New here want to henna but nervous

**mymagicfairycom** · March 6th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Hello
I am new here
I have decided to grow my hair
It is super short...pixxie cut and i color it blonde...super light blonde
I want to stop with the chemicals
I would like to stay as close to blonde as possible....if not i am willing to go darker
But i do love the blonde just hate the chemicals
Any suggestions on brand??what ro mix...how???
I have used horrible store bought hennas many years ao when i was pregnant
I have read i should be using body art henna???
I would lve to see any photos and advice
Thanks

**CrisDee** · March 6th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Hi MMF, and welcome!

There are a few things to keep in mind about henna. Here is my standard advice for anyone contemplating henna.

Real, pure henna comes in one color only - red. No blonde. And it is daggum near impossible to remove if you decide you don't like it, or simply want a change. As I point out in the link, I had chemically dyed my hair red for 20 years before discovering henna, so its permanence was actually a plus for me. But with your love of blonde, it doesn't sound like something you'd be happy with - and the only way to get rid of it is to grow it out. Good luck with whatever you decide!

**CaityBear** · March 6th, 2011, 01:32 PM

What is your natural hair colour?

As said, henna is only red. You can mix it with cassia to get different shades and you can mix with indigo to get darker colours. But it's not possible to get blonde from it.

**mymagicfairycom** · March 6th, 2011, 01:49 PM

I have dyed my hair red before ...dark red and loved it
My natural hair is mousy blonde...more dark now after having three kids
I am not fearfull of going dark...
Due to the fact that i want to grow my hair...staying blonde looks like may not be an option if i want to stay away from chemicals...which i do
I did read that there is a neutral henna??.cessiaa..??
But if i choose to go dark...would you recommend i do a permenent color first?. Then do the henna??? As wont the henna alone on my blonde turn it fire engine orange??
Thanks

**mymagicfairycom** · March 6th, 2011, 01:52 PM

Btw thank you for the warm welcome and the photos

**geosangel** · March 6th, 2011, 01:58 PM

The "neutral henna" you are referring to is Cassia, you can do a search on here to see its qualities, I'm by far no expert. I would recommend a strand test on a hairball first (with the henna) if you're wondering about how it will turn out on your shade, as henna shows up differently on different people. Also, I believe the more you do all over henna, the darker the red shades get--someone correct me if I'm wrong, and also it takes a few days to oxidize to its "real" shade..hope this helps some.

**Evie** · March 6th, 2011, 02:12 PM

Hi and welcome!

Cassia has a very faint gold dye, but I'm afraid it only really shows up on super light blonde hair. So it might show up on your bleached/lightened pixie, but if your roots are darker, it won't make them light to match. If you have darker hair naturally, I am afraid I don't know of any way to drastically lighten it naturally

**Mesmerise** · March 6th, 2011, 03:03 PM

If you're happy to go red, maybe start with a mix of cassia/henna so the red isn't too strong on your pale hair? Although if your hair is bleached it will probably look orangish... on your natural colour, a henna/cassia mix will probably work just fine.

Definitely strand test on your bleached hair now, or you may find you're not happy with the colour! Over time the henna would build up and darken, but in the meantime you could look very orange.

**mymagicfairycom** · March 6th, 2011, 04:13 PM

Thanks for all the iput
I am placing an order now
Fingers crossed it all goes well
I figure if it goes too orange...i can always wear a hat for a while...lol
It will be a long process to get it to the color i want ...and length i want
But at least it will be chemial free!

**rogue_psyche** · March 6th, 2011, 06:58 PM

A lot of people talk about the orange like it is a bad thing. The orange that one would get from henna is more like the color of a natural redhead. People throw around the term "Bozo Orange" but I've never seen henna turn out like that. My natural hair (light mousy brown) ends up auburn, and my bleached hair ends up a pretty tomato red. You'd probably get a light auburn.