First post since January! Yeah, it's been quite a year.
The last time I dyed my hair with chemical dyes, I believe it was maybe late last October? While I can't remember precisely, that seems to be what happens every year. I want to be sure to get my hair dyed in time for Halloween. Early on this Spring, I started having major breakage problems yet again, so I went into my coconut oil saturation routine. After a couple of months of that, my hair has returned to normal. I did cut it off though to my chin to lighten up the weight to curb some of the falling hair, and it did help. I even shaved half way up underneath, and 2 inches above one ear. While I didn't want to have to cut my hair off that much (I probably cut 2/3 of it off :( ) I did like the way it looked after I cut it. Except one problem - the remaining black dye was fading and looking terrible, and the undyed stuff revealed quite a bit of silvery grey. (It was shocking to see how much I have.)
This week I finally ordered some henna dye. Having heard about my dear friend in Norway's experience with it, I really had to try it. Something had to be done. I mean, my hair looked sad.
The dye arrived yesterday, and I was actually planning on waiting until Sunday, but today was the day! I researched everything that needed to be before using henna. Apparently you wash your hair right before you dye it, using no conditioner. I would have screwed up as I always use conditioner, and would have otherwise washed it the night before. Then you either dry your hair or towel dry it. I towel dried mine. Being that I am incapable of dyeing my hair myself, a helpful and thorough volunteer stepped in to smear the clay like mush (with the consistency of pudding) into my hair. I really don't think I could have done it myself. An hour or so later, and a rather sore scalp in spots from hair pulling (I'm tender headed. I really wasn't being handled that roughly!) it was done.
The smell that a lot of people complain about was noticeable, but I didn't mind the smell too much for the first maybe 3 hours, as it just reminded me of a sweet smelling hay field. I had the whole thing timed out that I would leave it in for 4 hours, and then wash it out around 5:30. But suddenly our town trip got bumped up to before dinner rather than after dinner. So instead of washing it out an hour early, I just left it in an hour longer, and washed it out after we got back. I looked pretty comical in my clear plastic hair cap, but there was nothing else doing.
Washing it out was actually quicker than any experience I have had with chemical hair dye. Yes, the henna mixture had dried into clumps, but with the suggested use of conditioner to soften it, it wasn't too bad. (I might have a few stray clumps still in there.) I am not sure if it washes out as quickly in a shower, but when one is forced to spray their hair down with a high powered hose on the back deck, it goes pretty quick. :P (Thank you ancient sluggish plumbing!)
The smell that at first didn't bother me turned pretty cloying nearing 4 hours. It's a little gaggy right now, but thankfully, it has also softened from the conditioner's scent mingling in, so it's a sweet smell. My hair doesn't feel dried out one bit, which is one thing they say can happen with henna. Its soft and feels really healthy.
I have no idea how the color will settle after the 48 it takes for it to completely ripen (for lack of better words!) I am totally happy with it as it is right now. Its a bright reddish copper color, much deeper than the pumpkin I was expecting. My roots could use some touching up, truthfully, but I really do like it! The henna did not dye over the faded black, which I of course, was not expecting. It did however refresh the color, improving the faded tones.
I will eventually get some indigo and go black to totally black. It's kind of fun having reddish orange and black hair for now!
