please tell me about henna

[macheetah]

I'm interested in henna and have done a search but couldn't find the answers to my specific questions...would love input from those who have BTDT

One, I have shoulder-length, fine textured hair that is naturally an ash-brown-blonde but is now lowlighted and highlighted, the lowlights being auburn. And the latest develoment is springy gray hairs popping up around my hairline.... My salon color fades rapidly and I'm tired of paying the hairdresser, plus I just can't afford to any more! Can I henna this hair? OR do I first need to get the color consistent? any tips?

Two, if I can proceed, what is a good source for henna? Can I order online? What kind? What do I need at home to process my hair?

TIA!

[prairiechild]

Yes, you can henna this hair. Any questions you have can be answered at www.hennaforhair.com

I love the mixes page since you can see before and after pics and recipes. http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/index.html

My pics are there under prairiechild. I had highly processed (bleached) hair.

Catherine who runs the site has the best henna around. If you send her before and after pics of your hair, she will send you two free packs of henna, cassia or indigo.

If you don't want bright flaming red, be very careful about your mix as henna is extremely difficult to remove.

[jocelyndale]

The sites above are great.

Gray hair sometimes needs two henna treatments before taking. I leave my henna on for three hours and my few white strands come out bright. I wish they didn't take--I don't mind white hair.

I use Indian market henna bought locally. It's not as fresh as the really good stuff and likely has green food dye + grit, but it works well for me.

[Pariah]

Originally Posted by prairiechild

Catherine who runs the site has the best henna around.

I agree completely! I use henna and indigo to color my hair black. I love her products and her customer service is excellent. I tried "henna" from Whole Foods once, and it is total junk compared to hers...hers can get a little pricey, but it is completely worth it.

[Marni]

Can you NO-POO henna'ed hair without stripping it?

With say, a D. Bronner's wash, and lemon juice rinse OR baking soda wash,a nd apv rinse?

[treemom2]

I love henna!! I've heard you can't use henna if you have color on your hair because of a possible chemical reaction. I buy mine from Mt Rose Herbs. It turns my gray into the most beautiful highlights

Originally Posted by Marni

Can you NO-POO henna'ed hair without stripping it?

With say, a D. Bronner's wash, and lemon juice rinse OR baking soda wash,a nd apv rinse?

Henna is the reason I had to quit no pooing (I used BS with an ACV rinse) because it would just strip the henna highlights out of my hair. I actually posted about this happening a while back and I guess it's pretty common with henna and no poo.

[mk12]

Originally Posted by treemom2

I love henna!! I've heard you can't use henna if you have color on your hair because of a possible chemical reaction.

According to HennaForHair.com, you can safely henna over chemically treated hair - as long as it is pure Body Art Quality henna.

Non BAQ Henna usually has other additives - mainly metallic salts - that react badly with chemically treated hair. This is often true even if the label says pure henna.

Catherine at HennaForHair sells BAQ Henna.

[prairiechild]

Nothing strips the henna out of my hair. It is BAQ and baking soda wouldn't touch it.

[macheetah]

Thank you all for your input!
I ordered some BAQ henna from Catherine's site (thanks for the references!) and have had a great time reading through that site.

I'm definitely going to do test strands first. I can't wear orange clothing (or yellow or green or pastels) so I'm sure orange hair would NOT be a good thing, but since I'm mousy brown-blonde (as opposed to light blonde) I'm thinking I might actually get a pretty copper color. That's my hope, anyway.