Wednesday 10 February 2016

Henna With A Splash of Red!



It has been a couple of months since my last full head henna application.  I have been meaning to henna my hair from the beginning of this year, but the procrastinator in me would not let me do it for the last month. So last Sunday I said to myself it was now or never and actually got round to finally doing it.

I mixed my henna with cold water and about a spoonful of white vinegar and added a heaped spoonful of powdered red food colour that had been sitting idle in my cupboard since my last red velvet cake attempt. I think it was called raspberry or something but comes out red when mixed with water. Anyway I added the food colour into the henna mixed well adding water as needed, covered the mixture with cling film and let it sit overnight for the henna dye to release.


Next morning I wet my hair in the shower towel blotted damp and proceeded to apply the henna I have become much better at henna applications; less messy and quick. Application done I wrapped cling film around my hair, secured everything with a scarf and let the mixture sit in my hair for about three hours. I even took a nap in between but made sure to cover my pillow with an old t-shirt just in case of any leakage – thankfully there was hardly any.
 
The reddish brown hue can best be seen in sunlight/natural light
I never set out to sit with henna in my hair for three hours it just happened house chores and all. Once I was ready to rinse I hopped into the shower and rinsed out well. Henna takes several rinses to come out properly I take about 30 - 45 minutes in the shower on henna wash days. Hair rinsed I shampooed with African Black Soap twice and then conditioned with regular conditioner and let that sit for about five minutes as I cleaned the shower walls -  it was red all over. Bathroom clean I slightly detangled in shower and then rinsed out my hair and t-shirt blotted dry. I applied a little bit of coconut oil and let it air dry for the rest of the night. The next day I oiled my scalp with my amla/castor oil mix, moisturized with my leave in conditioner and then did four joining braids in readiness for a braid out. And then it rained the next day so I ended up with a bun instead of a braid out:( 
I always tuck in the tails to prevent them from unravelling






The Wash Day Experience

10 comments:

  1. That weather is always there to ruin plans for a good hair day. Lol. The color really took. The one time I did a henna gloss( and never posted about... Woops) I didn't really see much color but I didn't add any extra dye. I couldn't tell much difference in my hair so I haven't tried it anymore.

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    1. Tell me about the weather lol! You should try henna one more time before giving it up:)

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  2. Is henna a protein treatment?

    Thanks for sharing your #washdayexperience chica!

    KLP @ www.savingourstrands.com

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    1. I am not if it would be classified as a protein treatment but it sure does act like one on the hair because it strenghthens the hair and makes the strands much stronger

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  3. You need to show me how you make henna applications so clean and easy. Why did you add colouring to the henna?

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    1. Lol that came with many applications over a period of time:) The colour I added just because it had been sitting in my cupboard for a long time and I was certain I was not going to use it for food anymore, no special reason but it gave my hair nice red highlights that can be seen iin sunlight/natural light. Most people who cannot use commercial hair dyes due to allergies or other reasons tend to add the food colour of their choice to their henna mixes to attain the desired colour.

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  4. I love the henna experience I have recently used henna and indigo till now my hair is stronger.

    https://lauralivll.wordpress.com

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    1. I know Lebo! Henna is just amazing. I have never tried Indigo before did you do a post on it? Please share the link if so

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  5. Hi is the link https://lauralivll.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/wash-day-2/

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    1. Thanks Lebo will be sure to check it out

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