Henna Update

Hello to all of my lovely naturals,

Hi ladies well I have been applying henna to my hair for about three weeks now...yes I am doing it once a week. I am pretty sure that I am going to change to every two weeks not for any reason in particular but just because it is time consuming. So I really love the results not only is my hair shiner but it is smoother,softer and stronger. I have not had much color change but it looks as though it is turning a light brown, which I am thankful for because I did not want to go red. When I first blogged about my henna experience I was using the henna/cassia mix that is made by light mountain (whole foods) and my major concern was the loss of curl pattern that I have heard people complain about. Once I washed my hair I noticed that my curl pattern was the same but maybe just a little looser but the good thing about cassia is that it is not permanent, it lasts up to two weeks in your hair. After a couple of washes I was back to normal. Because I knew that I wanted to do a full henna application I was afraid that after repeat applications I would not like the results. So whats a natural girl to do?! Well I searched the henna blogs and forums and women were talking about mixing their henna with alma to retain your curl pattern. That is just what I did I mixed half henna with half alma and my hair is back to normal but it is a little wavier which I like. I think everyone should at the least do a cassia treatment once a month because it is like a deep conditioner for you hair and trust me you will love the results. Check out the pics below of my braid out and tell me what you think.


Always,

Verano

To Henna or Not To Henna That is The Question Part 2

Hello to all of my lovely naturals!!!!!!!!!!

And the results are in....drum roll please.......I like it! It has made my hair shiny, softer, more susceptible to moisture, and stronger. Today when I took my braids out I did not have one single hair shed! yall heard me not a one. So I would say that overall this was an awesome experience. Ummm but I am not sure about the curl lost that verdict is still out and I won't be able to clear that up until I wash my hair. I will say this after I co-washed my hair for the umpteenth time I did notice that my curls were looser but that could have been from all of the conditioning of my hair.So this weekend I am going to get some henna Jamila BAQ (Body Art Quality) you want to use BAQ because it is stronger than the stuff that is labeled specifically for hair and mix it with alma powder to retain the curl (for just in case purposes) All in all a cassia/henna mix is a great conditioner and I foresee henna and I having a great love affair. Now if you all love to henna your hair or have had a horrible experience please drop a comment. Oh and if there are any questions don't hesitate.

Always,

Verano


Cassia/Henna mix





The box that it came in

So fresh and so clean

Cassia/Henna in my hair

 

Cassia/Henna all washed out



  

 

 







To Henna or Not That Is The Question Part 1

Hello to all my lovely naturals,


Okay so this weekend I decided to look further into the whole henna phenomenon. So after much research I decided to try it. Before I embark on my journey let me give you all a little info on henna. Henna which is called red henna or by its scientific name Lawsonia Inermis is a plant, the leaves of the plant have a red-orange hue. Real henna only comes in one color which is green. The leaves are ground and that is your henna. Henna does not color your hair it only leaves a tint on your hair. Henna is kind of like a protein treatment in the way that it gives your hair strength by coating it. It deposits into the porous parts of your hair and makes the strands smooth that is why is has a de-frizzing effect. Henna does not color your hair it only highlights it but the color can not be seen unless you are in the light (most of the time) if your hair is light then of course you will see the color but if it is black it might take a couple of treatments (henna has a build up factor). Some people notice that it causes them to lose their curls but you can just add some alma powder to the mix to combat that. Henna also loosens your curls,adds shine,and will make your hair thicker. All in all henna is a awesome conditioning agent! Please beware of products claiming to color your hair using all natural henna, remember that henna can only highlight your hair and only in one tone red. Using other products that have unrealistic claims of what henna can do is not only dangerous but the products are full of chemicals. Sooooo now that you all have the DL of henna lets go over my journey. I decided that I really wanted to give henna a try but I was not comfortable with the red undertones this is where cassia comes in. Cassia Auriculata is a plant and has about the same conditioning agents as henna sans the color oh and it lasts only for about 2 weeks. It is a great start for beginner henna users. So now I bought my mix from Whole Foods it had Cassia and Henna in it, oh cassia is also known as neutral henna. I am scared that I might loose my curl pattern but maybe just maybe it will slightly loosen them so that I have less shrinkage. I mixed my cassia/henna mix yesterday.

4oz of cassia/henna
3 green tea bags
3 tablespoons of honey
12oz of distilled water

VERY IMPORTANT DO NOT USE ANY METAL IN THE PREPARATION OF YOUR HENNA IT WILL CHANGE THE COLOR



boil your water then let your tea seep for 3-5 min then mix your henna with the tea water should be the consistency of cake batter. You will need to let your henna dye release so cover your mixture and place on your counter top for anywhere from 1-3 hours. Once that is done wash your hair (I did not condition) part your hair into 4 sections and apply. After that wrap it up with a plastic cap I used two and cover with a satin scarf. Chill out for about 4 hours then fill your tube/or sink and swish your hair around in it. Once you have loosened the clumps jump in the shower and use your conditioner to get whatever is left out of your hair this might take 3 or 4 times. Now that you have gotten all of the product out then deep condition. Deep conditioning is a must most people that have tried henna and don't like it will complain that it made their hair dry so please please please deep condition! So as I type this out I am sitting here with my cassia/henna mix on my head. I will post pictures and give you all the results tomorrow on my next post...Wish me luck!!!



Always,

Verano