Considering Cassia and Henna

[LauraLongLocks]

I love my natural color, and could tolerate more red, but don't want to look like Lucy Ricardo, and I absolutely don't want a purple/blue-toned burgundy. I don't really want any ashy-toned blonde, either. I wouldn't mind encouraging the warm red/gold tones in my hair, but I would miss it if my brown color was completely gone. I'm considering Cassia and/or Henna for the strengthening and thickening effect they are reported to have on hair. I've been doing a lot of reading, but feel almost as bewildered as when I first started considering it. Here are some photos of my natural color.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Hair%20Gallery/001-3.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Hair%20Gallery/001-3.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Hair%20Gallery/001-2.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Hair%20Gallery/001-2.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Hair%20Gallery/002.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Hair%20Gallery/002.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Hair%20Gallery/001-1.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Hair%20Gallery/001-1.jpg.html)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/Bestbirth/Hair%20Gallery/005.jpg (http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Bestbirth/media/Hair%20Gallery/005.jpg.html)

So, what do you think? I'm interested in Henna and Cassia for the strengthening, not the color, but wouldn't mind SOME color. If I wanted to use either or both of these herbs, how should I use them?

[prettyinpink]

Sounds like we are in the same boat. If you do a gloss, it wont make much of a difference. Also moroccan henna isnt burgandy. Do you want me to find you the link to the morrocan henna I buy from ebay? Its super cheap

[LauraLongLocks]

Well, I ordered 100g cassia and will give that a go first. I've read that the effects of the cassia are only 1-2 weeks, however. I was considering a gloss of henna, too, but how long do you leave it on? I've read 30 minutes - 4 hours for a gloss, and what do you mix it with? I've read coconut milk, cheap thick conditioner, all sorts of different liquids, and I'm rather bewildered by all of it. As with the cassia, I've read that the henna gloss effects will only last 1-2 weeks. So, I'm really quite confused.

[prettyinpink]

My hair is kinda light, and I use 2 tablesppons and leave it on for an hour. You might need more time. Mix it with anything youd like. I do remember hearing someone say they use cheap conditioner because it dosent have cones, and cones can mess with color absorbtion. The gloss does fade, but it will always still be there a little. It tends to stay better on virgin hair. After hennaing I rinse with cold diluted acv to help the color stain

[Of the Fae]

Hm I'd also think of a gloss if I were you. Perhaps give it a go with 75%cassia, 25% henna and leave it for 20 minutes?
Also depends on the dye strength of the henna... difficult, the results are never completely predictable. But this should not release that much colour, though enough to be kind of noticable!

[angy0987]

On my dirty blonde I used at first a 50/50 henna cassia mix. Made my hair pretty copper, now I do 100% henna and leave it on for no time at all. I want to start doing glosses for the conditioning though. I have some organix conditioner that says it has kartin would that work or would it effect the stain with the silicones and all?

[ErinLeigh]

Your natural color is stunning and your hair seems really healthy. What kind of benefit are you looking for? Strengthening or conditioning? If it is only conditioning do you really want to change that splendid color at all. I'm so envious of it. :) ah, you said strengthening i forgot. if it helps please repot back. I am very curious as well if it is as dramatic as people say.
I have a henna/cassia mix at my house right now and I am wrestling with this same urge. I want to see what it does for my hair, but do not want a drastic color change. Just a brightening if anything

If you do it..can you add some amla to keep it more brown?

[ErinLeigh]

I read in another forum that the strengthening from henna really only works if you achieve color stain, that it is the resins from the color fill that stick to the shaft are what add strength. I do not know if this is true or have experience but i wonder if someone could shed some light on this.

[LauraLongLocks]

I wish there were more definitive results published somewhere. I would like to see before and after of several natural colors, and several different recipes, and information given on the strengthening effect. My hair has some breakage from styling, and a few splits. I would like to increase its thickness and strength. The cassia came in the mail, but I have yet to use it. I got 100 grams. I wonder if that will be enough for my MBL hair?

[Isilme]

I remember that the members Nightshade and Iris have done a lot of research on how henna works and busted the acid myth Henna for Hair created. Look deep in the archives! Nightshade might have something way back in her blog.
As for mixes and after/before: http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/index.html

[ErinLeigh]

Laura you hair is gorgeous. I think if you mixed some cassia along with just a tsp of henna for first go, you could get a feel of how much color/texture from there. Just imagine what the slight effect would feel like amplifed. I would keep adding extra tsp until you feel comfortable. Just advice from another one who is wanting to try but also very cautious of changing too much.
With hair as beautiful as yours I can see why you are gathering intel before making the leap. Very smart. I think the right mix could give you some really nice tones and strength, but definitely agree with you not want to change too much, just want enhancing of what you have.

[ErinLeigh]

Laura you hair is gorgeous. I think if you mixed some cassia along with just a tsp of henna for first go, you could get a feel of how much color/texture from there. Just imagine what the slight effect would feel like amplifed. I would keep adding extra tsp until you feel comfortable. Just advice from another one who is wanting to try but also very cautious of changing too much.
With hair as beautiful as yours I can see why you are gathering intel before making the leap. Very smart. I think the right mix could give you some really nice tones and strength, but definitely agree with you not want to change too much, just want enhancing of what you have.

EDIT, may i also suggest some amla in your mix?

[ErinLeigh]

If it helps, I have not seen any burgandy or violet/blue tones with the cassia/henna mixes. It seems to stay warmer, especially on first few applications. Since you are going into this with the benefit of knowing you don't need to redo length once desired color is achieved you are in a good position. It's not as scary having now that you can apply the knowledge of what others have learned. Also dark hair seems to come out really nice I have noticed. Much more subtle, especially with a cassia blend. I think you will be ok and won't come out with a shocking color. I am hoping to get some more responses on the other thread with before and after comments regarding changes in hair. That may help you as well. To me that was a biggy, hearing stories of what DID change and what didn't.

[Vivalagina]

I have a similar hair color and I found that a henna gloss (about 1 tbsp henna mixed with 1 c cone-free conditioner) brings out the natural red tones in my hair without it making me a red head. It just adds a red/gold shine without going overboard and I don't have to worry about roots because it's so subtle and blends very well.

[LauraLongLocks]

Thank you for the advice. I am still waiting for my life to slow down enough to try the cassia. I'm still unsure about buying and using henna, but I really appreciate the advice here. I think if I do it, I'll do a gloss, or the mixture that Vivalagina suggested. The results you got, Viva, seem to be exactly what I would hope for.