fire-ass highlights? just henna 🙂
I still henna. Extra-regularly. And not just for the conditioning, volumizing, and curl and frizz smoothing like I used to, but for these roots, chiiile!
Thanks to the bossy ‘we-start-graying-at 20′ genetics I inherited from Mom and Grandpa Delarian, I’d be legit salt and pepper right now, but I’m not! I’m rocking fire-ass (literally) highlights, instead. My henna routine isn’t so different from previous iterations, except that I’m on a more regular schedule (and since I have two whole kids, it’s def abbreviated). I basically henna as soon as my roots in the front are too rude to cover with my little root-cover crayon, which is like once a month.
My recipe-
– HennaGuys Natural Henna Powder (for the convenience, shipping, and strong color– I get 3 uses out of one bag (it comes with 2 bags), so I’m only using about 1/4 or 1/2 cup of powder each session)
-Warm black tea (let it cool for like 15 minutes before mixing– I pour it in slowly until the consistency is like cake batter and smooth… not runny, if it goes runny, I add more powder)
-Add in some cheap, silicone free conditioner (I mix it into the henna x tea concoction, until it reaches a thick and smooth consistency. This helps with ease of application and rinsing!)
I apply it to my dry hair, very, very, very lazily (with plastic gloves on). I start by my right ear and work my way over to my left ear, parting with my finger as I go, to ensure all the roots are getting love. This means only the front and top of my hair are henna’ed, lol… I only henna the back of my head once very blue moon. I usually rock curly hair and the way that’s set up, you can’t see the roots in the back! I also only henna from my roots down to like mid-shaft, (1) out of laziness and henna paste preservation, and (2) to keep from losing any curl definition. I leave it in for about an hour, under a plastic processing cap.
And that’s THAT! I get lots of compliments and sometimes confusion, especially from hair care professionals. Like the last time I was at The Dr. Oz Show back stage, the hairstylist couldn’t understand how I had red highlights on random, individual strands. It’s a good look, and for now, it works.
Love you guys,
Nik
p.s. I did a thing today! Excited to share about it, soon!
I want to henna again, so I immediately googled you. Have you heard of a salon and store in Marilyn called Henna Sooq? The site looks really nice and informative and she sells what looks to be quality henna. Have you tried or know any good info on it?
I love Hennasooq! Tell Kadija I said helloooo! The RedRaj is amazing! I love you!
Hi Nikki, you came to mind when I thought about henna-ing my hair. I found out about your eons ago when I first went back to natural hair. You were one of the first ppl I started following. I’m so glad to see you’re still blogging. I’m wondering how recent this post is because it’s not dated. I came looking for henna tips and found this and some other posts. Just wondering, do you STILL henna?
So cool! I still henna as often as I can squeeze it in! Just henna’ed last weekend! I try to at least once a month! For fullness but now for color too haha! I love you!