Attempting my first Lush Henna treatment tonight - advice please!!

[RachelHRD]

After lots of good press on here I splashed out and bought my block of Henna Marron and have my gloves, dye brush, clingfilm and shower cap at the ready...

In the shop they recommended that I use the whole block - my hair is just over shoulder length and is super, super thick and I have a fair amount of grey to cover - is the whole block too much?? They also recommended grating it - is this necessary - online it seems ok to just cut up, mix with hot water and then melt over a bain marie?

Any application tips and hints welcome. I am planning on putting it on later, covering in clingfilm, shower cap, putting a towel on my pillow and leaving overnight - is that the best way? I want a strong colour as my hair hasn't been dyed in ages.

All advice welcome!!

Definitely use all of it & definitely grate - far easier to mix and get the consistency right if it's grated.

I would recommend having a towel kept specifically for wrapping round your head - you can wash it & also use for your next few hair washes as more colour will come out.
Use a second towel to cover your pillow if you can - it's likely that some dye will seep out.
Lastly, do you have some henna friendly shampoo/conditioner? Definitely worth investing in some. I think pureology is good, as is bedhead superstar

Good luck!

Thanks pinksky!!

I have a sample of the Lush American conditioner to try. What classifies as henna friendly? I normally use an anti-dandruff shampoo so I'm guessing not that - would some of the DC's shampoo do - we have halo and horns and Little Me organic shampoo - would one of those do?

Rach :)

Hi Rach,
I'm sure you'll be fine with those. I just find normal shampoos can take the lovely shine out and make the colour look washed out sooner.
I also now rely more on dry shampoo which helps.
Other folk might have good suggestions for shampoo.
Hope you're pleased with the colour

Well I'm clingfilmed and shower capped and DH is slightly freaked out as I got him to apply it - he keeps on muttering 'what have I done to your hair???' lol. OMG it is rather messy - thankfully we have Karndean in the kitchen and it cleaned up pretty easily. My head feels rather heavy though!!

I was lazy and didn't bother to grate - just cut it up small and then got DH to beat it well once heated. I quite like the smell although I have read some hate it - it's kind of herbally perfumed.

So off to bed with a large towel and will see what the morning bringd. Not looking forward to washing it off - it's gonna be messy!! Think I will do it over the bath to contain it!!

Only just seen this thread so I am a bit late. How did it go?

If you like it and you plan to do it again I have the following tips....

Soak it for a long time if you can. It makes it less gritty. I do it before tea if I am going to do the henna in the evening.

Vaseline round your hairline neck and ears...acts as a barrier on your skin.

A bin bag / newspaper on the floor. Makes clearing up much easier.

I really need to do this again but the whole faff of it puts me off. It is lovely once it's done though!

also too late to give advice but...when you have made it mushy and liquidy, reheat it. the hotter the better

Another one here, go and buy a towelling turban from Wilkos or a pound shop, easier to keep on your head than a towel.

I grate mine but it takes ages. I did once whizz a whole block up in the food processor which was obviously easier but I worried about blunting my FP blade. I hadn't thought of soaking it for a long time, going to try that next time. I wish they sold it powdered. I only use two squares for my layered shoulder length hair, but I am only after subtle colour and as yet don't have many greys.

As for shampoo I use regular stuff but low sulphates a la Curly Girl, hadn't really thought of using a colour protective one but it is probably a good idea. The best thing I have found is to stand under the shower and rinse till all the grittiness is gone (takes me about 10 mins) before putting any shampoo on, then shampoo twice. I used to put the shampoo straight on and try rinsing the whole lot together but it didn't work as well.

Whoknows I think you're right about the shampoo - the colour protective ones I use are low/zero sulphate so it could be that rather than that they are for coloured hair?

I also do what you do re: rinsing the bulk of it out then shampooing.

Love it!! It has come out really well - a lovely deep red colour with some coppery highlights where the grey was and my hair is in the best condition it has been in years - so soft and glossy!! There is a bit of grey around my temples where we didn't cover it well enough but I guess I could get some more and just do that area fairly easily.

Must remember to put more than one towel on my pillow though as it bled through slightly but the towel I used when applying it last night washed fine at 60' so hopefully it will come out.

It took me ages to get it all out - decided to do it in the shower in the end and yes it is messy but it all rinsed away fine and no staining. I had used the whole block though so there was a lot to get off. I rinsed most of it out and then used some of the kids Halo & Horns shampoo and then finished with some Herbal Essences conditioner. Used a comb in the shower to help get the bits out - it's like rinsing off coffee grounds!!

It is a bit of a faff and rather messy but the end result with no chemicals is great and my hair is so glossy, Will defo do it again!!

Thx all.

Excellent, glad it's worked well for you. Might do mine tonight