I've seen a lot of people mention that they freeze their leftover henna. I've been afraid to do it because I thought the dye would be weakened. So, I have a lot of questions!

What is your method of freezing henna? (details please)
What is your method of thawing? Is heat necessary for "reactivation?"
How long will it last in the freezer before the dye is compromised?

Thanks!

I just pour mine into big yogurt containers, let it cool a little and stick it in the freezer! When I want to use it again I put it in the fridge a day or so before to defrost and I warm it up a little in the microwave just prior to use. Works just fine!

I always make up big batches of henna, wait for dye release (usually 12 hours or so) then portion into freezer baggies, squeeze as much air out as possible, seal and put in the freezer. To thaw, I just pull a bag out and set it in a bowl for another 12 hours or so (or until not frozen anymore) You could also place a baggie in a bowl of warm water to thaw faster. I believe dye-released henna could last 6 months in the freezer. :magic:

I dye release overnight 1 box, which is 3 henna's for me. I then split it into baggies and freeze 2, with the air squeezed out, and use the 3rd. I don't mix my henna to consistancy until right before applied, rather dye release as a thick claylike paste... When it's time to use the frozen henna, I pull it out the night before, and set it by the sink, then add other ingredients (cornstarch thickened water gel) and apply in the morning.

From my experience (and that of others on the old board when this was discussed) we actually get BETTER dye uptake from the frozen henna than from fresh.

I also store my extra powder in the freezer, but that is just pulled out and used.

Amie

I don't know how long it lasts in the freezer, but I just pulled some out last night - leftovers from my first henna job a few months ago (and I made waaaaaaaay too much and still have enough for probably 6 more applications!!!). I actually froze it in ice cube trays (old ones) then popped the henna cubes out and stuck them into a big freezer bag. I put 5 cubes into an old sour cream container in the morning and hennaed last night when I got home from work.

Worked great. :)

ETA: I didn't re-warm the thawed henna. And I thawed it out on the counter, not in the fridge.

From my experience (and that of others on the old board when this was discussed) we actually get BETTER dye uptake from the frozen henna than from fresh.

Okay, I thought I was just imagining this. Apparently not!!!

Yup, I get stronger henna when I freeze it. I don't think there's anything you can really do wrong here; you can't hurt henna. I've kept it in the freezer for over a month--once it's frozen it's frozen; it's not going anywhere and isn't changing. In the evening before I henna, I take the henna out of the freezer and place it in the fridge, and it's ready by the next afternoon. I know why you're worried though, henna is pricey, not to mention time intensive. :)

ETA: I actually don't do this anymore because the henna was getting too strong.

I've seen a lot of people mention that they freeze their leftover henna. I've been afraid to do it because I thought the dye would be weakened. So, I have a lot of questions!

What is your method of freezing henna? (details please)
What is your method of thawing? Is heat necessary for "reactivation?"
How long will it last in the freezer before the dye is compromised?

Thanks!

No, I don't find that the dye is compromised, in fact - it seems stronger the next time. I just put left over henna into a glass jar, sometimes I remember to stuff the jar with cling wrap, just to take up the air space, sometimes not, and throw it in the freezer. It can be frozen and thawed many times, but I usually only make enough to thaw once. Heat is not necessary, I just pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature, if I'm in a hurry I put the jar in a sink full of warm water. It's easy and convenient.

I also find that my henna is stronger after being frozen. Much stronger, in fact.
I fill up my applicator bottle, then put the rest in a ziplock bag. When I want to use it, I put the bottle in hot water.

Stronger, that could also be a problem. I'm doing glossings, so I'm not wanting strong color in the first place. However, I might be able to use less henna that way. It would mean some strand testing again, though :ponder:.

What is your method of freezing henna? (details please)- My highly complicated method involves scraping the mud into a baggie, sealing the baggie (after getting as much air out as possible) and tossing said baggie in the freezer ;)

What is your method of thawing? Is heat necessary for "reactivation?" - I soak the baggie in a bowl of warm water, not only to thaw it but to make it less OMFG cold when I put it on. Too much heat may speed up dye demise.

How long will it last in the freezer before the dye is compromised? H4H says about a year, but no one that I know of has actually tested it.


I also find that the frozen henna seems to be a bit more potent, so I just try to make batches that have as little waste as possible, and then I add small bits of the frozen mix to my conditioning cassia glosses or to other batches of henna.

Thanks for all the replies!

Nightshade, how do you do your cassia glosses?

Thanks for all the replies!

Nightshade, how do you do your cassia glosses?

I do

100g cassia
3 TB honey
3TB old frozen henna mix
As much chamomile tea made in distilled water as it takes.

Blend and apply to towel-dried hair for about two hours. Awesome conditioning with a golden color and a bit of henna strength. The honey makes it rinse out super easy :)