Post Henna: I'm a "HenJay"!

So it's been 1 day & twist-out since the henna. My hair feels soft, a little heavy, and I can detect bits of color when I catch the light (and the mirror) just right. I've also noticed a slight relax to my curl that is really helping to kick shrinkage's butt (yeah!).
So, what's my issue? The heaviness is affecting my styling habit. I usually use quite a bit of my homemade honey-shea pomade when I twist my hair. It's an all natural/organic product so it doesn't have the holding power of syntheticly made pomades and gels and it smells SUPERCALLAFRAGALISTAEXPIALLADOPOUS! (in other words, I love the smell) So, I've learned that I will have to twist with smaller pieces to really get the fullness and definition I desire and that I'll have to use a little less product. Not huge sacrifices when I think of the benefits henna adds to my crown....I'll eat that.

Oh, what else have I learned you say? That I am a "HenJay"! Don't know what it means....just reference my lingo dictionary. Yeah, I made it up, but someone had to make up all the other terms, too!!

 The curl is there and I have very little frizz.....just no volume due to the weight...

Some Clairfication

Okay, so I recently posted two different articles about henna and mud washing your hair. These sparked a few questions. So this is just a quick post to clear some things up.

• Do I DC after a mud wash?
• If your hair feels dry, DC. If you want to obtain moisturizing properties from the mud wash alone, just add honey and oils into your mud mix.
• Can I henna and mud wash?
• Absolutely! The henna will act as both a protein treatment and DC for your hair, while the mud wash will clarify your hair and scalp completely. It will also define your curl and give your hair a soft, springy look and feel.I do recommend mud washing first!
• I noticed the mud wash ingredients don't include water. How come?
• Water was not listed as an ingredient because I use water to thin out my mix. Even if you don't thin out your mix, a few drops of water will be required smooth out your mix to a workable texture.

Well, that's it. If you have more questions feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me. Until next time, Nappturalista, be nappily you :)

To Henna or Not to Henna....That Is the Question

So, I've been hearing a serious and continuously growing buzz about Henna in the Napptural Community. I, personally, have never tried henna; however, I am extremely curious. I have read that henna is an incredible deep conditioning treatment for natural hair and that it even helps to ease one's natural curl pattern. So, for you Nappturalistas who have made the decision to henna your hair, here are a few tips to make your henna experience the best it could possibly be for you:

1. Henna is an all natural plant dye. It should be green in color (like pea soup). If it is red, black, orange, or anything other than green AVOID it! It is most likely a mixture and contains ingredients that may react (unfavorably) with other products you may have or may use on your hair.
2. Freshness and crop year are extremely important! Because henna is a plant it can grow stale. Stale henna doesn't develop color as well as fresh henna. Also, if you are looking to henna for the color aspects, the crop date may have an effect on that. Different crop years hold different color potencies. I do want to state that henna WILL NOT LIGHTEN YOUR NATURAL HAIR COLOR.
3. Purchase BAQ or Body Art Quality henna ONLY! Henna seems to be a rather loosely regulated industry. For that reason, Nappturalistas should only purchase henna that has been deemed safe for application to the skin. Take no chances.
4. While this may differ depending upon the brand and type of henna you purchase, I recommend that you mix your henna with an acidic liquid. Lemon juice, orange juice, whatever you have on hand. If lemon juice is drying to your hair, I'd add a little honey as a moisturizer. It may also help with the earthy smell. (although some people like this).
5. Wear gloves and henna your hair in a well news papered area.
6. Beware the curl loosening properties of henna. It doesn't chemically loosen your curl pattern such as BKT treatments or that creamy crack. It simply weighs the hair down as it deposits upon the hair. Now, while this isn't permanent (henna washes out) if you are a frequent henna head, it can drastically loosen your curl pattern.
7. Don't have concrete expectations for color. The color that henna may give your hair is an absolute variable. The color grows richer and deeper when exposed to sunlight and it largely dependent upon your natural hair color.
8. Don't rush the development of your henna paste. Allow it to set for each and every minute required per the specifications of the packaging.
9. Use an applicator brush to apply henna to small sections of your hair to ensure that it is evenly and thoroughly applied.
10. Rinse henna from your hair thoroughly. If you don't you'll have little grits of green paste in your hair. Not a pretty site.
11. Lastly, HAVE FUN!