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At one time or another, many people find themselves unhappy with
their hair color. The fix, they think, is in one of the bottles of
dye sitting of the bottles of dye sitting on the drugstore shelf
or at the beauty salon. Seldom do they consider (or even realize)
that commercial preparations such as these can have a quite
damaging affect on their hair.
Examples of the aggressive chemicals that can end up causing
lasting damage to hair are bleaches and caustic hair dyes; both
will likely make the hair feel rough and look dull over time. A
more healthy alternative when altering hair color is trying a
vegetable hair tint, such as walnut shell or henna. Since they're
mixed with boiling water, not chemicals, they do not change the
structure of the hair. Natural tints also add oils that nourish
hair.
Using Vegetable Tints
To avoid staining the skin when you use hair tints made from
walnut-shell powder or henna, wear gloves and first apply
petroleum jelly to your hairline and to your ears.
Allergy test: 24 hours before coloring your hair, mix a small
amount of the tint and test it on the inside of your elbow. If
your skin is irritated the next day, the dye should not be used.
If your hair has been recently permed or treated with chemical
dyes, wait about three weeks before applying a natural tint. Hair
treated with chemicals will react differently to natural tints
than will untreated hair.
Do not use henna if you have blond or gray hair - unless you want
shocking red results!
Application:
To apply henna to brown hair, add boiling water to the tint in a
non-metallic bowl; let it cool slightly and apply to damp, not
wet, hair with a dye brush, available in beauty-supply stores.
Pile hair on top of your head and cover with a plastic cap; then
wrap a towel around it. This keeps the tint warm, allowing the
color to better adhere to the hair strands. After one to two
hours, thoroughly rinse your hair; then, shampoo and condition as
needed.
Henna adds strength and shine
Henna not only gives hair a deep, bright red tint, but strengthens
it, coating the hair and tightening the cuticle, the exterior
layer of the hair shaft that protects the inner layers. The result
is a rich, healthy shine. However, henna and other natural tints
are only temporary; they last 6-8 months and gradually fade
because they don't penetrate the hair shaft (as chemical colorants
do). Although your hair must be re-colored more often with natural
tints, what you sacrifice in "permanence" is gained in damage
prevention.
Natural lecithin for beautiful hair
Enrich vegetable hair tints by adding an egg yoke, which contains
lecithin, a hair-softening emollient. This adds protein, which
helps to smooth the hair's cuticle and boost shine.
Vegetable oils prevent split ends
Before a treatment with henna or a walnut-shell tint, rub a bit of
olive oil or jojoba oil into your palms and apply it to the ends
of your hair to discourage split ends, especially if your hair
tends to be dry. These oils also nourish the scalp and smooth out
the cuticle of each individual hair, making it easier to comb.
Highlights from Henna
*Henna powder, any color (4 oz. for short hair, 6 oz. for
medium-length hair or 8 oz. for long hair)
*3 cups boiling water (or coffee, for use on gray or hard-to-color
hair)
*1 egg yolk
*2 tsp. olive oil
Choose the amount of henna powder recommended for your hair
length. Pour enough of the boiling water (or coffee) over the
powder to make a fairly thick paste. Stir it well. Let cool for 10
minutes, and then add the egg yolk and olive oil; stir to blend.
Follow the application directions (above). Rinse your head
directly under the tap, not in a shower. Rinsing henna out can be
difficult, so take care to do so thoroughly.
Reviving Brown Hair
*Walnut-shell powder
*3 cups boiling water
*1 tbsp. olive or avocado oil
*1 tsp. lemon juice
Walnut shells give all shades of brown hair a warm, bright tint.
Use the same amounts as directed above for various hair lengths.
Walnut-shell powder is available in health-food stores, or you can
grind small pieces of dried walnut shells in a coffee grinder.
Make a paste as above and let it sit for 10 minutes; add the oil
and lemon juice. Follow the applications directions (above).
Rinse for Blond Hair
*2 cups water
*5 tbsp. chamomile flowers
*2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
Boil the water and add the chamomile flowers. Remove from heat and
let it steep until cool. Add the lemon juice, and then strain.
Wash and condition your hair as usual and apply the rinse evenly.
Use often for a greater lightening effect.
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