The high cost of yarn hair?
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while. You know how I’ve loved my yarn hair. Really love it. It’s how I remember myself when my eyes are closed, you know? Inside my head, I’m a perpetual ragdoll. And for a long time, the outsides have matched the insides.
Well…I got lazy/busy/cheap with the hair once the baby was born, and have really let it go since we moved, mostly because it’s hard to find a hairdresser who cuts curly hair well, so I don’t have a stylist in Portland yet. And now I desperately need a haircut and my hair has faded to a totally natural-looking auburn shade, with about two inches of mouse-brown roots. And a healthy smattering of gray as well. It’s time to do something about the hair.
But here’s the thing… I’ve been thinking about that hair dye, and what’s in it, and what it may or may not be doing to me. I go to such trouble to eat organic food, use healthier cleaning products, and healthier beauty products to reduce my exposure to chemicals. We don’t drink out of plastic cups. We reuse jars instead of putting food in plastic containers. We’re pretty mindful of such things. And then I go and slather some rather nasty chemicals directly onto my head on a regular basis. Does this make sense?
But you have to go with the toxic stuff to get the really dramatic color. You just have to. (I think? Am I wrong?) I don’t want that stuff anymore, don’t want to keep exposing myself to those chemicals. So what are my options? I could let my natural mousey brownblondnothing grow in, along with the gray, or I could find a healthier hair color product and maybe let go of the yarn hair concept, maybe be happy with a more natural shade of red.
I used henna a few times back in high school and I remember the results on my lightish hair being a pretty harsh orangey color. Has henna gotten better in the intervening years? Or is there another vegetable dye any of you recommend?
Going back to my natural color doesn’t seem like the right choice. I just don’t look like myself in the mirror without the red. Sadly, red does not grow naturally from my scalp, so… Open to suggestions.
And if anyone in Portland can recommend a good hair stylist, please let me know.
You should order the LUSH caca rouge hair henna, my hair is dark brown/black and it was ripe roaring RED!!!!
Posted by: Nanette Sinden
You should order the LUSH caca rouge hair henna, my hair is dark brown/black and it was ripe roaring RED!!!!
Posted by: Nanette Sinden
Well…there are varying shades of henna, I know, but I believe it’s always something of a crapshoot. When I henna my hair (if it hasn’t been bleached first) it ends up rather purple. Needless to say, I haven’t done that in many years. But you could try. And I have heard tell of higher-quality vegetable dyes available in salons these days – though I rather doubt they can manage a good Crayola red. Sorry, I guess I’m not being very helpful. I understand your dilemma, though. And I adore that yarn hair.
Posted by: Lizbon
PS. There must be some Portland readers who can direct you to a good curly-hair stylist, at the very least!
Posted by: Lizbon
Sorry. My hair is straight. My problem has always been finding someone who will cut my long hair without pressuring me to cut it all off.
I’ve always been too scared to ever dye my hair (partly because of its length). I admire your bravery!
I guess I’m no help either.
Posted by: Jenn
There are different herbal hair dye mixes that give different shades. The problem is that most of them aim for some sort of natural-looking result. The trick for getting a strong, bright red colour with henna is mostly to just leave it on for as long as you can stand it. I used to take a free day and just walk around with my hair in a plastic bag for about six hours. Also, the colour builds up over several uses, so it won’t be as strong the first time.
Posted by: monika
I used Mandi at Dosha Spa on Hawthorne who does an amazing job with my curly hair, which is not however too super curly. But, what surprised me that most, was for being a fancier place than what I was used to before I moved her, it was twenty-five bucks for cut and style; super!
My manager goes to a tiny place in Sellwood that I can ask her about on Friday; she has literally curly, curly just crazy curly curly hair. And loves her stylist and gets a great price, excellent cut and a nice community feeling sense we both live in that area. I’ll leave another comment when I get her info…. 🙂
Posted by: Kelly
I have the same problem as you do. We try to eat organic, are members of a CSA, use non-toxic things whenever possible….but my hair. I have raging pink hair. I didn’t until a year ago when my youngest stopped nursing. When he was nursing or I was pregnant I used henna or also found some lovely natural hair colors at Whole Foods that have some really great reds and burgundy colors. I can’t think of the exact brand..but I think it was something like Naturol or something like that. They worked well. Just not as shockingly colorful as I wanted. I know what you mean. I don’t know what I would look like with “normal” hair now.
I hope you have luck finding a good hair dresser. They are so hard to find these days..and stick with. I had the same woman for years and she did a great job and then….she moved. SO. NOT. FAIR! I haven’t had a regular one since. I just wait until it’s haning sadly in my face and go to the nearest supercuts and have htem trim it. Grr. I hope you have better luck than me!
Posted by: Stephanie
Well…there are varying shades of henna, I know, but I believe it’s always something of a crapshoot. When I henna my hair (if it hasn’t been bleached first) it ends up rather purple. Needless to say, I haven’t done that in many years. But you could try. And I have heard tell of higher-quality vegetable dyes available in salons these days – though I rather doubt they can manage a good Crayola red. Sorry, I guess I’m not being very helpful. I understand your dilemma, though. And I adore that yarn hair.
Posted by: Lizbon
PS. There must be some Portland readers who can direct you to a good curly-hair stylist, at the very least!
Posted by: Lizbon
Sorry. My hair is straight. My problem has always been finding someone who will cut my long hair without pressuring me to cut it all off.
I’ve always been too scared to ever dye my hair (partly because of its length). I admire your bravery!
I guess I’m no help either.
Posted by: Jenn
There are different herbal hair dye mixes that give different shades. The problem is that most of them aim for some sort of natural-looking result. The trick for getting a strong, bright red colour with henna is mostly to just leave it on for as long as you can stand it. I used to take a free day and just walk around with my hair in a plastic bag for about six hours. Also, the colour builds up over several uses, so it won’t be as strong the first time.
Posted by: monika
I used Mandi at Dosha Spa on Hawthorne who does an amazing job with my curly hair, which is not however too super curly. But, what surprised me that most, was for being a fancier place than what I was used to before I moved her, it was twenty-five bucks for cut and style; super!
My manager goes to a tiny place in Sellwood that I can ask her about on Friday; she has literally curly, curly just crazy curly curly hair. And loves her stylist and gets a great price, excellent cut and a nice community feeling sense we both live in that area. I’ll leave another comment when I get her info…. 🙂
Posted by: Kelly
I have the same problem as you do. We try to eat organic, are members of a CSA, use non-toxic things whenever possible….but my hair. I have raging pink hair. I didn’t until a year ago when my youngest stopped nursing. When he was nursing or I was pregnant I used henna or also found some lovely natural hair colors at Whole Foods that have some really great reds and burgundy colors. I can’t think of the exact brand..but I think it was something like Naturol or something like that. They worked well. Just not as shockingly colorful as I wanted. I know what you mean. I don’t know what I would look like with “normal” hair now.
I hope you have luck finding a good hair dresser. They are so hard to find these days..and stick with. I had the same woman for years and she did a great job and then….she moved. SO. NOT. FAIR! I haven’t had a regular one since. I just wait until it’s haning sadly in my face and go to the nearest supercuts and have htem trim it. Grr. I hope you have better luck than me!
Posted by: Stephanie
I use “dark auburn” henna and it’s great, regular henna leaves my hair orange but this one it’s great.
Posted by: LÃa
I thought Aveda products, including their hair dyes, were if not toxic-free then safer to use than others. And it’s true that their dyes aren’t as vibrant as you might like, but…perhaps this is a compromise you’ll need to be willing to make–slightly less vibrant red in exchange for feeling good about the responsible choice. At any rate, the people at Aveda have always been helpful in getting as close to the right color for me as possible. Of course, now I’m going to a different place with the toxins and frankly, I love my hair too much to change.
But I’m right there with you on not wanting to go back to the natural color. I’m going to dye my hair until it all turns white, but this crap on my head right now? So not me.
Posted by: Michelle
You should ask Amy King of Spunky Eclectic. I believe she uses a vegetable dye and she has a bright red on the front sections of her hair….
Posted by: Dianna
go to naturallycurly.com and see if their are any Portland recommendations for a hair stylist from the locals. That is how I found mine (Kristin James) in Atlanta and I LOVE HER! I’ve turned three other people on to her and all four of us are quite happy.
Things might have changed but best to my memory Henna does not cover gray.
Posted by: Debbie
Hi, being a long time lurker here I just had to respond to this as I’ve been dying my hair strange colours for years. I use Directions hair dye, which I think are the same as Crazy Colours or Manic Panic in the US. They are vegetable based, however I think some still have the metallic salts in them needed for the really strong colours. They don’t have peroxide or ammonia in them though, which are the scary ones.
Hope this helps!
K
Posted by: Kiera
Such a deep philosophical topic in the morning. 🙂
I can remember when I stopped perming my hair, and how I thought I would look strange and not recognize myself, etc. etc. etc. Now I look back on the permed years and go, WTF was I THINKING? So that’s one thing — you may not recognize yourself at first if you go natural, but in time you may come to love it.
Or maybe not.
Another philosophical way of looking at this topic, as I do for myself: No one and nothing is perfect. As you say, you live your life in a way that is extremely mindful of all of these issues, both in respect to what you are putting on and in your body and what you are doing to/with the environment. You might just decide (as I do) that once in a while a wee bit of vanity and aesthetics are indeed important to you, and if that is the one guilty pleasure you have, it’s worth doing.
For me, in terms of reducing the risk to my person, I just use foil highlighting, so nothing is going directly on my scalp, but that may not work for you.
One more thing: You may decide that you are evolving as a person in a few ways, and that perhaps living in Portland, as opposed to NYC, going for the shock value of the raging red is not what works for you anymore. I don’t know. Just playing with the philosophies here. I’ll be interested in seeing how this evolves. XOXO
Posted by: Norma
I use “dark auburn” henna and it’s great, regular henna leaves my hair orange but this one it’s great.
Posted by: LÃa
I thought Aveda products, including their hair dyes, were if not toxic-free then safer to use than others. And it’s true that their dyes aren’t as vibrant as you might like, but…perhaps this is a compromise you’ll need to be willing to make–slightly less vibrant red in exchange for feeling good about the responsible choice. At any rate, the people at Aveda have always been helpful in getting as close to the right color for me as possible. Of course, now I’m going to a different place with the toxins and frankly, I love my hair too much to change.
But I’m right there with you on not wanting to go back to the natural color. I’m going to dye my hair until it all turns white, but this crap on my head right now? So not me.
Posted by: Michelle
You should ask Amy King of Spunky Eclectic. I believe she uses a vegetable dye and she has a bright red on the front sections of her hair….
Posted by: Dianna
go to naturallycurly.com and see if their are any Portland recommendations for a hair stylist from the locals. That is how I found mine (Kristin James) in Atlanta and I LOVE HER! I’ve turned three other people on to her and all four of us are quite happy.
Things might have changed but best to my memory Henna does not cover gray.
Posted by: Debbie
Hi, being a long time lurker here I just had to respond to this as I’ve been dying my hair strange colours for years. I use Directions hair dye, which I think are the same as Crazy Colours or Manic Panic in the US. They are vegetable based, however I think some still have the metallic salts in them needed for the really strong colours. They don’t have peroxide or ammonia in them though, which are the scary ones.
Hope this helps!
K
Posted by: Kiera
Such a deep philosophical topic in the morning. 🙂
I can remember when I stopped perming my hair, and how I thought I would look strange and not recognize myself, etc. etc. etc. Now I look back on the permed years and go, WTF was I THINKING? So that’s one thing — you may not recognize yourself at first if you go natural, but in time you may come to love it.
Or maybe not.
Another philosophical way of looking at this topic, as I do for myself: No one and nothing is perfect. As you say, you live your life in a way that is extremely mindful of all of these issues, both in respect to what you are putting on and in your body and what you are doing to/with the environment. You might just decide (as I do) that once in a while a wee bit of vanity and aesthetics are indeed important to you, and if that is the one guilty pleasure you have, it’s worth doing.
For me, in terms of reducing the risk to my person, I just use foil highlighting, so nothing is going directly on my scalp, but that may not work for you.
One more thing: You may decide that you are evolving as a person in a few ways, and that perhaps living in Portland, as opposed to NYC, going for the shock value of the raging red is not what works for you anymore. I don’t know. Just playing with the philosophies here. I’ll be interested in seeing how this evolves. XOXO
Posted by: Norma
isn’t that sort of “the bad you have earned”?
i.e., you avoid toxins in x, x, and x ways. so you put a little on your hair sometimes. it’s not like you’re doing it every day, every week or even every month.
i think of it like germs. if you’re never in contact with any, then your body loses the ability to fight them off. gotta give it some work to do once in awhile.
Posted by: carolyn
I too am struggling with the “dye or not to dye” question. I have a lot of white hair and am not ready to embrace my “natural” self… but the dye I use is pretty nasty.
I’m going to get my hair cut tonight and my hairstylist’s husband is also a stylist who teaches as well – I’ll ask them the question of toxic vs non-toxic for yarn hair.
Posted by: Steph VW
LUSH, LUSH, LUSH. Really. Go there. Get their Red one. 🙂 You’ll be happy you did.
Posted by: Astoria
That was a wake-up for me… I have been trying to minimize the chemicals in my life, yet I dye my hair with ferocious professional-grade dyes… yeesh!
I know that Lush is supposed to have good henna. They have a store in Portland, too. (According to lush.com: 803 NW 23rd Ave (at NW Johnson St.), (503) 228-5874).
Good luck finding a stylist! I had a great one for years who was a master with my thick, curly hair… but unfortunately she left the salon the week after my wedding… I’m on the hunt to find her!
Posted by: Jena (the yarn harpy)
Amie at Dirty Little Secret does a great job with curly hair. Plus they have really great product.
http://www.dirtylittlesecretsalon.com
Posted by: Lisa C
Yep, my sister in yarny-hair, I’m going with all the other suggestions for Lush hennas, especially the Rouge. It covers grays, it makes a lovely red. Just leave it on for a Looooong time.
Posted by: nipper jenn
Aveda offers many veg-based hair products, from shampoo to hair color.
Good for you for being so thoughtful in all of your choices-from challah to hair color.
Posted by: Jen S
isn’t that sort of “the bad you have earned”?
i.e., you avoid toxins in x, x, and x ways. so you put a little on your hair sometimes. it’s not like you’re doing it every day, every week or even every month.
i think of it like germs. if you’re never in contact with any, then your body loses the ability to fight them off. gotta give it some work to do once in awhile.
Posted by: carolyn
I too am struggling with the “dye or not to dye” question. I have a lot of white hair and am not ready to embrace my “natural” self… but the dye I use is pretty nasty.
I’m going to get my hair cut tonight and my hairstylist’s husband is also a stylist who teaches as well – I’ll ask them the question of toxic vs non-toxic for yarn hair.
Posted by: Steph VW
LUSH, LUSH, LUSH. Really. Go there. Get their Red one. 🙂 You’ll be happy you did.
Posted by: Astoria
That was a wake-up for me… I have been trying to minimize the chemicals in my life, yet I dye my hair with ferocious professional-grade dyes… yeesh!
I know that Lush is supposed to have good henna. They have a store in Portland, too. (According to lush.com: 803 NW 23rd Ave (at NW Johnson St.), (503) 228-5874).
Good luck finding a stylist! I had a great one for years who was a master with my thick, curly hair… but unfortunately she left the salon the week after my wedding… I’m on the hunt to find her!
Posted by: Jena (the yarn harpy)
Amie at Dirty Little Secret does a great job with curly hair. Plus they have really great product.
http://www.dirtylittlesecretsalon.com
Posted by: Lisa C
Yep, my sister in yarny-hair, I’m going with all the other suggestions for Lush hennas, especially the Rouge. It covers grays, it makes a lovely red. Just leave it on for a Looooong time.
Posted by: nipper jenn
Aveda offers many veg-based hair products, from shampoo to hair color.
Good for you for being so thoughtful in all of your choices-from challah to hair color.
Posted by: Jen S
find a recommedned salon and ask them if they use Illumen dyes. They’re not natural per se, but my hair lady assures me that they’re non-toxic….and that I could safely have them while I’m pregnant, but I won’t go that far. The Illumen offers really intense, lovely colours. I’ve had some yarn hair myself that involved much Illumen. good luck.
Posted by: megan
I second going to Lush. Their henna is a little too hard for me to use – I’m lazy and it’s a solid product that you have to cook up and mix. But I hear it does great reds! Their other products all work well including their solid shampoos, so I’d try the henna there. Let us know what you find!
Posted by: Amy in StL
henna has gotten a LOT better. Check out lush’s henna options. Like everyone else has said — leave them on for a LONG time. And check their forums for lots of extra information on other things you can add to the henna for more/different color.
I decided a year ago that I wasn’t going to use anything on my hair other than henna from now on and it’s been a little weird. 🙂
good luck on the stylist!
Posted by: jess
I found my amazing wonderful curly stylist on http://www.naturallycurly.com. I can’t say enough about her!
I wonder does henna cover grey very well? Everyone’s comments about the red henna sound good – but I have lots of grey that I need (okay, want) to cover up.
Posted by: Marisa
suzette taylor. she styles my hair, my husband’s hair, my best friend’s hair, her husband’s hair and a slew of customers who say they like my hair. suzette says she has three ways of getting new clients. 1. jill (my friend) 2. the random customers who bring their loved one in while they are visiting (and then they come back each visit to town) and her most prolific 3. shannon. 🙂
let me know, i gots her number
Posted by: shannon in oregon
First of all, even the henna may not cover the gray/silver stuff as well as you would like. I have seen some natural color hair dyes at my local co-op but have never tried them. I had a reaction once to henna so am leery of trying it again. The gray/silver hair tends to pick up more color but it doesn’t hold the color as well. In my naturally dark curly hair, the silver looks like reddish highlights. I normally get mine professionally done but every so often I will do it myself. I have successfully used hair glazes to deepen the reds in my hair. But for the dramatic colors you are either going to have to use the nasty stuff or go for a toned down look. And I second checking out NaturallyCurly.com
Posted by: Mia
find a recommedned salon and ask them if they use Illumen dyes. They’re not natural per se, but my hair lady assures me that they’re non-toxic….and that I could safely have them while I’m pregnant, but I won’t go that far. The Illumen offers really intense, lovely colours. I’ve had some yarn hair myself that involved much Illumen. good luck.
Posted by: megan
I second going to Lush. Their henna is a little too hard for me to use – I’m lazy and it’s a solid product that you have to cook up and mix. But I hear it does great reds! Their other products all work well including their solid shampoos, so I’d try the henna there. Let us know what you find!
Posted by: Amy in StL
henna has gotten a LOT better. Check out lush’s henna options. Like everyone else has said — leave them on for a LONG time. And check their forums for lots of extra information on other things you can add to the henna for more/different color.
I decided a year ago that I wasn’t going to use anything on my hair other than henna from now on and it’s been a little weird. 🙂
good luck on the stylist!
Posted by: jess
I found my amazing wonderful curly stylist on http://www.naturallycurly.com. I can’t say enough about her!
I wonder does henna cover grey very well? Everyone’s comments about the red henna sound good – but I have lots of grey that I need (okay, want) to cover up.
Posted by: Marisa
suzette taylor. she styles my hair, my husband’s hair, my best friend’s hair, her husband’s hair and a slew of customers who say they like my hair. suzette says she has three ways of getting new clients. 1. jill (my friend) 2. the random customers who bring their loved one in while they are visiting (and then they come back each visit to town) and her most prolific 3. shannon. 🙂
let me know, i gots her number
Posted by: shannon in oregon
First of all, even the henna may not cover the gray/silver stuff as well as you would like. I have seen some natural color hair dyes at my local co-op but have never tried them. I had a reaction once to henna so am leery of trying it again. The gray/silver hair tends to pick up more color but it doesn’t hold the color as well. In my naturally dark curly hair, the silver looks like reddish highlights. I normally get mine professionally done but every so often I will do it myself. I have successfully used hair glazes to deepen the reds in my hair. But for the dramatic colors you are either going to have to use the nasty stuff or go for a toned down look. And I second checking out NaturallyCurly.com
Posted by: Mia
Um, Koolaid works on hair in a semi permanent fashion.
Posted by: Carrie
All I could suggest may be punky color. If your hair is a mousey color it may not even pick it up though. Your hair looks so awesome when it looks like in the above picture. It almost seems worth it to me. But I understand the fear of chemicals penetrating your scalp along with the cost. That’s what gets me every time.
Posted by: ceara bragger
Henna has gotten better – I’m a blond and I used some a few years ago and got a pretty good red out of it (not too orange) The stuff from Lush sounds pretty good.
Posted by: Kate
Great topic! I’ll be interested to hear what you decide on. It is really hard to find a stylist that really understands how to cut curls. I’ve also heard great things about Amie at Dirty Little Secret. (naturallycurly.com is a great resource, like others have said.) One of my curly coworkers went to her recently and got a great cut. My stylist is moving to LA, so I’ve been thinking about calling Amie. (I’m a couple hours north of Portland, a couple south of Seattle, and haven’t been able to find a stylist closer to home.) Also, I have a brochure in my bag for haircolor called “Changes by Tints of Nature” that I picked up at Wild Oats (which is being bought by Whole Foods) in Vancouver. It says it’s a carrageenan based color, with no paraben, PPD, peroxide, ammonia or resorcinol. It’s a semi-permanent color, and I think they do a permanent color as well. The semi has some copper and mahogany colors, but nothing as gloriously intense as what you’ve been using. I seem to remember that the permanent line had more colors, though. You may be able to mix something brighter. Happy cutting and coloring!
Posted by: amber
I do use Henna now and then, and have had good luck with it. There’s a brand they sell at New Seasons, I think it’s called Rainbow Henna, and they have a nice, wide range of colors. I’m blond and I use the blond one mixed with the auburn one to get a strawberry blond, but my friend uses the red one and it looks great.
Posted by: Stella
Before you use any henna/ vegetable product you need to test strand the product on the part of your hair that used to be dyed red. Henna is a metallic compound and most store bought or salon colors are aniline derivatives. And they occasionally do not like each other… (like the new growth turned out fine and the older hair turned black)
I used to teach color for a big company and specialized in color correction when I was in the salon. I can also give you some tips on how the stylist should cut your hair…
Email me with questions, I’ll be happy to answer.
Posted by: Wen
Um, Koolaid works on hair in a semi permanent fashion.
Posted by: Carrie
All I could suggest may be punky color. If your hair is a mousey color it may not even pick it up though. Your hair looks so awesome when it looks like in the above picture. It almost seems worth it to me. But I understand the fear of chemicals penetrating your scalp along with the cost. That’s what gets me every time.
Posted by: ceara bragger
Henna has gotten better – I’m a blond and I used some a few years ago and got a pretty good red out of it (not too orange) The stuff from Lush sounds pretty good.
Posted by: Kate
Great topic! I’ll be interested to hear what you decide on. It is really hard to find a stylist that really understands how to cut curls. I’ve also heard great things about Amie at Dirty Little Secret. (naturallycurly.com is a great resource, like others have said.) One of my curly coworkers went to her recently and got a great cut. My stylist is moving to LA, so I’ve been thinking about calling Amie. (I’m a couple hours north of Portland, a couple south of Seattle, and haven’t been able to find a stylist closer to home.) Also, I have a brochure in my bag for haircolor called “Changes by Tints of Nature” that I picked up at Wild Oats (which is being bought by Whole Foods) in Vancouver. It says it’s a carrageenan based color, with no paraben, PPD, peroxide, ammonia or resorcinol. It’s a semi-permanent color, and I think they do a permanent color as well. The semi has some copper and mahogany colors, but nothing as gloriously intense as what you’ve been using. I seem to remember that the permanent line had more colors, though. You may be able to mix something brighter. Happy cutting and coloring!
Posted by: amber
I do use Henna now and then, and have had good luck with it. There’s a brand they sell at New Seasons, I think it’s called Rainbow Henna, and they have a nice, wide range of colors. I’m blond and I use the blond one mixed with the auburn one to get a strawberry blond, but my friend uses the red one and it looks great.
Posted by: Stella
Before you use any henna/ vegetable product you need to test strand the product on the part of your hair that used to be dyed red. Henna is a metallic compound and most store bought or salon colors are aniline derivatives. And they occasionally do not like each other… (like the new growth turned out fine and the older hair turned black)
I used to teach color for a big company and specialized in color correction when I was in the salon. I can also give you some tips on how the stylist should cut your hair…
Email me with questions, I’ll be happy to answer.
Posted by: Wen
Lush.
Lush, Lush, Lush.
Go there and be happy.
Posted by: elisa
LUSH henna products – absolutely. I used it for a few years when I was in a red phase – it comes in three different shades, including the flaming red, and they are all just lovely.
Posted by: Ruth
Oh – I should add, I have darkish mousy brown hair with a liberal sprinkling of grey – I used the midrange shade, which turned out a lovely shade of burnished mahogany, and the greys became brilliant red highlights.
Posted by: Ruth
http://www.hennaforhair.com
Buy the body-quality henna, it’s much much better than the boxed stuff. I have dark brown hair and it lightens it only a little but covers the grey with firey red.
Posted by: Nina
Hello =]
My mom uses Naturtint or herbatint or whatever its called.
I’m not sure if it has screaming colors but it does seem to cover gray well.
Hope this helped!
Posted by: Darq-amber
the last time i got my haircut, my stylist was testing out a natural red hair color on another client/friend. i can see what i can find out about it, next time i’m there. it wasn’t henna; i’m pretty sure of that.
Just say the word and I can find out.
Posted by: ashley
Lush.
Lush, Lush, Lush.
Go there and be happy.
Posted by: elisa
LUSH henna products – absolutely. I used it for a few years when I was in a red phase – it comes in three different shades, including the flaming red, and they are all just lovely.
Posted by: Ruth
Oh – I should add, I have darkish mousy brown hair with a liberal sprinkling of grey – I used the midrange shade, which turned out a lovely shade of burnished mahogany, and the greys became brilliant red highlights.
Posted by: Ruth
http://www.hennaforhair.com
Buy the body-quality henna, it’s much much better than the boxed stuff. I have dark brown hair and it lightens it only a little but covers the grey with firey red.
Posted by: Nina
Hello =]
My mom uses Naturtint or herbatint or whatever its called.
I’m not sure if it has screaming colors but it does seem to cover gray well.
Hope this helped!
Posted by: Darq-amber
the last time i got my haircut, my stylist was testing out a natural red hair color on another client/friend. i can see what i can find out about it, next time i’m there. it wasn’t henna; i’m pretty sure of that.
Just say the word and I can find out.
Posted by: ashley
I have a friend who died her hair with henna for years and it did a great job covering her gray. However, recently she decided to go back to her natural color and her hair actually looks better. Shinier and less frizzy. When I’ve hennaed my hair I recall it seemed to condition it but I wonder if long time use leads to buildup which leads to your hair not looking so great.
Posted by: Harper
So funny that I’m reading your post now as I just applied Lush henna and am waiting for it to do its thing before I wash it out. I love the Lush henna and have been using it for about 6 months now. I couldn’t live with using those nasty chemicals anymore either and gave them up! And it comes in several different colors, so it’s worth a try!
Posted by: Julie
You should try adding coffee or beetroot juice to your henna mix. Coffee (add a couple of tablespoons of instant coffee grounds when you’re mixing up your henna and water) will tone down the harsh, sometimes brassy orange/bright red colour you end up with and should give you a deep, auburn colour. Beetroot juice will give you burgundy tones. I’ve tried both of these with success. I have also heard of adding copper coins to the mix.
It might take a couple of tries to get these recipes right for your hair, but it will look a helluva lot more “natural” (deeper colours, better blending of tones) than a packet of Clairol.
Good luck
Posted by: Kate
Hm, another option could be a glaze like Clairol Colorgloss (available at Sally Beauty and the like so it’s inexpensive to try). It’s deposit only, no ammonia or peroxide and uses wheat and soy proteins (or suchlike) for moisture and shine and they have red kickers to intensify the red color. The problem is that your roots will take the color very differently than the ends which have had peroxide to open the cuticle. You may have to think about using a glaze say 2x and leave longer periods between using peroxide on the roots. That would cut down the peroxide you use and still give you a look you love! Good luck! Sounds like you have a few options to try out.
Posted by: sil
It is possible to get quite a variety of tones with plant-based color (I sensitized my scalp using chemical dyes, and had to go looking for this stuff). Take a look at this site… I tend to go for simple color, but I’ve ordered supplies from them for years and always been delighted.
http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/
Posted by: Karen
Whoops — I meant this:
http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/hairtable/
Posted by: Karen
I have a friend who died her hair with henna for years and it did a great job covering her gray. However, recently she decided to go back to her natural color and her hair actually looks better. Shinier and less frizzy. When I’ve hennaed my hair I recall it seemed to condition it but I wonder if long time use leads to buildup which leads to your hair not looking so great.
Posted by: Harper
So funny that I’m reading your post now as I just applied Lush henna and am waiting for it to do its thing before I wash it out. I love the Lush henna and have been using it for about 6 months now. I couldn’t live with using those nasty chemicals anymore either and gave them up! And it comes in several different colors, so it’s worth a try!
Posted by: Julie
You should try adding coffee or beetroot juice to your henna mix. Coffee (add a couple of tablespoons of instant coffee grounds when you’re mixing up your henna and water) will tone down the harsh, sometimes brassy orange/bright red colour you end up with and should give you a deep, auburn colour. Beetroot juice will give you burgundy tones. I’ve tried both of these with success. I have also heard of adding copper coins to the mix.
It might take a couple of tries to get these recipes right for your hair, but it will look a helluva lot more “natural” (deeper colours, better blending of tones) than a packet of Clairol.
Good luck
Posted by: Kate
Hm, another option could be a glaze like Clairol Colorgloss (available at Sally Beauty and the like so it’s inexpensive to try). It’s deposit only, no ammonia or peroxide and uses wheat and soy proteins (or suchlike) for moisture and shine and they have red kickers to intensify the red color. The problem is that your roots will take the color very differently than the ends which have had peroxide to open the cuticle. You may have to think about using a glaze say 2x and leave longer periods between using peroxide on the roots. That would cut down the peroxide you use and still give you a look you love! Good luck! Sounds like you have a few options to try out.
Posted by: sil
It is possible to get quite a variety of tones with plant-based color (I sensitized my scalp using chemical dyes, and had to go looking for this stuff). Take a look at this site… I tend to go for simple color, but I’ve ordered supplies from them for years and always been delighted.
http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/
Posted by: Karen
Whoops — I meant this:
http://www.hennaforhair.com/mixes/hairtable/
Posted by: Karen
My hair’s a lot like yours in texture and from what you say, similar in (natural) color too. Here’s what I’ve found:
1) the hair colors you find in places like Whole Foods sound safer but I really disliked how they left my hair – dry and rough.
2) I used to go to a salon to get my hair colored with Aveda color – and it was FAB. Much less damaging than standard colors, and Aveda is a good company (IMHO) dedicated to sustainable resources, etc. My hair felt the best it ever has.
3) I know that hennas are available in different colors – maybe the one you tried just wasn’t right for you.
And yeah, it’s a bitch trying to find someone who can work with curls! Most seem to be so fascinated by the curl and volume they end up poufing it up and giving me ’80s hair. I never let anyone dry or style it any more.
good luck!
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
Have you considered Kool-Aid?
It’s a cheap, bright, non-toxic dye. I read that the color lasts two weeks on hair, but I must add that I don’t know how it would take to darker hair.
Posted by: Jennifer
Ugh. I hate this debate. I go through this “to chemical or not to chemical” thing every few months, too. Should I let my natural mouse-brown-and-gray finally emerge…or keep the outside reflecting the inside and go for the !!RED!!?
My hair is straighter than tame snakes, though. Easily damaged and likes to frizz a bit, but no curls. Alas.
Posted by: Mother Chaos
It’s all a choice but I would be more concerned about things I use every day than things I use once every 2 or 3 months.
And just because I am a chemist—-everything is a chemical. Even water. Don’t believe the “chemical free” statement.
And definitely strand test the henna—-to make sure that it isn’t going to turn a strange color on previously color treated hair. Unless, of course, your hair has completely grown off the color.
Posted by: Theresa
My grandmother is now 93. Her Aunt Effie moved to South Dakota in a covered wagon. When I was young, Aunt Effie was the age my grandmother is now. She defied the family habit of wearing snow white hair from the age of 25 on by dying hers the most vivid shade of red available. It appears that Lush henna will help me follow in her footsteps. Thank you, all you commenters!
Posted by: Anna
Have to say (since I have given up the fight and am trying to rock the grey hair), that henna can grab really funky on the grey and white hair. I know you are not trying to look “natural”, so it may not be an issue for you. I also found that grey hair can be very resistant to any color process.
Posted by: linda
My hair’s a lot like yours in texture and from what you say, similar in (natural) color too. Here’s what I’ve found:
1) the hair colors you find in places like Whole Foods sound safer but I really disliked how they left my hair – dry and rough.
2) I used to go to a salon to get my hair colored with Aveda color – and it was FAB. Much less damaging than standard colors, and Aveda is a good company (IMHO) dedicated to sustainable resources, etc. My hair felt the best it ever has.
3) I know that hennas are available in different colors – maybe the one you tried just wasn’t right for you.
And yeah, it’s a bitch trying to find someone who can work with curls! Most seem to be so fascinated by the curl and volume they end up poufing it up and giving me ’80s hair. I never let anyone dry or style it any more.
good luck!
Posted by: no-blog-rachel
Have you considered Kool-Aid?
It’s a cheap, bright, non-toxic dye. I read that the color lasts two weeks on hair, but I must add that I don’t know how it would take to darker hair.
Posted by: Jennifer
Ugh. I hate this debate. I go through this “to chemical or not to chemical” thing every few months, too. Should I let my natural mouse-brown-and-gray finally emerge…or keep the outside reflecting the inside and go for the !!RED!!?
My hair is straighter than tame snakes, though. Easily damaged and likes to frizz a bit, but no curls. Alas.
Posted by: Mother Chaos
It’s all a choice but I would be more concerned about things I use every day than things I use once every 2 or 3 months.
And just because I am a chemist—-everything is a chemical. Even water. Don’t believe the “chemical free” statement.
And definitely strand test the henna—-to make sure that it isn’t going to turn a strange color on previously color treated hair. Unless, of course, your hair has completely grown off the color.
Posted by: Theresa
My grandmother is now 93. Her Aunt Effie moved to South Dakota in a covered wagon. When I was young, Aunt Effie was the age my grandmother is now. She defied the family habit of wearing snow white hair from the age of 25 on by dying hers the most vivid shade of red available. It appears that Lush henna will help me follow in her footsteps. Thank you, all you commenters!
Posted by: Anna
Have to say (since I have given up the fight and am trying to rock the grey hair), that henna can grab really funky on the grey and white hair. I know you are not trying to look “natural”, so it may not be an issue for you. I also found that grey hair can be very resistant to any color process.
Posted by: linda
Good local hair studio: Blades.
Posted by: Sanguinity
Good local hair studio: Blades.
Posted by: Sanguinity