My Henna and Manic Panic Journey with Pics

**oatmealpie** · July 3rd, 2013, 11:16 AM

I'm so excited to finally be able to post on LHC! I've been lurking for months, waiting for registration to open up.

After years of chemically dying and highlighting my hair, I started using henna in May. The first time I used natural red henna maiden from Henna King mixed with lemon juice and green tea and left it on for about 3 hours. My hair felt a little crunchy (probably from the lemon juice), but I liked the bright orange tones that shone through from my highlights.

Henna Attempt 1, Day 1 in shade:

The second time I mixed Jamila henna from hennasooq.com with hot chamomile tea and allowed 1.5 hours for dye release. I added lavender essential oil and a little olive oil to get it to a thick brownie batter consistency. I left it on for 3 hours and used a silicone-free conditioner (Suave Naturals in coconut) to remove it. My hair was super shiny and not as crunchy as the first time I henna'ed.

Henna Attempt 2, Day 1 in Shade:

Henna Attempt 2, Day 1 in Sun:

After a few days the color oxidized and looked a little brassy, so I decided to try out Manic Panic. I applied half a tub of Electric Lava and left it on for about an hour. It came out more of a burgundy color than I was expecting.

Manic Panic Electric Lava over Henna, Day 2 in Shade:

Manic Panic Electric Lava over Henna, Day 2 in Sun:

After 3 washes in the shade:

Texture-wise, my hair vastly prefers Manic Panic (moisture) over henna (protein). The Manic Panic leaves it soft, shiny and manageable. The color tends to last, too.

**Nightshade** · July 3rd, 2013, 11:22 AM

Welcome to lhc!

Beautifully done, the color looks great on you. Do you think you'll continue to do henna and then manic panic on top? Or just try to run with the MP and see how it goes?

**Firefox7275** · July 3rd, 2013, 11:56 AM

Welcome! Gorgeous colour, wish I suited warm reds sometimes. Some of us leave high pigment semi permanents like Manic Panic on for hours at a time, that gives a particularly enduring colour. You may find the MP doesn't absorb very well as your old lightened hair grows out.

**Agnieszka** · July 3rd, 2013, 01:23 PM

beautiful, shiny colour! Really suits you.

**kellinaturalmom** · July 3rd, 2013, 03:07 PM

Oatmealpie, your color is so great, it looks wonderful on you. I like it with the Manic Panic.

**oatmealpie** · July 3rd, 2013, 03:35 PM

Thanks, y'all! I'm planning on keeping up with the henna on my roots once a month and applying MP a week or so later.

It's kind of nice having a red so vibrant that strangers don't ask "Is that your natural color?"

**Hairitic** · July 4th, 2013, 09:03 AM

Just Gorgeous! I may have to try some MP over my henna

**Konstifik** · July 4th, 2013, 10:01 AM

Lovely!

I have bought a can of MP Wildfire but it has just been sitting in the bathroom for weeks. You've motivated me to get started, because it looks badass!