aunatural1

So I went shop to shop this morning searching high and low for this wonderful Henna you ladies speak of.. I got nothing!!! They tried to sell me perm. hair dye.. Then I get to work, google Indian Store, call the man.. and BAM.. He's GOT HENNA!!! $4.95 a pack. I don't get off til 10:30pm, but they are open til 8pm on SUNDAYS!!!! YAY.. I wanna go now!!!!!

__________________

4a with some 3c
Last Relaxer: Nov 04
BC: March 05

jeamaria

Very few health stores I've been to carry henna (exception: this herbal store I go to that stocks literally hundreds of different herbs). $4.95 a pack sounds kinda expensive though, since you'll probably need at least 2 boxes, maybe you should shop around? The site in this thread has a search engine of indiant stores:

Cassia is my boo

aunatural1

I went in there today, a bought it.. I couldnt wait! It was $4.95 for 227g (That's alot Henna aint it?) This is the brand http://www.sadaf.com/store/product691.html Super fine with no twigs!

The store also carried Vatika Enriched Coconut hair oil.. saw it in someone's Fotki I lerked on! =)
Alot of his products were really inexpesive to be imported.

__________________

4a with some 3c
Last Relaxer: Nov 04
BC: March 05

jeamaria

$4.95 isn't bad at all for the size; I was thinking of the little 100g boxes they usually come in. Let me know how that brand works out, I haven't seen it before but it's good to hear about any quality alternative brands since I can't get Jamila on the ground. Good luck! I'm due a treatment soon myself!

aunatural1

I'll def. let you know, since this will be my first Henna!! This 8hr shift can't go by fast enough, so I can get to mixing!!

Also.. the direction on the back suggest a shorter time than what I've read in here and on the Henna site Spiral-NC talks about.

Directions: add water and 1tbs conditioner. says better to err making it too thick than watery, so add slowly. mix until smooth. let sit for 30 mins (??) for best color release.
Then is says normal hair takes about 60-120 min, permed or straight may take 45 min or less.

Thats short compared to what the other ladies do it for!

__________________

4a with some 3c
Last Relaxer: Nov 04
BC: March 05

jeamaria

Yeah, I'm not one of those that let it dye release for too long. Once I left it in a warm place for x amount of hours as some people on here and on hennaforhair.com were doing and it oxidized completely it was all brown and smelled old.

What I do now (well the last couple times I tried it) was just mix it up, leave it only for the time it takes to wash my hair and then apply it. I leave it on overnight so it gets enough time to dye release once its on my head. Most people who've tried it both ways get their best dye release this way no need to let it sit for 1/2 an eternity.

aunatural1

Oh, ok.. So what do you think about those directions that say mix with water and conditioner? Others here suggest the apple vinegar...

Sorry to ask so many questions... =)

__________________

4a with some 3c
Last Relaxer: Nov 04
BC: March 05

bgwcurly

Are you in Fayetteville, AR? Do you know of any natural hair salons in the area?

I'll be moving to that area within the next few weeks and I'd appreciate any info you can provide.

Thanks in advance

jeamaria

Mixing it with conditioner is usually for a henna gloss; it gives a less intense result than a full henna, but it's easier to rinse out. A lot of people do it in between hennas, but for some this is their main method. You have to experiment with the amount and the type of conditioner though, some don't mix well with the henna and make for drippy, messy mixtures.

Vinegar and lemon juice, etc. are too acidic for some people's hair and cause dryness and tangles. Many people use teas; I like chamomile and a few people on here use green tea.

If you use vinegar you only need a tablespoon or so, but for the tea I just bring it to a boil and steep it for an hour or so, then use that as my liquid for mixing the henna.