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Re: henna roots only
My hair is short, and I'm not spectacular at it, but I use Shatam1's technique. --I make ponytails and coat the ends with conditioner, then squish henna under the elastics and in the partings. If my hair was long enough, I'd make loose braids instead of ponytails and put conditioner on them.
I use a 50:50 mix of henna/cassia and leave it on about 2 hours. It covers my gray just fine.
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Re: henna roots only
I've been doing roots only for a couple of years until now because I recently decided to go darker. I never made a big fuzz protecting the lengths while doing the roots. I suppose covering up with plastic or braiding would have been optimal, but I never bothered. I simply part the hair many times and put henna there, rubbing it in lightly also (especially on the back of my head where it is difficult too see anything). When done I look like a porcupine with the lengths sticking out :D I just tuck the lengths in and cover with clingfilm. This is being lazy, but it kept my hair in a strawberry shade for several years, so it must have worked.
Today I am going for the darkest possible henna shade. My virgin roots are white, but this hasnt been a problem. I have done whole head applications so far. I dont see any demarcation line. I guess my hair takes on henna very easily. I do the roots when they are about 1½ inches, which is around every fortnight. :o I whish I could wait more, its quite tedious (its painful to lift my arms after an accident).
/ CMG
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Re: henna roots only
Oh, and I forgot to mention: Sometimes I have put a layer of cassia on top of everything before I cover the head with clingfilm. This way also the lengths recieve some treatment. (this was when I still was strawberry blonde)
/ CMG
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Re: henna roots only
Another thing I have been thinking of is this- henna, in my experiences is incredibly forgiving. I don't think it would make a horrifying change if you accidentally got a little bit of your length touching the henna.
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Re: henna roots only
I've described my roots-only method a few posts into this thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...ad.php?t=43082
It seems to work well for most people who try it, but I admittedly have never been concerned much about overlap, since my hair is darker. I've never seen obvious overlap colors posted on this forum, though -- henna seems to be pretty forgiving that way.
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Re: henna roots only
Thank you all so very much you have all been very helpful...I did notice henna is very forgiving and I absolutely love it...
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Re: henna roots only
I have been applying henna to my roots only for a few years now. Once I had build up to the colour I wanted, I only needed to redye the entire head maybe once a year when the ends have faded noticeably.
I divide my hair into sections and use crocodile clips to pin the different section up to the top of my head in little buns. Very front top section, Temple to crown, Top of ear to crown, Mid ear to crown, Bottom of ear to crown, Mastoid process to crown, Lowest section. I work from the bottom to the top, applying the henna generously to the bottom scalp section of hair, then letting the hair down, and applying it to the scalp where the next two sections meet, also paying attention to apply henna to the hair line wherever new growth is visible. At the top I make sure to separate the hair into my usual parting and apply a generous amount of henna to that.
Whatever is left over is applied to my ends, and then I pile everything on top, Pin it securely, Cover with clingwrap and leave for at least 6 hours. It looks flawless when washed out and the entire length is shiny.
Henna is really forgiving, and if you get some of your lengths it isn't going to be noticeable. Also don't freak out about any you get on your face while you dye the hairline. Wipe off excess after you're finished, and it won't be any worse than a little bit yellow. The day after, no one will even notice. :)