Lush Henna Hair Color Walk Through

First let me say that this isn't my review of Lush's Caca Rouge Henna, that will come next time I dye my hair. This is just a sort of walk through or tutorial on how I use this hair color. Henna can be intimidating to use, I know I've read walk throughs that make preparing and applying henna sound like a total nightmare. Yes, henna isn't anywhere near as easy or convenient as boxed dye, but it isn't as hard as some make it seem and it gets easier with each use. I hope this tutorial is helpful and doesn't sound too scary. :3

 Here's what you need:

Lush Henna in color of your choice. I'm using Caca Rouge

Plenty of newspaper

A sturdy bowl you don't mind ruining. 

A knife and cutting board

A wooden spoon

Hot water

Latex gloves

Vaseline

Baby Wipes

Garbage Bags

An Old Shirt

Shower cap or cling film. 

Hair Brush

Leave in Treatment

Helper 

(if you have very long hair, or just want some company)

 Step 1: Prep your area; put down plenty of newspaper. On the floor, in the sink, on the counter tops, wherever you don't want to get stained by henna.

Step 2 Prep yourself. Take off anything you don't want stained, put on an old shirt. Brush your dry hair, taking care to eliminate any knots and tangles you may have. Spread vaseline or a similar product along your hairline, down the sides of your face, on and behind your ears, and down your neck. Henna stains skin very easily, you're probably already aware of this if you're familiar with Mehndi. Henna can stain the skin for a couple of weeks so the vaseline step is very crucial.

 Step 3: A; Prep your henna. Cut squares from your henna brick. I use 3 squares, but I could probably get away with using 2 1/2, but it's better to make extra just in case. Cut each square into 4th's or smaller. Place the cubes of henna into the bowl.
           
            B: Bring some water to a near boil. Pour over the henna, just enough water to cover the henna cubes.

            C: Let the henna melt a bit on it's own for a couple minutes, just to let the the water cool a bit, for safety purposes. As a cook, I'm very cautious about stirring things in truly boiling hot water. After about 3 minutes, mash and stir the henna into a thick, slightly lumpy paste. Some say it should be a smooth, thick yogurt like consistency, but I kinda like it a little chunky, it helps me concentrate the color in the roots. 

 [newspaper everywhere]

Step 4: Put on your gloves. Begin applying the henna paste to your hair. Don't merely coat your hair, saturate it. Mash the paste in at the roots, then pull it down through the hair gently. I start at the bangs and work backwards. Be thorough, make sure the undersides, roots, tips, and everywhere in between . Your hair should look kinda like dreadlocks. If you have very long hair, have a friend help you (make sure they wear gloves and an old shirt as well). Dean helps me with mine, he's a hair coloring pro now. Actually he just likes playing with the paste :3 Cutie.

Step 5: Put on a shower cap or wrap your hair with plastic wrap/cling film. I opt for the shower cap. This helps prevent mess, and it holds in the heat of the henna, helping the color develop. Another option is to split a plastic bag and wear it kinda like a hat. My mum does this. Pure style, Mum. 

 Step 6: Clean up. Take your gloves off, wipe your face and arms off. Wipe down any surface the henna has landed on (it will splatter about). I use a baby wipe, it removes henna with ease. Recycle the newspapers and discard any extra henna.

Step 7: Wait. The amount of time you leave the henna in is up to you. It depends on your natural hair color, the color of the henna, how intense you want the color to turn out, etc. There's a lot of variables, and I can't really advise you on how long to leave it in. Henna can be left in for up to 24 hours. I leave it in for 6-8 hours. It can be very annoying, heavy, and uncomfortable, at least for me. 

 Step 8: Take a shower. Rinse your hair til the water runs clear. Towel dry partially. Get back in and rinse some more til the water runs clear again. Towel dry partially, apply a spray in, leave in treatment like Aveeno's and let your hair air dry. Your hair will probably feel a little waxy after it dries.

Step 9: Wash your hair again the next day. Expect for more dye to come out the next few times you wash. Also some grainy bits.

[end results]

Notes:

• The color will change the next 2-3 days while the color develops in your hair. 
• Your hair will smell strongly of henna for at least a week. If you aren't familiar, henna smells like a strong, herbal tea. 
• Though henna is natural it can still dry and damage your hair, like any hair color. Personally my hair stays quite healthy, no matter what. 
• Henna tends to fade evenly, so roots and other fading issues can be avoided with henna dye.
• I actually find red henna quite long lasting. I have natural red hair, but it's a dull strawberry blonde, so I use this to enhance my red, and don't feel like I need to re-color for at least 6, if not 8 weeks. 
• This stuff does not transfer onto pillowcases/clothing etc once it's dry, at least for me
• Henna colors can be mixed to create new colors
• You shouldn't dye over henna with boxed dye, it's very damaging and the color will not turn out as expected.
  

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you have your own henna method.