cocoberry10
New Member
Hello Ladies:
I'm just wondering if there was anyone that didn't like henna's effects on their hair.
I'm just wondering if there was anyone that didn't like henna's effects on their hair.
Does anyone not like Henna?
- Thread starter cocoberry10
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TexturedTresses
Well-Known Member
bumpin...............................................
cocoberry10
New Member
Bumping!!!!!
sweetnlow06
New Member
I loved the color it gave, especially since I have some greys but I had to end up cutting quite a bit of hair due to the damage it caused because of drying. I kept trying differrent mixes but I still ended w/ a lot of breakage. My stylist kept asking what are you putting on your hair because it is verrrrry dry. I had to give it up.
Did you mix it up w/ acids? Lemon juice, acv, apple juice, etc...? Acid sitting on your head for hours will of course be drying. That's usually given in henna recipes online, but those were not written w/ African textured hair in mind. Try it w/o the acids and see what happens.
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cocoberry10
New Member
I never mixed mine with acids, and I found it to be drying too. I used it when I was transitioning, and I'm not sure if that was what created the problem (since I had a demarcation line). I am considering trying it again now that I'm natural!
For those that found it drying, did you mix it with
Water?
Conditioner?
Something else?
Please let me know!
You're absolutely right....everything doesn't work for everybody. For some people, henna has a "proteinlike" affect on the hair and is drying like a protein overload can be. I space henna/cassia and protein treatments far apart. I said what I did because almost every henna recipes online says use acids and many people do and get very dry hair.
You might try mixing henna w/ a cheapo conditioner (I like the Suave Naturals) and just plain water. The conditioner keeps it moist, gives your hair some extra moisturizer, and makes it very easy to wash out. Just my theory, but people seem to go dry in the rinsing step because they have to work very hard to get it out (laying down in bathtubs and shaking their hair and such). A little conditioner in the mix eliminates this from my experience....and also henna "rub off" that some says stains pillows and the like after using.
I wouldn't put an oil in henna/cassia, only the conditioner and water.
You might try mixing henna w/ a cheapo conditioner (I like the Suave Naturals) and just plain water. The conditioner keeps it moist, gives your hair some extra moisturizer, and makes it very easy to wash out. Just my theory, but people seem to go dry in the rinsing step because they have to work very hard to get it out (laying down in bathtubs and shaking their hair and such). A little conditioner in the mix eliminates this from my experience....and also henna "rub off" that some says stains pillows and the like after using.
I wouldn't put an oil in henna/cassia, only the conditioner and water.
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sweetnlow06
New Member
The first time I applied Henna I did use acids but after that I ddn't. I tried Amla and water w/ cheap conditioner and water. I tried a few different mixes with oils, but it was always drying. Well, not quite true. Acids made it dry, right off, but w/o the acids it would get dry as the week went by. It seems like moisture could not get through my hair strand or something. I tried about 8 different times, so I just settled for the fact that my hair just didn't like it. 
Oh, believe me, I was trying because I wanted my grey covered.
Oh, believe me, I was trying because I wanted my grey covered.
LadyKaypnyc
New Member
Tried it once, it was waaaaaaaaaaay too drying and it took forever to get that stuff out of my darn head, I'll never use it again...
TaraDyan
Natural again ... this time for good!
I completely agree with this. I've only done two henna glosses -- both times I mixed it with Suave conditioner. My hair wasn't dry at all doing it this way.
I haven't done a henna gloss in a year. I think I need to revisit that.
Iluvsmuhgrass
Well-Known Member
I make a henna gloss out of conditioner, henna, coconut/castor/evoo, and honey. It worked better for me this way. It stretched my henna and I got decent results. Good color deposit and conditioned hair. 
Iluvsmuhgrass
Well-Known Member
Tried it once, it was waaaaaaaaaaay too drying and it took forever to get that stuff out of my darn head, I'll never use it again...
I used the cheapie conditioner to get it out well, then I washed with a moisturizing poo and DC'ed
dcprdiva
New Member
I just did my second Henna tonight and it made my hair SUPREMELY dry again... added EVCO, EVOO and conditioner to my hair and it makes my hair too dry. I thought the first time was a fluke so I used up the rest of my mixture and I think I'm going to lay off henna. I may try cassia or something else in a few months, but no more henna for me. I have to get up tomorrow and DC some more.... yukkk
ONLY water and conditioner, no other liquids...that's my way.
LOL...Musical Youth, not that's a ways back!
cocoberry10
New Member
ONLY water and conditioner, no other liquids...that's my way.
LOL...Musical Youth, not that's a ways back!
Yes it is
Thanks for all the responses ladies. I guess you all are right. Some things just don't work for everyone!
chiprecious
New Member
Same here. I'll try anything twice. But even with conditioner, extra dc, using oils, no acids, it still was too drying for my hair. What works for many didn't work for me. Those indian powders didn't work for me either...
felicia
New Member
neither for me
What condition is your hair in prior to doing a henna treatment? Maybe a deep conditioning before and another after will do the trick.
I don't add acids to my mix anymore, I just use henna hot water and SAA or a Biolage ceramide vial. I let my henna sit out overnight or a day or two to release the color before I use it. I freeze any leftovers for future use.
I don't add acids to my mix anymore, I just use henna hot water and SAA or a Biolage ceramide vial. I let my henna sit out overnight or a day or two to release the color before I use it. I freeze any leftovers for future use.
dcprdiva
New Member
In my case, my hair is healthy and I always DC when I do my hair. I MAY try henna again because my hair definitely feels really strong when I henna - just DRY as hekk...
I probably didn't put enough EVOO in it... but how much do ya need!
I don't put oils in my mix because I use henna for the color and don't want anything to impede the color getting into my hair shaft. But if I did want to use an oil, I would go with a little unrefined coconut oil, it is much lighter that olive oil.
For moisture in your mix, try a teaspoon or two of melted honey. I use a cheapie conditioner while rinsing the henna out of my hair, then I go for my heavy duty moisture treatment. HTH
For moisture in your mix, try a teaspoon or two of melted honey. I use a cheapie conditioner while rinsing the henna out of my hair, then I go for my heavy duty moisture treatment. HTH
Hidden_Angel
New Member
this is good to know because i wanted it for my hair...
Neroli
New Member
My hair took to henna like duck to water and I haven't looked back. My observation is that folks who seem to have dryness problems appear to be two things that my contribute:
1. adding too many things to the mix, even oils and cheapo condishes with protein will contribute to dryness, IMO.
Solution: KISS: mix BAQ henna + warm water and let set a few hours, preferable overnight for full color release = brilliant color, shine and strengh
2. pooing after henna, even moisturizing poo will contribute to dryness. Also, trying to "get all the henna out" or rinse until the water is "clear" contribute to dryness, IMO.
Solution: KISS
--do not, do not poo under any circumstances. Just rinse using water and cheapo condish until hair is smooth and don't worry about getting it all out cuz it won't hurt your hair if some left there, just get it out during the next wash. After rinsing thoroughly, proceed with DC as below.
--saturate hair with a good moisturizing condish (I use humectress + honey + glycerin + oil) and DC for at least 15 minutes with plastic cap & turban, preferably longer. I would not recommended heat with this DC cuz you're trying to AVOID dryness and get moisture in there. This step will also help loosen up and remove any remaining henna still in hair. Rinse thoroughly and . . .
Voila, brilliant shine, strength and awesome color.
1. adding too many things to the mix, even oils and cheapo condishes with protein will contribute to dryness, IMO.
Solution: KISS: mix BAQ henna + warm water and let set a few hours, preferable overnight for full color release = brilliant color, shine and strengh
2. pooing after henna, even moisturizing poo will contribute to dryness. Also, trying to "get all the henna out" or rinse until the water is "clear" contribute to dryness, IMO.
Solution: KISS
--do not, do not poo under any circumstances. Just rinse using water and cheapo condish until hair is smooth and don't worry about getting it all out cuz it won't hurt your hair if some left there, just get it out during the next wash. After rinsing thoroughly, proceed with DC as below.
--saturate hair with a good moisturizing condish (I use humectress + honey + glycerin + oil) and DC for at least 15 minutes with plastic cap & turban, preferably longer. I would not recommended heat with this DC cuz you're trying to AVOID dryness and get moisture in there. This step will also help loosen up and remove any remaining henna still in hair. Rinse thoroughly and . . .
Voila, brilliant shine, strength and awesome color.
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^^^On point #2...I think NOT getting all the henna or cassia out will lead to dryness. After all, it IS a mud of sorts and messy for pillows/linen as well. I did two relaxed heads recently and they both shampooed and conditioned immediately after. No problems. Glycerin, esp. on relaxed heads can be drying. I never use honey either for issues of washing out and the mild peroxide action that happens when it mixes w/ water. This esp. concerns me for relaxed heads. There's also allergy issues w/ honey and bee products, so unless you know for sure you're not allergic to bee products, I say better safe than sorry.
I think a henna/cassia "neat" can be problematic for people to get out, so they end up manipulating the hair too much, this is why I use a plain non protein cheapie conditioner in the mix. I don't bother w/ oils cuz some have protein action and they don't necessarily keep the "mud" moist enough for my liking. You don't want it running down your face, but you don't want it drying out either. Oil and water do not mix, so I think you'll end up w/ more rinsing problems and therefore dryness by adding the oils, JMHO.
I think the key for henna/cassia is keeping the mix moist.
Of course, not everything works for everybody, no matter how much it's modified or simplified. Then there's the issue of the condition of the hair before you put the "mud" on. If you normally use alot of products, that can effect how the henna/cassia goes, esp protein conditioners. I think henna works best for people whose hair has a high tolerance for protein because it's effect can be proteinlike (tho it's a plant).
When giving henna advice, I always try to remember that many women here use alot additional of products and that's got to have it's effects.
I think a henna/cassia "neat" can be problematic for people to get out, so they end up manipulating the hair too much, this is why I use a plain non protein cheapie conditioner in the mix. I don't bother w/ oils cuz some have protein action and they don't necessarily keep the "mud" moist enough for my liking. You don't want it running down your face, but you don't want it drying out either. Oil and water do not mix, so I think you'll end up w/ more rinsing problems and therefore dryness by adding the oils, JMHO.
I think the key for henna/cassia is keeping the mix moist.
Of course, not everything works for everybody, no matter how much it's modified or simplified. Then there's the issue of the condition of the hair before you put the "mud" on. If you normally use alot of products, that can effect how the henna/cassia goes, esp protein conditioners. I think henna works best for people whose hair has a high tolerance for protein because it's effect can be proteinlike (tho it's a plant).
When giving henna advice, I always try to remember that many women here use alot additional of products and that's got to have it's effects.
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tocktick
Well-Known Member
i used to not like it because of the mess and the first brand i used left all these little herbs in my hair. anyway, i later tried a different brand it worked much better. the only thing i don't like are the headaches i get when i put it on 
. i still think it's messy and it's a very long process but i'm a fan of the results. i usually do it every 2-4 months.
eta: i've heard to only add acid for colour release. i usually put lemon juice in my mix (2-3 tablespoons) and i add plenty of olive oil (about 4 tablespoons). it doesn't colour my hair much though. i rinse with warm water (no shampoo) and then add plenty of regular conditioner on my hair. i rinse that out and then dc. i seal with castor oil. my hair never felt hard or dry but soft and strong. it may be worth mentioning that i only do henna on already clean and conditioned hair.
. i still think it's messy and it's a very long process but i'm a fan of the results. i usually do it every 2-4 months.eta: i've heard to only add acid for colour release. i usually put lemon juice in my mix (2-3 tablespoons) and i add plenty of olive oil (about 4 tablespoons). it doesn't colour my hair much though. i rinse with warm water (no shampoo) and then add plenty of regular conditioner on my hair. i rinse that out and then dc. i seal with castor oil. my hair never felt hard or dry but soft and strong. it may be worth mentioning that i only do henna on already clean and conditioned hair.
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