LoveHennaHair

Helen's Hair ~ January 2012

2012-01-27T12:50:00.000Z

Recipe:
50g of Henna mixed with water and left for 8 hours.
Applied to hair.
Left on hair for 3 hours.
Result:
Lovely red tones in my hair!

xxx

January 2012 Sale

2012-01-24T09:43:00.000Z

10% off a few of our favourites:

Henna

Reetha

Shikakai

www.lovehennahair.co.uk

www.naturalhennahair.co.uk

So excited!

2011-10-26T21:36:00.001+01:00

We are so excited to be able to tell you about our new shopfront at www.naturalhennahair.co.uk.

It's fresh and clean and easy to use.

Please take a look and let us know what you think of it!

If everyone loves it as much as we do then we will be looking to move our LoveHennaHair domain name over there in the near future.

Helen & Jyoti
www.naturalhennahair.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Latest pics of Helen's hair

2011-07-04T13:04:00.000+01:00

Henna dyed hair:
I left the henna on my hair for 2 hours and have just taken photos (1 and a half weeks later) in the sunshine...

Freshly mixed henna powder

2011-06-24T12:38:00.002+01:00

Thought I would show you what my freshly mixed henna looks like.

50g henna + 4 tablespoons lemon juice + water =

Yes, I am going to put this gooey, muddy-looking substance on my hair! It feels like a cool, soothing mudmask.

I will now leave this mixture for about 8 hours and then apply to my hair for about two hours.
Will then post some new pics of my hair in a few days.

Helen
xx

(Henna powder available for sale from www.lovehennahair.co.uk)

Helen's Hair ~ May 2011

2011-06-08T14:51:00.000+01:00

100g pure henna for 3 hours...

And while we had the henna out, we thought we'd have a play with Henna tattooing...
On my daughter's wrist... A dainty butterfly...

And a couple of swirls around my arm...

The tattoos lasted about 2 weeks before fading and washing off.

Oh and by the way, we are starting to send out a newsletter...
Sign up here to receive our free newsletter and find out about new offers/sales/products...

Helen

Before and After ~ Ruth

2011-03-07T10:43:00.000Z

One of our lovely customers very kindly forwarded us some photos of her hair after using Henna/Indigo.
I'm so pleased that she loves the results.

Before Henna/Indigo ~ using a chemical dye...

After henna/indigo her hair has a natural shine (indoors and out) and has a beautiful reddish tone.

Thank you for sharing these with us, Ruth.

Remember, Henna and Indigo natural hair dye is available to purchase from our online shop at www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Helen
xx

Dyeing your hair with henna and indigo ~ detailed instructions

2011-01-22T15:55:00.003Z

If you have never dyed your hair at home, the first time may seem messy and hard work but it does get easier with practice.

1) Cover everything in old towels or newspaper, and wear old clothes.

2) Decide on the proportion of henna and indigo. You can mix indigo into henna to get shades of reddish-brown to auburn to brownish black. Remember every person will be different and the results could vary depending on the pH content of your hair on the day of application.

However, here is a rough guide:

-Pure henna will be reddish orange

-Equal portions of henna and indigo will give you a light brown colour.

-One part of henna to two parts of indigo will be dark brown to blackish.

-For guaranteed jet black hair, this process has to be done in two steps, maybe over two days. First apply henna all over, leave for at least a couple of hours and rinse off. Then, within a day, repeat the process with indigo.

Caution: Pure indigo, applied without henna, will give a bluish tinge to grey hair and greenish hue to blonde/ash hair and will dry your hair out too.

Quantity: 100g of powder for every six inches of hair. Curly hair will need more. 200g is usually enough for shoulder length hair.

3) Mix in a bowl with warm water- about 300ml for every 100gms should give you the correct coating consistency but it can vary with the level of humidity in the air. First, mix henna with the water, cover and leave for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. If indigo is also being used, add it to the henna paste just before using. (This is because henna molecule takes a while to release colour but indigo, when mixed with water, remains active for only about an hour). Mix well to remove lumps. Add some more water if it feels dryish otherwise it will not coat the strands properly.

4) Apply the mixture using plastic gloves, starting at the back.

For whole head, I use a brush to apply a blob to the roots in one section and then spread it to the ends before moving on to another section. Some people prefer to use their hands or foam. Cover your entire head, and wear a shower cap or wrap it in cling film. Make sure you wipe off any drips that run down, or you'll have streaks on your face and neck (can be scrubbed off!).

5) Keep the colour on for between 45 minutes to 4 hours. The longer the time, the darker the colour. Rinse the mixture off with water and then shampoo as normal. Hair will feel rough at first but silky smooth as it dries. The colour will deepen over 2-4 days. Reapply as often as you like for the desired effect.

Henna and Indigo available from www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Jyoti

Helen's Henna Dyed Hair - January 2011

2011-01-18T12:04:00.000Z

I hadn't put henna on my hair for nearly 4 months (time/illness/family constraints).
This is 150g of henna mixed with water and lemon juice and left on for 2 and 1/2 hours.

Deep auburn.

Before henna:

After Henna:

Helen
xx

Why clingwrap...?

2011-01-17T14:55:00.000Z

We advise customers to wrap their hair/head in clingwrap after applying henna to their hair. Why?

1) It keeps the dye from staining any towels/cloths that you are wrapping your head in.
2) It keeps the henna moist ~ which aids the dye absorbing.
3) We just want you to look funny and scare the neighbour who comes knocking :-D

Helen
xxx

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T21:59:00.000Z

Fancying something different, something fresh for the new year?
Try a new hair colour.
Henna can add a beautiful red tone to your hair (depending on your natural colour) and because it's a natural hair dye, it won't damage your hair ~ in fact it's a treatment too!

Helen
xxx

Hair Mix Recipes

2010-11-02T13:38:00.000Z

Hair Mix Recipes:
Please remember that these colours are an estimate.
These are natural dye products so an exact shade cannot be guaranteed.
Experimentation is the key.
Strand tests are highly recommended for both a colour check and allergy check (though allergies to these natural products are very rare)

If you use pure henna the following colours will take effect:
Blonde - Vivid Red
Dark Blonde - Vibrant Red
Red - Vibrant Red
Medium Brown - Auburn
Dark Brown - Dark Auburn
Black - Black with Red shimmer
Grey - Coppery Red

If you use 1/2 indigo and 1/2 henna, the following colours will take effect:
Blonde - Medium Brown
Dark Blonde - Medium Brown
Red - Medium Brown
Medium Brown - Medium Brown
Dark Brown - Warm Brown
Black - Warm Black
Grey - Dark Brown with Reddish Highlights

Mixing Amla with Henna will soften the red dye.

Nuts about soapnuts...

2010-09-01T17:12:00.000+01:00

Fab little nuts that you can use to wash your clothes.

The shell of soap nuts contains a natural detergent called ‘saponin’ which is released when it comes in contact with water and creates mild suds. The hard inner nuts can neither be eaten or used for washing and soap nuts are sometimes sold as halved shells with the seed removed. Our soap nuts are sold whole as the friction they produce helps clean the clothes better.

How to use:
Just put 5-6 soap nuts in a small net bag (or knotted sock, I use an old stocking foot!), place in the washing machine drum along with the load, and wash as usual (40 degrees ideally).

My washing comes out smelling fresh, clean and soft so there is no need to add a conditioner. If you want fragrance, add a few drops of essential oil in the softener drawer. They work well with colours and delicate fabrics such as wool and silk but not recommended for whites. As they contain no bleach, the whites tend to become grey after a few washes. They aren't quite strong enough for my son's rugby clothes but then nothing is :-)
I have been using them for normal washes without any problems.

One lot of soap nuts will do 4-6 consecutive loads. Stop using them when they become dark and soft and lose their shine.

Available to buy from LoveHennaHair

Helen
xxx

Amla ~ The next superfood?

2010-08-27T17:10:00.000+01:00

I grew up in India surrounded by Amla trees and loved eating the astringent sour juicy fruit plucked from the tree. I knew the fruit was used in ayurvedic tonics but did not realise it had so many wonderful properties or I would have treated it with more reverence!
Amla or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) is the fruit of a deciduous tree found mainly in India. It is small and greenish-yellow with vertical stripes and resembles gooseberry (hence the name). When I started researching it, I was amazed to discover that to list all of its reputed benefits would take forever but here is the condensed version.
Amla is believed to have cell rejuvenating properties and is used extensively in India for glossy healthy hair and to prevent dandruff. A paste made from dried and powdered amla is commonly applied to maintain healthy hair. It makes a wonderful hair tonic for people suffering from hair loss as it is supposed to strengthen the roots. It also helps combat thinning and premature greying, presumably by making the hair shaft stronger. Mixing amla with henna and indigo not only provides all the above benefits but also tones down the red shade of henna to dye the hair brunette.
I was surprised to learn that amla can also be used as a deep-cleanser for hair and body. Apparently, using amla regularly to wash dull, limp and oily hair makes it thick, bouncy and lustrous. It is also an excellent exfoliating, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial astringent scrub for your face,without the alcohol or chemicals found in commercial products. Its high levels of vitamin C break up the top layer of dead skin cells, and bits of amla seed gently exfoliate the skin. Mix a spoonful of amla powder and enough warm water to make a yogurt like paste and let it rest for 15 minutes. Scrub your face with the paste, and wash it off after a minute.Skin feels firm and tight.

When taken in dietary form, it strengthens teeth and bones and increases the red blood cell count. It has cooling, diuretic and laxative properties useful in the treatment of constipation and piles. It is also an anti-oxidant helping to boost the functioning of the immune system thereby preventing a wide range of diseases. It has antibacterial properties helping to prevent infections and healing ulcers.
It is used therapeutically as a cardio tonic, aphrodisiac, and antipyretic medicine and in the treatment of gastritis and heartburn. Some research studies have shown that amla is good for diabetics, as, apart from very high levels of Vitamin C, it also provides other essential minerals which help maintain proper functioning of the metabolic activities of the body. It has minerals such as chromium, zinc and copper. Amla also helps to prevent respiratory disorders such as common cold, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections. It can aid body building by increasing the total protein level due to positive nitrogen balance, giving an anabolic effect. To top it all, amla is also known to have anti aging properties. Wow!

Available from LoveHennaHair

Jyoti

Henna/cassia mix ~ latest pics

2010-08-27T14:38:00.001+01:00

Henna/cassia 50/50 mix. Left on for about 3 hours. Dyed my hair on Sunday, so it's had a few days to mellow out a bit.
Love the vibrancy and healthy shine that my hair has. Still haven't had it cut, so close to a year now without even a trim.
Helen
xxx

Reetha Powder/ Soap Nuts- nature's all purpose cleanser

2010-08-21T17:07:00.000+01:00

REETHA, the Soap nut tree, grows abundantly in India. Its fruit has been used for cleaning hair, body and clothes since ancient times. Soap nuts are 100% natural and contain no chemical additives, making them a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. They work like soap because their shell contains a substance called "saponin" which is released when it comes in contact with warm water. The inner seed is hard and black and contains no saponin.

Reetha or soap nuts can be used whole or in powdered form in many ways:

1)Use whole or cracked soap nuts to wash clothes in the washing machine instead of detergent and fabric conditioner. Most soap nuts are sold after the shell has been cracked and the seed discarded. I find using whole soap nuts (including seeds) more effective in the washing machine as the friction created by the whole seed probably goes some way towards cleaning the clothes and they can be reused 5-6 times before being composted. There is no need for fabric conditioner as garments are fresh smelling, clean and remarkably soft but essential oils can be added to the conditioner drawer. They are hugely economical and also eco-friendly as there are no chemicals going down the drain. With adapted plumbing, this grey water could be used in the garden or such.

2)When the soap nuts become dark and soggy( usually after 5-6 washes), you've extracted most of the saponin so stop using them in the washing machine. You could still soak them (excluding seeds) in a bit of water, whizz them in the blender, strain and use as 'liquid soap’ for the hand basin.

3)DIY soap nut liquid is very easy to make and has multiple uses for a truly natural way of living. This liquid can be used as shampoo, face and body wash, laundry detergent, all purpose cleaner, car wash, liquid soap, pet shampoo, washing up liquid as it is suitable for every kind of cleaning. A mixture of soap nut liquid and vinegar (ratio of 2:3) makes a great window cleaner. This recipe will make approximately 1.25 litres of Soap nut liquid.
Instructions:
Take approximately 1 litre of water in a saucepan and add about 50g (handful) of new soap nuts (excluding seeds). Cover and boil, then simmer for approximately 30 minutes. The boiling process extracts the saponin from the nut shells and combines with the water to make a liquid cleanser. Let the infusion steep overnight and strain into an appropriate container.
You could experiment by changing the soap nut shell to water ratio to alter the concentration depending on its use and adding essential oil if appropriate. A longer cooking time will make the liquid more concentrated.
4)Reetha powder mixed to a paste with water is an effective hair shampoo. As there are no chemical foaming agents added, it does not lather but cleans thoroughly and hair feels thicker and shinier. It is reputed to reduce dandruff and prevent hair loss. The longer you use the powder to wash your hair, the less you will need to use as the residual chemicals are removed.
5)The same paste can also be used as a face and body wash. The skin is left soft, smooth and resistant to infections and insect bites. The powder also has a deodorizing effect and is meant to reduce psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions.

Some interesting facts: In India, Reetha is cherished not just for its mild, anti-parasitic detergent effect but also for its anti-venom properties. It is commonly believed among paddy growers that the presence of this tree repels venomous snakes, not all snakes, as non-venomous snakes are essential to protect the crop from rats. In case of snake bite, sipping the juice of Reetha fruits and applying it inside the eyes is meant to help expel the venom. Reetha has formic acid which is an irritant so it is mixed with cow's ghee before using in the eyes. In case of scorpion bite, the patient is fed Reetha juice mixed with jaggery (sugarcane extract) to combat its extreme bitterness. Another documented use of Reetha is to smoke it instead of tobacco for a few weeks in order to reduce the craving for tobacco. A very small quantity is used by goldsmiths for washing gold and silver ornament.

Available from LoveHennaHair

Jyoti

Shikakai

2010-08-17T17:04:00.002+01:00

Until a few years back, when shops were not packed with fancy haircare products, most Indian homes were filled with the fragrance of a black concoction every morning. This was when reetha (soapnut), soaked overnight, was blended with shikakai powder to make a 100% natural shampoo and body wash.
Reetha and Shikakai contain all the required goodness for healthy lustrous hair. Shikakai, which means ‘fruit for hair’, is a gentle herb, native to southern India. It is extremely mild and doesn't strip hair of natural oils making it ideal for those with sensitive scalps. It is probably nature's original pH balanced shampoo which removes dirt and keeps hair free of fungal infections by detoxifying the blood in the scalp and preventing premature greying of hair. It is a natural conditioner since it also detangles hair. Shikakai contains 100 times more vitamin C than grapefruit as well as abundant antioxidants such as vitamins A, D, E and K that promote healthy hair growth.

I have just returned from a trip to India and used this trip to brush up on my knowledge of the traditional natural recipes used by folks back home. One of the most popular homemade reetha-shikakai hairpacks is to mix two parts of reetha with one part of shikakai, adding half-a-cup of fenugreek (methi) seeds into this mixture. If possible, add dried hibiscus leaves too. Make a powder or grind the paste of fresh leaves. Wash and rinse hair thoroughly with this paste.

Jyoti

Before and After Henna: Vickie

2010-05-06T15:57:00.006+01:00

My friend Vickie has tried henna and is loving the results.
Here's a pic of her hair before henna (with a few grey strands):

and here is her softer, NO Grey hair:

Vickie is loving the condition of her newly-treated hair. She says it feel and looks softer and seems to be in better condition than before henna treatment.

xxx

Latest hair colour pic

2010-04-05T17:26:00.002+01:00

I used 100g of pure henna and left on for just under 2 hours.
The final effect...

This is about 4 hours after I finished rinsing the henna out. It will settle down over the next few days and become deeper and richer.

I still haven't had it cut since September and it is starting to look slightly tatty on the very ends. But definitely not as bad as you would expect for 8 months growth.

Helen's Hair

2010-02-12T10:49:00.003Z

In February ~ about 3 weeks after an application of Red Hair Mix. Left on my hair for about 2 hours.

I think it's looking really healthy. Haven't had my hair cut since September 2009, I think it was, and I have very few dead ends.
xxx

Nominated!

2010-01-04T12:17:00.003Z

Helen has been nominated for an award through The Mumpreneur Conference ~ Best Green Business!

Latest hair colour ~ pure henna

2009-10-08T09:29:00.003+01:00

Forgot to post this earlier...
I recently dyed my hair using only henna, no amla/cassia/indigo or anything else mixed in.
Here's how I did it...
I mixed up 100g of henna with some lemon juice and warm water on Friday night. On Saturday morning I put it all on my hair and then clingwrapped my head. I left it on for about 3 hours.
End result...

A stunning red effect that looks brighter in the sun but a richer, deeper shade in the shade.
xxx

Latest hair colour pic

2009-07-27T08:53:00.002+01:00

I dyed my hair with henna and amla last weekend. I mixed 50g of henna and 50g of amla with some lemon juice and water and left on my hair for about 3 hours.
Loving the red/auburn tones.

Making changes

2009-07-08T10:17:00.002+01:00

Although I haven't managed to keep updated with the blog, we at LoveHennaHair are always trying to update and improve our original site. To do this we have created a new shop.
Please follow the shop link from the LoveHennaHair site to see our new Groovycart shop.

Trial Pack of Soap Nuts ~ Only £1!!!

2009-04-27T17:39:00.002+01:00

Soap Nuts

Detergent and fabric conditioner in a nutshell!

TRIAL OFFER:

£1.00 for a bag of 5 soap nuts suitable for 5-8 washes.
Quote the code on your voucher from your trial pack to receive £1.00 off the full size bag.

A natural cleanser for use in washing machines
Gets your laundry fresh and clean
Keeps colours bright, ideal for woollens and silks
Allergy-free, good for sensitive skin
Eco-friendly, biodegradable, chemical free
Economical compared to other detergents
5 soap nuts per wash- reuse 5-8 times
Make your own liquid shampoo/household cleaner

A fair-trade product grown without pesticides.

Soap nuts are sometimes sold as halved shells with the seed removed. Our soap nuts are sold whole as the friction produced helps to clean the clothes better.

Email jyoti@lovehennahair.co.uk or contact Jyoti through our member page on LoveHennaHair to place your order.

We've been blogged.

2009-03-01T11:01:00.001Z

Helen from LoveHennaHair was interviewed for The Family Friendly Working Blog.

Read all about it here.

Joyce's hair - 2009

2009-01-27T13:14:00.003Z

We've been experimenting to get a darkish auburn colour but don't want it too bright red/orange or too dark. My Mum is mostly grey but has quite fair skin so she doesn't want to have it too dark.
This is now the third time we've dyed it with a combination of henna and indigo, with amla added this time to soften the henna red slightly.
We are quite pleased with the results.
So glad that my mum doesn't mind me experimenting on her :-)

Shikakai Hair

2009-01-26T13:06:00.002Z

I've been using Shikakai as a hair treatment, once a week for the past month or so... on my daughter.
Here's a pic of her hair. She loves the softness.

I basically mix up a paste and add to her wet hair. She sits and soaks in the bath for about 10 minutes, then we rinse her hair. She then sits in the "muddy" water for another 5 or 10 minutes. Shikakai is reputed to be good for both hair and skin. She's not too keen on the smell so I add a few drops of lavender essential oil.

Colour Mixes

2009-01-21T17:12:00.003Z

I have created a page named Colour Mixes on LoveHennaHair on which I have listed the various shades that can be achieved by using the combinations of indigo / henna / cassia as natural hair dyes.

Please feel free to add your comments about the various colour effects of natural hair dyes onto our forum. We would love to know if you agree with our findings. And photos of your henna / indigo / cassia dyed hair would be a great addition to our site.

Henna Dyed Helen in January

2009-01-18T16:40:00.002Z

Love it - as usual!

Yesterday I dyed both mine and my mum's hair with henna. Forgot to take a pic of mum's but taken a few of mine.

To get this lovely colour, I used henna and cassia. About 50g of each. I mixed up the henna with water and lemon juice into a paste and left for about 4 hours. Then I mixed up the cassia and left for about 15 minutes. Mixed the two together, applied to my hair and left for about 3 and 1/2 hours. Rinsed out and the result is stunning. My hair feels softer and thicker too. The cassia seems to have softened the henna slightly.

See more photos of henna dyed hair at LoveHennaHair and feel free to add yours too.

Would you like "green" hair?

2009-01-12T09:54:00.001Z

Our natural hair care products are environmentally friendly and sourced purely from dried leaves and fruits grown without pesticides. They are not extracts, have not undergone any treatment process, and do not contain man-made chemicals or additives.

100% natural shampoos, conditioners & hair colours

REETHA: Hair and body cleanser
SHIKAKAI: Mild shampoo and conditioner
AMLA: Hair tonic- enriches hair & is reputed to stop hair loss if used regularly.
CASSIA OBOVATA: Hair conditioning and nail repair treatment.
SOAP NUTS: Eco-friendly whole nuts recommended for colour washes for use instead of washing powder and fabric conditioner.
HENNA: 100% natural hair colour -dried leaves of the henna plant. Use on its own for reddish hair or mix with indigo for shades varying from reddish-brown to black.
INDIGO: 100% natural hair colour-dried leaves of the indigo plant. Mix with henna for shades varying from reddish-brown to black.

Changes...

2009-01-07T12:17:00.003Z

Just to let everyone know that we have changed the way our LoveHennaHair shop works.
We have put a price list on the site and you will need to email us at orders@lovehennahair.co.uk with your order list.

We've been having a few problems with our shop software so have decided to work this way for a while and look at other options in the future.

Go to NaturalHennaHair for a direct link to the shop. You do not have to be a member of our forum to place an order.
All our prices include packaging and posting to UK addresses. However if you are wanting an international order - please email us and we'll work out the Postage costs for you.

I dyed my hair in early December with Henna and Cassia. Softened the colour very slightly - unfortunately haven't managed to take any photos yet. Will hopefully be doing my next henna dye in a few weeks and I think I'm going to try pure henna - see what happens.

Have you used Henna? What was the outcome?
If you've never used Henna, what's stopping you?
Stop by the forum and let us know your opinions on Natural Hair Products.

Interview for Women Health Direct

2009-01-05T09:59:00.002Z

LoveHennaHair have been featured on WomenHealthDirect. Talking about Natural Hair Dyes.
Read all about it here.

Shikakai Shampoo

2008-11-13T11:36:00.002Z

I thought I'd tell you about my new shampoo.
Shikakaiis sourced purely from dried pods of the Acacia Shrub.
I mix about a tablespoonful with some water and a few drops of Patchouli or Lavender Essential Oil, apply to my wet hair like a liquid shampoo and rinse.

Ok, now the funny bit. Because it's a powder mixed into a paste it feels a bit weird and a bit gritty actually so at first I wondered if it would actually wash my hair. I gave it a really good rinse and my hair has come out really clean, not squeaky clean - if your hair is squeaky clean it's not a good thing because it means all the natural oils have been stripped away. My hair feels thicker and softer. My only thing is that I am not a morning person and having to make up a paste before getting into the shower is hard work!

I also tried it on my daughter's hair with great results. She has long, blonde hair, half way down her back. Now I didn't use a conditioner for my hair because it's shorter and it didn't feel like I needed it but for my daughter I used some Cassia which is sourced purely from dried leaves of the senna plant. I mixed up about 2 tablespoonfuls with water and a bit of essential oil and made a paste. It feels really strange, like slime and it's green. Fab! I was a bit cautious at first but once I'd put it on her hair and then after about 10 minutes we rinsed - really stunning - so soft and easy to comb.

Best part is that I was able to shampoo and condition without use of chemicals! My hair care products, shampoo, conditioner and hair dye are all completely natural!

Cassia, Amla, Reetha and Shikakai

2008-11-10T09:03:00.003Z

We now have them all in stock at our shop NaturalHennaHair! Though you can still reach the shop through LoveHennaHair.

Cassia Obovata
100 % Senna Italica

Natural Hair Conditioner sourced purely from dried leaves of the senna plant; this is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Also known as neutral henna, it has all the properties of henna apart from the colour. It is a great condidtioner adding softness, shine and bounce. It is also reputed to boost hair growth.

Cassia can be used on any hair colour as it enhances the natural hair colour.

Used by itself or combined with henna powder for stunning effects on blonde hair.

Directions for use: Mix approximately 25g powder with water to make a paste. Apply to hair as a conditioner. Leave on for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours. Rinse.

Amla Powder
Phyllanthus Emblica

100% Natural hair tonic sourced purely from dried fruit of the Amla tree. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Amla is an edible fruit which is reputed to have the highest vitamin C content of all food stuff. It is reputed to enrich hair and can help to stop hair loss.

Can be mixed with Henna to soften the red dye.

Directions for use: Mix approximately two tablespoonfuls with water to make a paste and apply to hair as a conditioner. Leave for a few minutes and rinse off.

Reetha Powder
Sapindus Makurossi

100% Natural hair and body cleanser sourced purely from dried fruit of the Reetha tree. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Reetha powder is a gentle cleanser offering an alternative to sodium based synthetic soap and shampoo. It is also a great face and body defoliant and can be used as a face pack to improve facial complexion. Other uses include cleaning jewellery and washing woollen clothes.

Directions for use: Mix approximately one teaspoon of powder with water to make a paste. Apply to face. Leave for a few minutes then rinse.
To use as hair treatment/conditioner hair mix more powder.

Shikakai Powder
Acacia Cancinna

100% natural shampoo and conditioner sourced purely from dried pods of the acacia shrub. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Shikakai is extremely mild and doesn't strip hair of natural oils. Usually no conditioner is needed since it also detangles hair. It is known as nature's original pH balanced shampoo.

Directions for use: Mix aproximately one tablespoonful of powder with water to make a paste. Apply to wet hair as a shampoo. Leave on for a few minutes. Rinse. Dry as normal.

What is Cassia? What is Amla?

2008-10-28T11:20:00.001Z

Senna italica,(= Cassia obovata), often called "neutral henna", is used as a hair treatment with effects similar (conditioning treatment) to henna but without the red color. The active component is an anthraquinone derivative called chrysophanic acid, which is also found in higher concentrations in rhubarb root. It can add a slight yellow color.
Cassia when used for hair is a powder made from the dried leaves of senna plant and used as a great conditioner adding softness, shine and bounce.

The Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica, syn. Emblica officinalis) or Amla is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name. Amla reportedly has the highest vitamin C content of all food stuff.
Popularly used in inks, shampoos and hair oils, the high tannin content of Indian gooseberry fruit serves as a mordant for fixing dyes in fabrics. Amla shampoos and hair oil are traditionally believed to nourish the hair and scalp and prevent premature grey hair.

What is Henna and how is it made?

2008-10-21T10:24:00.005+01:00

The technical bit:

Henna or Hina (Lawsonia inermis, syn. L. alba) is a flowering plant, the sole species in the genus Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high.

Henna, Lawsonia inermis, produces a red-orange dye molecule, lawsone. This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool.

And how is henna made into a hair dye or tattoo stain for skin?

Whole, unbroken henna leaves will not stain the skin or hair. Henna will not stain skin or hair until the lawsone molecules are made available (released) from the henna leaf. Fresh henna leaves will stain the skin if they are smashed with a mildly acidic liquid. This will stain skin within moments, but it is difficult to form intricate patterns on the skin or to apply to hair from coarse crushed leaves. Dried ground, sifted henna leaves are easily worked into a paste that can be used to make intricate body art or to dye hair.

Commercially available henna powder is made by drying the henna leaves and milling them to powder, then the powder is sifted. This powder is mixed with lemon juice, strong tea, or other mildly acidic liquids but can be mixed with water alone.
Essential oils with high levels of "terps", monoterpene alcohols such as tea tree, eucalyptus, cajeput, or lavender will improve skin or hair stain characteristics. The henna mix must rest for 6 to 12 hours so the leaf cellulose is dissolved, making the lawsone available to stain the skin or hair. The longer henna is left on the skin or hair the darker the shade achieved.

What effect will henna have on brown hair?

2008-10-17T09:55:00.004+01:00

Depends on the shade of your original hair colour really.
If you have light brown hair then you'll end up with a vibrant shade of reddish/orange. If your hair is darker then you could end up with reddish highlights.
Henna creates a reddish colour - what if you don't want too much of the red tones? In this case your best bet is to add indigo to your mix. Indigo, when mixed with henna, darkens your hair into a rich brown. Using more indigo creates a darker shade and more henna brings in the reddish tones. Any grey hairs will become red/orange unless you add Indigo.

Henna & Indigo can both be used as often as you like with no damage to your hair.

Henna & Indigo (sold at LoveHennaHair)are natural products with no added chemicals so an exact shade cannot be guaranteed.

Is henna safe for use during pregnancy?

2008-10-14T12:32:00.004+01:00

According to regular users of henna as a hair dye henna is fine to use during pregnancy as there are no chemicals. They and their babies have had no side-effects from henna use.
As long as it is Real Henna and not a compound mix. Any henna that is sold as black henna or blonde henna is generally a mixture of some sort - sometimes with metallic compounds added. It is the chemical Para-phenylenediamine found in some chemical hair dyes that everyone is now being advised to avoid - especially pregnant women.

At LoveHennaHair we only sell the pure plant products with no chemicals or metallic compounds mixed in. Indigo (again as long as it's pure indigo) is also fine - so if you were wanting darkish brown hair then pure 2/3 indigo mixed with 1/3 pure henna is probably your best bet.

However, there have been no chemical trials to indicate whether any form of hair dye - natural or chemical - has any effect on your unborn baby. Personally if I were to dye my hair during pregnancy I would choose a natural rather than chemical method.

Does henna have metallic qualities?

2008-10-13T09:59:00.005+01:00

No, pure henna powder is made from a plant which has no metallic qualities.

However some Henna dyes used in Europe and America in the late 19th century had metallic qualities as they added iron sulphate, copper sulphate and a whole host of other ingredients to create various colours.

"When diplomats and travelers went abroad, they often took a painter or
photographer with them to record the exotic world, which they did …
richly embellished with their own attitudes and fantasies. The
opulent (though hardly accurate) depictions of Turkish harem life by
Ingres and others caught the imagination of Europeans in the 19th
century just as science fiction motion pictures catch the imagination
of people now, and created demand for products.
When European and American women went to purchase these Oriental wonders: they were sold boxes of “black henna”, “red henna” “blonde henna” and “neutral henna” (also called “white henna”). These were “rastik”, henna, indigo, and cassia for their hair. The westerners had no idea what was in the boxes, nor was precise labeling required at that time.

The term “to henna” became synonymous with dying one’s hair, no matter what plant was used. “Henna” was the universal term for hair dye at the beginning of 1900, and was the safest, most widely used, most reliable hair dye until the technology of
para-phenylenediamine dye was transferred from the textile and fur industry into the cosmetic industry in the late 1930’s." History of Henna - Catherine Cartwright-Jones

Henna Dyed Helen

2008-10-12T11:19:00.004+01:00

Dyed my hair again yesterday (last time was just over a month ago) using pure henna powder, water, lemon juice and a teensy bit of indigo powder.
Wrapped my head in clingwrap and three hours later...

Loving it! It has so many different shades of brown, auburn and even a little bit of orange highlights - depending on the light. My hair feels so smooth - I was telling my 7 year old son how soft my hair was and he stroked it, said "wow" and then continued until I had to tell him to stop. Seems to have become richer/deeper since the last time I used henna - so looking forward to seeing what it will be like over the next few years.

You can see more photos at our website Lovehennahair

Simple Henna Recipe

2008-10-10T09:59:00.003+01:00

Instructions:

100g of Henna/Indigo/Amla/Cassia powder for every six inches of hair - in whichever proportions you’ve decided.
Approximately 300ml water per 100g powder(many people add 1/2 lemon juice and 1/2 water which is reputed to help “fix” the dye)

1) Cover everything in newspaper
2) Decide on the proportions of henna and indigo - remember every person’s hair will react slightly differently.
3) Mix powder in a bowl with warm water to make a thickish paste. Leave for at least 4 hours.
4) Apply the mixture onto your hair using plastic gloves.
5) Wrap head in clingwrap. Keep it on for at least an hour and up to 8 hours. The longer it is left on, the darker the colour.
6) Rinse the mixture off with water and shampoo as normal. The colour will change over the following 4 days - deepening and becoming shinier.

Before and after

2008-10-09T10:28:00.004+01:00

Thought I'd show you a before and after henna dye example.

Before

and After

Joyce's grey hair was dyed a lovely auburn colour by mixing 20g of indigo powder with 50g of henna powder and water to create a thick paste. We left the mixture on for 2 hours and rinsed thoroughly with water.

Bleaching with henna?

2008-10-08T20:41:00.003+01:00

Not possible, I'm afraid.
Henna is a dye, a natural dye, and as such cannot lighten hair. I have read about people rinsing their hair with lemon juice which seems to lighten gently but there doesn't seem to be a non-chemical way to lighten hair.
Amla and Cassia are neutral hair dyes and will brighten hair, sometimes giving a lightening effect.
Using pure henna you can become a stunning redhead and by mixing henna and indigo you can deepen your hair to a stunning dark brown. Pure indigo will give a bluish tinge to your hair - so unless you fancy a blue rinse I wouldn't advise.

I have created a "social network" - an area that hopefully, along with Lovehennahair will give people the opportunity to discuss natural beauty products and make friends with like-minded people.

Why Use Natural Hair Dye?

2008-10-07T12:36:00.004+01:00

When you dye your hair with chemicals not only are you putting chemicals on your hair and scalp but you are also then washing those chemicals down the drain afterwards.

Henna, Indigo, Amla & Cassia are all powders created from plants with no added chemicals, so you are using a gentle natural product on your hair and scalp (perfect for people with allergies to chemical hair dyes) and when you wash the powders out of your hair after dyeing you are not flushing chemicals.

Welcome

2008-10-04T18:35:00.001+01:00

This is the beginning of LoveHennaHair.
I'm hoping to blog about the benefits of natural products.
I have created a website www.lovehennahair.co.uk and the plan is to use this blog and the forum on the site to convince everyone to buy natural products - starting with Henna & Indigo as a hair dye.