Henna?

[loopyloou]

My 12 yr old Dd would like her hair dying for the summer hols. I don't want to use chemicals, but have said I will look into using henna.

It's a long time since I've used henna so can anyone recommend good - not too expensive - henna and tell me how to mix it, I.e. I read somewhere you should put some conditioner in the mixture. Where can I buy it? I've seen lots on Amazon.

Can henna cause skin reactions?

And also she has quite long hair - halfway down her back. How much will I need?

Watching with interest as I would like to henna my hair!

I used to do it as a young girl and it was lovely. I do remember some scare about heavy metals being too high in some brands, but that was years ago.

As a long term user of henna from lush ( red) here are the pros and cons:
Condition good, colour lasts
Cannot dye on top

Just had my back length hair cut a few months ago as it was that or roots.

I have used the henna from Lush. For my short hair I cut off two squares and grate them. I then add enough hot water to turn the mix into a floppy paste. Add to dry hai r., wrap with cling film and wrap old towel over that. Leave for a minimum of two hours and wash thoroughly until water runs clear. Make sure to wear plastic gloves, wear old clothes, use old towels and you must put vaseline on your ears, neck and all around your hairline or it will due those too. Bit of a faff bit leaves hair soft, conditioned and shiny. Colour lasts approx six weeks but depends on how often you shampoo.

Damn phone. Sloppy paste not floppy!!

Argghhh I can't get to Lush. Is it better than henna powder? The powder is much cheaper and I wouldn't have to faff with grating ...

Sorry don't know. Have only ever used Lush henna.

Powder is better than lush as long as you use body quality henna. There's a lot of substandard henna that gives dodgy results. For dark hair you can mix in indigo too. I order from the us as I don't live in the uk but the site I order from has a lot of info about henna quality and mixes. Just be aware that henna is very tricky to strip from hair and it will have to grow out. I have removed it before with raw honey mixes but this strips the colour from most hair anyway!

Tbh, as henna is permanent, and can't be dyed over, I'd go go for a semi permanent despite the chemicals. Less likelihood of a disaster.

Henna won't be out by the end of the summer holidays, can she go back to school with it?

Oh, I didn't know it lasts that long, thought it washed out after about 4 weeks.

Not sure if she can go back with henna'd hair, I'll check their T&C.