Hola Chicas!
I've been henna'ing now for more than 2 years! My once fine head of hair, can now only be described as BIG. My curls hang longer (less shrinkage), the color is gorgeous, and the shine is ridiculous!! I owe it all to my other husband- BAQ HENNA.
Catherine at Henna For Hair has written a wonderful article on hennaing hair. You can download it from her site here.
So, what is Henna?
Henna, lawsonia inermis, is a plant. It is a large bush, or small tree, that grows in hot, dry climates. There is evidence from Egypt that henna was regularly used to dye hair five thousand years ago, and may have been used in Jericho as early as eight thousand years ago. Henna was used to keep hair healthy and to color gray hair. Source.
The dye inside this plant produces a red/brown stain on skin and various hues of red on hair. Henna can't lighten your hair, ever. On some colors of hair it may appear to brighten it, but you should count on any color you get with henna, being darker than what is already on your head.
Pros, Cons & Other Effects of Henna:
Henna has some undeniable benefits for hair, which is why so many people use it and love it.
Some of these pros include:
- Stronger Hair - The lawsone (dye) molecule penetrates the hair shaft, binding with the keratin in the hair. This makes hair stronger, but also is one of the qualities that makes henna removal near impossible. Henna also coats the hair and fills in rough spots on a frayed cuticle. This adds a second layer of strength, but it DOES NOT lock out moisture.
- Smoother, Shinier Hair - Henna, as stated above, does coat the hair, but it is a permeable coating that does not lock moisture out. The henna helps fill in rough spots on the cuticle. With the cuticle rough edges smoothed over, the hair feels smoother and the cuticle takes a lot less damage during combing and manipulation. It takes several days for Henna to stabilize. It becomes more flexible and durable as it oxidizes and cures--it is in fact a plant resin that is flexible and solvent enough to penetrate the hair at the cuticle, carrying pigment with it.
- Non-Fading Red - Anyone that has used red chemicals dyes knows how badly they fade. Henna may fade a little after the first application, but after the second application fades very little.
- The Absence of Chemicals - Chemical dyes are not only VERY damaging to hair, they can also cause scalp burns, allergic reactions, and recently studies have linked long term use to cancer.
- Application Process - Henna can be hard to apply evenly on your own, can be a huge mess, and is tiring on the arms and neck. It also has to be left on for a longer time than commercial chemical dyes (4-12 hours), so more time has to be slated for the process.
- Experimentation - To find your ideal mix, dye release time, application time, rinsing method, etc. all require some experimentation. It is not out-of-a-box color, and it may take some tweaking to find your ideal results. Your perfect color is never a guarantee.
- Dry Hair - Some people report dry hair after using henna. It mimics a protein treatment and you MUST follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner.
- Loss/Reduction in Curl - Many users of henna report a loss of curl. This is by no means a universal effect, and should be neither discounted, nor counted on. It seems that wavies (s curls) are the most susceptible to this, though some curlies are as well.
- Cannot Lighten Hair - Henna cannot lighten your hair, ever. On some colors of hair it may appear to brighten it, but you should count on any color you get with henna being darker than what is already on your head.
- Darkening with Multiple Applications - Henna will darken with multiple applications. If one wants to keep a lighter color, only the roots should be touched up, and repeated whole-head applications will progressively make the color less orange and more burgundy.
- Cost - Depending on your mix, how much hair you have and how often you henna, it may either be more or less expensive than chemical dyes. Though that doesn’t factor in one very important thing… the price your hair pays on chemical dyes. Many people find that they only need to do a full-length application one or two times, and the because henna doesn't fade much, they can save a lot of cost by only redoing the roots.
- The Smell - Some people love it, some people hate it, but the smell of henna lingers in your hair for awhile after the application, often reviving when your hair is wet. Some herbs, such as ginger, can be added to shift the smell of the mix, but nothing will eliminate it entirely. Most people feel it has a smell somewhat like grass or hay.
- Variable Color - Henna can and does shift in color depending on the light the hennaed hair is placed in. The same head of hair can go from burgundy to firey copper, just depending on the light.
Go to any local health food store and you’ll see boxes and boxes of “natural” hair coloring products claiming to be 100% henna. Well, we know that henna only comes in red, so what gives with all the shades of brown and blonde and black? Many natural hair colors are a blend of henna, cassia, indigo, and other color enhancing herbs. Beware, though. Many “henna dyes” contain things other than herbs, that can SERIOUSLY damage your hair.
What is Neutral Henna (Cassia Obovata)?
Cassia Obovata is often referred to as “neutral henna.” It is not henna and it does not alter the color of hair greatly, though it may give more golden tones with repeated applications. It has similar conditioning benefits as henna, but they are not permanent, and they disappear without reapplication.
The above info is taken from the member Nightshade at longhaircommunity: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=7
My Henna Results!!
The proof is in the pudding:
Here's an August 2006/November 2007 comparison, and an October 2006/November 2007 comparison.
Top Row= Fall '06 versus Fall '07
Bottom Row= Fall '06 versus Fall '07 :
My hair is shinier, STRONGER, and silkier. The texture is much smoother and slightly looser. Henna has drastically decreased my breakage and splitting, reduced shrinkage, and has overall improved the look and health of my hair. I'm a henna head for life!!!
My Routine:
I began my henna journey in October 2007. I henna'ed two to three times a week for the first month. After I read that henna has a cumulative effect (the more you do it, the more apparaent the results), I went overboard, lol. I saw the color and shine after about 2 treatments, but the loosening, de-frizzing and rich shine developed over several weeks. From November 2007-January 2008, I henna'ed once a week, or once every other week, and since then, I've been henna'ing once a month. It can get to be a bit expensive, depending on the frequency of application, but it is sooooooooo worth it!
My Mix:
150-200g of Personal Stash Jamila Henna (purchased from www.mehandi.com)
1.5-2 cups of cooled green tea (I brew 4 bags in filtered water)
**I mix the two in a plastic tub and put the lid on.
Application:
I'm a professional now, so I don't need to cover the bathroom in newspaper anymore. I still get the occasional splatter, but it is no where near as bad as it use to be! So, if you're a newbie, and don't want what will look like poo stains everywhere, please lay out some paper!!!
I also don't let my henna sit anymore (it's believed that the dye won't release until 20 hours have lapsed, but with Jamila henna, the dye is releasing as I'm mixing it up)...I apply it immediately after mixing. Once the mix is ready, I hop in the shower, condition, and detangle. Once I get out of the shower, I take the lid off the mix, and add about 3 tablespoons of honey to make it smoother, and aid in the rinsing process. I then apply the pudding-like mix to small sections of my wet (but not dripping) hair and slap on a plastic cap. I leave the henna on for 12 or so hours- I apply it at night (around 7pm) and rinse when I wake up. If you decide to sleep in it, you may want to don 2 plastic caps and a satin scarf that you won't mind getting dirty. If you start to leak, create a cotton ball barrier between the elastic of the cap and your skin.
Rinsing:
When morning comes, I can't tell you how excited I am to rinse that heavy mess out and reveal my lovely tresses! I fill the tub halfway with luke warm water, get on my knees and dunk my head in. I splash around to loosen it up a bit, then I position my head under the faucet and let the pressured water get most of the henna out. I then promptly turn on the shower head. While the water from the shower stream is cleaning out the tub, I load my head up with a ton of slippery conditioner, to soften my hair a bit. I then begin rinsing, and rinsing, and rinsing some more! Since my hair was detangled prior to application, there usually aren't many knots. I re-load on conditioner and rinse upwards of 4 times. Finally, I apply a deep conditioner and apply heat for an hour or so. I get back in the shower, rinse, and style :)
Needless to say, after a henna weekend, my body is squeaky clean! Luckily, our water bill doesn't reflect it, lol.
I know this is a lot of info...I hope it was helpful and please don't hesitate to ask questions. I can chat about my Henna alllllll day :D
So, what have your experiences with henna been? Share the good, the bad and the ugly! Maybe your comments will help someone else :D
Happy Henna'ing ladies!
58 comments:
Hey Nikki! :)) I think I can say that I am a henna head too...My experiences with henna have been great! I still let my henna sit because I don't use Jamila brand but I might try it again and let you know...I mix henna with apple cider vinegar diluted in water and after I let the mixture sit over night I add honey and mix it up until it is a pudding texture...I apply it to freshly washed hair as I have been told it absorbs better in clean, wet hair...I let it stay on for 4-6 hours and then I rinse and use conditioner to help rinse it out...I end up with frizzless hair that starts off kind of strawlike but ends up soft and moisturized after I follow up with a deep condition. Anyway, ultimately henna strengthens my hair and promotes shine as well as helping with frizz!
Thanks Nikki for creating this blog! You are my hair idol! I wish I could love henna as much as you.Don't get me wrong, I loved henna at one time. But I have a problem with how it coats the hair. My hair will not even take a black rinse anymore. So it makes me wonder, if it is blocking the rinse is it blocking everything else I put in my hair? Idk, anyway your hair looks AWESOME!!!
Hey! I am currently transitioning from a relaxer. Before this relaxer I was natural for almost 3 years. I am 4 months post now and I am interested in the conditioning properties of Henna. I was wondering if I should start the Henna now, while my natural hair is growing out? I want to make sure it is being treated right straight out the gate! I have already switched to more natural products (i.e. AO, Giovanni, Coconut Oil) What do you think?
Dyani, I don't see why not! As long as it is Body Art Quality (BAQ) henna from a respectable dealer, I don't foresee any issues. The only thing I rec' is to make sure you do heavy moisture treatments directly following the rinsing process. I've never transitioned, but I've read that the demarcation (sp?) line- the place where the relaxed hair meets the natural hair, is very fragile. Henna definitely makes the hair a little stiff post rinse, so please, please, please use a very moisturizing (protein free) conditioner following. I purchase my henna from mehandi.com. Also, check out the thread below (you may have to paste it into a browser) its all about henna on relaxed and transitioning ladies:
http://www.hennaforhair.com/forum/index.php?module=phpwsbb&PHPWSBB_MAN_OP=view&PHPWS_MAN_ITEMS[]=7381&4e888c709e0d92276bae8ba6a347c0e5=3a62498040bccb3d031233a82c9ee3fb
hth! and thanks for reading :D
~CN~
Thanks!
I have not used henna..yet...I suppose.I am skeptical about using it. I do not know. You see about my curls I do not want to lose them. D':...The unknown is like getting to me. I mean do your curls forever, and is it like a light texturizer. I am sorry I do not understand. I appreciate your help in advance.^_^
you have me excited about trying henna!!! my PJism is kicking in...
which henna specifically are you using....I am on mehandi now, and they have punjabi prime, one from yemen, one for african hairone from rajasthan, and one from pakistan...I ordered a sample of each to see what color each turns my hair and I guess i would make my decision from there
Thank you ladies for the compliments!
Yuyu, the henna will not permanently loosen your curls, and it also won't be very dramatic. Remind me to post pics of what my hair looks like the day after hennaing, versus one month post henna. It truly depends on the number of times you wash a week- if you wash more often, the loosening will be less noticeable much sooner, than someone who only washes once a week. However, the more treatments you do, the more you notice the loosening, shine, and smoothness. If I stopped hennaing this month, my hair would maintain its current look for upwards of 2-3 months, but I've been henna'ing for a year now. Long story short, it won't be dramatic and its definitely not permanent. If you want to keep the curls the way they are use amla powder in your mix. Also, know that everyone doesn't experience the loosening effect. You might have nothing to worry about! HTH!!!
Joanna, I use Jamila brand henna from www.mehandi.com I've tried others, but it's my old faithful-best stain, best results.
I'm a bit excited to find all of this info. My hair is very hard to keep moist no matter wht i do so i'm convinced henna would help.. on top of that I'm in love with red hair lol... what better way to get both color and healthy strands?
I'm not sure where to get henna though... its hard to get it online since i'm not in the states so that would be an extra few dollars for shipping etc... So I'm wondering what brands are good besides Jamila... thanks again.. going to do more research.. (deep conditoner)
Hey, I know it has been awhile since you used cassia, but do you remember what you mixed it with and how long you left it on?
This is a great topic for a thread. I'll look back though old posts and let you know tomorrow.
I think I just used water...and a little honey. But I'll check and see :D
Hi Curlynikki
I have a quick question - you have already touched on it but I just need further clarification. I am going to purchase Jamila henna. So I don't need to wait for color release? I tend to get excited when I buy stuff (total PJ!) and really did not want to hang around for hours for color release. So if I can really use it immediately after mixing that would be great!
Justme, you're totally right! Mix it with warm, not hot green tea ( I let it sit for a while, and when its cool enough for me to squeeze the liquid from the tea bags, i know I can mix it) and cover it. I then immediately hop in the shower, and apply it 20-30 minutes later. The dye has already released, and as long as you leave it on for longer than 4 hours, or overnight, you'll be fine!
hth and happy henna'ing!
nik
Thanks for the reply! I have another question, I'm full of them today LOL! I want to buy my jamila henna in bulk to save on shipping costs, I'm thinking 1kg which should last for approx 10 uses. Do you think it's a good idea? Can I store the unopened powder in the fridge or freezer?
I see Nikki.^_^ Well, I applied Cassia to my hair today for the first time. I am waiting to see the results.^_^
Nikki- Im curious, I used henna once and my hair came out kind of hard and it felt dry and I didnt notice any frizz reduction. How does your hair feel afterwards and how long did it take for you to see results?
Hellloooooo Nikki.^.^ I liked how the cassia helped my hair. Now I am ready to try henna....Hopefully, I will not beceme addicted. x3
I'm so glad I found this site! Your hair is beautiful! I recently died my hair soft black using Feria by L'oreal. I would like to start using henna for its conditioning properties. Do I need to let my hair grow out? If not, what henna mix do you suggest I use? Please help! Thanks!
Tai
hi nikki,
i think next month i want to try cassia. im definitely not interested in red hair but if cassia can give the same effects without the color i want to try. Is it supposed to be prepared the same as henna? and how do i find out about all these extras (ie honey, acv, herbs) to add for different effects?
Hey CurlyNikki,
They are having a sale on the Jamila Henna from 2006. What year are you using? Do you think I'll lose a lot of the effects with the older stuff.
hi nikki, your website is really chock full of info and your hair looks gorgeous! i have been researching henna for a while now and i finally feel like i'm ready to take the plunge. i've been natural for over a year now and i love my hair, but sometimes it can be a little dry. i also want to experiment with color without using dyes or harsh chemicals. i've checked mehandi.com and based on your recommendation, i'm going to try the jamila brand, but i just wanted to ask if you had ever tried the BAQ henna for african hair from mehandi. also, have you had any negative reactions (itchy scalp, headaches, etc.) after hennaing?
Justme, definitely! Buy in bulk when you can...it saves money. I usually buy at least 500g at a time, sometimes more. Store your boxes in the freezer.
Anonymous, my hair feels dry and a bit straw like upon the intial rinse. Apply a DT and it will immediately normalize.
Yuyu, I'm happy you had a great experience with Cassia! I can't wait to hear about your henna experiences...I'm sure you'll love it! THe effects are more apparent and longer lived.
Anonymous, know that when you choose to henna, it is a commitment. You can henna over dyed hair (as long as you're using pure body art quality henna from a respectable site), but it's hard to use commercial dyes over henna'ed hair. If you choose to henna, be sure that you're not planning to go back to commercial dyes anytime soon.
Rissa, cassia is a little different. I mixed mine with water (no acid), and a bit of honey for application purposes. Check out www.hennaforhair.com for other cassia mixes. You can also throw in some oils!
Lanaboogie, I have summer 2007 and 2008. I think it has a shelf life of 5 years, so 2006 should be fine! I'll have to check that out!
Tammy, it's exciting to hear that you're contemplating taking the henna plunge! I henna'ed for the first time in Oct. 2007, and never looked back. I never get headaches, but when I sleep in it, I get mild sneezing spells the next day (like a minor head cold). Jamila is the best...but I can't review the 'henna for black hair' at mehandi, because I've never tried it. I'm a Jamila girl, alllll the way :D
Hey Nikki :) Well Im so glad you posted this, I have been reading your thread on nc.com and went ahead and bought 200g of cassia. I hope thats enough!! Now though Im thinking maybe I should of went ahead and bought henna? On menhandi site which henna do you buy? I dont know which one to choose? Theres so many there!! Should I do the cassia more than oonce then henna? Or is it ok to do the cassia when it comes and get henna now and do it weekly for about a month? What do you recommend?
alright lol I was super impatient and excited to buy my first henna lol so i couldnt wait, i just bought the pujabi prime from menhadi. I hope hope hope that its a good one cause instead of taking it baby steps ....i bought 500g. i dont even know you nikki but its your fault lol you and your gorgeous hair!! haha :) i hope you dont mind that ill def be asking what to do with it when it comes. well which green tea to use.
Hi Nikki: I'm new at this. I love your page. I came across your page from naturallycurly.com. I wanted to take a look at your henna pictures from photobucket, but it asked me for a password. Can I please have the password so I can view your pictures?
Thanks,
Nikki (yeah - same name) lol
hi nikki,
thanks for responding to my comment earlier. i wanted to come back and tell you that my henna came in from mehandi on friday, and i hennaed on saturday!! i kept it in for 12 hours (slept with it in saturday night) and washed it out this morning. i followed your recipe and used green tea (good earth) instead of ACV, and followed up with a AO HSR and oyin honey-hemp conditioner DT. i am soo in love with my hair!! it's soft, shiny and it feels incredible!! i just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful resource your website created. i was sooo scared to henna before i found your site, and now i'm so glad that i did!!
Hi, Nikki! As most will agree, your blog is wonderful. So, I am looking to henna my hair not only for the conditioning effects but color as well. I have dull medium brown hair with dull, very light brown ends and I want to change it all up going a deeper, shinier dark brown. Now, I understand you are not using indigo which is needed to achieve this color. Do you have any suggestions or advice? I know you can't testify to using indigo but do you happen to know the process?
Hi Nikki-
Question, you mention that part of your hair is 4a texture, I have 4a on the sides and Im finding that as I henna the 4a part is getting looser but frizzier. Did you have this experience and did it subside over time? Please let me know because I dont want my sides to turn into big puff balls:-) Thanks
Hey Nikki-
I thought might appreciate this link, its an interview about Henna
yhttp://www.everydayhenna.com/interview1.htmlou
Hey CurlyNikki,
After reading your experience with henna and scouring the threads on Nappturality.com, I decided to give it a try. I went to my local Indian store, but didn't feel comfortable purchasing something that didn't say it was 100% henna, since I have had a chemical color previously. I ended up purchasing Hesh Heenara, which is a blend of henna (36%), shikikai, amla, brahmi and other Ayurvedic herbs (64%).
My recipe:
2 boxes Hesh Heenara (200 g)
2 t finely-ground clove powder
2.5 c spiced tea
0.5 oz rice wine vinegar
2 T honey
2 T molasses
I sifted the powders to remove any big pieces (just a couple), then blended all the wet ingredients into the powders and let it sit for 24 hours. I slathered it in, wrapped my hair up 3x in plastic, put on a scarf and went to bed.
The next day, it seemed like the water was never ever going to run clear, but after a few applications of Suave Citrus Smoothie conditioner, O.M.G - easy, breezy and I only lost about 15-20 strands of hair! After using Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner as a leave in, and using Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream and Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm, my hair is noticeably rich, soft & dark. I am in love!
As I type, I am prepping more henna. This time I was able to find Ayur Rajasthani Henna at another Indian grocer, and I will add clove and amla to this mix. I plan to do a treatment once monthly, switching between the Hesh Heenara and Ayur. Thanks thanks thanks!!!!!!
I am so excited to try henna!!! It seems like whatever I do, how many times I DT, my hair is never strong or soft. It always feels really dry and brittle to me. I can't wait to try henna to see how my hair reacts. Lawd knows I need the strength and moisture!!!! Thanks Nikki!!
Does DT= detangling???
hey nikki a girl from keepitsimple gave me your site so i stopped by and MY GOODNESS so much info , if i thought i could do i would even go back to natural lol but i know myself so it will be baby steps.
i am planning on using Henna, and i am glad you have all this info thnx
i do have a question though do i mix the powder with the tea only or do i add some water , then the tea and then honey??? sorry if it is a stupid question but i wanna get it before i experiment lol what king of consistency should it have .......???? like yogurt, less heavy or more heavy??? thankx thankx thankx
Mishell
Hi CN,
Just wanted to thank for this info. I tried your technique last week and the color came out beautiful but my hair was a bit dry. I did my second application of henna last night and added in more tea and way more honey and my hair came out great! Much softer and very shiny. Woohoo! Anyway just wanted to say thanks :)
so? did you curls get looser? after how many treatments?
Hi Nikki,
I'm a down low lover of your page....and i plan to take the Henna PLUNGE... I have rec'd my henna today, it's the African American brand!! Not sure what this is like since I haven't heard much about it! Anyhoo, I can't do it until the weekend since I plan to let sit on overnight but will get back to ya with noticeable results.....I'm looking forward to big hair and thicker strands...
Val
Hi Nikki!
Im planning on doing a henna treatment as soon as mine come in! Im really excited, but I quick question about the strand test. I recently did my BC and I my hair is about an inch long. I've had vary little sheding so I don't really have enough hair to do a strand test on. I was wondering if it would be ok to do a strand test on a small, unnoticable part of the hair on my head???
Hi Nikki,
I'm a down low lover of your page....and i plan to take the Henna PLUNGE... I have rec'd my henna today, it's the African American brand!! Not sure what this is like since I haven't heard much about it! Anyhoo, I can't do it until the weekend since I plan to let sit on overnight but will get back to ya with noticeable results.....I'm looking forward to big hair and thicker strands...
Val
FOLLOW UP:
Hey Nik,
I've Henna'd twice. First time with orange juice/honey/tea & the second time with 100% lemon juice with African American Henna from Mehandi.com
Okay, the 2nd time I can see and feel the thickness of this hair (Lion King in the house) My roots are a really pretty reddish/coppery color. So my feel on the AA henna is that is good for conditioning benefits. "I can hang from a tree with my strands now" BUT if color is what one is after, their hair should be brownish to totally see the stain/shine effect.
I have black hair with/brownish roots..so my roots are doing the thing :)
I plan to Henna for a third time in the next week or so, this time I'm going for the Jamila brand and I'll see what's up with your favorite Henna:)
Later Nik,
Val
Hey Nikki,
Wondering had you ever heard this before?? I spoke with someone at Mehandi.com and actually it was about ordering Jamila 06. BUT, we ended up discussing the African American henna results I've had in the past.... Long story short, the rep said that the issue i'm having with stronger dye release is due to my Henna batch oxidizing before I put it on my hair. Now she mentioned the issue was that I need to make sure that the batch was covered with Saran Wrap! Not only colored but that the saran should touch and basically seal the Henna and this was to eliminate air from the batch processing. I asked if a bowl with lid would do the trick and she said "no" air is still entering.....Okay so I plan to try one more again :) this time suffocating the batch with Saran Wrap, Plastic Cap, and plastic bag LOL..... I will post the difference. However, is this something you've heard of?
April 14, 2009 3:49 PM
Hey Nikki,
Wondering had you ever heard this before?? I spoke with someone at Mehandi.com and actually it was about ordering Jamila 06. BUT, we ended up discussing the African American henna results I've had in the past.... Long story short, the rep said that the issue i'm having with stronger dye release is due to my Henna batch oxidizing before I put it on my hair. She mentioned that I need to make sure that the batch is covered with Saran Wrap! Not only covered but that the saran should touch and basically seal the Henna and this was to eliminate air from the batch fully processing. I asked if a bowl with lid would do the trick and she said "no" air is still entering.....Okay so I plan to try African American Henna one more again :) this time suffocating the batch with Saran Wrap, Plastic Cap, and plastic bag LOL..... I will post the difference. However, is this something you've heard of? Hope you don't mind the long post....
VAL
i have been reading your henna story and i am so impressed. right now my hair looks like yours prior to henna. i have been getting very frustrated with my hair and you have given me inspiration. thanks.
Curly Nikki! I think you've been sent from heaven! Doing research now but can't wait to post my before and after Henna pics!
Hey Nikki!!! Love the site...I've recommended this site to a few friends of mine too. My question is what did your jamila henna package look like? I'm using one of those prepaid Visa cards and it doesn't seem to work well with PayPal, which is what mehandi.com uses. I want to purchase from another site, so I just wanted to make sure I was purchasing the true jamila henna. Thanks
I tried to henna my hair for conditioning purposes and i think i protien overloaded my hair and i was wondering how to reverse the effects???
and whenever i do henna again what moisturizing conditioner is the best and how often can i henna my hair?
my hair type is 3c/4a it is silky when wet and a sahara desert once it dries (Yikes!!!) what to do???
xoxo Jas
Nikki - You are my hair idol. lol. I love your website... it has all the information I have ever wanted to know about doing natural hair. Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom with the rest of us.
Question; did you notice a change in the texture of your hair between Fall '06 and '07 after using the henna? And how often do you trim your ends?
HEY Nikki,
I have been using henna for over a year now. My hair has shine and an red under tone to it. My hair is 4b type and it has loosen my curls in the back of my head. So I only use it every 3 or 4mos, no more than that.
I mix Jamila Henna (please only use this brand) with orange juice & water, 1 tablespoon of honey. I make thick like cake frosting, I cover it with plastic wrap.Than let it sit on my stove top over night for about 12hr. I do this to let the dye release. I apply it to my hair wet, and leave it on for 4hr(no longer than that).
I put my head in a tub of water to loosen the henna, and follow up with a deep conditioner.
Hey Nikki,
I recently started using Henna since about January. At first, it was a little difficult because I didn't know what to expect. I first used the Rainbow Henna from Whole Foods but did not care for the results in terms of the color but my hair was softer and appeared shiner. I was convinced to keep trying so I went to my local Indian grocery store and this time bought the Neha Mehandi Henna. I like it. At one time, I was doing a henna treatment every week but now I do it about every three weeks to a month.
I usually put jojoba oil in my treatment and let it sit on top of the refrigerator overnight. Once I am ready to apply the henna, I usually do it at night and sleep in it and rinse out in the morning. I do find my hair is a little crunchy but my hair has been growing like crazy! I need to keep experimenting with it and I think I will get it. I have some red hues but nothing considerably noticeable. I don't mind as long as it is healthy and strengthing my hair.
Nikki--Please give some feedback on what you think I can do to eliminate the crunchy feeling after using henna.
I actually have henna in my hair right now. This is my first henna experience. Though I have yet to see the results, I am already happy lol. It was such a soothing experience for me. Totally beats coloring hair with some strong chemical smelling dye and feeling my brain cells dissipate with every fume. The plant smell was awesome. And I got to see how long my hair actually is (my shrinkage is NOT a game) without applying intense heat. I think henna just may be a good look. Thanks Nikki!
CN
First I am a virgin when it comes to Henne!! I was planning on doing my hair this weekend, but I ordered some Henne and it did not have a
1. DATE not on the bottom of the box
2. WRAPPER containing the HENNA was not in FOIL
And I am scared to put on my hair .....HELP PLZ
I'm light blonde and I got henna from an Indian store, its a few years old now and still I only need to let it sit for 30 min max and leave on my hair for 5 minutes. Longer than that and I would be Lucille Ball!Covers all the white/silver hairs
I am so interested in the Henna. Unfortunately I had a horrible reaction, receiving a Henna hair color treatment. It was Bigen brand and supposed to be black. Reading all these inputs I am wondering if the product was true Henna. I am allergic to chemical hair dye. So I wanted to try a natural one, and the reaction was the same. Are you familiar with Bigen Henna? And is that something totally different. I have going natural for about a year now. And just sounds like doing a Henna treatment would be great right now.
Nikki,
Nice break down of this process! I will keep this breif since you have many followers.
1. Why don't you use an acidic liquid? I read that lemon juice is often used, but you just use tea-water.
2. Is henna a "commitment" like a perm? As in if you stop, your hair will begin to break off at the point where the henna was applied and new growth.
3. When you are applying your conditioner, the deep conditioner, you are rinsing it out correct? When do you apply a leave-in over hennified-hair.
tootles!
Hi CN....I'm like the sister who posted on May 7 who said:
"CN
First I am a virgin when it comes to Henne!! I was planning on doing my hair this weekend, but I ordered some Henne and it did not have a
1. DATE not on the bottom of the box
2. WRAPPER containing the HENNA was not in FOIL
And I am scared to put on my hair .....HELP PLZ"
I have the same exact issue...a box of Jamila with no date and the bag inside is in a clear unopend bag...it says Superior Quality..Please help!! Thanks, Nia
Hi Nikki,
I have jet black (perm color) hair currently (the only chemical I have) but I wanted to know if I use the Indigo after the Hena treatment would that be just as healthy. I really like my dark hair and would also like to leave the hena on over night for the full benifits?
I have been applying henna to my hair for over a year now and the results are amazing. I do indigo applications afterwards but my hair is soooooooo dark and shiny. I always get compliments on it.
I always leave it overnight. And I do the same with the indigo so it is a 2-3 day process for me. And I have begun to henna every weekend. I don't care. It works.
http://pgurlatl.fotki.com
First I want to say thank you for everything! I have been transitioning for 1.7 years. I am really excited about using henna. I live in a densely populated Indian neighborhood with several Indian grocers, so I decided to see if they had the Jamila henna in stock. They had it and it was only 1.99 for 100g. On the website it is 7.50 for 100g. I am kinda afraid to use it. The box looks the same as the one on the web site but it does not say BAQ anywhere...maybe it is old??? I am nervous...
Hello hello, all!!
This is amazing!! It makes me soooooooooooo happy to see so many women in love with their hair!! I just got on looking for ways to end the breakage and look at all this!! I love this site!!
I want to try henna as well, though my concern is the idea that my hair may turn red. My hair is jet black however, so this may not even occur.
Also, what is everyone's favorite leave-in conditioner to use with henna?? I got some amazing honey and coconut conditioner in Egypt, but I am sure Sally's Beauty Supply has something just as great!! Hey, maybe they have henna, too!!
Best wishes to everyone!!
ABA
I just got my first Henna in the mail today! I am so excited to try it and see the results!
Thanks so much Nikki for all the information!
Hi Nikki I have some grays I was wanting to use henna, but I am afraid the henna is going to turn my grays green or some weird color. Please let me know if it is safe to henna with the gray hairs that I have. If so how well does it cover the grays the first application.
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