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please tell me about henna
blessedtosew Intermediate AL USA Member since 4/16/08 Posts: 860	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/5/13 10:00 AM I have unsuccessfully tried to get my hair colored red for the past 4 years. Instead of me taking up a lot of space telling you about my difficulties, I will just reference you to my blog posts about it here and here . I am interested in using henna to get my hair red but I know absolutely nothing about it except that I have read warnings about not putting color on top of it. If anyone uses it to dye their hair red, could you please tell me about how it works, how to use it, or just reference me to some info online? Also, if you do use it, what product do you use? Thank you so much. -- Edited on 2/5/13 10:01 AM --
Changma   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 2/20/12 Posts: 404	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 10:39 AM I remember, back in the 1980s, having my hair dyed red (it was naturally a very dark brown/black). I did this for several years, thinking it never really looked red enough. Several years later I looked at some pictures taken at the time, and, boy, did my hair look RED! I just never really got used to it so I didn't really see it. I did try henna, too...gave me a very dark auburn, not the true red I was looking for. So, no answers for you, but I wish you good luck in your search for the red.
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7400	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 12:25 PM I have true 'dishwater blonde' hair that my stylist says makes it absolutely perfect for highlighting. Since that has been so simple, I asked him about going red. He is a very skilled and inventive hairdresser, and his response was this: "Red is a nice place to visit, but you don't want to live there."
CSM--Carla   Intermediate FL USA Member since 1/21/06 Posts: 1058	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 1:05 PM I am 58 years old. My hair is long--to my waist. I wear it in a neat braid. My natural hair color varies around my head from white to black. I have been using a henna/cassia mixture for 5 years and get many compliments (especially from men and women my age) on my 'natural' strawberry blonde red hair. My husband loves the color. First, understand that henna is truly a permenant color that penetrates the hair and once you begin using henna there is no going back. It does not fade. No color remover can remove it. To get rid of it you must let it grow out-->long grey roots and bright red lengths. Silver roots against coppery red hair really stands out! I re-henna every 2-3 weeks using pre-mixed henna. I have a recipe I use--then freeze several color applicator bottles full of henna mix for future use. Each application takes a commitment of 2 hours with wet mud on the roots, a plastic cap and towel on my head for the color to penetrate the hair. For me, it's totally worth the time and energy commitment. I learned how to use henna on the long hair community web site where you will get all the support that you need from wonderful women. HERE is a search on Henna at the site. This is where I got my questions answered and lots of reassurance as I began my henna journey. Here is where I bought my first henna and chose my henna color which is coppery red: Henna for Hair Be sure to page down and see all the color options and recipes. One thing I want to add is that I never use lemon juice to the mixture--just distilled water works perfectly well. Henna covers my gray without it. I'll follow along here if you have anymore specific questions that I can help with. Henna Sooq is another trust worthy dealer and advisor I have used. Happy Exploring! Carla
blessedtosew Intermediate AL USA Member since 4/16/08 Posts: 860	Login to reply to this post In reply to CSM--Carla << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 2:15 PM Thank you so much. I tried to go the the longhair site but it is not letting me in. It says that registration has been disabled by the administrator. Can henna be used on hair with color already in it? I just got it colored on Friday so I have absolutely no roots. I am wondering if I need to wait until they grow out a little to see how it is going to act with my colored hair and my natural root hair. Is it possible to strand test l with henna like with regular hair color? I am going now to look at those recipes.
ShantiSeamstressing Advanced Beginner Member since 6/11/10 Posts: 1203	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/5/13 3:17 PM This is a different link to that long hair community forum. It doesn't link you to an already-completed search form results, but it takes you to a forum section for henna and many threads on it. Mountain Rose Herbs and rainbow Research both sell a pure henna, as well.
CSM--Carla   Intermediate FL USA Member since 1/21/06 Posts: 1058	Login to reply to this post In reply to blessedtosew << Like this post Date: 2/5/13 4:26 PM You're welcome. I know this is a big step. Yes, I box dyed my hair (red) for years before coloring with henna. (Henna's nice because each strand of hair absorbs and reflects color differently producing natural looking varigated color instead of all one shade.) After henna, the ends were a bit lighter when growth occured because the commercial dye used hydrogen peroxide. The result was like sun-lightened ends. For me, the color difference wasn't significant and I never have any severe line of demarcation between the dyed hair and the hennaed hair. In fact, this was the very question that I needed help with from the LHC community and this was their experience as well. DEFINITELY strand test with henna first. Your hair is going to be that color a LONG time. Be sure it's one you love. I used hair saved from my brush for a few weeks. After rinsing and drying, the strand may need a a few days to oxidize/darken to the final color. Be sure with strand testing that you treat the strand as though it was your hair. Apply dye-released henna mud then plastic wrap and then 2 hours close proximity to your body as the heat helps penetration. ETA: Wherever you buy henna, be sure it is 'body art' henna--pure without any added ingredients. Enjoy! -- Edited on 2/5/13 4:31 PM --
Coconuts   Intermediate MI USA Member since 12/2/09 Posts: 1099	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/5/13 7:21 PM One thing to consider- if four professionals can't get the color you want, using professional products, do you really want to DIY it absolutely permanently, to the point you will have to cut your hair off to get rid of it?
tlmck3 Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 7/11/05 Posts: 3611	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/5/13 7:41 PM I used henna for years and years--then switched to regular hair color because it was so much easier to use. The henna is thick and mud-like to apply--and to try to rinse out. I also found I had to leave it on for 45 minutes vs the 25 minutes that chemical dyes require. Once I switched it was so much quicker and easier, I never looked back, even though the henna was probably healthier and better for the environment. It smells better, too. In my experience it does fade somewhat between applications but it is a permanent color that you must grow out to be entirely rid of. It is a distinct enough color, even with the slight fading that you will get "roots" just as soon as you would with regular, chemical dyes. (it will also stain your skin if you are not careful about wiping up drips and smears.) If I am not mistaken, I did color with a permanent chemical dye over the henna when I switched, but I don't know that I would go the other way. I'd be a little concerned about green tones. I often used Light Mountain brand products and did notice a distinct difference between their "red" and their "auburn." I'm naturally a light brown/dishwater blonde. The red made my hair the color of a newish copper penny. The auburn was darker and richer. I used to find Light Mountain brand in health food stores. Later, a friend of mine brought me back an immense package of henna from India which lasted me a good 3 years of applications every 6 weeks or so. All of the henna I used made my hair very shiny. People were always shocked if and when they learned my color wasn't natural. It helps, probably, that I have the fair skin of a natural redhead. I always mixed my henna with strongly brewed tea instead of water. I think it gave me more depth of color. ------ I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work. Chuck Close, painter, printmaker, photographer Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage St. Augustine

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