An Alternative to henna?

I have been growing out my henna for about two years now and I am happy to say it's almost gone.
I LOVED my henna red hair and happily hennaed for about ten years. I am now about 20% gray and made the decision to let my hair grow in natural which I am very happy with.
What I do miss is what henna did for my hair. Made it super shiny and strong, my hair held a curl for days and had virtually no frizz.

I really want those things back!!!
Are there any alternatives that might be what I'm looking for?
I don't want to use cassia as I have a very ashy color naturally and don't want any warm tones. I've read about ziziphus but know virtually nothing about it.

Any suggestions from our hair gurus?

Well, I have been researching on my own a little and am none the wiser.

I have been doing heavier than normal oilings and not letting my length get wet at all when washing so we will see if that makes a difference.

Have you looked into cassia (or even henna) before the dye is released? Maybe after the dye has demised?
I don't know if the same benefits are there without the stain, but someone else here might.
Also, I think there are packaged products, "henna and placenta" that have some benefits of henna without the stain?

I don't really know, just brainstorming with you! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browneyedsusan

Have you looked into cassia (or even henna) before the dye is released? Maybe after the dye has demised?
I don't know if the same benefits are there without the stain, but someone else here might.
Also, I think there are packaged products, "henna and placenta" that have some benefits of henna without the stain?

I don't really know, just brainstorming with you! :)

---

We sell henna at my old work and besides different shades of red / brown there was a neutral (no color) option. People used for the exact reasons you mentioned breezefaerie.

I'd suggest that you look at zizyphus, but I don't know any more about it than that it's billed as having henna-like effects without any color.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andeee

We sell henna at my old work and besides different shades of red / brown there was a neutral (no color) option. People used for the exact reasons you mentioned breezefaerie.

---

That would be cassia, which the OP mentioned in her first post ;)
(Cassia is often called "neutral henna", though it's an entirely different plant.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rosetta

That would be cassia, which the OP mentioned in her first post ;)
(Cassia is often called "neutral henna", though it's an entirely different plant.)

---

OK, I didn't realize that. :)

Thanks everyone :)

I have thought about trying cassia before any dye is released, to avoid any warm/gold tones in my hair. I suppose I had better start collecting shed hair for a strand test.

From what I have read about the ziziphus it seems to be more for cleansing than conditioning. It definitely won't change the color though so it wouldn't hurt to give it a try!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by breezefaerie

Thanks everyone :)

I have thought about trying cassia before any dye is released, to avoid any warm/gold tones in my hair. I suppose I had better start collecting shed hair for a strand test.

From what I have read about the ziziphus it seems to be more for cleansing than conditioning. It definitely won't change the color though so it wouldn't hurt to give it a try!

---

If you don't wait for dye release there's a very good chance it won't give you any color. Some people who actually want golden tones from cassia aren't able to get it even after leaving it on for hours.
Just for conditioning, around 30 minutes is fine. I have blonde hair (at least the first 8" is, I'm also growing out henna) and 30 minutes of cassia makes no difference to my color. I leave it on for 3 or 4 hours for warmer tones.
You should give it a try. Remember all the effects, both conditioning and color wash out pretty fast (on me, a couple of weeks, I wash every 3 days) so if by chance it did give you unwanted gold, it wouldn't last long!

Have you thought of catnip, or is that too warm for you?

From what I understand, catnip will cover grays.
Is that correct? I want to keep my gray but want the benefits I had with henna.

I know, I'm asking a lot! :D

When I was blonde, I really just liked adding olive oil to my hair

I use catnip and it doesn't color my hair if I leave it on for 10 minutes or less. I love the conditioning and control it gives.

Thanks Babzilla, that's really good to know.

So it looks like I have three options to consider - catnip, cassia (before dye release or after demise), and ziziphus.

I always kind of missed the whole henna process ... the mixing and plopping on my head. Made me feel like I was really DOING something for my hair.

I miss henna too. I was using the BAQ type when I was a redhead but now I'm back to my natural blonde and there is no way! I would be orange. I love the scent! I might look into getting a champa oil with henna, just for the smell.

I totally understand. I just don't want to be one of those little old ladies with the super-obvious dyed hair, so I decided to go gray now. I like it a lot but just want the henna benefits.

Everyone, thanks so much for the responses - I have a lot of options now!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Babzilla

I miss henna too. I was using the BAQ type when I was a redhead but now I'm back to my natural blonde and there is no way! I would be orange. I love the scent! I might look into getting a champa oil with henna, just for the smell.

---

mild thread hijack--
What is this "champa oil with henna"?
I too, love the smell of henna, and would jump on that like a chicken on a june bug!

--end of hijack

I'm probably turning into one of those little old ladies with obvious dyed hair. My exit strategy is to dilute henna with condish and ombre out. Not yet though. Give me 10 more years. :wink:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browneyedsusan

mild thread hijack--
What is this "champa oil with henna"?
I too, love the smell of henna, and would jump on that like a chicken on a june bug!

--end of hijack

I'm probably turning into one of those little old ladies with obvious dyed hair. My exit strategy is to dilute henna with condish and ombre out. Not yet though. Give me 10 more years. :wink:

---

http://www.purearomaoils.com/hina-attar.html It's the oil from the Lawsonia plant! It comes in an attar blend with sandalwood or can sometimes be found alone.

I'm sorry if someone already offered this suggestion.
I'm a little short on time and couldn't read all of the comments. :o
All the benefits of henna without the coloring part!
http://hennacolorlab.com/shop/hair-treatment-henna/

Thanks for the reccomendation shushifruit, but the main ingredient in that mix is cassia. I'm still debating in whether or not I want to go the cassia route as it can add gold/warm tones to hair.

Thanks for the reccomendation shushifruit, but the main ingredient in that mix is cassia. I'm still debating in whether or not I want to go the cassia route as it can add gold/warm tones to hair.

Thanks, Babzilla! I bookmarked it.

Babzilla your colour in those sig pics is incredible! Do you use Cassia or anything else?

regarding catnip - for 6 months I have been doing catnip tea soaks for up to 20 min, rinse and leave in (without conditioner) and none of my silvers have been colored. The catnip "may" be bringing out the golden/red highlights I already have. My silvers are still mostly above the ears and the length is what I soak. But I rinse all of it with catnip tea and air dry.

I've been reading a bit about zizyphus since you mentioned it. I'd never really thought about using it because I *knew* I was going to love henna. Not trying to "plug" my henna source or anything ;-) but this might be worth a look: http://www.mehandi.com/shop/zizyphus/