How to make henna/indigo smell less bad?

[maborosi]

I'm considering going back to two-step henna/indigo process or possibly a one-step henndigo process. I really like the reddish glow I get, in addition to a nice, dark color.

I really don't like the smell and how it lingers on my hair for several weeks. Is there anything I can add to henna to make it smell less bad? I've heard lavender eo is good and can even enhance the red it gives.

~maborosi~

[Amber_Maiden]

Hmmmm... Have no idea, since I never thought it smelled bad. Smells like hay to me.

[rock007junkie]

I started adding clove powder and cinnamon powder to mine and the smell seems to be very minimal now. Kapur Kachri (ginger) also helps.

[Lala3488]

I second the ginger, I dont add any oils to mine, i just use herbal teas (berry flavors), honey, ginger and allspice. It gives it a nice herbal smell without it being straight hay-like. I actually like the smell of it...

[jaine]

I'm not much help either ... I like the smell! To me it smells like white tea.

[cmg]

UUps, somehow double posted

[cmg]

Make up the paste with fruit juices instead, and add some freshly grinded (squeezed) ginger. This changes the smell a bit. Grenadine juice, orange juice, grape juice or perhaps strong hibiscus/rosehip tea are nice.

I like the original smell to.

[Pierre]

I don't use indigo, but I add cloves to my henna, and I like the result!

[Cecalv]

I add cinnamon and cardamom which breaks the henna smell a bit. But I have to say I love the smell of henna, smells like hay and nestle tea ^^ with the cinnamom and cardamom added it smells like a autumn day :D

[MeToo]

I don't really like the smell of henna by itself either, especially as it lingers. I hit on this recipe for me that works great for the color and also for changing the scent to a very acceptable and actually pleasant one:

Henna
Distilled water

After dye release I add:

2 Tablespoons or so of honey
A few drops of tea tree oil

Mix well.

I did it once with just the honey and once with just the tea tree oil, didn't like it either way, but with both together, it's very pleasant and the scent seems to fade much more rapidly.

[ladonna]

I henna'd my hair earlier today and added some VO5 strawberries and cream conditioner to thin out the henna and DT at the same time. My hair smell's beautiful and is super soft, I even got out of my car to drop my friend kid off at school and when I got back in my car my car smelled great. I'm wierd about unpleasant smells so I'm very happy with my result's.