Thank you for your thoughts
I remember reading about your experiences with henna - that sounded less than optimal when you wanted to remove it. Luckily, I've never liked my natural colour, and I spent decades as a readhead of one shade or another, so I'm already sure it suits me and I like it. I've been in a pink mood for several years - on and off, had a ginger and red phase in the middle - but it'll be time to move on eventually. And yes, I'm absolutely sure I want to use henna. Bright red hennaed hair just grabs me, every single time, it's so beautiful. I love it in sunlight, I love the fact it doesn't fade, I love how it looks different in different lights, I love the smell, I love the permanence, and I love how you can dye over it with direct dyes to get really bright colours - and the base colour won't fade! That's the thing I'm looking forward to the most, having a gorgeous base colour that will strengthen my hair rather than damaging it, and where it's safe enough for me to touch up my roots as often as I like. I've used it before many years ago, so the mess and potential difficulties in application won't be a surprise to me.
That's a very good point re. indigo
Happily, I've read up thoroughly on the chemistry/application etc. of henna (and indigo), so I'm forewarned on the pitfalls, plus I'm invested in bright deep reds, so I won't be using indigo at all - there's a danger I might get brown with that, which isn't what I'm aiming for. And as you say, if you bleach it you get green, and I'm definitely going to be bleaching in the future - I'll want highlights so the henna is a mix of reds and coppers (or reds and brighter reds with whatever direct dye I put over the top), so indigo is completely out. But the way henna responds to bleaching is perfect for me.
I do like the idea of having the already-bleached bits way brighter - like a fire ombre. I just don't think it'd suit me around the face to have everything copper. Been there before, and it's fine until I blush or get warm! I'm too pink for that. I don't actually want to get rid of the bleach, I miss it so much, but I want a good base for the henna so I have to let it grow out.
I like the idea of setting a goal. Maybe another year of pink and purple on the bleached bits, leaving the roots alone (dislike them as I do). Gonna ponder that...
Sorry that was such a long reply!
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