Henna: Natural Color & Conditioning for Hair & Menhdi Body Art

Henna Notes 

1. ALWAYS READ the LABEL
   
   Many products marketed under the name of Henna that do not contain true Henna, Lawsonia Inermis, nor are they necessarily all natural or safe. Especially be cautious of those that come from places where strict labelling is not enforced.
   
   If you are unsure about any ingredient, do not buy it!
   Look for a trusted, reliable source.
   
   
2. ALWAYS TEST BEFORE USE
   
   This is especially important if you are a first-time henna user!
   
   2 Tests, 2 Reasons:
   
   1- SKIN TEST
   Some people are allergic or have a sensitivity to Henna or other herbs.
   It is best to place a little of the mixture you plan to use on the skin someplace and leave it for 24 hours. If it does not cause irritation or a rash, then it is probably safe to use.
   Simply because a product is "natural" does not mean that it will be completely safe for everyone.
   
   2- STRAND TEST
   Do a strand test on your hair. This is especially important if your hair has ever been chemically treated (permanent wave or coloring, etc.) The color you want may not be the color you get! This is especially important if you have never used henna before.
   
   
3. HENNA CANNOT LIGHTEN HAIR
   
   Both Henna AND Indigo can only ADD COLOR AND DARKEN hair.
   Some people create depth or streaking effects in the hair by using one or more shades or multiple applications of henna or henna/indigo or henna/senna blends.
   
   SENNA IS COLORLESS
   It will condition the hair without adding color. This is often sold as "Neutral Henna" or "Henna for Blond Hair". It is often blended with Henna to create lighter shades of red, such as strawberry blond.
   
   
4. INDIGO IS FOR BLACK HAIR
   
   If you desire to deepen black hair and give it a gorgeous rich blue-black sheen, Indigo is what you want. It is often marketed as "Black Henna". Be sure to read the label carefully to ensure it contains no other ingredients such as PPD.
   
   
5. HENNA AND GRAY HAIR
   
   Henna and henna blends will color gray or white hair, but it will always be lighter than the rest of the hair. This can give a nice highlighting effect.
   A single application is effective on hair that contains 20% or less white or gray. Multiple applications will be required to get those hairs darker. Just remember, as you add more color, ALL the hair will get darker too.
   One technique used for brown hair is to first do an application of red, and then follow it with an application of black (indigo) or a blend (henna/indigo).
   
   Light Mountain makes a special Henna and Henna blend color kit called "Color the Gray".
   
   
6. ALWAYS TELL YOUR BEAUTICIAN/ HAIRSTYLIST THAT YOU HAVE USED HENNA, SENNA OR INDIGO
   
   This will prevent untold disasters when you go in for a or permanent wave or color appointment.