As anyone on the main board may have noticed, i'm trying to learn more about henna use. I would love to hear your answers to the questions below, as well as any other comments on your experiences with henna. Hopefully, many of us neophytes will be inspired to try it!

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it? If you no longer use it, why not?

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (just kidding-- thought this was a Miss America pageant for a moment... hee hee)

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?

Thank you for sharing your time and experience!
~magpieDee


up and down,always growing / 31 / as long as it goes!

To preface this, I am not full-blown hennaing, I am henna glossing, which involves just a few tablespoons of henna in a ton of conditioner (the conditioner keeps most of the color from adhering to the hair shaft). It gives a subtle glaze of color rather than the full effect. Since my hair is naturally red to begin with, this is enough for me!

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it? If you no longer use it, why not?

I started Dec. 2001, so a little over a year ago. The time between application varies for me, anywhere from 4-12 weeks.

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?

Hmm, my first try was using Agrival henna I bought from Just For Redheads cosmetics, and it was awful!! The consistency was terrible, with sticks in it!! So I washed it out immediately.

Then after I read Valentina's recipe for henna glossing, I gave that a whirl, and loved it. The change in color was so subtle that my family didn't even notice (that's a good thing).

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?

I'm using Logona henna now, which I buy from Atlantis Herbs online (http://www.atlantisherbs.com/BodyCare/Logona_Natural/herbal_hair_color.htm). I started using this brand after Madeline recommended it; her color is to die for!!!! I used to use body grade supersifted henna from Castle Art and Import (www.castleart.com), and that worked well, too. I've also used Rainbow's neutral henna, and it's great. I think I bought it from Vitamin Life (http://www.vitaminlife.com) and Vitanet (http://myvitanet.com). The only brand I hated was the Agrival.

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?

Mix together few tablespoons henna, tons of Suave Naturals conditioner, big glob of honey, and boiling red wine. Mix, keep warm for several hours to let the color develop. I apply it to dry hair (I found with wet hair I got more annoying drippies), but first I apply conditioner to my length to keep the drier, older ends from grabbing too much color. Wrap my head in plastic (I use plastic chemical processing caps), then in an old towel. Leave on overnight, usually 12+ hours. Next day, rinse thoroughly in the shower and CO-wash, then condition. Voila!

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?

Neither, really. It just boosts my red and makes my hair incredibly shiny.

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?

Favorite: the color
Least favorite: looking like an ugly dork as I spend 12+ hours with my head wrapped in plastic and towels. Don't do this around anyone who holds any illusions about your beauty!!!

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (just kidding-- thought this was a Miss America pageant for a moment... hee hee)

Hah, hah....weeping willow (I weep, I bend, but I don't break, I survive and am still beautiful)

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?

It is a horrible mess, especially when you've never done it before. Once you're experienced with it, it's not so bad. But the first time, you will wonder what in the heck you've gotten yourself into!!!!

HTH,
RBR


Pics from Fall 2002
Type 1cMiii
10/24/30
Naturally red hair (fading with age!) boosted back to original color with Valentina's "henna gloss" recipe

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it? If you no longer use it, why not?

I first used henna about 5 years ago, I did three applications and was a redhead for about 6 moths.

I hennaed again this autumn, and have done three applications, the last of which was on Dec 23.

When I henna, I redo it when the roots become too obvious, so aproximately every 1,5 months.

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?

My first attempt was with clear henna, and not particularily memorable. I've always been a bit of a kitchen witch, and it takes more than a bit of pungent green gloop to shock me.

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?

So far I've liked Urtekram best (you can see the Chestnut shade in action in my sig), but any henna I get my hands will undergo significant changes before it touches my hair, so all results will be slightly skewed. I would not recommend the Body Shop version because it is overpriced, the Oriental Henna version because it contains metalic salts that really shouldn't be there, or Black henna because of the PPD risks.

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?

I tend to mix it up with spices, eos and anything acidic that I have lying around the house (provded that it isn't used to unblock drains).

I strain some henna into an old ice cream container, add boiling water, red wine/lemon juice/coffee or similar, and thicken with fragrant spices (yes, I buy cinammon by the kilgram). The Reverendbunny site has a list of things you can use. I also add some eos to suit my mood, and some vegetable oil for conditioning.

I let it sit in an airtight container for about 12 hours (I usually prepare this on a weekend morning), and rub it into my hair to make a most delightful beehive when I'm ready to go to sleep that night. I wrap this concoction up in several layers of saran wrap, cover it with an old towel, and protect my pillow with plastic bags and old towels.

The next morning I wash it out, and usually curse myself for not having strained the henna twice. It takes me about 15 minutes and lots of cheap conditioner to get it out, but the results are definitely worth the bother.

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?

Neither. But definitely less damaging than chemical dyes.

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?

Pros: the shine, the spicy perfume that lingers for days (but only if you used spices in the mix, so this is not an attribute to henna itself), the fact that two months after the procedure people still ask me if I've just dyed my hair.

Cons: the fact that henna will not lighten hair, and the intensity of the red colour next to my rather pale face. Also the unpredictability (you might end up with interesting shades of green or purple) and the irrevesrsibility (you are advised to not use chemical dyes after using henna).

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (just kidding-- thought this was a Miss America pageant for a moment... hee hee)

A tree? Me? I could never stand still for long enough!

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?

Henna is for life. Don't do it if you're likely to change your mind about the colour within less than a year.

Phew, that's long... sounds like you're serious about this. Bon courage .

Meri

some here may remember that last march i tried lush caca brun without doing a strand test. i had remains of chemical processes of the past and my hair turned duck poop green. that was last march and when you go henna green there is nothing you can do about it!!!! everything makes it worse. its nearly a year on now and i have just got the courage to dye it. with a mega nice'n'easy dye to cover 100% of that stubborn grey i figured that it would be strong enough to defeat the work of the angry henna god. and it did. so now i can wear my hair loose again. but it has been heartbreaking to have icky greenness and everyone called me grotbags. henna looks great when done right and is the gentlest way to colour hair so go ahead and play but please DO A STRAND TEST.(and yes i will post this everytime henna is mentioned as i dont want any of you guys to go through the green! i wouldnt wish it on anyone. take care d)


www.thedollpalace.com
type 2a/m/i
was 21" is 25" aiming for 32"

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it? If you no longer use it, why not?
Only 6 months, with a total of 2 applications 4 months apart.  Still using it.

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?
October 2002 was my first time.  I did it according to the Reverend Bunny's site.  It worked well, except I didn't use as much as everyone recommended (I was too scared I'd turn out red red)

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?
I bought body-grade henna from www.everydayhenna.com.  It is called Kimia, very nice color and sifted fine. 

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?
I mixed the henna in a plastic tub with lemon juice (I used three plastic lemons) and ACV to get a consistency of yogurt.  Let sit in a warm spot overnight to allow the stain to come out to it's fullest.
Then I wet and towel blotted my hair and applied vasoline around the hairline and on the ears to protect the skin from staining.  Using gloves and an applicator bottle (with the hole cut large) I squirted the henna into my hair in sections, working it all over. 
After it has all been applied, I wrapped my hair on top of my head and put on a plastic showercap and then a towel warmed from the dryer.  I kept it on for 4 hours and then rinsed it all out.
I rinsed and rinsed until the water ran clear.  I didn't use shampoo nor conditioner. 

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?
I think it does neither.  I thought it was softer but I'm not fully convinced yet.  I am sure it isn't damaging. 

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?
Pros: The way it shines in the sunlight.  How it is barely noticeable in my hair in normal light. 
Cons:  I suppose it is the process of putting the goose poop on your hair.  I've never colored my hair so I can't compare the process to that, but I'd think it was similar. 

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (just kidding-- thought this was a Miss America pageant for a moment... hee hee)
hmmm awesome question (no, really!) 
I'd be a mesquite.  It's a Texas native, has thorns, very hard pretty wood, grows in adverse conditions (heatt and draught), flowers when it rains, and produces beans that can be eaten by man and beast.

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?
ALWAYS DO A STRAND TEST, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE ALTERED YOUR HAIR (DYES, PERMS)
You shold know that henna stains, especially the hands and feet.  Henna leaves a translucent stain on the outer shaft of the hair, not the inside like chemical dyes.

1cMii+......................30"/35"/36"

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it?
On and off for about 2 years.

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?

When I first tried henna I was very unimpressed with the difference in color, but I also failed to follow the directions...so, I guess I made my own bed there.

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?

I've only used Rainbow brand henna and the bulk henna from the co-op.

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?

I first wash my hair with shampoo and baking soda to remove any build-up or residue, then apply the henna mixture and cover with a plastice bag/warm towel for 1- 1 1/2 hours, then rinse thoroughly. I generally try to not wash my hair for 48 hours after doing a henna treatment to let the color take.

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?

I find that I have far fewer split ends for a month or so after I henna, and I've never noticed any adverse reactions.

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?

I like to color with henna in the winter, as my hair loses it's coppery highlights and becomes down-right mousey brown.

Well, it does make your hair smell like hay for about a week (you can fix this by dabbing on a few drops of a favorite fragrance oil), and it can be kind of gloppy and messy to apply (do this in the shower/tub to make clean-up easier).

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

I'd be a big old oak, because they make the greatest climbing trees.

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?

I'd say use a color which is is within the same general spectrum as your natural color, as henna is more of a color enhancer than anything else.

1. How long have you used henna? How often do you use it? If you no longer use it, why not?

I have used henna on and off for about 10 years, and I use it about once every 6 weeks or so...

2. When did you first try it, and what was that experience like?

I first tried it when I was 14. My mom used henna for many years to cover gray, so i was used to seeing it done, so no surprises the first time i used it.

3. What brand(s) do you like? What brands would you NOT recommend? Where did you get them?

My favorite was Light Mountain henna (I call it "fox in a box" as the red henna has a picture of a fox on it), rainbow henna is o.k. but i never liked it quite as much.

4. What process do you use to henna your hair?

Well, first I heat up some lemon juice and mix it with the henna and let it sit overnight. Then the next day i add oils to it to re-wet it, and then put it my hair with a brush, put some plastic over it, then a heat-retaining cap, and then leave it on for as long as possible (at least 3 hours, usually more)

5. Do you find henna beneficial or damaging to your hair health overall?

I have always found it beneficial -- it makes my hair very thick and shiny

6. What is your favorite thing about henna? What is your LEAST favorite thing?

Favorite thing is how it thickens my hair, least favorite thing is that you have to really set aside an entire day to do it right.

7. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? (just kidding-- thought this was a Miss America pageant for a moment... hee hee)

ooh, tough question...i really don't know!

8. What else should someone know if they have never used henna but are considering their first henna experience?

It is very permanent, and it means you cannot color or perm your hair afterwards, so it definitely a commitment.

and good answers everyone. I've been wanting to know some of the same things.

I'm only interested in making my hair shinier not coloring it. Would the same methods apply to using the clear henna?

Thanks,
Maggie

the package directions. Lemon juice or red wine, for example, could add unwanted color.

When you buy neutral henna, make sure what you are buying is really henna. Rainbow's neutral henna IS henna, but some other brands (Logona, I think?) is NOT henna (cassis leaves, I think?).

RBR


Pics from Fall 2002
Type 1cMiii
10/24/30
Naturally red hair (fading with age!) boosted back to original color with Valentina's "henna gloss" recipe

Y'all have provided just the information I was hoping for. I will now enter the quest to find some henna and try it. Thank you so much for sharing of yourselves and your experiences!

Thanks!~magpieDee

... but here is my contribution:

1) Have been using henna for 14+ years every two to three months with minor breaks, no plans to stop anytime soon.

2) Don't remember the very first time - but it was very likely a messy experience

3) I love love love Logona I buy it in health food shops. I never tried any other brands, but didn't have much success with Indian grocery shop henna. Logona powder is extra fine and easy to mix, apply and rinse, and I love the intense colour results.

4) Detailed routine here:
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=224266&messageid=1035383374&lp=1043879123

5) Henna makes my hair shiny, strong and full, and I have to wash less frequently after a treatment. It's also a powerful protein conditioner, which isn't great for me cause too much protein makes my hair brittle. I can hardly use any other protein treatments if I henna every two months.
I also find that applying the stuff puts quite a bit stress on the hair - it's all one big pile of goo, and there are always little spots that didn't get enough henna, and I have to dig a bit to get there - probably pulling hair that's wet and vulnerable. The weight also pulls at the roots, I shed a lot when I rinse afterwards and my scalp feels a bit like after taking down an updo that was too tight.

I don't think I'd bother using neutral henna as a conditioner, because for me the conditioning benefits don't outweigh the disadvantages and effort.

6) I love the colour, I don't like having to spend a whole afternoon on the process every time.

7) g

8) Do a strand test!

Cheers,
Madeleine

--
Pixie/BS/waist (if it wants to grow that far)
1cFi, dark ash blonde hennaed fiery red