Let's Talk Tresses Friday: Is Henna HEAVENLY to Your Hair?!?!

After my recent introduction to henna, courtesy of Lush's Caca Noir, I must admit that my hair has been feeling like 100 bucks. Washing my hair the following week resulted in less shedding, easy-as-pie detangling, and hair that looks and FEELS more healthy. I am definitely singing the praises of henna, and will be incorporating henna rinses into my hair regimen.

Does henna make you go, "HOLLA!!"? Leave a comment and testify (and share some of your favorite recipes, too!!).

DIY Nappturaliciously: Lush Caca Noir Product Review

I've been flirting with the idea of coloring my hair for the past few years now. What has stopped me is the mere fact that my hair starts breaking when I linger in the hair color aisle at my local Duane Reade for too long... it's THAT sensitive. lol

Inspired by the lovely Sophia of Kiffe Coco, I decided to try henna for the first time, and snatched up some of Lush's Caca Noir Mama. Henna and indigo are mixed together for this particular blend, and its the darkest of Lush's four henna colour blocks, leaving hair with a blue/black sheen in time. Bowled over by Sophia's results, I knew I had to try it for myself.

I first separated the blocks to make it easier to chop up. I used three squares in total, which was plenty for my hair.

I've read that its recommended that the bars be shredded using a cheese grater, but I managed chopping them into semi-small pieces.

I filled a pot with water and brought to a boil. I then took some of the water and mixed it with the chopped up henna in a heat safe glass bowl.

I added some Dabur Amla oil to the mixture and placed the bowl over the post with the rest of the boiling water.

This helped the mixture go from this (Ewwww... lol)....

To this!!! Once I took it off the pot to cool, the color went from "baby ca ca" green to a very deep dark brown/black. After I was certain that it was cool, I rushed to my newspaper-lined bathroom to begin applying the henna to my hair.

My hair was divided into four sections, so I just separated and gently detangled (using my Tangle Teezer & water) each section before adding the mud-like mixture.

The bars actually come with these really cute blue "Rocky Horror Picture Show" rubber gloves, but I ended up using these industrial gloves I scored from Duane Reade, the tread on the finger tips made rubbing the henna through my hair a snap!

I covered my hair in a showercap, and set out to let the henna sit in my hair for at least 4 hours... fast forward to the next morning! LOL Yep, I fell asleep!

Rinsing the henna out was actually super easy. My hair was still separated into four sections, so I just rinsed each section until the water ran clear. I followed up the rinsing with a co-wash using Yes To Cucumbers Color Care Conditioner

Once the conditioner was rinsed out, I was astonished by the shine and curl definition. My hair wasn't exactly blue black, but it was slightly darker and the difference was subtle, which I liked.

I braided my hair as usual and went about my chores for the rest of the weekend, not knowing that by the end of the upcoming week, I'd be sick as a dog. I wish the results on my dry hair were a bit more va-va-va-voom, but they were taken upon my release from the hospital, so my hair was a bit of a mess! LOL

All-in-all, I thought the experience was a lot less time-consuming than I anticipated, and can honestly say the results are worth the efforts!

Have you tried Lush's Caca Noir? Please leave a comment with your experience!

D-I-Y Nappturaliciously: Mixtress Magic - Simply Ayurvedic

I've recently started dabbling in Ayurvedic Hair practices by incorporating the use of Dabur Amla Oil into my Spring Hair Regimen. It's been a bit over a month, but so far my hair has responded amazingly to the oil: From root to ends, my hair is softer and shinier, and I've noticed dramatically less shedding  (which was a concern of mine). I've even started to notice a bit of accelerated growth, which wasn't my focus, but I'm taking it as a sign of happy hair!

I decided to search the internet (starting with a few of my favorite blogs!) for recipes we all can do at home to pamper our textured tresses. Here are a few simple options to start... your hair will thank you! :)

Henna-Coconut Milk Hair Mix

Recipe Courtesy of Natural Review by L

Ingredients:

- 100 gram of henna (Jamila or any kind that is body-art quality)
- Coconut milk (Use about 7oz. or as much as needed to create a good creamy texture)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil

According to L, this combination resulted in a consistency that was creamy and on the thicker side, which is a bonus because the thicker, the less mess!

Directions:

- Pour the henna into a clean bowl
- Add the entire container of coconut oil and mix thoroughly
- Add 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- Add ACV little by little and mix, being sure to check the consistency (L used just a few tablespoons)
- Apply henna mixture to dry hair in small amounts without rubbing too much, but coating as much hair as possible.
- Cover hair with a plastic cap and leave in hair (people have left it in anywhere from 2-24 hours.)
- Rinse hair with water first carefully.
- Add your favorite conditioner to your hair and rinse several times.
- Once the henna mixture is completely out your hair, use your favorite deep conditioning treatment.
- Style as usual

Shikakai-Fenugreek Ayurvedic Shampoo

Recipe Courtesy of the Malaysian Yoga Society

Ingredients:

- 4 finger-length Shikakai Pods
- 1 Tbsp Fenugreek Seeds
- 1/2 cup water (Distilled is best)

Directions:

- Rinse Shikakai Pods and Fenugreek carefully
- Soak in water overnight
- Remove seeds and any hard fibers from the softened shikakai pods (Reserve liquid)
- Bring seeded shikakai, fenugreek and soaking liquid to boil in a pot. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once cool, blend the mixture until frothy like a milkshake
- Wet your hair and lather with shampoo, rinse and repeat if desired.
- Follow up with your favorite conditioner


Ayurvedic Hair Cream

Recipe Courtesy of Natural Beauty Workshop

Ingredients:

- 1 ounce Amla Oil
- 1 ounces Mahabhringraj Oil
- 2 ounces Shealoe Butter (Found a great recipe from Natural Hair Rules!)

Directions:

- Gently melt the Shealoe Butter over medium heat in a double boiler.
- As soon as the Shealoe Butter has softened into a liquid, remove it from the heat and add the two Ayurvedic Oils.
- Whip the mixture until it cools. The cream should thicken slightly as it cools down, but will not become firm. If desired, add a few drops of your favorite Absolute, Attar, or Essential Oil. Jasmine Absolute would be a great choice.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean jar and allow it to cool completely.