I love how it came out! I *will* take and post a pic but it will have to wait for my library day (tomorrow).

I used bulk henna from Frontier Herbs that I had ordered a couple of years ago. It was still sealed in the bag. I was a little worried it would be stale, but it was fine.

My hair used to be medium brown with tons of red highlights, but since having Jake it tunred dark brown with far fewer highlights. Now it is a lovely reddish brown, almost auburn but not quite that intense. It's perfect! I got it cut into long, flowing layers last week - it's about bra-strap-length (if I wore a bra LOL).

I am going to do this every month! The other nice benefit is that my hair, which is straight/slightly wavy, became very smooth and glossy!

Henna is even supposed to loosen tension in the scalp. I felt that benefit as well, which is pretty cool.

Editing to add: I found directions and way more info than I needed at Henna for Hair ~ The art, science, history and traditions of dyeing your hair with henna, indigo and other herbs (http://www.hennaforhair.com).

Do you know if henna covers gray? Or what does it do to grey? Mine is silver-white and I like it in my hair -- but some highlights might be fun.

Yes, it will make gray a bright orangey-red. Check out Henna for Hair ~ The art, science, history and traditions of dyeing your hair with henna, indigo and other herbs (http://www.hennaforhair.com). If your hair is brown it will look like red threads through it.

I have no gray - one blessing from my genes is that none of the women in our family show a touch of gray until they are in their 50s, then it is just sprinkled throughout until late 60s.

Pictures woman! How dare you post this with NO pictures! ;) I should call and yell at you. (just to kick you off the internet) :p

I bet it looks beautiful. :D

Val

Yes, it will make gray a bright orangey-red. Check out Henna for Hair ~ The art, science, history and traditions of dyeing your hair with henna, indigo and other herbs (http://www.hennaforhair.com). If your hair is brown it will look like red threads through it.

I have no gray - one blessing from my genes is that none of the women in our family show a touch of gray until they are in their 50s, then it is just sprinkled throughout until late 60s.

Ooh. Orangey-red might not be what I'm thinking of. I've had a big white streak since I was 17 -- same as my mother's. Now there is silver all over -- though still looks mostly dark. I think I'll stay with it as is ;)

Yikes, maybe not orangey. Look at hennaforhair.com. Maybe it is more a coppery red? I love white streaks, that sounds beautiful. :) Silver, too!

Val, sorry about the pics. :D LOL! I didn't get to the library on Tuesday but hope to tomorrow (Thursday). I had to go to a special ed state-level meeting yesterday for which I got paid $100! but I found out about it at the last minute.

Oh, thanks for the info, I'm going to henna my hair eventually, as soon as I get some. Good to know frontier makes it, that should be easy to find or order.
And I agree, we want pics! ;)

Ooh. Orangey-red might not be what I'm thinking of. I've had a big white streak since I was 17 -- same as my mother's. Now there is silver all over -- though still looks mostly dark. I think I'll stay with it as is ;)

OMG, your hair sounds beautiful - I wouldn't touch it! ;)

I would like to try henna. Do you know how long the color stays in?

I want to see pictures too!!! I've been condering do it, so I'm surious what it lookes like :)

I wanna see too...I have been wanting to Henna my hair for a while.

I keep checking back to see if you've added a picture. I would love to see how it turned out. Was it a messy process?

OKay, I tried with the self-timer. LOL! These are not the greatest pics. My hair is greasy and needs a wash. The closeup of the hair shows best the color in sunshine. The pic of me shows it a little darker than it looks IRL, I think.

(third pic in separate post)

Another pic...

Oh sorry Adria - yes it was pretty messy. Outdoors would be ideal - Rosemary Gladstar says she hooks the hose up to the hot water faucet and rinses outside. That would be perfect. You can clog your bathroom drain with this, although mine was okay. I just had dark green glops of henna alllll over the bathroom. LOL!

you look great. I'm not sure what color your hair was before, but I really like the color of it now.

Thanks Tanya! I wish I had a good before pic...I don't. Basically it lightened it by several shades and added tons of red highlights. I'd say it was a deep chestnut brown with zero highlights before.

my hairdresser told me to be careful-- he said many of the commercial brands of henna have more chemicals than the "regular" dye he chooses for his clients. he mentioned something like hennessence as one example of a "bad" one.

what is in the frontier one? i know Lush makes a henna, too; i haven't checked it out yet.

I need to do this! Too bad we can't all hang around and have a henna party.

Nothing but henna, the plant, is in the Frontier one. There are no chemicals in it or anything. Just the dried, powdered plant (henna is a plant). Rosemary Gladstar says Rainbow or Persian henna are good ones. I trust her. :D

hennaforhair.com sells a good pure henna. You're right, you shouldn't buy a brand in the store for henna - should make sure you are getting the pure stuff without any chemicals.

Kathleen, a henna party would be so much fun! Hey did you get to Maine this summer? Did I miss you? Next summer if you come, come camp on my land for some of it, and we'll do it! :D

No this summer we skipped Maine and came straight to Hawaii. Phew! to have made it out of Florida. Hawaii is a special place, but this move made me miss New England more than ever. Would love to come camp out on your land! I think we'll be back "home" in the not to distant future.

You know you've been raising your child in tropical places when he tries on long pants and exclaims "They are way too long. They go all the way to my feet."

The color looks great. You need to get in front of the camera more.:)

I am confused, I did not think you could lighten your hair in any way with henna. I thouhgt you could only 'stain' your hair.

And Kat, do you mean you'll be home for a visit..or move back to the mainland?

oops double post

And Kat, do you mean you'll be home for a visit..or move back to the mainland?asks the very nosey Island Girl.

Well both. I'll definitely visit because much of my family is still in R.I. I also think I'll land back in northern New England at some point for good. As E. Annie Proulx says, "As you get older you find the place where you started out pulls you stronger and stronger."
I also think I'll need to be closer to my mom as she gets older. She sounds a bit like your mom though, so we'll see. Tentatively I would like to see Wyatt through sixth or eighth grade here, but who knows what the future will bring. I may be too attached to leave, or some other opportunity may entice me off isle sooner.

And you?

Well both. I'll definitely visit because much of my family is still in R.I. I also think I'll land back in northern New England at some point for good. As E. Annie Proulx says, "As you get older you find the place where you started out pulls you stronger and stronger."
I also think I'll need to be closer to my mom as she gets older. She sounds a bit like your mom though, so we'll see. Tentatively I would like to see Wyatt through sixth or eighth grade here, but who knows what the future will bring. I may be too attached to leave, or some other opportunity may entice me off isle sooner.

And you?
You will have to let me know when you visit RI-that is my area.

very pretty and very shiny. Looks great.