Thread: Lush henna bars?

I've had white hair (stark white) creeping in since high school. I'm in my mid-20s now and it's not too bad, but it's enough that I'm dying my hair. I've done the highlights thing and played around with a few shades away from my natural color (dark brown), but now I'm thinking I would like to try henna.

In reading previous threads about it, I saw a mention of Lush's henna bars and they have 2 (caca marron mama and caca rouge mama) that look interesting. If I'm correct I think the first would be my natural color (or ridiculously close) and the second would be what I've been wearing recently (my natural color with a slight wash of red).

Has anyone tried either? What were your experiences? If you don't recommend these, what's a good option for a total henna newbie?

OOOooo, hope you don't mind, MaryRaks: I'm gonna piggyback onto your thread. I, too, have been toying with the idea of henna-ing for the 1st time!!!

Sounds like a tasty snack to eat between gigs

I love everything else from Lush, so I'm sure their henna bars are nice!

I used it, and it didn't do a whole lot for my hair. It may be operator error, but compared to Henna For Hair henna, the Lush henna bars are a total disappointment.

I love me some LUSH but their Henna bars were a total disappointment and very messy. My friend Sabine recommened the henna for hair (body art quality) from Mehandi.com shop - Henna, Indigo and Harquus .... body art and hair care supplies that are hard to find! and not only is it cheap, but it works really well. At least it did for me :)

I've used it and really liked the results. It is messy and it does take a while for the full color to develop but I really don't have anything to compare it to. And yes, it is expensive but since I have short hair I only use about one square of it and I have a lot left since I haven't done it in a while.

My gray hair did pick up a little more red than the rest of my hair but not shockingly so.

You're usually going to be better off with body art quality pure henna powder.

Heh, I just said earlier today in another henna-related thread that Lush henna was my gateway drug to henna use. They do have their advantages -- they leave your hair nice and conditioned, and if you want something other than the plain henna look (which is what I like, myself), having a choice of some other color effects already mixed makes the idea easier for some beginners.

That said, some people like them and the results they get from them, and some don't. After switching to body art quality henna from Henna for Hair (see the link in Razia's post), I find it much easier to just mix up my henna paste rather than having to break up that block of Lush.

There's been a fair amount of discussion about Lush henna bars on the Long Hair Community forum. Here's a recent thread:
[ame=http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=35440]Help with lush henna... - The Long Hair Community Discussion Boards[/ame]

I thought these henna bars were places to hang out and get hennaed. Some place where you get pampered. That's what I thought. Maybe there's a market for that.

Originally Posted by TheGreatKathyLori

I thought these henna bars were places to hang out and get hennaed. Some place where you get pampered. That's what I thought. Maybe there's a market for that.

It would be a healthier alternative to a hookah bar! ..g.:

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

OOOooo, hope you don't mind, MaryRaks: I'm gonna piggyback onto your thread. I, too, have been toying with the idea of henna-ing for the 1st time!!!

Me too! But red is an awful shade for me...my dark brown isn't a good shade either...what about going almost black?

Originally Posted by 1shadylady

Me too! But red is an awful shade for me...my dark brown isn't a good shade either...what about going almost black?

If you have darker hair, the red may not be as noticeable. Unless you have grey hair. I have red 'highlights' on my greys, but the rest of my hair is dark brown, and I only notice the red in certain light.

You can also achieve brown or black by adding buxus or indigo to your henna mix. The Mehandi and Long Hair Community links (provided in previous posts)have great forums to read, and get advice from.

I use the body art quality henna from Mehandi and I love it. My hair has never felt healthier. And it is so shiny!

Just remember that henna is permanent, so make sure to do some testing and research before taking the plunge.

Thanks for the advice! This is going to sound really silly, but how would you go about doing a strand test?

From what I'm gathering, henna will always give a red tint, but if I mix it with other things, I can stay a dark brunette with little red showing (unless I want it to)?

It's a little overwhelming to read everything, but I'm going through the info slowly. I still have a month or so before I need to color my hair again so there's some time.

if you want the best in henna for hair, go to reverendbunny.com, she has a full site geared around henna, it's use, application and 'recipes' for different shades....i personally use henna from castleart.com which is mehndi grade henna from either india or yemen (depending on crop), mixed with ground cloved and immersed in red wine, which is the acid needed to activate the henna, gives an awesome deep auburn color and smells GREAT! friends who wanted darker brown use coffee grounds in place of ground cloves.....it's a fun read

Mary, I have a block of Lush henna in red. I never got the time to use it and was going to see if anyone wanted it. Want it?

How 'bout a trade for some lipstick? (Just looked in my case. All I have is neutral shades.)

Originally Posted by roguepen

How 'bout a trade for some lipstick? (Just looked in my case. All I have is neutral shades.)

Works for me. I just checked and I have a few colors left that would work for you. I'll bring them tonight

Originally Posted by MaryRaks

Thanks for the advice! This is going to sound really silly, but how would you go about doing a strand test?

From what I'm gathering, henna will always give a red tint, but if I mix it with other things, I can stay a dark brunette with little red showing (unless I want it to)?

It's a little overwhelming to read everything, but I'm going through the info slowly. I still have a month or so before I need to color my hair again so there's some time.

To do a strand test, you can just use hairs from your hairbrush. I use small plastic ziploc bags. I mix the henna right in the bag. If you use the BAQ henna, you will need to let the henna sit for at least 8-10 hours, or overnight before adding the hair. Not sure about the Lush henna. When the henna is ready, add the hair and let that sit for around 3-4 hours, then rinse.

It can be overwhelming. I think reading the forums is very helpful and doing strand tests is a must. Otherwise, you might get results you don't want.

Originally Posted by TheGreatKathyLori

I thought these henna bars were places to hang out and get hennaed. Some place where you get pampered. That's what I thought. Maybe there's a market for that.

OoooOOooo!! I'd go to a henna bar! I have to drive 85 miles to the gal I know and 45 to the folks I haven't tried yet.

Actually the gal I have do my henna wants to open a sort-of salon for manicures/pedicures/henna. But she'd still be 85 miles away, lol

poo, double post!