How long does the henna smell last?

[pressedflowers]

Please tell me not forever. The strong grass smell of the henna mixed with the (not so pleasant on its own anyway) Tresemme Naturals conditioner I'm currently cowashing with is making me continually queasy.

When will it go away? What can I do to neutralize the scent in the meantime?

[SleepyTangles]

I remember the first times I used henna: I found the smell revolting. As far as my experience goes, after two or three washes (I use sulphate free shampoos), it becomes almost non-existant. Plus, more acquainted you become with henna, less you find it disturbing.

I discovered that a spoon of ginger powder in the henna paste really helps the smell a lot. Also, brewed spices, or even just plain chamomile tea rinse, improve the smell immediatly :o!

[browneyedsusan]

It will go away in a few days; a week tops. It's stronger when your hair is wet, like when you're showering. The first few times I used henna, the smell gave me a headache. Now, I really like the smell.

[Medievalmaniac]

Not long enough! My henna blend has chamomile and a few other herbs in it, and I mix it with VO5 Kiwi conditioner, and I absolutely love the smell. It's usually gone after 1-2 washes, and you can probably speed things up by using a scented oil on it.

[Anje]

Several days. Depends how much you wash your hair.

DH does his beard, and I don't notice it for more than a day or two, and that's with my nose practically getting stuck right in it on a regular basis.

ETA: Adding a vote for mixing some ginger powder in if you don't like the smell. A lot of us don't mind the earthy hay-y quality of it.

[Shatam1]

Yes ginger is your best choice..it neutralizes the smell.. According to my nose other spices makes it worse..but with time u grow to love the smell of henna. I actually loooooooove it now:)

[Tea Lady]

For me it is two to three washes. However, since I started using BAQ henna and mixing it with herbal tea (pomegranate (http://www.amazon.com/Bigelow-Pomegranate-Pizzazz-Tea-20-Count/dp/B000GG1OAI)) instead of plain water, it seems a lot less. Or I am just so used to it!

Tea Lady

[pressedflowers]

I actually didn't mind the henna itself, but the smell it has when mixed with the conditioner is like a sickly, slightly decaying flower. Like a funeral home director is following me around. LOL!!!! I am going to do a DT tonight and rinse with a different conditioner too, and hopefully that will help!! Thank you so much!

[rock007junkie]

Have you tried mixing your henna with cinnamon or clove powder? It cuts down the smell a lot.

[deb1211]

Usually a few washes for me as well. I don't smell it when my hair isn't wet after the initial day.

[amyandnatalie]

You can also try adding a couple of drops of essential oil to a conditioner after you shampoo. This method works wonders for me.
Amy :)

[massivecnqstdr]

I have only recently picked up henna again, but when I used to do it I found that synthetic fragrance was just disgrossting with henna, regardless of which one it was. Not sure if that's the problem for you or not. When I use unscented or naturally scented things, I don't feel as nauseated.

[AmyBeth]

The scent is rather strong, isn't it? I'm so fortunate that I kind of like it! I did a lot of strand testing different recipes when I was starting out, and the recipe calling for a drop or two of tea tree oil smelled like tea tree oil:).

[Flor]

I kinda love the smell of pure henna. It reminds me of hay or dry tobacco leaves, kinda cool! That said, I don't use any mass-produced conditoners/shampoos anymore, so I don't have to deal with scents mixing up in funky ways ;)

[Natural_Locks24]

My red raj doesn't have a strong smell at all even when I put it in yogart for a gloss.

[browneyedsusan]

not near long enough! I love it!

[strangenurse]

I just hennaed (is that even a word?) with Red Raj for the first two times -- a day apart. Based on threads here and elsewhere, I was expecting to be knocked on my back by the scent, but it wasn't terribly strong. Something like green tea and hay? I started to feel like I was smelling like freshly rained-on mud by morning.

Rinsed and rinsed and rinsed with Suave Naturals Coconut Whatever conditioner. Smelled like henna for the first day, whether hair was wet or dry.

Didn't wash or wet hair the second day. Smelled less like henna.

Third day: immediate strong henna smell upon wetting, dissipated some after shampoo and conditioner (argan something-something). Smelled vaguely henna-mudlike while hair was drying.

Didn't wash on the fourth day.

Fifth day, same as third day.

Sixth day, only conditioned (argan something-something, same as third and fifth day). Could barely smell henna on damp hair, didn't smell it when hair was dry.

-D

[VanillaTresses]

I always mix my henna with rooibos chai tea, which I find helps the scent immensely. Yes, I still get whiffs of the hay-like smell every now and then for a few days after, but in any case it always seems resolved completely within a week's time.