Henna

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  Step 1

  Get your BAQ henna from wherever you had it stored (or take it out of the bag if you just got it! =D) and take a few minutes to sit and look at the pretty packaging, and contemplate your decision.

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  Step 2

  Plonk all your ingredients on a easily-cleaned surface.

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  Step 3

  Put your henna in a NON-METALLIC bowl. (This is VERY important, we don't want any nasty reactions! =D ) I'm using 100g of Jamilla Henna from <a href="www.henna-boy.co.uk">Henna Boy</a>.

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  Step 4

  I like to add some Paprika to my mix, as it's supposed to intensify the colour (and adding stuff is fun ^_^)

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  Step 5

  Add lemon juice! Some people make their whole mix with just lemon juice, but this can be quite drying on your hair, so go for about 1/4 of all your liquid additions as lemon juice.

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  Step 6

  Add warm tap water to dilute the lemon.

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  Step 7

  I also like to put some yogurt in mine! =D It helps to soften your hair :)

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  Step 8

  Olive oil is also a great thing to add, as it makes washing the mix out of your hair easier.

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  Step 9

  Mix it all up until it's somewhere between the consistency of mashed potato/brownie mix. I make mine quite hard, it makes it more difficult to apply and the henna doesn't go as far - but it means it doesn't drip as much while it's on.

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  Step 10

  Cover your henna mix with cling film, and put it in a warm place. (As you can see, mine's in front of my LCDTV, another idea is in the airing cupboard, or in warm water in the sink) You will need to leave your henna until the dye releases, depending on your batch, and how warm the area you've put it in is, it can release in anything from about 2-24 hours. Mine took 6 hours, and 3 of those were in a warm sink :)

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  Step 11

  This is what your henna will look like once it has seperated. Note the difference in colour from the henna on top and the henna underneath.

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  Step 12

  Double check for dye release if you're cautious. Pop a blob of henna on your palm, and wait a few minutes.

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  Step 13

  As you can see, after a couple of minutes, i washed off the henna, and it has left a stain, meaning the dye has released and we're ready to go! =D

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  Step 14

  DO A TEST STRIP IF YOU'VE NEVER HENNA'D BEFORE. This is SO IMPORANT i cannot stress how important it really is. You do this to ensure your henna is BAQ, as if it isn't, it could turn your hair green, black, or it can even break off!!
  Pop some of the mixed henna on a strip of your hair, and wrap it up in cling film.

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  Step 15

  Keep the strip nice and toasty (note the hat ;) ) and check on it again in a couple of hours. Put your henna somewhere cooler now the dye has released so it doesn't spoil.

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  Step 16

  If your test strip came out ok, you're good to go! =D Wash your hair using a clarifying shampoo to get all the product out of it, and then thoroughly towel dry your hair. Apply the henna carefully, this stuff is messy! Not to mention it won't drip through your hair like regular dye, so you really need to smush it on thick!
  Once that's all done, wrap your head up nice n' tight in cling film, and pop a hat on it to keep it warm and moist (note the hat, again). You can leave your henna for as little as 2 hours for a lighter stain or as long as you can stand it for a deeper one! Some people keep it on as long as 24 hours!

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  Step 17

  Wash the henna out of your hair. If it's being stubborn (and if it dried at all while you were applying, it will be. Try to avoid that happening!) use generous amounts of conditioner to work the henna out of your hair.
  The image to the right is my hair before henna, this is a chemical colour over bleached hair. The colour was 2 weeks old, and as you can see it was faded, dull, and lacked and oomph.
  The image to the left is my hair the morning after henna, nice and rich, highly pigmented (seriously, the shine and glimmer is blinding! =D), soft, and generally just lovely!
  After about 3 days my colour will have oxidised and will be slightly deeper than this. But aside from that, a voila! Happy Henna'ing! =D

  *****For more information on Henna and the benefits of using it on your hair please visit <a href="http://www.hennaforhair.com/">Hennaforhair.com</a>*****

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Ezme

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Suki Chan · Edgewood, Maryland, US · 8 projects 20th June 2012

omigosh amaazzing!! i was just thinking about dying my hair red too!!! thanks so much for this! ^^ and just for grins and giggles imma keep it in for 24 hours haha

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Ruth R. 26th October 2010

Hi Alexandria, I love your tutorial. I've ordered some henna and am waiting for it anxiously but I am nervous because my hair is also dyed. I've read everywhere that you should wait after having dyed it to henna your hair, but no one knows how long. I noticed yours came out AMAZING with no adverse effects from the dye. Do you do roots or whole head every time your roots grow in??? Thanks!

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Smo 8th September 2010

Henna that is not BAQ will not make your hair fall out. That's a lie that the BAQ henna companies tell you to get you to buy their henna! And i use all lemon juice in my mix, it doesn't make my hair dry.
Good tutorial though, thanks for sharing

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Almost Insane · 5 projects 3rd August 2010

I just have to ask, as you said it was permanent. I'm not quite sure what your definition of permanent is. If you could please explain what you mean by that. Thanks!

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Almost Insane · 5 projects 3rd August 2010

I just have to ask, as you said it was permanent. I'm not quite sure what your definition of permanent is. If you could please explain what you mean by that. Thanks!

Reply

Maladignia · Amersfoort, Utrecht, NL · 87 projects 30th March 2010

I've been dying my hair with henna for a few years now. I only add a little bit of lemon juice and I don't let it sit before having my bf apply it. Also, my hair has to be moist for the henna to work well. My packages of henna tell me that you could also add coffee for a deeper color. My natural color is blond (with a bit of a red sheen) and I keep the henna in for about 2 to 3 hours before rinsing.
I always wanted red hair. Too bad the henna doesn't give it more volume too. ;-)

I'm a bit apprehensive about putting food stuffs in my hair. :-p

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MaybeAViking · 16 projects 16th February 2010

Wow, I knew about henna tattoos before, but never as hair dye! What's funny is how I've always wanted to give my dark brown hair reddish highlights, but I could never find the right shade. This is perfect!

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Lolly.Bot · Enfield, England, GB 22nd September 2009

I've only recently heard about using Henna to dye hair red. I'd love to do this, but am slightly on the cautious side.

I haven't dyed my hair for months now, perhaps over a year and I'm sick of the crappyness of normal hair dye, doesn't make my hair that red.

I have VERY dark brown hair, do you think Henna will work?

Reply

Lolly.Bot · Enfield, England, GB 22nd September 2009

I've only recently heard about using Henna to dye hair red. I'd love to do this, but am slightly on the cautious side.

I haven't dyed my hair for months now, perhaps over a year and I'm sick of the crappyness of normal hair dye, doesn't make my hair that red.

I have VERY dark brown hair, do you think Henna will work?

Reply

Lolly.Bot · Enfield, England, GB 22nd September 2009

I've only recently heard about using Henna to dye hair red. I'd love to do this, but am slightly on the cautious side.

I haven't dyed my hair for months now, perhaps over a year and I'm sick of the crappyness of normal hair dye, doesn't make my hair that red.

I have VERY dark brown hair, do you think Henna will work?

Reply

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