Considering a henna recipe

[thatcrazychick]

Hello! I'm thinking about doing a bit of henna - never done any significant hair coloring before (just a little semi-permanent gel one holiday) so of course I'm :google:-ing like CRAZY before anything touches my hair. Below are some pictures of my natural hair, and then an edited one of what I'd like to really achieve. I don't want a blatant RED, more like a red, and darken my natural color a little.

On another note, I've read that henna loosens curls. Is there another herb that will do the opposite, or condition hair to help hold curls longer (from overnight braids, rag curls, etc)? Just outta curiosity.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/16lauren/IMAG0296.jpg
Natural hair color under incandescent light in bathroom (the bulbs are making it a brighter color than usual :confused: may be a not-so-great example.)


http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/16lauren/IMAG0297_1.jpg
Natural color under CFL lighting / windows


http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/16lauren/IMAG0297-1.jpg
Color I'd like to achieve.

[akuamoonmaui]

Sounds like henna would work well for you. But it seems you want your hair a bit brighter? Henna won't lighten, only darken over repeated applications.

Welcome to LHC!

[bunnylake]

If you add amla to your henna mix (25 grams of amla per 100 grams of henna) it will help keep your curl pattern and also tone down the bright red color a bit.

[thatcrazychick]

If you add amla to your henna mix (25 grams of amla per 100 grams of henna) it will help keep your curl pattern and also tone down the bright red color a bit.
OK, thanks. Is it as permanent as henna? What is the best method for this amount of color change - just the amla, should I dilute the mix, leave it on for a shorter time, less dye release, etc.?



Sounds like henna would work well for you. But it seems you want your hair a bit brighter? Henna won't lighten, only darken over repeated applications.

Welcome to LHC!
Oh yeah, sorry, that's the tone I'd like, but of course darker won't hurt. Basic photo editing FTW. Darker & richer is my ideal goal. I'm not really into copper - my cousin has it naturally anyways, wouldn't want to compete.:p (Should I consider adding a touch of indigo, or is that too much?)