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You are what you deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny. ~Upanishads text.
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Monday, August 23, 2010

How to Henna Hair and How to Dye Gray Hair Black with Indigo

Happy Monday!

(Does anyone have a case of the Monnn-day's? -- Office Space)

Well, I hope your weekend was well. I had a phenomenal weekend. This Saturday, as promised, I put Henna and Indigo in my Mom's hair and the results are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Below is my step by step process on how to apply henna and how to apply indigo to your hair. My mother so graciously agreed to be my client and model! Please let me know if you have any additional questions!

What you need:















100 grams of Henna
2 Cups of hot water (not boiling)
4 bags of Green Tea
2 tablespoons of honey
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Essential oil of your choice (sweet orange, lavender, vanilla etc.)
Plastic gloves (4 pairs if you plan to do Indigo as well)
Plastic cap
towels
rattail comb
mixing spoon
Application brush (optional)

*Recipe based on 100 grams of Henna. Double for longer hair.

STEP 1:
Add the green tea to the hot water and let cool. (apx 15 minutes)























STEP 2:
Pour henna into a plastic bowl.

























STEP 3: Slowly add the green tea to the henna and mix. You will get the consistency of mashed potatoes.

STEP 4:
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix. Texture of henna mix will smooth out and have added shine!

STEP 5:
Add 10-15 drops of Essential oil to desired smell is achieved.

STEP 6:
Add 2 tablespoons of honey to henna mix. Texture will be super smooth. Let sit while washing your hair.

STEP 7:
Wash hair so that it's nice and clean. DO NOT condition your hair at this point.
























STEP 8:
Comb down hair and divide into 4 sections.

























STEP 9:
Starting at the back of the hair -at the nap of the neck, take a small section of hair and begin to apply the henna. Be sure to smooth the henna into the hair, so it coats every strand. Work your way to the front of the hair, while applying the henna so that it flows towards the back of your head.
























STEP 10:
Once hair is completely covered with henna, place a plastic cap and/or wrap hair with plastic wrap. (This will keep the henna warm.)



























STEP 11:
Let henna stay in your hair for a minimum of 2 hours.

STEP 12:
Thoroughly rinse henna from hair. Use conditioner to aid in removing all henna from the hair. NOTE: I use Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose conditioner or Neutrogena daily conditioner which is very soothing.

If you wish to just Henna your hair, STOP HERE!
NOTE: You will need to add a deep conditioner to your hair at this point and let sit for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you wish to apply Indigo to your hair for a darker color... KEEP GOING.....

PART II ... INDIGO APPLICATION. ***Indigo will dye hair any color from dark brown to black, depending on how long you leave in your hair.***

STEP 13: Pour indigo powder into a bowl and slowly add water until the indigo turns to a paste.

































STEP 14:
IMMEDIATELY after mixing, begin to apply the indigo to your hair in the same way in which you applied the henna in STEP 9 above.

STEP 15: Make sure that Indigo completely covers all of your hair for full saturation of color. Once Indigo is in hair, cover head with a plastic bag.


























For brown hair: Leave in for 15-20 minutes
To achieve dark brown hair: Leave in for 30-40 minutes
To achieve black hair: Leave in for 45-50 minutes
To achieve jet black hair: Leave in for 1 hour or more


Here are some BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES.




HAIR BEFORE HENNA:




























HAIR AFTER HENNA:














































HAIR AFTER INDIGO,STYLED: NOTE-- There is ZERO Gray left. The picture shows a reflection of light.
























This was really fun and my Mom and I absolutely LOVE the results! I am very pleased! This will take quite a few hours of your day so make sure you set aside some time, but its well worth it! Any henna or indigo stories/questions? Do share....

11 comments:

  1. WOW! The transformation is amazing. It looks like it even changed the texture of her hair and made it fuller! I have got to try this =)

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  2. This is awesome. I will have to use your recipe. I gave myself a Henna, as you know, and the results were not good. You did a great job on your Mom's hair!

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  3. @ Margaret - I'm glad you like the results! Please try and let me know your results. If you need help with purchasing henna or recommendations on where to get henna, please let me know.

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  4. @ Staci- I'm so glad you like! thanks! Yes, please do try the recipe and please let me know your results. I've been a henna head for about 9 months now and I am soooo super pleased with my results every time. I am actually going to henna this weekend. I will post the result of my hair as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for posting this. I am natural newbie and planning to use henna/indigo in the next few weeks. This gray has got to go:-). (Tanyahdg)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful! I hope this post is helpful. Please let me know how it goes! Welcome to the natural club!

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  7. wow, what a change! i've never tried henna on my hair. i wonder,does it really improve the hair texture or does it break it down like other hair coloring products do?

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  8. @Danielle- Actually, the henna makes yor hair stronger. It does not break it down like other hair coloring prodcuts from my expeirence. I've dyed my hair in the past and my hair broke off really bad. Since using henna, my hair is super strong and healthy. I hope you try it one day.

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  9. This is great! Question- looks like you use the henna immediately after mixing. I thought you have to let it sit for 8 hours for the dye to release. Is this true or can you prepare and use right away?

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  10. Originally I thought you had to let it sit, until my hairdresser friend said no. since then I apply it immediately to hair. The time spent in hair under the plastic creates the heat needed to release the color. I heart henna

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  11. Henna, as you probably know, coats the hair. It doesn't open or rough up the hair shaft like most commercial dyes do. And because gray hair tends to be coarser and slicker than pigmented hair, henna has a tendency to slip off the gray. That's why henna is categorized as a semi-permanent hair color. Even the best henna application washes out a little with each shampoo. And that's why most boxes of 1-step, powdered henna will warn against using it on gray hair.


    hair dye for black hair

    ReplyDelete

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