Hola Chicas,
Sorry for leaving y'all hanging yesterday...
Henna Gloss Purpose: A henna gloss is used when you want subtle color change along with deep conditioning. It's easier to apply because of the wonderful slip provided by the conditioner, much easier to rinse, and leaves your hair smooth and soft, as opposed to crackily and dry after a straight or full strength henna treatment.
Yesterday I called it a mild henna, but I'd like to retract that. I started thinking... it would be considered a mild henna if I used less henna and more conditioner. My mix was 50/50... so I guess I did more of a Conditioning Henna Treatment! Remember that the property in henna that dyes the hair red, is the same one that conditions, strengthens, defizzes, and smooths. Mixing in 1 or 2 tablespoons of henna (into a cup or two of conditioner) will give you very little color change, but you'll also miss out on the full effects of henna's conditioning powers... so you'll have to make that call yourself. This would be a great option for two types of folks:
1. Those of you that want to see what the hype is about, without making the color commitment. Just be sure to strand test, and to modify my recipe. You should mix 1-2 tablespoons of henna directly into your conditioner (not allowing for dye release) and only leave-in for 20-30 minutes. Henna is strong, so ALWAYS strand test... the red will creep up on ya quick!
2. Faithful henna'ers that want to experience soft, smooth results upon rinsing. It's truly amazing! My 50/50 mix left me with similar dye release, color uptake (I was surprised), strengthening, and smoothing. I'm impressed.
What You'll Need:
- BAQ Henna (at least 100g)
- A light, protein free conditioner-- Many users across the web like the Generic Matrix Biolage Balm from Sallys.
My Henna Gloss Instructions:
- Mix your henna as you would for a regular, full strength treatment. I added 100g of Jamila henna to 1.5 cups (I never measure... I just get it to the consistency of cake batter) of warm green tea. I usually use 2 or 3 tea bags.
- I sealed off the container and let it sit for a few hours... only because I was feeling lazy. In the future, I will probably go right into the next step.
- Mix in 1 cup of conditioner. I used Tresemme Naturals conditioner. Next time though, I will probably buy the Generic Biolage Balm conditioner because it is much thicker. Either that, or use less liquid to mix my henna. It was a little too runny for my liking.
- Apply to damp and detangled hair in sections. Then don a plastic baggy, cotton balls or tissue rolled up near your ears to catch drippies, and a scarf to cover the ugly mess, lol.
- Leave in for the desired amount of time. Remember, the shorter (15-30 minutes), the less dye uptake... so less red, but also less conditioning. I left mine in overnight, which is why I'm referring to it as a Conditioning Henna Treatment. I got the full benefits of henna with the added bonus of a moisturizing DT!
- Dunk your head in the tub to wash away most of the mix. Hop in the shower and rinse away the rest using a cheapy, slippery conditioner. It rinses very easily, and you could probably skip the tub dunking :)
- Apply a Deep Treatment
- Rinse, and style as usual. I did my typical Twist-n-Curl and flat twisted the roots. This new modification (the flat twisting) has done AMAZING things! My waves/curls are much more consistent.
1. Modify my recipe and leave it in for less time if you want only a subtle color change. If you want the full benefits of color and henna's conditioning powers, leave in for at least 4 hours (I leave mine in overnight).
2. Use a cheapy conditioner free of protein, and preferably free of cones.
3. If you're trying my mix, use the least amount of tea possible... too much and you'll have an annoying runny mess.
Later Gators,
Nik
34 comments:
This is great! Henna usually leaves my hair so dry and I have to condition SEVERAL times after to get my hair feeling normal again. This seems like a great alternative. I'll try this soon :)
Thanks, Nikki!
@KeetaRay as far as the dryness you are experiencing from using henna, try adding some essential oils into your henna mix and maybe some honey as well. This will combat on the drying effect.
@ Nikki, thanks for sharing your glossing treatment proceedure. I can't wait to try it.
Your results look amazing. I think I may have to try this Henna thing out. (I was scared that it would dry my hair out)
On another note: Did you cut your hair? It looks shorter.
-NappilyBeautiful
BEAUTIFUL! Can you do a indigo dye after this henna gloss???
Looking forward to finding out if yesterdays awesome definition was a result of this henna gloss or the aveda defining whip!!!
Where do you purchase your henna? I am taking my kinky twists down and would like to try henna. Do you think it's wise to do it after taking down braids?
now i'm gonna be trying henna in a few days and i didn't do a strand test. instead i followed hennaforhair.com's suggestion of harvesting hair and testing it with one of their samples. is that ok?
Anyone know if this method has less of a affect on your curl pattern? My curls have loosened up a bit after 4 regular strength henna treatments over the last year. I love the color and shine but I'm scared to loosen my curls anymore...help!
Flat twisting? How do I find out what this is?
Flat twisting is like doing cornrows, except you use 2 strands of hair like a regular twist instead of 3 like when you braid. Your twists lay flat against your head; worked great when I was transitioning. There are quite a few videos on Youtube (and I think a few on this site) to show you how to do them!
Thanks Nikki for that! I will be adding highlights to my hair soon and I want the big hair and the strengthening and conditioning properties. Your hair looks so lovely, I love the gloss and the lushness.
Blessings!
Your hair looks amazing, it reminds me of my hair when i was pregnant. I kept taking prenatal vitamins after i had my baby but my hair lost some of its lushness. I think the high estrogen and progesterone levels in my body while pregnant and lack of shedding was responsible for the great hair i had.
Thank you so much for the henna gloss recipe. The last henna application resulted in extra dry, crispy hair. In June I'm going to add conditioner and a few cap fulls of moroccan oil. Again, thank you.
I did Nikki's gloss recipe last night using Trader Joes Nourish Spa Conditioner, and a couple of squirts of honey. Plus I used plain distilled water instead of green tea. I like the results so far. This is my first henna experience....It rinsed out very easily with only one cowash. I had to dunk my head in water first, though.
I did Nikki's gloss this weekend using Hello Hydration Conditioner, a little honey, a little coconut oil and green tea. I LOVE the results! My hair is so soft and easier to manage! This was the first time I ever hennaed so I only left the mixture in for about 45 min, but like I said I love the way my hair looks and feels! I'm def adding this to my regimen!
Hi Nikki, I used Jamila but it was not the BAQ type. What other brands of BAQ Henna are good to try?
Henna Wonder
I always add Boiled Osmosis water(better than Distilled water)Olive Oil & Honey in my Henna Mix...I only use Henna from the Indian store (not Whole Foods)...you must watch out for Henna that has salts in them (this causes drying). Also, unlike most...I don't leave my Henna on overnite ...matter of fact, I sit under the hooded dryer for approx 45min-1hr only this speeds of the color process
Don't forget...use henna on clean hair!!!
Comment for Tressabella28--->consider the notes written in this comment or adjust how many times you are using the Henna a year...Good Luck!!!
Hey Ladies I henna for the first time on Saturday and I am in LOVE!!! This stuff is the truth. I will be doing this again next week. Thanks Curly Nikki
Hi! I was wondering, can I mix indigo with the henna and conditioner or would this be a separate application? This is my first time trying this and I am so nervous. I looove the blue/black hue that indigo can offer though.
Hey Nikki,
I did a henna conditioning gloss overnight and I'm so happy. I did a 50/50 mix with Aussie Moist and some inexpensive henna from an Indian grocery store. I put on the mix immediately because I'm not interested in the color taking (although it colored my sprinkling of grey hair now has a slight reddish tinge.) It was so easy to rinse out and after my deep condition with Kenra Moisturizing for 45 minutes under my bonnet dryer - my hair was so soft and easy to handle. I put in a set of two strand twists that I will twist out for work on Monday. Each twist is so smooth with no fly aways - love the results, love the site and love all the knowledge that you share! Thanks for all you do, especially during the exhaustion of your third trimester!!
I'm confused. How is this different from a regular henna session? I would like to try henna to cover my grays (I have a lot) and to condition and soften my hair. Which should I do? The gloss seems easier and less drying.
I have been wanting to try Henna,scary to do cause Im by no means great at figure out hair things sometimes. I also dont want end up with Ronald McDonald hair either so...I have some choices to make.
How long does the color stay in your hair??
Henna color is permanent and doesn't really "fade" all that much. BTW- technically any amount of time over 4 hours will not give you increased dye release.
~Nakia
Henna Body Artist
I love henna. This technique has intrigued me so much that I will be trying it TODAY!
I want to try henna but wanted to know if you have a light honey brown color hair. will the henna gloss darking my hair? Thanks!
I have done the full henna application a few times. Now, I rely more on a henna gloss. I don't have to worry about curl loosening. The color isn't as intense. Also, my hair is not as dry afterwards.
I am curious to do a henna gloss for the shine, softness mostly and a subtle color change (hair naturally dark brown but have golden brown/orangish highlights done early in the year that are growing out that I wouldn't mind having all med-dark brown hair).
I don't want curl loosening either...those of you who have done henna gloss to keep from curl loosening, would you suggest I not let the henna gloss mix sit for more than 30min-1hr and then apply to hair and only let it sit 30-60min?
I ordered a bundle from BNB (henna/cocoa powder) because I don't want real dark hair (henna/indigo). Has anyone tried this bundle?
Should I not add lemon juice and just warm water to the mix so I don't get too much color release?
I plan to poo and condish the day before and apply to clean dry hair the next day.
I also plan to deep condish (with heat) after rinsing the henna out and then doing a co-wash to detangle, rinse and style.
My main concerns about trying the henna gloss is curl loosening and having reddish hair on the parts that are still highlighted (just the front and sides).
Any suggestions/comments would be wonderful!
Thanks!
Can you henna without the color change? I like my natural hair color, and just want the effects of Henna
You hair does not look red. Is this only because you have used henna for so long?
CURLYNIKKI,
if I want to try ACV and Henna would you recommend doin them in the same day if YES which one FIRST????
thanks!
Thank you to my wonderful sister Serita for introducing me to Henna. I am so exited, today is the big day can't wait to see the end results. I am looking forward to having smooth, soft, silky, and shinny hair. Thank you Nikki!
Much Love, Jeanne
Hi CurlyNikki, just wondering if you had problems with your gray hair looking orange when you first started doing henna. I want to try it so bad. I have a few gray strands throughout my hair - but I dont want orange hair. thanks
The PJ in me couldn't be stopped. I went to get a facial at and Indian, Ayurvedic salon and couldn't resist trying out some of the henna they carried. They get their products right out of India. So I will be trying Shahair Ayurvedic henna. I've already tried Rajasthani BAQ and Jamila. So i'm just trying to find my staple...and this could be a local solution. It was $13 for a 200 mg jar. The jar is totally reusable too for future concoctions. I'll let you all know how I like it...it is 85% henna and it also has amla, shikaki, and a few other herbs mixed in. NO METALLIC SALTS! I'm excited!
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