Instead of lounging around this morning, I got up and hit the streets. I was running dangerously low on DevaCare One Condition, DevaCurl Set it Free, and cheapie conditioner. I also ran out of vitamins over a week ago. It was way past time to re-up.
In other, loosely related news, I’ve received LOTS of emails requesting that I do reviews of the cheaper, store brand hennas. I’ve always been curious, but I generally don’t stray from what works. However, this mop of mine is getting bigger by the day, and its taking more and more henna to do a single treatment. 200g of henna, or 1 treatment, costs about 14 dollars before shipping. Craziness. I’m hoping to cut my beloved Jamila with one of these cheaper Indian grocery brands. I picked up two today- both are 100% henna, and claim to be body art quality. They both cost a mere 1.99 per 100g. SAWEET! My next henna treatment will consist of one box of the good stuff, and one box of the cheapie. I’ll keep you gorgeous gals posted.
Later Gators,
Nik
Day 3 hair…I think. I’ve been sleeping with it out, and so far so good. I haven’t worn my bonnet in more than 2 weeks! I actually posted this pic because you can see a hint of henna red on my ends- the ends that were once highlighted brown.
p.s. While at Trader Joe’s I purchased Fage Low Fat Plain Yogurt (I’m a follower of the gorgeous Suburbanbushabe..can you tell), and edamame beans. About once every few months I get on a health kick. We’ll see how long this one lasts.
Question- how the hell do you eat, and enjoy plain yogurt?!
I’m definitely impressed by the edamame beans! Health nuts chime in- are soy products good for you? I’d like to incorporate this legume into my diet, but not at the risk of my health. I’ve heard that soy prevents cancer, but I’ve also heard that it may promote it…
you all should try Godrej Nupur Henna Mehandi 9 Herbs Blend. i have read so many positive comments and posts about it! it is SURPRISINGLY cheap! a pack contains 150g and is only for $3.99!!!!!!! i can't wait for my order to come in!
the best thing is that you don't have to waste extra time and money adding ayurvedic herbs because it's already in there. don't believe me? look it up for yourself 😀
http://www.ayurnaturalbeauty.com/products/Godrej-Nupur-Henna-Mehandi-9-Herbs-Blend.html
I bought The Dulhan henna at an Indian grocer in Pittsburgh for 2.99 for 100g. I tried the Dulhan henna in a henna gloss and I love it! I went back to buy two more boxes.
I eat plain yogurt with strawberries, blueberries, granola and honey. It tastes so yummy! 🙂 *rubs belly*
Hey Nikki! Try eating the plain yogurt with onion or garlic Naan, which is a indian pita bread if you will.. You can get it from Whole Foods.
Hi Nikki,
I love your blog and I know this is late, but how did you like the store brand henna? I'm going to research your blog to make sure I haven't missed an updated review.
I absolutely love my soy milk smoothies! I usually buy the plain or vanilla soy milk and mix with frozen fruit,usually strawberries, half of a frozen banana (for thickness), dash of vanilla and drizzle of honey. It's the best and good for you, too. However, men and boys should not use soy b/c it's known to lower testosterone and encourage breast development in guys.
Karishma Henna and Ayur Rajasthani Henna are good store bought hennas although all hair is different. They are not overly green and rinse well. I usually mix mine with indigo,conditioner and add an oil. Sometimes I use sour cream to keep the mix from running everywhere. If you try these hennas please let us know how you like them. Rain20
The best way to eat plain yogurt is with honey. YUMMY! When I was younger, we would add dole pinapple chunks (do not add the syrup) and honey and mix it up. *Mental note to self – pick up honey, pineapples and plain yogurt*. 🙂
I concur with the last Anonymous on the soy. It’s definitely a thing of moderation. Don’t overdo it. I don’t notice any physical affects though and right now, I’m eating some (a handful) everyday on my gigantic lunch salad.
As far as the soy bean comment… I have heard both as well. One thing that I found is that I cannot eat too many soy products because when the soy breaks down in our bodies the body mistakes it as estrogen and in some women can cause their estrogen levels to peak too high, which may result in: a heavier flow during menses, breast tenderness, and severe cramps. And ALL OF THESE HAPPENED TO ME! This may not be the case for other women, but I just thought I would share my experience and knowledge so that others my learn from my experience. But uh, you right that Trader Joe’s edamame is THE BOMB! lol 😉
Just wanted to say thanks for your reviews on Hello Hydration and the Lustrasilk. I have added you to my blog the P.O.S.H. life. My readers will love reading about your hair tips. Thanks for turning my angry fro into smooth curls again!!
i’m anxious to see the results of this henna treatment, as for the yogurt, you can add sliced apples and/or granola for a healthy treat.
I had to goto Pittsburgh today and ran into an indian grocery store and picked up a few bags of $1.99 henna as well! I thought about you and looked for the same brand but didn’t see it. I don’t think it matters as long as it’s 100% henna. I’m excited!
Nikki, do you have a basic hair regimen that you can share with us? I absolutely love your hair. You are such an inspiration!!
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Can’t wait to see how those store brand Henna’s work out. I’ve been hesitant in trying a store brand because of Henna’s 2-3 year shelf life and not knowing how long the Henna stays on those shelves. Also there’s all this mumbo-gumbo about the cheaper brands putting green dyes in their henna to make it look better. So I’m grateful to you for experimenting for the rest of us, lol.
So, I love regular yogurt as is but I can testify to yogurt with honey and nuts being delicious. You can also mix plain yogurt with fresh fruits or mix in cheerios.
To the plain yogurt I add fresh chopped fruit (pears or nectarines or strawberries), honey and almonds or walnuts. Sweeten additional with Steviaclear if needed. I buy the fresh boiled Edamame in their shells and warm slightly in the microwave — oh sooo good!
I think Aussie Moist has done another formula change! I saw the conditioner with a new label in Wal Mart today. Anyone else notice that?
indian store bought henna is good as long as you do get body art henna. just check the mtg date and the expiration dates. the Al-Aroosa henna is good and i’ve been using Dulhan henna for 2 years. when i am done with my Dulhan stash i want to try the indian store henna that has alma and other ayruvedic herbs blended in.
I’ve never tried Jamila henna, but I have tried the Al-Aroosa henna and it works just fine.
Regarding the soy, be very careful with it. I had some soy in my diet for about a year and it wreaked havoc on my skin (horrible, horrible acne). For some people it is awesome, for others (me) it is the devil. It kind of acts like estrogen, and too much of that can be a bad thing for some people. So really make sure you pay attention to your skin and anything else your body might be doing while eating soy.
Hey Nikki – when are you going to review some of the ‘Karen’s Body Beautiful’ range – it is so hyped on NC.com just wondered why the PJ in you has never given it a go??!!
Your hair looks lovely. Are you using larger rollers now?
Hey,
We tried the Mumtaz Henna and found it did not rinse out as well as Jamila and left my scalp a bit irritated. In addition, the color was a little weird–like the stuff was glowing neon green, and there were lumps of henna that I had to break up before adding the cooled tea. Just a little heads-up.
Storm_N_ Mom from NC.com
how often do u wash ur hair with a poo since deva o-c has a cone?
and it lookes like u got new vits what kind did u pick up???
well love ur blog ttyl!!!!
If you want to know everything there is to know about soy, I suggest you tune in to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s podcast, “Compassionate Cooks”. She spends 24 minutes explaining to you the truth and lies behind that magical bean called soy 😉 She has tons of other topics, but I urge you to start here, since you’re interested. Scroll done to the podcast entitled “Soy is Not Evil”: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/VegetarianFoodForThought
natural yogurt is amazing drizzled with honey. it’s also really good with muesli/granola and chopped fruit (eg. 1 apple + 1/2 cup natural yogurt + 1/2 cup granola and maybe some pumpkin and sunflower seeds).
what type of vitamins do you take?
Hey Nik,
Happy Friday!
I just did my first Henna this week using the one in the green box and I LOVED it. Of course it’s all your fault. LOL
It cost me $2.99 here in Winston-Salem. I’m jealous.
Found another indian spot here local though so I’ll give them a try in the future.
Also, I ordered 6 boxes of the Jamila 2006 crop from blackcatredcat.com on clearance for $3.00 per box. They typically sell wholesale so it took a couple of days for me to get and invoice BUT, they do FREE SHIPPING and take PayPal. I read that Jamila typically has a three year life and I’m hoping is true but going to through them in the freezer when they come.
You’ve convinced me to try it for at least six months so I’m gonna do once a month treatments for the next six months.
Thanks for all you do.
RC
I’ve been reading alot about henna treatments and I keep getting pieced information about it all over the place… do you use henna for color as well as a conditioning agent?
I’m a relaxed child and have NO desire to BC or go natural AT ALL. I relax my hair every 3 to 4 months. But I love reading about all of you…lol.
I treat my relaxed hair as if it was natural. You know organic this and organic that, concoctions for pretreatments as well as conditioners. I’m rambling… My 2nd question is can I too use henna as a conditioner as well although my hair is chemically straightened???? (Please say yes…lol)
You can (1)add your sweetener of choice (sugar/splenda/stevia/etc), cinnamon and smidgen of vanilla extract, (2)blend it into a fruit smoothie, or (3)even add a dollop into your am bowl of cereal. And I’m so excited your testing the al-aroosa henna! That’s what I purchased and have used the two times I’ve henna-ed. So far so good. I haven’t been disappointed with the results so far.
Try mixing the plain yogurt in a blender with fruit and a bit of juice for a refreshing smoothing.
Can’t wait to read your review of the store bought henna.
Regarding the yogurt I like honey and hazelnuts. Or plain honey. Sometimes I add berries, fresh and frozen. I just ate some Doritos! March is my month of new beginnings.
Oh agave nectar is a good substitute for honey.