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.
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| 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:(
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| I always tuck in the tails to prevent them from unravelling |
