Advices for a proper henna mixing

After several years of using henna, I have become quite an expert in preparing my henna paste at home. People who are telling you that they had disastrous result with henna are either people who didn’t mix the paste properly (no, henna will never ever dry out your hair if you follow my advices), either they used chemical dyes and added a henna composition that didn’t fit with the former chemical composition, thus the horrible hair color that followed!
First and foremost, I’d like to do away with loads of classical misconceptions regarding henna powder:
– the greatest misconception about henna is that your only options are the red and black hair shades. You’d be amazed at the wonderful and various shades that exist. I usually use Marigold blonde (lighter and darker blond “marigold” shades actually do exist, I just tried the yellow gold shade out a few days ago). You can go light blond (Persian blond is actually the rarest but also the lightest existing shade in henna), golden, medium blond, dark blond, light brown, medium brown, red, dark red, dark brown, black etc.
– there are very few chances henna will give you some allergies, unless you are using it with some added chemicals (please, and for your own sake avoid those so called hennas!)
The most astute tip I can give you after you know how to mix the powder properly, is to create your own shade, either by adding some neutral henna to your existing shade, or by mixing two different shades together.
Now let me reveal you the recipe that will allow you a proper mixing of your henna powder:
First of all, remember never to use any metallic component (all of your spoons should be wooden spoons), you can use any kind of bowl, as long as it doesn’t contain any metal.
Add 10 or 12 tablespoons of henna powder (depending on your hair length)…take another little recipient, put some argan oil into it, that you will mix up with a good quality honey, add some salt into it.
In the meantime, boil some water with your kettle and prepare some green tea (for the blond and red to light brown shades; for the other shades, I’d advice you to use some black tea.)
Remember always to use tea in grains for optimal results.
Go back to your henna bowl, dig a dwell into it, squeeze the juice of half of a lemon, slowly mix your tea into it. Then you will be ready to add the content of your second recipient, always mix it slowly into your paste, until you obtain a smooth paste that should resemble hair balm.
Leave it for at least 2 hours before using it.
Another point now requires your attention: the longer you will leave the paste on your hair, the better the results, the thicker and silkier your hair!
With an exception for the yellow gold shade (because of its original, very golden, intense shade, it requires less time), I’d suggest you to leave the paste on your hair for at least 4 hours.
Happy henna time!
Copyrightby Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved