Been using henna, indigo, shikakai & amla powders for over two years now and I don't do teas, rinses, boiling, etc. and love the results from my very very simple "dummy" methods:
shikakai = use primarily to cleanse. I have never used this alone. I have never boiled it and made tea or rinse
- When I want to cleanse without using 'poo: Add couple of tablespoons or 3 to whatever condish I'm using to co-wash, stir in until well blended, then apply to dry dirty hair, cover with plastic, no heat for at last 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly, I'm done and ready to proceed to leave-ins, oils, etc. and airdry hair. Note: if you wish, you can do another condish without the shikakai for extra conditioning, but I usually don't . . .
amla = used primarily to condition. I have never used this alone. I have never boiled it and made tea or rinse
- When I want extra conditioning to my co-wash: Add couple of tablespoons or 3 to whatever condish I'm using to co-wash, stir in until well blended, then apply to dry dirty hair, cover with plastic, no heat for at last 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly, I'm done and ready to proceed to leave-ins, oils, etc. and airdry hair.
- When I want to tone down the red in my henna: Add couple of tablespoons or 3 to henna powder, then add warm water and let sit at least 4.5 hours = ready to use for hair coloring
Indigo = used primirily to color.
- Mix with warm water and let sit 10 minutes = ready to use for hair coloring
- When I want to tone down the red in my henna: Mix with warm water and let sit 10 minutes, then add to already release henna for hair coloring
Henna = used primirily to color
- Mix with warm water and let sit at least 4.5 hours = ready to use hair coloring
These simple easy additions have greatly improved my hair without a whole lot of extra work . . .
