LUSH henna - why has it took me so long to find this fabulous stuff?

[IDoAllMyOwnStunts]

God it's amazing. Been using box dyes for ages to cover the greys in my brown hair. My hair was in terrible condition, dry, thinning, breaking off etc.
Tried the reddy brown Lush henna, it's a gorgeous colour, plus has left it really glossy, hasn't been this shiny all over since I was in my 20s.
Did it about 4 weeks ago and the colour and shine is still as good as when I first did it. Will never use a box dye again.
Promise I don't work for them, just needed to share the love!

That colour is amazing btw vince.

Thanks!
I grated it this time which was much easier to mix but took ages - I did it in the food processor but it was a very slow process. Any better tips?

Thank you for the tip! Will try it out in the next week or so and report back.

Love this thread and have been lurking... Not quite ready to make the henna plunge yet as very pregnant. But once little one arrives and life has settled down I might have a go!
But it makes me think - i understand that regular hairdressers probably only use chemical dyes but are there any hairdressers that will dye with henna? I don't have any friends to ask for help and a bit unsure about where to start so would be great to talk to a henna expert, do a strand test and then their help to do that first dye. I guess the problem is that it isn't a repeat business because many would then go on to do it themselves - hence have never come across it...

I think the other problem is that henna takes so long it would cost far too much to get a hairdresser to do it. I doubt they cover it in training either.

You could try collecting hair from your hairbrush (a lot will fall out after your baby is born) so you have enough to do a strand test.

There are loads of videos online for how to apply- the piping bag method is pretty good.

This thread has inspired me. I've bought the rouge henna from Lush, and I'm going to try it out on an old wig that is dark brown. I think I'll wrap it in foil and sit on the radiator for a few hours.

Just a few questions. I've used a few sulking products on the wig, does that matter or must I wash it and dry first? Also does it stain scalps? It's a lace front wig and I'm scared to dye the lace, it's a synthetic net type fabric. Should I try and protect it with some Vaseline?

Quick question for henna experts - do you keep a separate bowl and spoon just for henna? Can you use it again for food if it's been properly washed?

good point about the time taken - i forgot about that.
I currently very rarely have a mobile hairdresser round for a trim - I probably should get her round to trim my split ends and might ask if she's ever used it and know anything about it - but I suspect the answer will be just regular chemical dyes!
Big question for me is what colours - I'm a kind of strawberry blonde/gingery colour and am thinking I need to start dying because I'm starting to get greys. I don't mind a colour change but don't want to go too drastic so I think that means I need to be combining with cassia - and that's why its all a bit daunting for a first timer...
I think I will continue to lurk and read and maybe one day will be brave!

Vincenoir that looks amazing! Are you pleased with it?

Yes it's lovely! I used more than usual last night after reading this thread, I was using too little before. It's a lovely colour, really rich

Dancergirl- I don't use a separate bowl. I just rinse it out and put it in dishwasher.

Great Vince it does look a great colour, in fab condition too.

Super worm- you could try a strand test with rouge. Or mix rouge and MARRON?

Superworm- look here

Dancegirl - I use a glass bowl and tea spoon for mine. The henna doesn't stick to either, so I've never had any problems.

Well the henna's on! Went out today and bought the Maron. May post a pic tomorrow if it turns out well.

Ooh how exciting Boris. Are you now sporting the clingfilm/towel combo? What colour was your hair before and did you get it to a nice Heinz tomato type soup consistency?

Well.... I'm sporting a Tesco carrier bag and a towelling turban, which is beyond cool. My hair was dyed "natural dark brown" which turned out to be unnatural dark black, so really needed a change of some sort. When I started putting it on it felt a bit dry, so I added some of the hot water from the old saucepan expensive bain marie and I think I got it about right. The lovely assistant in Lush said 2 - 4 hours, so will definitely give it the 4. Another 1.5 hours to go ...

I have a question if anyone knows the answer. Do you have to do the bain marie if you have grated the henna or can you just put hot water in it? Anyone know???

How did it go Boris? Going to perhaps do mine today, depends upon how busy I am children wise!!!!!!

Depends how quickly you get it on your head! I always use a bigger bowl with hot water in but the grating method made it easier to mix and get the stuff on more quickly so you may not need to

Oh is the bain marie meant to keep it liquid and melted?

I don't have cling film. Will a plastic bag do the trick? I will make sure is like close to my head.

I'm thinking like a freezer bag [ if I have one big enough] May need to open it up and then cover it over with another asda bag and then a hat on top lovely

Well that's the henna on. Now have to wait until 1pm or so.
Everything went well except I had just finished when I went to clean the bowl etc and realised I hadn't added some marron to the bowl so think its going to be more like my stand test which was a dark brown. Bit pissed off!!! but never mind. Have wrapped it up with a freezer bag and a beanie hat on top and a then a turban thing to maximise the red. I read that if you want nice reddish tones to keep it warm. So we will see. As long as my hair doesn't snap off or turn green I guess I will have to live with it now. Scary!!!
The mess wasn't too bad. Started off methodical and then ended up just kind of slapping it on and massaging it into my scalp. It was a bit like putting a treatment on. No big deal.
Just please god be nice!

Yes it's to keep it liquid and also warm, as it's more effective when it's warm