Lush Henna Question

[SandraBollocks]

Hi, I'm looking for advice from all you Lush Henna experts out there please!
I recently bought Caca Brun to transform my boring mousy brown mane to something more shiny and fantastic. My friends have used the Lush hennas and with great results, so I was very keen to try! Did a strand test as instructed (hot water, plastic bowl, wooden stick), left it on for 4+ hours = nothing. Did it again a few days later, this time added some vinegar, same 4+ hours = nothing. I made it into thick paste, sort of conditioner consistency and it was def warm when I put it on. What oh what am I doing wrong? Why is it not sticking?
It's many, many years since I last dyed my hair and it's not in terrible condition as I can never be arsed to style it in any way.
Any ideas? Should I bother with the rest of it? Should I mix it with some Noir to make it darker (my natural colour honestly is not that dark, so expected to see some change!)? Or would that make it too dark. I'm after rich glossy chocolate colour, rather than red. Grateful for any suggestions!

I have never used Brun, but what colour is your hair now? I have always had the impression that Brun is more of a mid-brown, used for deep conditioning and adding depth to mousy shades, rather than a chocolatey true brown. Marron is a rich reddish-brown and Noir IME is unlikely to turn hair truly black. I have used both of these on my dark brown hair and achieved only quite a subtle effect. Lush henna is not a dye like "normal" dyes.

You could try mixing Brun and Noir, or alternatively you could just use Noir. I think that if you wrap your hennaed head in clingfilm you will end up with more of a reddish tone, and if you let it dry naturally you will end up with more of a bluey tone. BUT I may have those the wrong way around, so check

I also think you need to leave it on for longer than 4 hours. I always cleared a day and left it for 12 hours+. Overnight is meant to be best, but I never did as couldn't face the bedlinen carnage.

I used Caca Marron a couple of times, the results were good bu the faff was too much for me!

As far as I know, henna only actively works if it is warm. So leaving I on for 12 hours is pointless as it won't stay warm. This also why wrapping in cling film helps it develop. This is what they told me in lush anyway.

You might as well get a block and try it... If it doesn't take or isn't noticeable then you've lost nothing, bu I would say it might be more noticeable on all your hair.

The other thing I would mention is that it made my hair quite dry, so watch out as it obviously doesn't deep condition all hair types!

So leaving it on for 12 hours is pointless as it won't stay warm.

It will if you run the hairdryer over it a few times, or wrap it in an old towel to keep the warmth from your head in. Honestly, length of time makes a big difference.

Does it cover grey?

It will cover grey but the hairs will be red iyswim and look like you've had lowlights!
I loved using henna but the time and mess got too much for me at the mo.
Try henna Boy for cosmetic grade henna.

I grate mine with a cheesegrater, add just off the boil water. Slap it on as soon as possible - hot as I can bear, clingfilm on top (gives more reddish tint), cover with beanie. Leave on 5-6 hours. Then hot bath for an hour then rinse it off under the shower using plenty of conditioner.

It's best to have it slightly runnier than too thick. Bits get everywhere if not enough water added.

Covers the greys up - they look much redder than the rest of my hair.

It is much more time consuming than other dyes but my hair condition is worth it.

brun seems more conditioning whereas rouge gives my mousey brown hair lovely red glints.

I used to use powdered henna, and got good results, but had nothing from Cacau brun too. Followed the instructions about hot and long.... Wierd

one thing I don't like is henna makes my hair look a bit greasy for a few days after using it.

I use 2 blocks of marron with 1 block of noir and it turns my mid brown (but with a fair bit of grey) hair a darkish red/brown. Covers grey but they look slightly lighter brown/red - like lowlights.

Use very hot water to mix it. I don't grate it - takes too long - just cut the blocks up small and mix it with a wooden spoon. Takes about 10 mins to mix to a runny consistency, whilst I have a cup of coffee and some toast. I put the bowl over a pan of boiling water to keep it hot. When it's on I use a shower cap to keep it warm, with a beanie hat over the top so that I don't look too scary . Leave for 4 ish hours if poss, but 2 - 3 is fine also.

Thanks everyone! Will have a go with the Brun properly this week and will try and leave it on for even longer. Yes, wrapping your hair in cling film will make it redder, something I was not planning to do - would keeping it warm with the hairdryer heat do the same thing?
Will report back.

I don't think leaving it on for more than 4 hours makes any difference, I have tried doing it overnight and its no different from just having it on for an evening. Brun doesn't change my colour a lot (mine is dark brown), just gives it a more richer, deeper look. I normally use half marron / half brun for a hint of redness, but I only suit a hint of red, this combo gives me a nice rich chocolate colour.

I soak the blocks in hot water for half an hour till they are dissolved and then microwave it hot again before using it. I then put on a shower cap and towelling turban to contain it all, but don't use hairdryers or anything.