Share your Henna secrets please

[shimmyshakes]

Hello :cheese:
I'm new here and have just hennaed my hair using lushes caca rouge and caca maron.
After many years of using box dye my hair is damaged to the point where it stretches and snaps off :(
i hope that henna will help bring my hair back to life but any tips or treatments you might know would be greatly appreciated.
please could you post pics of your beautiful Henna heads and what mix you use and starting color, as i am thinking of using Yemen henna next as i love the deep red stain but would love to see what other henna looks like too so please post your pics, thank you in advance xx

[Stephichan]

I would greatly recommend this article written by Nightshade: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=7

I read it several times before I hennaed, just because of all the wonderful information in here. I would also read through the following thread: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=45

Another great resource is henna for hair: http://www.hennaforhair.com/

With these three resources I then created a web document filled with ideas I liked, important warnings, mixes I wanted to try, etc.

[louisemg82]

Hi Shimmyshakes,
Hurrah - welcome to the henna club! I'm a hennaed lushie too (rouge and marron funnily enough although unfortunately, I have no pics). I also stopped chemical dyes due to hair damage and my hair has never felt so good after henna.
I mix mine with red wine not water to cool down the orange tones but the addition of acidic liquids like wine or lemon juice (which you may be suggested to add to your henna) can dry out your hair - I certainly find it does.
So my tip would be, after your henna, rinse out thoroughly with a load of conditioner then mix up your own mayo (it only takes 5 minutes) using 1 egg and a good glug of extra virgin olive oil. Normal mayo's made with plain oils so this one will taste far too strong for sandwiches! But trust me - it's great for your hair. Put it on your hair, wrap in cling film and leave for an hour before thoroughly washing out - lovely soft hair!
Also, sit in the bath to apply your henna until you get the hang of it - it really limits the mess!
Good luck

Lady Cypressa, Keeper of the Olive Grove in the Order of the Long Haired Knights

[shimmyshakes]

Thanks Stephichan i will have a look now xxx

[Aredhel77]

My profile pic is a mix of 2 squares Lush Caca Marron to 1 square Caca Brun, after several washes. It starts off quite dark brown on me and rinses out quite quickly - but I do wash my hair regularly at the moment. I'm naturally a dark blonde but don't have a 'before' picture, sorry

[shimmyshakes]

Hi Lousiemq82, thanks for the tips will definitely try them out, do you get a more richer color using the red wine and if so what wine do you use please ?
I will post some pics soon still working the site out thanks again :)

[shimmyshakes]

My profile pic is a mix of 2 squares Lush Caca Marron to 1 square Caca Brun, after several washes. It starts off quite dark brown on me and rinses out quite quickly - but I do wash my hair regularly at the moment. I'm naturally a dark blonde but don't have a 'before' picture, sorry

Thanks Aredhel77
Mines not fading hardly but i have noticed every time i wash my hair it seems to be bleeding still like the water goes orange hope it stops because i really don't want to loose my color :(

[Cleopatra18]

Thanks Aredhel77
Mines not fading hardly but i have noticed every time i wash my hair it seems to be bleeding still like the water goes orange hope it stops because i really don't want to loose my color :(
I dont think it will fade,when i do my henna it keeps bleeding like that for several washes with pretty much zero colour change (also my scalp was really orangey and it took a while before it became normal).however im a brunette and i did about five henna applications before i started noticing the red tones in my hair (and they are only visible in light).
I just wanted to add that if your hair stretches then breaks that means you need protein in your hair regimen.you can purchase any protein conditioner/treatment (sorry cant recommend a certain brand,different country xD),or you can simply make your own home made treatment using eggs,yogurt and mayo.you could also add some oil of your choice.
as for the henna mix itself,adding one yogurt to your mix will make it far less drying,you could also add some honey and olive oil and they will not interfere with the dye content.
I was recommended before to boil some onions and garlic,and use their extract instead of plain water when mixing henna.it helps with the shedding and strength of your hair follicles.HTH

[shimmyshakes]

I dont think it will fade,when i do my henna it keeps bleeding like that for several washes with pretty much zero colour change (also my scalp was really orangey and it took a while before it became normal).however im a brunette and i did about five henna applications before i started noticing the red tones in my hair (and they are only visible in light).
I just wanted to add that if your hair stretches then breaks that means you need protein in your hair regimen.you can purchase any protein conditioner/treatment (sorry cant recommend a certain brand,different country xD),or you can simply make your own home made treatment using eggs,yogurt and mayo.you could also add some oil of your choice.
as for the henna mix itself,adding one yogurt to your mix will make it far less drying,you could also add some honey and olive oil and they will not interfere with the dye content.
I was recommended before to boil some onions and garlic,and use their extract instead of plain water when mixing henna.it helps with the shedding and strength of your hair follicles.HTH


Thanks for the info will definitely try to make my own protein treatment and give it a try, i was completely unaware that it was lack of protean causing my hair to stretch i have been damaging my hair for so long and haven't done any treatments for ages, just hope the henna helps will try my next mix the way you have suggested think its better, thanks again so much xxx

[Amethyste]

Hey there :)

I went from platinum blonde to henna. I get my henna from Hennahut.com ( red ).
I try to not use too much stuff in my hair now. I don't use hairspray or gel... I use this Shampoo bar from Liggett's ( tea tree and hemp ), i live in NH and it is made in NH, so it's even better ;). it leaves my hair soft and i don't even need a conditioner :)

here is a picture of what my hair was before ( like a month ago ):

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs048.ash2/35775_401968513197_529858197_4290277_3276388_n.jpg

and what it is now with henna:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs233.snc4/38985_417157418197_529858197_4681768_2020698_n.jpg

in full sun - it is pretty cherry red! ( i am really not photogenic lol )

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs233.snc4/38985_417157403197_529858197_4681765_1825288_n.jpg

I think next time - I am going to order their Deep red - I think it will make it more rich and less bright in the sun...

[shimmyshakes]

Hey there :)

I went from platinum blonde to henna. I get my henna from Hennahut.com ( red ).
I try to not use too much stuff in my hair now. I don't use hairspray or gel... I use this Shampoo bar from Liggett's ( tea tree and hemp ), i live in NH and it is made in NH, so it's even better ;). it leaves my hair soft and i don't even need a conditioner :)

here is a picture of what my hair was before ( like a month ago ):

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs048.ash2/35775_401968513197_529858197_4290277_3276388_n.jpg

and what it is now with henna:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs233.snc4/38985_417157418197_529858197_4681768_2020698_n.jpg

in full sun - it is pretty cherry red! ( i am really not photogenic lol )

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs233.snc4/38985_417157403197_529858197_4681765_1825288_n.jpg

I think next time - I am going to order their Deep red - I think it will make it more rich and less bright in the sun...


Wow great photos your color is amazing got me thinking about ordering the same henna :)
Lush has got some great shampoo bars too i heard of them but haven't tried one yet.

[SallyTheStrange]

Hi!
Well, it's more than a year that I henned my hair once a month, and i consolidated my mix. I use:
200gr henna
1 lemon juice(or some citric acid)
2 tbs of honey
a very small quantity of idrolized wheat proteins
hot water (it should help the oranged reflexes).
Here you have the photos of my hair after and before:
before henna:
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P9030099.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P7200261.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P7200261.jpg)


(sorry for the stupid expression!) (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)

after henna:

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_DSCN0191.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=DSCN0191.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_34492596nuova.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=34492596nuova.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_Immagine1084.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=Immagine1084.jpg)



You can click on the photos if you want to see them larger! ;)

[Amethyste]

Wow great photos your color is amazing got me thinking about ordering the same henna :)
Lush has got some great shampoo bars too i heard of them but haven't tried one yet.


Hey! :) THanks about the photo and the color... i really like it...

Seriously though, the Liggett's shampoo bar I use is amazing, at least for my hait type... It is only $4 a bar on Amazon - it's a good deal and see if you like it :)

I just ordered some "deep red" from HennaHut - I'll wait for my roots to show up ( should be ANY day now lol :D ) and I'll do a good touch up :) I'll post pics ... :)

Will order from them too? :)

[Amethyste]

Hi!
Well, it's more than a year that I henned my hair once a month, and i consolidated my mix. I use:
200gr henna
1 lemon juice(or some citric acid)
2 tbs of honey
a very small quantity of idrolized wheat proteins
hot water (it should help the oranged reflexes).
Here you have the photos of my hair after and before:
before henna:
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P9030099.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P7200261.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P7200261.jpg)





(sorry for the stupid expression!) (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)

after henna:

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_DSCN0191.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=DSCN0191.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_34492596nuova.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=34492596nuova.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_Immagine1084.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=Immagine1084.jpg)



You can click on the photos if you want to see them larger! ;)


wowza!!!! The red coloring really really suits you well! I love the contrast with the bluish/purplish coat, it pops!!! :)

[SallyTheStrange]

Amethyste thank you! :cheese:

[shimmyshakes]

Hi!
Well, it's more than a year that I henned my hair once a month, and i consolidated my mix. I use:
200gr henna
1 lemon juice(or some citric acid)
2 tbs of honey
a very small quantity of idrolized wheat proteins
hot water (it should help the oranged reflexes).
Here you have the photos of my hair after and before:
before henna:
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P9030099.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P7200261.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P7200261.jpg)


(sorry for the stupid expression!) (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)

after henna:

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_DSCN0191.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=DSCN0191.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_34492596nuova.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=34492596nuova.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_Immagine1084.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=Immagine1084.jpg)



You can click on the photos if you want to see them larger! ;)

Love love love yr hair, the color is amazing what henna do u use ?
i have to get some of it :)

[lastnite]

Hi!
Well, it's more than a year that I henned my hair once a month, and i consolidated my mix. I use:
200gr henna
1 lemon juice(or some citric acid)
2 tbs of honey
a very small quantity of idrolized wheat proteins
hot water (it should help the oranged reflexes).
Here you have the photos of my hair after and before:
before henna:
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P9030099.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_P7200261.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P7200261.jpg)


(sorry for the stupid expression!) (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=P9030099.jpg)

after henna:

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_DSCN0191.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=DSCN0191.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_34492596nuova.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=34492596nuova.jpg)http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/th_Immagine1084.jpg (http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss292/SallyLaStrana/?action=view&current=Immagine1084.jpg)



You can click on the photos if you want to see them larger! ;)


I like your color too :) It looks very natural. I wonder what henna do you use? and do you do full head applications?

[CrisDee]

Hi ShimmyShakes! :cheese:

Have you been through this page (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=32573)? It contains a lot of helpful info not only to navigate this site, but to rehab "mostly dead" hair :)

As far as henna goes, it's been wonderful for me - but there are a few warnings I usually give to anyone considering henna (all stuff I found out the hard way!):

Warning 1 - as someone on this board once phrased it, you don't date henna, you marry it. Henna is permanent. Much more permanent than regular hair dye - you can't simply color over it and get rid of the red, especially if your hair is already damaged. If you're going to use any amount of henna, you'd better be committed to red hair. This wasn't a problem for me, as I'd chemically dyed my hair red for 20 years prior to finding henna - but for some people it's a big problem, especially for people who like to vary their hair color from time to time. No can do with henna.

Warning 2 - STRAND TEST!! Harvest hair from your hairbrush and test out different mixes BEFORE you do your whole head. I wish I'd done more when I started - I would have known to put cassia into my mix to get the color I wanted (see avatar).

Warning 3 - your days of using heat to style your hair are over, at least if you want to keep the color uniform. Heat styling, particularly with flat irons or large barrel curling irons, darkens henna'd hair to a winey burgundy. Found this out the hard way and ruined a head of shoulder length hair, had to hack it all off and start over.

Warning 4 - another thing that will darken henna to the winey burgundy that I didn't like is repeated whole head applications, even with glosses. Do one whole-head application, then roots only, to maintain color.

Warning 5 - one thing that is a bit off-putting when you first begin henna is the smell. It leaves your hair with a very strong hay/grass type of smell that I found to be completely oppressive when my hair was shoulder length. I've done a couple things now to cut that a bit - mixing cloves and cinnamon in, and the cassia helps as well, now it's more of a spicy grassy smell that doesn't bother me as much.

Now - all that being said, at this point I've cut off 20 years of chemically dyed red, and my hair is now all henna/cassia for color. It's ridiculously shiny, healthier than it's ever been, and I think a pretty natural red (see my avatar). Henna is SOOOOOO much better for your hair (not to mention the environment!) than chemical dye, and I love the depth of color it gives. It takes a bit of tweaking, with lots of strand testing beforehand - but for me, the results have been well worth the effort :)

[luthien_belewen]

My henna'ed hair is in my sig...I don't add anything special to my mix. Found that adding things really didn't do much for me, and straight pure henna is simple--and I need a simple routine. I used to use lemon juice or orange juice and let it sit overnight for dye release, but recently switched to using hot water and freezing it immediately after, then thawing the next day to apply. It's better I think.

I've done about two or three full head applications since I began henna last Sept., and plan on doing more, as I want a deeper, richer color rather than an orangey shade. My natural color is an ashy blonde-turning-brown.

And ditto on CrisDee's warning of marrying henna. Basically, henna is your natural color from here on out. Sometimes I'll pine for my natural color, but this is not a huge issue for me as I like my henna color overall, and there's not much I can do to get rid of it! So I ignore my fickle hair tendencies. Henna is super permanent! But in the end, that's a plus too, because then you don't have problems with fading like with chemical red dyes!

[shimmyshakes]

Hi ShimmyShakes! :cheese:

Have you been through this page (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=32573)? It contains a lot of helpful info not only to navigate this site, but to rehab "mostly dead" hair :)

As far as henna goes, it's been wonderful for me - but there are a few warnings I usually give to anyone considering henna (all stuff I found out the hard way!):

Warning 1 - as someone on this board once phrased it, you don't date henna, you marry it. Henna is permanent. Much more permanent than regular hair dye - you can't simply color over it and get rid of the red, especially if your hair is already damaged. If you're going to use any amount of henna, you'd better be committed to red hair. This wasn't a problem for me, as I'd chemically dyed my hair red for 20 years prior to finding henna - but for some people it's a big problem, especially for people who like to vary their hair color from time to time. No can do with henna.

Warning 2 - STRAND TEST!! Harvest hair from your hairbrush and test out different mixes BEFORE you do your whole head. I wish I'd done more when I started - I would have known to put cassia into my mix to get the color I wanted (see avatar).

Warning 3 - your days of using heat to style your hair are over, at least if you want to keep the color uniform. Heat styling, particularly with flat irons or large barrel curling irons, darkens henna'd hair to a winey burgundy. Found this out the hard way and ruined a head of shoulder length hair, had to hack it all off and start over.

Warning 4 - another thing that will darken henna to the winey burgundy that I didn't like is repeated whole head applications, even with glosses. Do one whole-head application, then roots only, to maintain color.

Warning 5 - one thing that is a bit off-putting when you first begin henna is the smell. It leaves your hair with a very strong hay/grass type of smell that I found to be completely oppressive when my hair was shoulder length. I've done a couple things now to cut that a bit - mixing cloves and cinnamon in, and the cassia helps as well, now it's more of a spicy grassy smell that doesn't bother me as much.

Now - all that being said, at this point I've cut off 20 years of chemically dyed red, and my hair is now all henna/cassia for color. It's ridiculously shiny, healthier than it's ever been, and I think a pretty natural red (see my avatar). Henna is SOOOOOO much better for your hair (not to mention the environment!) than chemical dye, and I love the depth of color it gives. It takes a bit of tweaking, with lots of strand testing beforehand - but for me, the results have been well worth the effort :)



Thanks for all the info CrisDee, i will have a look at that page too.
i love your color its no natural and healthy looking :)
I have cut the hot irons out and all heat appliances as although i do like the deep winey color i dont think i want to go there just yet, i prefer the more brighter intense colors from henna.
Thanks again xxx

[shimmyshakes]

My henna'ed hair is in my sig...I don't add anything special to my mix. Found that adding things really didn't do much for me, and straight pure henna is simple--and I need a simple routine. I used to use lemon juice or orange juice and let it sit overnight for dye release, but recently switched to using hot water and freezing it immediately after, then thawing the next day to apply. It's better I think.

I've done about two or three full head applications since I began henna last Sept., and plan on doing more, as I want a deeper, richer color rather than an orangey shade. My natural color is an ashy blonde-turning-brown.

And ditto on CrisDee's warning of marrying henna. Basically, henna is your natural color from here on out. Sometimes I'll pine for my natural color, but this is not a huge issue for me as I like my henna color overall, and there's not much I can do to get rid of it! So I ignore my fickle hair tendencies. Henna is super permanent! But in the end, that's a plus too, because then you don't have problems with fading like with chemical red dyes!

Hi thanks for the info xx
I think your hair is lovely, i have recently changed my color routine now as henna wasnt working out for me :( still really love henna but i just want brighter shades of red.