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!
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Monday, 10 November 2008
Cassia, Amla, Reetha and Shikakai
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.
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.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
What is Cassia? What is Amla?
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.
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.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
What is Henna and how is it made?
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.
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.
Friday, 17 October 2008
What effect will henna have on brown hair?
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.
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.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Is henna safe for use during pregnancy?
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.
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.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Does henna have metallic qualities?
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
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
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