I may start a little later then 20 minutes as I do not want the orangy reds, but more of the deeper tones, but I can see the logic in that system. Thank you so much for a place to start!

[little_cherry]

Thank you for the advice. That makes a lot of sense. I may start a little later then 20 minutes as I do not want the orangy reds, but more of the deeper tones, but I can see the logic in that system. Thank you so much for a place to start!
If you want deeper tones, then take your first hairball out at 1 hour and take the others out an hour after. I find that 3 hours on my gives me a nice fire red, while 5-7+ hours gives me almost burgundy tones. Also, the more applications you do, the deeper the colour is...the first time may be orangey even after leaving it on 7+ hours.

[FluffSpider]

H$H henna is strong stuff, or so I hear. I think the best you can do is use additional ingredients in the mix, which will lighten it to copper instead of flaming red. And definitely don't leave it on for long...Also, I doubt you'll get the auburn with pure henna. I suggest dilluting it with some cassia...

[kshennya]

Little_Cherry - thank you, those time frames help. The brown side of the burgundy is probably what I am after. Most of the pictures in your signature would be good, especially 2 and 3.

I may indeed need to mix a little something in it... but I do not know about Cassia. I do NOT want to add more golden tones to may hair.... I considered amla to tone it to more auburn then red, but I figured I would see what I would get with straight henna first before I complicated the process.

More to think about, but better direction yet again. Thank you both for the help!