vagabond chic?Hola Chicas,
Okay, so this is long over due, but y’all know how much I hate giving premature reviews of products. I take this ish seriously!
If you remember, on September 3rd (has it really been almost 2 weeks?), I tried Mehandi’s Rajasthani Twilight in hopes that it was in the running to replace the Jamila. My beloved brand has become increasingly more difficult to find and Catherine of Mehandi shared that the pesticide levels can run a bit high. That, plus (and probably most important) I’m a friggin’ PJ and always on the lookout for the next best thing.
We started off on the good foot… it was very creamy and easy to apply, but for some reason I had a difficult time rinsing. Like so hard that I called it quits and re-washed, with shampoo, which I NEVER do, the next morning. Granted, I was PMS’ing, Gia was acting a donkey, and my hot water runs cold after 15 minutes, but still, me no likey. Side note, there’s nothing worse than standing in the shower, all lathered up, conditioner in hair, razor in hand and the water temperature plummets. On the flip side, I suppose I always end with the prescribed ‘cold water rinse‘.
Anyway, after the initial rinse, a deep treatment, and a second rinse, I got out of the shower, blotted the excess moisture and applied my leave-in and oil. My hair felt slightly gritty and although I could see some bits of stuff at my roots, I was going to try to work with it. But everytime I grabbed a section to put in a Curlformer, I’d pull away with what felt (and looked) like sand on my hands. I think I had around 10 rollers in when I said fugget it, pulled them out, bunned it, and called it one. The next day I got up, rinsed again, detangled the matted bun and put in the Curlformers. And even with all of that, I’m going to give Rajasthani another try. Why? Because this was one trial and I actually had a similar fluky experience with the Jamila a while back. Plus, the stain was off the chain (haha) and after the second rinse, my hair felt and looked amazing.
So yeah, there you go. Sorry for the vagueness or inconclusive results. I’ll definitely report back later this month or the next with a ‘more informed’ review of this new henna.
For the past 10 days my stretched hair was in two (half ass) flat twists pinned up. Very frumpy, exacerbated by the fact that I can’t actually flat twist, but it worked. I’d take the twists down, re-moisturize, seal and pin them back up. I’ve been feeling some kinda way lately but now that the sun has come back to visit, I’m smiling again 🙂
This morning, before heading out, I put my hair in the usual 10 or 11 twists and threw on the hat.
NYC. October 20th. Yep yeppers.
HI curlyrisse, I henna my hair and i had color on my tips too about the same color of your, and it turned a deep reddish color, I liked it. Hope this helps.
I think I'd like to try Jamila henna but I'm kind of iffy about ordering it off of Amazon :/
I am considering purchasing some henna BUT my hair currently has color on the tips so I was wondering should I still henna or wait until the color completely grows out or cut the color off? I am really confused at what to do and what the outcome of the henna will be! The color on the ends of my hair is a golden blond-ish color so I wonder if I henna what color will it turn?! Should I do a rinse then henna?! HELP!
just make sure the ingredients don't contain PPD's or Para-Phenylenediamine,that is a poisonous chemical found in a lot of so called natural hair dye's that are on the market and long term use can lead to all the Big-Baddies,just use pure Henna leaves people and be observant.
Nikki, I have read where mixing with Coconut Milk and an oil of your choice does wonders for allowing it to quickly rinse from your hair. Have you ever tried this?
Hola Nikki!
Any updates on Rajasthani Twilight??
Nikki,
I need to purchase new henna. Have you decided on your final opinion about the Rajasthani Twilight? On mehandi.com, is this henna the best one to purchase at this time? Please help! I want to order my next batch of henna very soon!
Thank you,
Tae
I purchased 4 boxes of Jamila (100 grams each) 2 weeks ago based on previous articles I'd read on this blog. I decided to Henna 2morrow so I just boiled some water to steep some green tea bags 2 mix w/ the henna and thought I'd check back on the website just 2 be sure I remembered the recipe right and now I see this blog. Now I don't know whether to go forward. I used Reshma Henna the last time but really wanted to try Jamila because I heard great things about it. URGHHHH! Signed Lisas Lucious Locks
Hey nikki, i use Jamila Henna, i think they said it was 2011 but anyways it was really good the powder was so fine and it wasn't hard to rise out of my hair at all! i think after one rise all the henna was out and i LOVE the color! i love it! i must say that thanks to you i am a henna head! i got my henna from www.naturalmollire.com a friend told me about their site the henna is 6.75 and the shipping is low too! thanks again for the infro on henna!!!
I read a few comments about grit left in the hair after using said Henna I didn’t have that problem and I believe it was because (according to some reading)the calcium oxalate natural produced by henna plants did not dissolve during your mixing. An acid would dissolve said calcium deposits and thus there would be no grit left in your hair and I've found this improves rinsing time quite a bit. I use fresh lemon juice as well as fresh grapefruit juice, though I am considering only using the grapefruit but I will have to "trial and error" it. yes the acid used can be drying and please let me express I am incredible dry as a whole from flaky eczema to a host of other ailments but I’ve found, so far, no adverse effects as long as a properly condition following my henna endeavor.
Hey Nikki I so love the Rajasthani I tried it bc of you. I've been using it for 2 months. I can say that the stain is way better with lemon juice versus the green teen, but my hair has been shinier and fuller than ever. I'm a henna head. I'm pretty sure people are sick of me talking about it. I need to re-up my stash of henna before christmas. Go henna!!!
@ anonymous Nov 11, 2011 – 10:11 PM
CurlyNicki has previously talked about the benefits of cassia as an alternative to henna. The effects don't last as long as a henna treatment but it does provide a deep conditioning
Just did the PUBMED search and there are quite a few published accounts on Lawsone (red tanning dye found in henna) and its role in producing oxidative stress that leads to hemolysis and even acute renal failure in patients with G6PD. Anyone know of any GREAT henna alternatives?
Be careful using henna if you have ever been diagnosed with G6PD. The red tannin dye in henna can cause hemolysis. So far, I can only find in the literature, this being a problem in infants. I'm doing research myself because I am planning to do my first henna treatment but I have G6PD and I remember my first hemolytic crisis in response to a drug that I was prescribed, I thought I was dying. Anyways I will be checking PUBMED and I'll post whatever evidence I can find.
From
The future dentist aka "Floss today avoid dentures tomorrow"
If your hair feels gritty after you rinse the henna out shampoo and condition. While the conditioner is in your hair, use a tangle tweezer to remove the remaining henna in your hair. It works for me.
I tried it and loved it! My hair is soft and it has so much shine, plus it's red.
I had no trouble rinsing it out, the only thing I did different in the mix that Curly Nikki did was that I put a couple drops of oil in it.
OMG NIKKI!!! I love this new henna. I was so frustrated a few weeks ago that i truly just wanted to cut my hair ALL off and try again. It was dry and just made me…sad. BUT, the henna treatment gave my hair shine like no other. Thanks girl and praise God for small miracles.
Hey Nikki!
I really, really want to get the courage to try henna! I was going to try this new one but I am awaiting your next experience…I have never tried henna before, but I really do want to…Any suggestions!??
Henna newbie here…..How should you store your unopened henna. Is it fine in the package or does it need to go the freezer with the already mixed henna?
I am sitting here with henna on my head. This is my first henna session, completely inspired by CurlyNikki. After months of research, and trolling numerous websites, I took the leap. I can't wait to see the results tomorrow. Thanks Nikki for the inspiration.
I tried a sample of the Rajasthani Twilight last week. I made the mix too runny – it was almost like water – but I poured it on my edges and little on my head anyway and kept it in my hair for 4 hours. My hair around the edges was so shiny which is so weird because I totally mixed it wrong. In addition, I just noticed a few fiery red-covered grays on my head. I'm going to definitely try this again but maybe as a henna gloss. So all in all I had no trouble rinsing since my mix was practically like water anyway but I did benefit somewhat from the treatment.
according to mehandi.com if youmix with tea you may have a hard time rinsing Rajasthani Twilight.
"When you first mix up Twilight, you might hear gritting. This is not sand! Laboratory microscopy shows that Twilight has NO sand, but does have fragments of calcium oxalate crystals. Calcium oxalate is naturally produced by some henna plants. Spinach, kiwi fruit and tea leaves also produce calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate is natural and harmless in henna paste, and it may correlate with higher dye content henna. The calcium oxalate dissolves in lemon juice, and rinses right out. If you use water or tea to mix your henna, you may have to rinse your hair more than once."
I ordered my first box of henna today. I am so excited/nervous to try it to see what kind of benefits i will gain from it.Will post results when i can. Thank you Nikki for all of the tips on henna.
I tried the RT and did not get the gritty sand you were refering to (maybe cause i used a little WEN to make sure i didnt have that problem). I only leave on for 6 hrs. I take an hour or 2 nap under the bonnet dryer and leave on for the rest. I got an amazing stain! Darker than I expected. The cheap brand i get at my local Indian store was a good stain too but a little brighter and of course not BAQ. My hair is much softer with this one. This is my third Henna treatment and it was a great one! Nikki H.
I used henna for the first time thanks to CN and mehendi,com gurus. I had 200g of celebration and 100g of yemen light. I used 150g of celebration. dye release in lemon after 6-7 hours. left on for 7 hours and got great coverage of my grays. Next day did my roots again with 50g of celebration and mixed the yemen for the rest. left in for 6 hours. rinsed beautifully. deep condish overnight. rinse this morning and styled with kccc. What happened to my hair:
1. my fine hair has more weight
2. my hair has a larger diameter i.e. it's thicker
3. my hair has more hang. As I sit instead of drawing up to my eyeballs, it's pretty much where it was when I styled.
I'm going to henna at least 2x a week until I get desired results. for me that's reduced shrinkage and more density.
I have been using chemical color for years. I am convinced the color was stopping me from retaining length because other then that I do everything right. BTW, there was no dryness or negative effect from the henna. My hair is a great auburn. Before the henna it was dark/medium brown with copper highlights.
Oh forgot to say the stain was fabulous, one of my friends loved the color. I have a lot of gray in the front and it was a lovely auburn not as bright as the Celebration and I left it on for 6 hours and use Yes to Carrots Conditioner as my deep conditioner for 30 minutes, Kimmaytube's DYI leave-in conditioner recipe and meadowfoam seed oil to seal and twisted them up and it was nice and shiny the next day! Shirl
Hey Nikki,
I'm the Anon of Sept 17 2011 5:25. I did my henna using the Rajasthani Twilight and I had a very good experience using it! I for about 10-15 minutes at my kitchen sink…no staining because it's stainless steel with a fancy type high-powered sprayer built-into the faucet head so that might have helped because I did not get the grittiness you spoke about. After once getting advice from one of the ladies at Mehandi.com because I was doing my daughter who has a tighter curl pattern than might and her hair/skin is DRY. Now, for myself I only use 100% pure Apple Juice to mix up my hennas (Ancient Celebration Sunrise and now Rajasthani Twilight). The dye releases in 6 hours not 12 and the Apple Juice is not harsh on the hair like Lemon Juice or Orange Juice.–Shirl
Nikki–OH NO–in the words of Florida…dang, dang dang (don't cuss), I just received my stash of 200g's after seeing that in your latest henna receipe you had changed to this henna! I hope your not so good experience won't be mine too. I usually get and have great success with Ancient Sunrise Celebration—boo hoo hoo
I feel you on the stain afterwards, yet giving a great color. I recently tried Supreme Herbal Henna Mehandi and gave my review on my blog with pictures, http://24hourhair.wordpress.com. The process was super easy. The set time for the henna was 30 minutes after mixing, process was 3-4 hrs in hair, leaving my hair a reddish color in the natural sunlight. It left a stain though, which cleared up in a couple days. It had absolutely no grittiness and it was very easy to rinse out.
Thanks for the review! I guess I will stick to my Jamila for now. I like to be able to rinse my hair over the sink; bathing in my own henna doesn't sound right to me, plus I fear clogging up my drains.
CurlyNikki, you look gorgeous with your twists in! My next move, order that hat! I love that hat! Now I have truly found a new way to wear twists in the winter, since I'm just starting to leave them in and wear them about, and style them. Great style!
Barbara of www.barbaranaturallyspeaking.blogspot.com
To the person who asked about the hat, Threadmill is also doing satin-lined hats now … courtesy of mwah:)!!! Nikki turned me onto the owner and we've become FB friends. I told her us naturals need satin-lined hats for Fall/Winter that won't rob our hair of much needed moisture and she now offers an option to add a satin lining to any hat on the site or a $10 additional charge:)! She made the slouchie pictured in this post and sent it to me as a thank you! She is the absolute best!
http://hairscapades.com/2011/09/10/threadmill-satin-lined-hats-have-arrived/
Shelli
YAY cant wait to see you in NY and i purchased my henna from butters n bars and tried it for the first time. I did the henna and 2 weeks later did a henna gloss….loved it loved it loved it my hair is stronger my curls are springier and the color is just right I have been getting compliments on my mini twist all week
Like Mile M mentioned above, dunk your head for the first rinse. I run a little bath… very little water… just enough to submerge my head down to my ears in. I kneel on the floor and hang my head into the tub, loosen up the mud then jump in the shower. That helps, usually. Some hennas are grittier than others.
To be honest, I'm left with that sandy residue with every brand of henna I try (Jamila, Celebration & Purity.) I've tried using an entire bottle of conditioner to rinse the henna out, henna glosses, shower nozzles, etc – nothing seems to work. I use a lot of water, which I feel incredibly guilty about since I live in a drought plagued state. I wish someone had a fool-proof way of getting this stuff out of our hair.
So cute Nikki! Love the hat and I think you'll find after another goround that you'll like the Rhajasthani. It's the best henna I've tried yet!
and can't wait to see y'all in New York!
thanks ladies!
Pamela, I purchased the hat this past summer from Threadmill, an etsy shop. Super cute hats!
Nikki, I feel you on the water temp plummeting while trying to multi-task in the shower! That ALWAYS happened to me at my house. That's why I don't detangle in the shower anymore – I can't stand being in freezing cold water!
Hi Nikki!
Thanks for reminding me it it's time to henna again! I am sooo feeling that hat on you. With Fall coming, I am looking to up my stash of hats! Do you mind letting us know where you got it from?
Nikki – Not telling you what to do now, but the outcome of the Jamilla henna is better than the new stuff you're trying. The pictures with Rhajasthani Twilight made your hair look frayed at the ends and in general dull. When I start henna-ing I will use what the Indian women use which is Jamilla henna and whatever brand they us.
NYC in October, I am sooo there!
Yay! Your finally coming to visit the NYC curlies. I am marking my calendar.
NYC eh? Let's do lunch!
xo
Dani
okdani.com
The idea of applying henna terrifies me. I just keep imagining my husband coming home and freaking out at the sight of me sprawled all over the tub, covered in red stuff– all very Dexterish. Is it a really messy process? I guess that's the main concern that inhibits me from trying it.
http://therootproblem.blogspot.com/
I'm so excited that you're coming to NYC!… :D…Have you pin pointed a location as of yet??
I tried the Jamila Henna for the first time about 3 weeks ago, and I guess my expectations were too high. I know it's only one try, but I didn't get the soft, shiny, reddish brown look that everyone speaks about. Nevertheless, I'll try it a few more times. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Nikki!!!
tiannamae.blogspot.com
yay…youre coming to NYC 🙂
I seriously should try and henna one of these days.
Now I really want to try this Henna thing. Probably in October or maybe in November for my birthday. Nikki, come to Cleveland PLEASE!!
Oh yeahhhhh NYC on 10/20. Can't wait!
I get Rajasthani from butters-n-bars. I mix it with Indigo to brown down my gray. The Jamila was giving me a red halo effect. Now my hair is brownish black with brown colored grays. My brown/black hair looks like it did when I was a kid and the texture is almost the same as it was then. I'm playing tag with my apartment manager trying to pick up my latest order of Indigo so I can get to hennaing this week!
Thanks for your review Nikki! I just henna'ed a couple weeks ago with the Rajasthani Twilight b/c it replaced my beloved Celebration. I like it! It was a little 'clingy,' I did notice that, but I didn't have major problems rinsing. A secret though, I always do the first rinse in a bucket (yep, I bend over the sink with a bucket full of water in it and rinse out my hair. When I had a yard I did it in a bucket in the back yard). It really helps get the bulk of the henna out and makes the shower part easier. I rinse again in the shower and co-wash the rest out with a Nature's Gate conditioner.
Anyway, love the color and conditioning from this henna!
Wooh hooh!!! About NYC:)!!! As to the Rajasthani … ehhhhh … maybe I should have waited for your review to order 500g!!! LOL!! Oh well … at least you said the color rocks:)!! Maybe you can try it with the Sally's GVP Conditioning Balm next time to make it a "conditioning henna" tx/gloss to ease the rinsing? Or maybe add more honey? Well, I just did a henna this weekend, so I have another month before my next session. Maybe you'll have an updated review by then:).
Shelli
Yay! I'm so happy you're coming to NYC Nikki! I'm there!
OK Nikki..Im so excited!! I tried Henna for the first time last friday. It was the Rhajasthani Twighlight. I was utterly impressed. My hair has never been so shiney, strong, and moisterized. The stain was awesome too. I dont know if our experiences are different due to me mixing half Rhajasthani and half Indigo. Needless to say…Im hooked. Thanks for such a professional and insightful blog. Im now a henna head and totally swear by it. Its too soon to tell, but Im wondering how this stain will mature…let us know when the Jamila comes back. Id like to check that out eventually.