I've been reading a lot about using henna in the last couple of days. I have discovered many methods and suggestions for additives, but most of the raves and advice are given by the person or company selling the stuff, so of course it's all good. I've only used it once myself--the neutral Henna from Mountain Rose Herbs.

I'm planning on using the neutral again and eventually, the light brown.

I'm wondering, those of you who use it, what's your best method? What color do you use? What do you mix with it or add to it? Do you mix it and then leave it for awhile before applying? How long do you leave it on (few hours or overnight)?

Take a look at the henna poll on the old board:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=235459&messageid=1045582205

HTH,
RBR

Thanks! I had a feeling that this might have been discussed before :)

That thread was helpful and I realize I'd read it before! Am I senile or did I follow a link in another henna related topic? We'll never know! :)

I'd love to hear from any of you who have used and maintain any other color but red (not that I wouldn't mind being a redhead for a while, but I don't think it's me :P )

Im not an experienced henna user but recently I used ordinary red henna. My hair is very dark therefore I left it one for many hours. The color of my hair is now more reddish-purple-brown. Mahogany maybe. My grey hair is kind of orange.

I mixed the henna with vinegar and a bit of olive oil (henna leaves hair somewhat dry). The neutral I once used I mixed with conditioner and water. (My hair got terrible tangly after that though!).

Next time Im going to try to get a black color. That can be done by adding indigo or anoher blue color. Wish me luck! ;)

Have you seen the henna color chart at the MM site? That is a good guide...

http://www.morroccomethod.com/henna.html

i henna every 4-6 weeks. i use hennalucent because it's the only thing i can buy locally, but i'm happy with the color. "sunset glo" gives me closer to a true red (the more orangish red). i mix some oil into it, whatever i have on hand. i never measure the oil. i just eyeball and add oil until it looks right. i add enough water to get to about sour cream consistency. apply it and leave it on til it starts to annoy me. (usually about 3 hours or so til the weight of the henna plus my hair gets troublesome). i cover it with a processing cap, and i sometimes put a towel over that for added heat.

what does the addition of the vinegar do?

i keep meaning to add some red zinger tea to it, but i can't find that tea in any of the local stores.

what does the addition of the vinegar do?

Apple cider vinegar is suppose to help the henna color to latch onto grey hairs better. So, it helps the color to be stronger. I add it to my henna mixes. :)

You can add some cinnamon to it too- makes it smell better, but I don't think it does anything else (like enhance red or brown tones or anything).

i'm really not bothered by the smell of henna..it just has a green smell to it, to me.

i'm interested in trying lush henna, but i'm never patient enough to wait for mail order henna.

Cowgal, Do you find that the apple cider vin really helps the henna hold on to the grey better?
I heard some people are using red wine too. I am guessing for the same reason.
Can you tell that I am getting tempted to use henna again. :?

Whoa. I was just doing a search and came across this thread. Nitsa, I see I never answered your question!!! :oops:

I don't have any grey hairs, but the ACV seemed to make the color stronger on my hair anyways. It's always recommended for grey hairs so it *must* do something, I would guess! LOL

Maybe someone else will know better- sorry I am not much help.

nitsa, i have grey hairs and i have tried henna with hot acv and also with hot lemon juice, hotwater, etc.. acv helped me to go longer between henna without having to expose my intelligent streak (greys!) to everybody.

heidi, this time i tried henna with hot black tea, coffee powder, henna powder, and other powder called "katha" which i'm still wondering what it is. it definitley gave a more stronger shade on my greys. i used natural henna available in indian grocery stores.

i've tried adding honey, rosepowder, oil, egg yolks - none of which reduced the coloring effect of henna as i thought it would. but i didnt use the same brand henna powder for these experiments. so i cant be very sure.

i have black hair and some greys. so, the henna coloring on my hair will be different from that on your dark blonde hair. warning: it might turn red.

cinnamon and clove powder did nothing to me - nice smell though.
honey and egg yolks made my henna stick to my hair without dripping.
sage powder, when added to henna, stained my fingers. :shock: but i think i forgot coffee or tea decoction that time. so color wasnt very brown as i expected.

i rinse out the henna with cold water and dont use shampoo or conditioner that day. i do a final acv rinse. next day i usually oil my hair and wash it with shampoo/conditioner.

Wow! Reading my old post reminds me that all I learned about coloring my hair with henna I learned in a very short time. I've done a lot of experimenting in that time, and have founds lots of sources for henna!