How to obtain a redder colour?

[valkyrje]

Hey!
I hennaed my hair for the third time yesterday but I'm not happy with the results. My original hair is light brown/very dark blonde and I have dyed it a few times last year. I'd like to achieve a redder colour because I'm tired of the copper orange I get and which, by the way, transforms to gold as the time passes, since I wash my hair everyday. What am I supposed to add to the mix (I mix my henna with lemon and some water)? Red wine? Less lemon juice?
Oh, and I have another question. How often can I use henna?
Thank you. :D

[Shatam1]

When I first started using henna years ago, I had tried to cover my greys with conventional dyes so I used strawberry blond a few times which always faded to golden blond after a few washes. Then I used henna and like you it faded on the dyed parts with washing. But as I had let my natural hair go for a few months befor I started the henna, my roots were holding the henna so much better than my length. With trimmings I got rid of them completely now and henna holds so well to my hair no matter what I add or not add to it really. So for this just keep hennaying and ditch the lemon juice as, in my experience, it inhibits color and dries the hair.
As for how often to use henna, I am able to tell you as often as you want, but in reality you should wait for oxidation to happen before you reapply. I would recommend giving it at least a week or so before redoing it.
Hope I answered all your questions :) good luck

[Anje]

A henna with a high dye content will help it be a darker, purer red, and I agree with Shatam1 that mixing it with just warm-hot water (think tea, not boiling) instead of lemon will help a bit too. I tend to use Rajasthani henna (largely because I can get it locally), and it dyes strong and dark.

Something you could consider, if that isn't enough, is to mix a small amount of indigo into your henna occasionally. I'm thinking 10% indigo, 90% henna -- just enough to cool the color down a little and make it a little darker without making it particularly brown. If you do, indigo has to come with a few warnings, because it's worse even than henna about not coming out. The big one is that you will want to do extensive strand-testing before using any hair dye or bleach or lightener with peroxide in it, because these can turn indigo green even years after you last applied it.

ETA: You asked how often you can henna. Honestly, I've heard of people doing it as frequently as every week. If it doesn't dry your hair or scalp out, there's no reason you can't. Do be aware that it will build up more and darker color with repeated applications, so you might want to switch to only doing your roots once you have the length of your hair to the shade you want.

[durgidog]

I henna to cover grey and agree with all of the information you've been given. I use a few methods that are temporary to combat some of the orange (which is worse before full oxidation). Like many others I use a strong hibiscus tea to mix my henna (adds some temporary purplish tones), and I occasionally use a color depositing violet shampoo to combat brassiness - they make violet conditioners as well. I just started experimenting with madder root in my henna which also boosted the red, but it's too soon to tell if the effects will last or if it will build up over time like henna.

Since your previously colored hair is more porous you may also try a red protein filler on that section if you live in a country where they are available. They can be used pre- or post-henna to add temporary, bright red color and help condition damaged hair (if your hair likes protein treatments).

ETA: Aveda Madder Root Conditioner also gets rave reviews for boosting/maintaining reds, I've been meaning to try it but it's expensive. and then there are the temporary vegetable dyes like manic panic - some forum members use the blue in small amounts with conditioner to combat the orange, others use red, but I personally can't stand the bleeding from those dyes.

[valkyrje]

Thank you for the replies Shatam1, Anje and Durgidog!
Does red wine help or should I discard it? And red tea?
Durgidog, would adding an egg to the mix do a similar effect as those treatments?

[durgidog]

Thank you for the replies Shatam1, Anje and Durgidog!
Does red wine help or should I discard it? And red tea?
Durgidog, would adding an egg to the mix do a similar effect as those treatments?

I have read that red wine will give a temporary boost to the red tones but will wash out, I've never tried it myself. Most of the red herbal teas have some hibiscus in them so you could try one, some have good luck with red zinger. Research shows that the proteins in egg are too large to penetrate the hair shaft, but eggs are conditioning and it wouldn't hurt. When you use a red protein filler it does penetrate and deposits color (which eventually will wash out). Some people add small amounts of protein filler to their conditioner to deposit small amounts of color over time. But again, you want to know your hair properties and if it responds well to protein treatment, often times damaged hair does very well with it. Also, tinted fillers often have small amounts of sodium laurel sulfate in them which some people avoid. HTH

[oatmealpie]

I recommend Henna Sooq's red raj (http://www.hennasooq.com/red-raj/). It has a high (3.29%) lawsone content for a darker, more burgundy stain. It's currently out of stock. I've had good luck with Beachcomber's rajasthani henna (http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/ORa-Organic-Rajasthani-Henna-Powder-p/hp-100raj.htm). It's organic, body art quality, and has the same lawsone content. It just isn't as common on LHC.

[valkyrje]

Thank you both! I'll try hibiscus next time!

[lydiajo]

I recommend Henna Sooq's red raj (http://www.hennasooq.com/red-raj/). It has a high (3.29%) lawsone content for a darker, more burgundy stain. It's currently out of stock. I've had good luck with Beachcomber's rajasthani henna (http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/ORa-Organic-Rajasthani-Henna-Powder-p/hp-100raj.htm). It's organic, body art quality, and has the same lawsone content. It just isn't as common on LHC.

Wow, did you take a look at their bangles and earrings. Now I have to take a trip to Orlando. LOL

[Isilme]

You could try mixing in some Manic Panic, Stargazer or a similar brand of deposit only colour either in your mix or use it after the henna. I know a lot of people do this to give truer red, I do this very infrequently.