My Experience with Henna

Many of you may know Henna for its most popular use as the ink for semi-permanent tattoos. However, there has been a big rave about also using Henna to color and condition hair.

There is evidence that this plant based, all natural substance was regularly used over 5,000 years ago to condition and strengthen hair, to color hair and to cover gray hair. Because Body Art Quality Henna does not have metals, lead and does not coat the hair but instead penetrate and bind with hair's keratin protein bonds, they are rumored to actually make hair thicker, stronger and silkier!

Due to the all natural, chemical free nature of Henna and all the raves from other naturals and transitioners who swear by Henna, I decided to give it a try. However, I am always cautious when trying new things on my hair, so I decided to use a Henna Gloss instead of a traditional Henna- because Henna is loaded with protein, and  I didn't want to throw off my moisture-protein balance.

Below I will cover:

• The benefits and draw backs of Henna
• The difference between a traditional Henna and a Henna Gloss
• How I mix my Henna
• Pictures of my results

The Benefits of Henna

• all natural, permanent hair color
• can be done as often as desired
• beneficial to relaxed, natural and previously colored hair
• reduces dandruff
• eliminates ringworm and head lice
• decreases hair shedding after several uses
• Lawsonia inermis contains tannin known as hennotannic acid.  Tannins are slightly astringent and their use will tighten the surface of the scalp and hair follicles, strengthening the follicles’ grasp on each hair.
• easy to apply at home
• by penetrating the hair shaft (molecules are small enough to penetrate cuticle layers) Henna is able to:
• strengthen hair
• smooth cuticles
• thicken hair
• make hair more resistant to breakage

The Drawbacks of Henna

• Can be very messy to apply
• Time-consuming
• Can only be used to color large sections of hair (can't be used for highlighting)
• Not usually offered in salons
• desired coloring result may be repeated applications away
• There are a few frauds that are not all-natural (be sure to purchase BAQ- Body Art Quality- Henna)
• Traditional Henna can be drying to some hair types. Try a Henna Gloss if this is the case.

Traditional Henna VS Henna Gloss

The only difference between a traditional Henna and a Henna Gloss is that a ton of conditioner (or yogurt) is added to the mix of a traditional Henna to make a Henna Gloss. The conditioner (or yogurt) added makes the mixture easier to apply to hair, adds a conditioning component to combat potential dryness and for some weakens the coloring effects.

My Henna Gloss Mixture

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of Jamila Henna (order from hennaforhair.com)
• 1 cup of a light protein-free conditioner (I used a Tea Tree Conditioner from Trader Joes, but any cheap no silicone conditioner will work)
• 1 tbs honey
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1 cup of Black tea
• And I think I through in a splash of Aloe Vera juice

How to Prepare Henna Mixture:

• Mix the Henna with the Black tea in a good size Tupperware container
• Add the other ingredients.
• Mix thoroughly
• Tightly cover Tupperware
• Allow to sit for 6 hours (I let mine sit overnight) to allow color to release
• Base ears, temples, nape etc. with Castor oil or Olive oil or even Vaseline to prevent staining
• Apply Henna Gloss mixture to hair in sections (please wear gloves or your hands will be stained for a few days) 
• Allow to sit on hair for 2 hours- overnight (I let mine sit for 4 hours, 1 of which was under a  hooded dryer)
• Rinse hair until water runs clear
• Use a conditioner to wash out remaining Henna Gloss Mixture (many people also follow with a deep conditioning, but my hair was so soft (and it was so late) that I didn't bother)
• Style as usual (I twisted pin curled my hair and let it air dry overnight- see picture below)

Can you see the hit of red? It is most prominent in the areas where my highlights used to be, and it is very noticeable in the sun! (you can also see the color in pictures posted on the low-manipulation page)

Other naturals have reported that the color gets more intense each time you Henna your hair, so I will post a picture the next time I Henna to see how it comes out.

Some, not all, naturals have also reported that when they traditional Henna their hair they notice that their curl pattern loosens (some see this as a good thing and others don't). I chose to Henna Gloss so my color wouldn't be too intense on the first try, my curl pattern wouldn't be altered and to avoid potential drying effects some have noticed with traditional Henna.

I absolutely love the results. The color is nice and my hair feels so strong! I will certainly continue to Henna Gloss every month or so. If the color gets exactly where I want it, then I will either put less Henna powder in the Henna Gloss Mixture or only apply it to the new growth.

Comment Below: What have been your experiences with Henna Gloss or Traditional Henna? Do you have any tips to share?  Questions to ask? Have you heard things about Henna, but haven't tried it yet? Whatever you know, think, feel or have experienced with Henna let us know by sharing in the comment box below! (To comment, just click the  "__ comments" link below- it might say No comments, or 1 comment, etc.)