Henna, how long do you leave it in?

[paakbaak]

i have ash blonde hair, now almost totally grey.
i used to get henna directly from morocco, and would leave it in for 2 hours minimum sometimes even 4, and wouldn´t mind how it would turn out. but now i bought it at a shop, it sais natural egyptian henna.
it´s a little more important now, i have an interview in a spa next week...can´t walk in grey-haired nor orange-haired. i haven´t dyed it for over a year, so there´s hardly anything left in my hair.

can you helo me out? thanks!

[Hey Mama!]

I have left it in overnight and my hair was a lovely auburn color. But, I have dark brown hair to start with. I would say try the 2-4 hours you used to and see if you like the results.

[paakbaak]

yeah, i´m just nervous cuz i don´t it´ll be too good to go orange-head to the interview! especially cuz of the grey...it takes longer to dye right? i´ll leave it in for about 4hs i think

[jenP]

I leave mine in six hours if I can, but I am going for maximum red and I have brown hair, so different situation.
I would suggest you do a strand test, or several, where they won't show, so you can better gauge what will give you the desired effect for your whole head. It sounds important to you so don't take any chances.
Also, you might want to strand-test a couple blends of henna with other botanicals to get just the color you want.
Would you consider going with your gray, if you can't work out just the shade you want with the henna in time for the interview? Natural gray hair can be really gorgeous!! It kinda makes me feel sad to hear someone say they couldn't possible go to a professional interview with their own natural hair. (But don't take me too seriously on this, after all I change my own natural hair color!)

Jen

[paakbaak]

thanks jen! i agree with you on everything...it´s been a mayor life change for over a year now (divorced, moved, hooked up, seperated, back at mom´s place, looking for a job, etc!) so i guess things are getting to me that never got to me before!

before doing henna, i decided to cut my hair. aaaahhh!!! mid-back-length, now comes up barely touching my shoulders! and i love it, the grey looks like it always did to me and i feel better. i´m going to the darn interview like i am and that´s it. i´ll probably henna my hair after!