Recipes for Enhancing Red Hair & Copper Tones

Henna- There is a lot of information on henna and its various mixes at Henna for Hair. Because of the extent of that resource we won’t be addressing anything but the most basic color here. Keep in mind, however, that the color in a picture may NOT be what you end up with, even with an identical mix. Time, temperature, the PH of the liquid used, and starting hair color all produce variables. Henna stains hair red to copper orange depending on the color it is applied to. Please see the chart at the end of this document for what color this may give on your natural hair color. It is strong and permanent, use with caution.

100 grams body art quality henna
Warm water (not boiling)

Mix together until a yogurt-like consistency and then let it sit until dye release (identifiable by the top of the henna paste turning brown. Place a small dot on the inside of your wrist for 30 seconds. If it leaves a pale orange spot, the dye is ready). Cover hair with the paste and cover with a plastic shower cap or saran wrap. Place a warm hat on to keep it warm. Leave on for a minimum of 2 hours for a lighter stain, or as long as overnight for a deeper color.

Fia’s Henna Gloss- For minimal color change and deep conditioning.

2-3 TB henna powder
Enough water to mix a smooth paste
Your favorite conditioner or plain, unsweetened yogurt

Mix the henna powder with water to a smooth paste and let this stand until you see dye release. Mix the henna paste with either your favorite conditioner or plain yogurt. Apply to dry or damp hair, wrap in plastic wrap, and leave on for as long as you wish. Rinse as you’d rinse out a regular conditioner. This one is easy to apply and rinse, as it’s basically conditioner or yogurt with just a hint of henna dye in it. It’s good as either a color refresher in between regular henna applications or if you only wish to have a very subtle color change. It will give reddish hints on blonde and light brown hair. You may see some reddish highlights on medium brown, but probably not too much. On dark brown/black hair you’ll only get the conditioning benefits from the conditioner/henna.

Marigold Hair Color- For red lights in blonde or brown hair.

1/3 C crushed marigold flowers
2 ½ C water

Simmer flowers in water in a nonmetal pot for 20 minutes. Remove from heat; strain when cool, saving the liquid. After washing hair, apply the marigold decoction as a final rinse, pouring it over the hair and catching it in a basin to reapply several times. (Red wine may be added to the liquid to intensify the effect.) Allow hair to dry naturally in the sun, if possible. Repeat the rinsing process with subsequent shampoos until you achieve the desired shade.

Carrot Rinse- Red hair often fades as we age. It loses the bright, rich red tones. This recipe will add bright tones and also camouflage a few gray hairs. It can also be used to warm up brown hair.

2 large carrots
Distilled water

Cut 2 large carrots into pieces. Put them into 2 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Allow the solution to simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove the carrots. (Serve them for dinner with butter and seasoning.) Then use the water to pour over and saturate your dry hair. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or cover it with a plastic bag and wait about 20 minutes. Rinse well and condition.

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Recipes for Enhancing Brunette Hair & Deepening Tones

Walnut Hull Dye- A very dark, sable-colored dye can be obtained from walnut hulls. Requires substantial preparation.

¼ C Walnut hulls (or preground black walnut hull powder)
20 oz. distilled water

To prepare the dark juice, first crush the hulls in a mortar (or use your preground hulls) and cover them with boiling water and a pinch of salt. Cover and let them “soak” for three days. Then add three cups of boiling water and simmer the hulls in a nonmetal container for five hours (replacing the water as it steams away). Strain off the liquid, place the walnut hulls in a cloth sack, and twist it tightly to wring out all remaining juice. Finally, return the expressed liquid to the pot and reduce it—by boiling to about a quarter of its original volume. The resulting brew can then be used to whip up a rich walnut dye, as follows.

Add a teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice to the prepared extract. Allow the dye mixture to steep in the refrigerator for about a week (shaking it frequently during that time). When it is ready for use, strain the liquid using a piece of cheesecloth and pour it at least 15 times through freshly shampooed hair. Saturate hair and wrap in saran wrap. Let sit for a few hours, and rinse thoroughly.

Henndigo- A mix of henna and indigo. Gives a deep brown with a touch of burgundy. Works best on brunette shades. Please see the chart at the end of this document for what color this may give on your natural hair color.

40% Body art quality henna
60% Pure indigo powder
3TB Amla powder
Apple cider vinegar

Mix the henna up, using a splash of ACV and then warm water (or coffee or black tea) until it is the consistency of pancake batter. Allow for dye release (the top layer of the henna will turn dark). In a separate bowl prepare the indigo by mixing the powder with warm water and allow it to sit for 5 minutes as you prepare the amla. In a small dish mix the amla with water and microwave for 25 seconds. Mix the henna paste, indigo paste and amla paste together, blend well. Wrap your hair up on top of your head in saran wrap; let sit for 3-4 hours. Rinse well and condition.

Cathy’s Two Step Henndigo for Deep Golden Brown- Gives golden highlights in the sun on dark brown hair with 50% gray.

100g BAQ quality henna
50g Amla
50g Indigo
1 TB ACV
Tea Tree Oil

Mix 100g henna, 1 TB AVC, and 5-10 drops of tea tree oil, and use water until the henna is the right consistency and let sit until dye release. Apply henna, wrap head, let sit for 3 hours. Rinse, condition, lightly shampoo to make sure all conditioner is off of hair. Mix up 50g Amla to a yoghurt consistency, mix up 50g of indigo a bit more watery with a teaspoon of salt, put them both together and on to my damp hair. Wrap let sit an hour. Rinse. Special thanks to Cathy88z for this mix!

Sage or Tag Alder Bark Rinse- Helps to deepen the hues of brunette hair, may help blend in grays.

1 handful sage herb
1 quart water

or

1 ounce tag alder bark
1 quart water

A sage rinse can be made by steeping a handful of the dried herb in a quart of boiling water for 30 minutes (longer, if you want a darker tint). Cool the infusion, strain it, and pour it through freshly shampooed hair 15 or more times. Then wait ten minutes before washing the liquid out with clear cool water. Because a sage rinse is a progressive dye, you’ll have to apply it weekly until you produce the shade you want and then continue using it once a month to maintain that color.

Tag alder bark is another popular hair darkening botanical, but it generally produces a lighter tone than sage, so it’s best when used to darken blond hair or to cover gray in locks that are light to medium brown. To make a tag alder rinse, simmer an ounce of bark chips in a quart of water for about half an hour then cool and use it exactly as you would the sage rinse.

Potato Rinse- Helps to deepen the hues of brown hair

1 unpeeled potato

Cook an unpeeled potato in boiling water. Cool slightly. Dip a pastry brush or cotton ball in the cooking water, cover and saturate hair, being careful not to get any on skin. Leave on hair for 20 minutes then rinse out.

Molasses Treatment- Helps tone down brassiness and highlights in brunettes.

1 TB molasses
20 oz. distilled water

Mix into a spray bottle and shake. Spray hair until damp and comb through hair. Let sit for a few hours, rinse.

Recipes for Enhancing Blonde Hair, Gold Tones, & Natural Highlights

*NOTE* These methods are more likely to add gold tones to your hair than lighten it. If you are working with pale blonde hair, these methods may actually cause darkening.- Special thanks to Elyce for the tip!

Natural Blonde Dye

Be sure and get all the ingredients at the store and lay everything out before you start the recipe. Everything will need to be added at once.

2 whole uncut fresh lemons (squeezed & strained for juice)
2/3 ounces or 20 grams of marigold flowers (you can buy at health food store)
2/3 ounces or 20 grams of chamomile flowers (buy at health food store)
1 – 1 ¼ ounces or 30 grams of finely chopped or powdered rhubarb root (grocery store or heath food store)
2 ounces or 50 grams of acacia honey (health food store)
1 pint or ½ liter cider vinegar
2 ounces or 50 grams of 95% proof alcohol (liquor store).

Put the vinegar and rhubarb into a stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer very gently for 10 minutes. Be sure to make it exactly 10 minutes. Less or more may cause problems. Add the chamomile and marigold flowers and juice of the two lemons. Cover the pan and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove completely from the heat. Let the mixture stand covered with the lid until the liquid is tepid. Filter the concoction through a fine sieve into a bottle. Make sure you squeeze out any liquid in the herbs left in the sieve. Remember to be careful since the liquid may still be warm or even a tiny bit hot. Add the honey, alcohol and squeezed and strained lemon juice from the 2 lemons. Put a tight cap on the bottle and store for your next shampoo.

How To Use Dye

There are a couple of ways that you can make use of the natural dyes. You can use a dilution of the mixture by adding 1 tablespoon of the dye mixture for each quart or liter of final rinse water. If you really want to punch up the highlights, apply the mixture directly to your hair and leave on for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to cover your head with a shower cap or the drippage can stain. To get less drips, you can also mix some undiluted dye with a thick rinse out or deep conditioner and glop that on your head to get a thicker mixture.

Rinse & Shine

Use the mixture as a quick rinse or as a longer leave on dye, and then rinse your hair with cold water to seal the color. Let you hair air dry if possible. While there is no guarantee of the level of color you will have achieved, changes are good that you will definitely see some blonde highlights. The lighter the color your natural hair, the more intense the blonde color from the mixture. Remember that this is a type of all natural vegetable dye. The dye will only last from shampoo to shampoo. If you want to maintain the highlights or added blonde colors you will need to apply the mixture after each shampoo.

One batch will last from 2-3 weeks if kept refrigerated. It will last a shorter period of time if kept at room temperature. Depending on the length and thickness of your hair, the mixture will provide several after shampoo applications. Remember to take special care because in undiluted form, the final liquid will dye any materials it comes into contact with. This means it can stain your hands, your skin and any clothes or other materials. Apply this mixture in the shower and wash off immediately.

Summary

Will this recipe turn you into a Meg Ryan, Pamela Anderson or Heather Locklear? Probably not. Will it work better than just some lemon juice squirted onto your hair? Definitely. There are some downside to this recipe. It takes time, you have to gather all the flowers and herbs and you have to make the mixture. It can easily stain skin or clothes and is messy. The up side is that it is all natural, it saves you from the expense of a professional salon and it may even be fun to experiment.

Rhubarb Hair Color- In the last years of the 16th century, the Italian artist Titian popularized a red-blond hair color in his paintings. Venetian women who wanted to achieve the color applied mixtures of alum, sulfur, soda, and rhubarb to their hair and sat in the sun to let it dry. Here’s a simpler recipe for bright highlights in fair hair.

3/4 ounce rhubarb root
4 cups pure water

Simmer rhubarb root in water in a covered nonmetal pot for one hour. After cooling and filtering out solids, apply to the hair as a final rinse, pouring the liquid through again and again. Effects are permanent warm/bright overtones. Red wine may be used instead of water for a warmer tone.

Blonde Boost & Condition- Adds deep conditioning and warm hues to blonde hair. Please see the chart at the end of this document for what color this may give on your natural hair color.

1 TB body art quality henna
2 TB cassia obovata
2 TB chamomile powder (open up 1 chamomile tea bag)

Mix powdered ingredients into a paste using water and/or chamomile tea as a liquid. Cover and place somewhere warm until you see dye release. The color of the paste may look darker. Mix the paste with 1C yogurt or conditioner, wrap hair in saran wrap and allow it to sit for 2 hours. Rinse and condition.

Blonde Restorative- To restore hair that was once blonde.

10 grams licorice root
10 grams oat straw
1 pinch saffron

To restore hair that was once blonde, mix 10 grams of licorice root with 10 grams of oat straw, add a pinch of saffron. Cover with water and boil to make an infusion. Strain and use as a rinse after shampooing. It should be allowed to soak into the hair and NOT rinsed out.

Chamomile Tea Rinse- Chamomile is probably the most popular herbal hair colorant among blonds. A weekly rinse with this herb tea will also remedy the brown streaking that results from overexposure to the sun, and brighten “dishwater blond” hair.

½ C chamomile flowers
1 quart boiling water

To prepare a chamomile rinse, steep half a cup of the flowers in a quart of boiling water for half an hour. Then strain the mixture, and let it cool while you shampoo. Now, pour the brew through your towel-dried hair at least 15 times (catching it in a basin each time, in order to use it again). Wring the excess moisture out and leave the solution in your hair for a half an hour before rinsing it out with clear water. Just about any yellow-blossomed flower or herb can be used on blond hair, including calendula (pot marigold), mullein blooms and leaves, yellow broom flowers, saffron, turmeric, and quassia chips.

Rhubarb Rinse- Adds honey gold tones to blonde or light brown hair.

4 TB rhubarb root
3 C hot water

Pour three cups of hot water over four tablespoons of chopped rhubarb root, and simmer the concoction for 20 minutes. Strain and pour it through your freshly shampooed hair 15 or more times, catching the rinse in a bowl and reusing it. Rinse in clear water and again, weather permitting, dry it in the sun to strengthen the effect of the dyeing agent.

ktani’s Gray to Light Blonde Catnip Rinse- Gives a light blonde color to gray or white hair.

1 level tsp organic cut and sifted catnip
250 ml ( ~ little more than 1 C) water

Put catnip into a heat resistant large mug and add boiling water. Cover and steep for 30 mins. Deactivate it by straining it into a second large mug and always tap the condensation from the cover – I use a saucer, into the cup or mug – it contains the volatile oils and cover again. When cooled strain into plastic bottle – if made in advance will keep up to a week or longer in the fridge. Wash your hair then work the catnip through and cover with a plastic bag or shower cap. Leave on 30 minutes then rinse. If you like condition afterwards – I do not – it is not necessary – catnip conditions as well. I do my hair twice sort of – I wash withmy hair forward in the shower so I do the back, sides and length, pin it up, cover 30 minutes. Then take down and do the front, top and sides and cover for another 30 min. withthe length out of the bag. Then I take the bag off and let it “cool” down and use some more on my extra grey parts for another 10 min or so before rinsing it all out. Result – no grey/white showing at all. Color – light blonde- catnip produces a light yellow dye or stain. Does not stain tub, shower, hands, scalp or fingernails. I do this every time I wash my hair – time consuming but extremely worth it.

Recipes for Nearly Colorless Conditioning

Cassia Obovata- An herbal strengthening treatment. Though cassia has a very pale yellow dye, it is invisible on all but the lightest shades of blonde. Gives conditioning benefits similar to henna, but should be applied more often as its effects are not permanent.

Enough Cassia to cover hair
2-3 bags chamomile tea

Take 2c of water and heat in a coffee cup. Add tea bags and cover, let steep and cool until you can put your fingers in it. Warm, but not scalding. Put cassia powder into a bowl and add enough tea to make a mix that’s seems somewhat runny, like thin pancake batter. Apply it to damp hair. After you make your mix, take any leftover chamomile tea and use that to dampen your hair. Applying to dry hair tends to suck the water out of the mix and make it thicker and harder to work with on your head. Pile your hair on top of your head and wrap in saran wrap then put a warm towel or turbie on top of it. Let it sit for an hour or two. Henna for Hair says 30 mins, but I say an hour minimum. See the rinsing instructions for mud treatments at the first part of this article. Afterwards, your hair might feel a little dry at first. Totally normal. The “grit” in the cassia stripped the oil off your hair. Lightly oil your damp hair and bun it. It may still take 2 days or so for your hair to normalize.

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Recipes for Enhancing White Hair & Silver Tones

Hollyhock Yellow Remover- A gentle rinse to remove the yellow cast from white hair.

¼ c hollyhock flowers or betony
2 c water

Simmer flowers in water for 30 minutes and allow to cool. Strain. Pour through hair, catching the rinse in a bowl and pouring back through hair at least 15 times. Produces effects over time and should be used daily until the desired color is achieved, and then weekly thereafter.

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Recipes for Natural Highlights

Dilute Honey Lightener- Gradually lightens hair with a natural hydrogen peroxide solution.

1 part honey
2 Parts conditioner (V05 SKR reportedly works well)

Mix the honey and conditioner and apply to hair. Wrap head with saran wrap and a warm hat. Let sit for 8 hours and rinse. (Thanks to SimplyLonghair for the recipe! See her post here) The science: The major antibacterial activity in honey has been found to be due to hydrogen peroxide produced enzymically in the honey. The glucose oxidase enzyme is secreted from the hypopharyngeal gland of the bee into the nectar to assist in the formation of honey from the nectar. The hydrogen peroxide and acidity produced by the reaction: glucose + H2O+ O2 –> gluconic acid + H2O2 serve to preserve the honey. The hydrogen peroxide produced would be of effect as a sterilizing agent only during the ripening of honey. Full-strength honey has a negligible level of hydrogen peroxide because this substance is short-lived in the presence of the transition metal ions and ascorbic acid in honey which catalyses its decomposition to oxygen and water. The enzyme has been found to be practically inactive in full-strength honey, it giving rise to hydrogen peroxide only when the honey is diluted. This is because the acidity produced in the action of the enzyme drops the pH to a point which is too low for the enzyme to work any more. On dilution of honey the activity increases by a factor of 2,500 – 50,000, thus giving a “slow-release” antiseptic at a level which is antibacterial but not tissue-damaging. Source

Before Honey After Honey

WARNING: Although honey contains less hydrogen peroxide than commercial bleaching solutions, it IS hydrogen peroxide and if overdone it will damage your hair. This method, when done as described above, will help to lighten your hair a little and bring out natural highlights without damage. You cannot do any drastic lightening with this method, or any other, and not expect some damage. All things in moderation.

Lemon Rinse- Lemon is also a time-honored hair lightener. Will lighten hair, but may be very drying as the lightening agent is an acid.

2 lemons
1 quart boiling water

Lemon is also a time-honored hair lightener. The juice of two of the citrus fruits, strained into a quart of water, makes an excellent rinse that can be used in the same way as the chamomile preparation. Try to dry your hair in the sun after using a lemon rinse, in order to get the most from the treatment’s lightening effect. The science: Roger Clemens, professor of molecular pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Southern California, said the acid in lemons, combined with oxygen and the sun’s UV rays, causes acid oxidation, which highlights or lightens hair. “It’s not an old wives’ tale or myth. It’s scientific fact,” he said. Of course, going out in the sun without lemon juice can lighten your hair, too. But the acid in the lemon juice serves as an accelerant, he said. The active ingredient is the limonene in lemons, which is most concentrated in the rind, said Dr. Francesca J. Fusco of Mount Sinai Medical Center. “It acts as a weak bleaching agent when exposed to sunlight,” the dermatologist said. – New York Times Source

She also makes her own hair sticks, and a few other great hair goodies on her Etsy Store: Nightblooming.

Here are a few excerpts from an article she wrote on Herbal Hair Coloring.

Different Methods

There are several different methods to go about enhancing your color subtly. Some recipes go more into detail or have variations, but here are some of the main staples and their basic instructions. It should be noted that heat will always help dye update. Heat helps lift the scales on the hair, allowing the dye to penetrate better giving a better and longer lasting color. Only use gentle heat, such as warm towels wrapped around the head while the dye is sitting on the hair.

Rinses– A rinse is generally the weakest form of hair coloring. Usually this requires making an infusion of an herb or other natural dye and pouring it through the hair multiple times. To make a rinse, place ¼ c of your desired herb in a cup or bowl and add 2 cups of boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. To make a slightly stronger rinse, take ¼ c of herbs and simmer in a quart (4 cups) of water. To aid in dye fixation add up to ¼ salt. This will increase color absorption. (Translation: if you want darker colors, use more salt and increase the quantity of herbs -for pastels, use less salt and less dye). The longer you simmer, the stronger the dye; simmer at least 30 mins. For even stronger color, remove from heat and cover and allow the mix to sit overnight. Regardless of the method of infusion, allow the mixture to cool. Strain out the herbs. You will need 1 large bowl and a cup to apply. Standing in the shower, place the large bowl on the floor and kneel over it. Pour the rinse through your hair, catching the rinse in the bowl. Transfer the rinse to the cup, and then pour back through your hair into the bowl. Repeat at least 15 times. You may delay rinsing until later to help the dye set. Rinses need to be done daily until the desired color is achieved, and then once weekly to maintain. Note: Some people may fine coffee or some tea rinses drying on their hair. Follow up with a deep conditioning treatment as the effect is temporary. Herbal teas (those made from flowers, such as chamomile) tend to be less drying).

Color-Enhancing SMT– This is based on snowymoon’s deep conditioning treatment with a subtle color twist. Take 1 part of your favorite conditioner, ¼ part honey (or molasses for dark hair), and ¼ part alcohol-free clear aloe vera gel. Now add 2 TB of your favorite color-enhancing herb or powder. Place in a cup and warm in microwave for 10 to 15 seconds–just until warm. Add more conditioner until you achieve the right consistency. Wash hair and squeeze out excess, blot dry, leave in under heat cap, warm towels or shower cap, etc, for an hour or so. Rinse well.

Glosses- A gloss is similar to a color enhancing SMT, with the focus on color more than conditioning. To make a gloss take 2-3 TB of your desired herb (powdered seems to work best) and add them to a cup of cone-free conditioner, or plain, unsweetened yogurt. Mix the into a smooth paste and let this stand until you see dye release (or a day or so if you don’t). Putting it someplace warm to sit (like on top of your computer tower) will aid in dye release. Note: this works better with conditioner as yogurt tends to go really sour. Apply to dry or damp hair, wrap in plastic wrap, and leave on for as long as you wish. Rinse using only conditioner. As with other methods this may require several times to build up to the desired color.

Mud Treatments– These are herbs (such as henna, indigo, and walnut) that are mixed with a liquid to make a mud which is applied to the hair. This method requires the hair to be wrapped in saran wrap or contained under a shower cap as the dye ceases to be effective if it dries out. More effective and potent than other methods, but often must be left on longer.

To rinse mud treatments: Get some cheap cone free conditioner (I use V05 White Tea Therapy). Get in the shower, blast off your hair a little, then keep your hair out of the water and work in handfuls of conditioner. I go through a full bottle if it’s a little bottle, and half of one of the 33% MORE FREE! bottles. Just work the conditioner in. You’ll need lots. As you work the conditioner in start gently detangling from the ends up, adding more conditioner. Only when you can get your fingers mostly through it should you rinse. This does a few things: 1) you get a CO cleansing treatment as this is going to take you at least 20 mins to work into your hair before rinsing. 2) detangling helps the cassia mud rinse free easier, diminishing rinsing time overall. I cut my rinsing time in half with this method. Just be patient.

Purchased boxed herbs and natural dyes– There are many places where the work of mixing can be done for you. There is a list of these at the end of this document.

Getting the Color to Last

When dying fabric with natural dyes, often mordents are used. Mordents prepare the fibers and help them to absorb the dye better. It is possible to dye without using mordents – a few plants such as indigo and henna do not need mordents, but using mordents will generally give much better, brighter and more permanent colors. This is part of why these herbal rinses often need to be updated rather than becoming permanent. The good news is that it is easier to dye animal fibers than plant fibers, as animal fibers tend to have more sites to which pigment can attach. Many different chemicals can be used as mordents, most of which are very poisonous, which obviously complicates things for hair. Generally, fibers are prepared for dying by soaking them in a mordent. The most common mordents are alum, copper sulfate, potassium dichromate, ferrous sulphate and tannin. Though effective for dying fabric, they are NOT recommended for hair because of potential reactions to previous and later chemical dye treatments. Tannin, however, IS a natural mordent and is found in some plants. Both tea and catnip contain natural tannins, but can become astringent if brewed too strong. Adding a plant with natural tannins to your mix may help your color stay longer. Tannin powder can also be bought, but should be used in very small quantities (2 tb in 5 liters of water).

Dye fixatives are used after dying the hair. The instructions for using color fixatives on fabric says to add the dyed fabric to the fixative and let simmer for an hour. Obviously you can’t simmer your hair, but you can make the fixatives and pour them through your hair. These may be drying, and you should follow up with a deep conditioning treatment after you are done dying.

Plant Fixatives- (for plant dyes) 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar. After dying consider doing a rinse with more vinegar fixative to keep the dye from bleeding. Consider adding tea or catnip to this for natural tannins.

So for instance if you were doing a color-enhancing rinse you would try to rinse or soak your hair in tea or catnip tea for awhile, rinse, apply the dye, rinse, and follow with a diluted vinegar rinse to help set the color.

Shampoos and Conditioners– There some products such as Jason Natural’s Color Sealing Conditioner that may help natural dyes last longer. It uses cones to accomplish this, but also has many natural ingredients. Their Color Enhancing Shampoo may help extend the time between dying sessions. Note that the ingredients DO contain synthetic dyes as well as natural ones, but there is no ammonia or peroxide.

Special Edition: Winter Caramel Shampoo & Body Bar

Only created during the frosty months of Winter, this special edition shampoo and body bar has a sweet caramel scent naturally (no artificial fragrance). Our chamomile and horsetail is infused in the oils to get all the benefits from them.  

Ingredients: chamomile, horsetail, sunflower oil, castor oil, olive oil, cassia obovata, honey, apricot kernel oil as a superfat. 

Size per bar approx. 140 g (5 oz)  

Henna Sooq Shampoo Bars and How to use Them

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Here is Jenean’s Story:

My Henna Gloss Regimen

I was tired of the all the gray hairs. I’ve never had my hair colored before and I didn’t want to start. I wanted to get rid of the gray but I didn’t want to put another chemical on top of my already relaxed hair. Plus, I didn’t want to change my hair color. So after a lot of research and asking lots of questions I decided on a henna gloss.

I’ve been using a henna gloss to cover my gray hairs since May 2009. I do this every 1-2 months. The henna glosses cover my gray hairs and give me reddish brown highlights. It’s definitely worth the time and effort.

 Henna Gloss Mix

• 2-3 Tablespoons Jamila henna
• 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Pure Honey
• ½ Tablespoon Amla Oil
• ½ Teaspoon Amla Powder
•  A couple of squirts of 100% Aloe Vera Gel
• 3-4 heaping tablespoons of a silicone free conditioner
• Silicone Free Conditioner (for washing out the henna)
• 1 bowl
• 1 plastic fork
• 1 scarf
• 1 pair of plastic gloves
• 1 plastic grocery bag (or you can use a plastic shower cap)

Directions:

•  The night before I apply Amla oil (use as much as needed) to my hair, cover hair with satin bonnet and go to bed. The next day I wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo and blot dry my hair with a T-shirt.
• (Optional) Warm the honey up in warm water before adding to the mix
•  Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl with a plastic fork until the mix is the consistency of pudding or cake mix
• Put on the plastic gloves and generously apply the henna to damp hair.
•  Tie a plastic grocery bag on my head and tie a scarf on over the bag.
•  Leave henna on for 40-45 minutes with no heat
• Wash the henna out with silicone free conditioner.

 Note: I added the Amla oil and Amla powder to help darken the henna.

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Shikakai Co-Wash

I wanted an easy, non messy way to incorporate Ayurvedic herbs into my regimen.

 The first time I used it my hair seemed to be dry. The next I used it I pre-oiled with pure coconut oil for 30 minutes. The pre-oiling improved the results. This time my hair felt softer.

 You will need:

• 50 grams Shikakai powder
• 8 oz Moisturizing Conditioner
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1 whisk
• 1 bowl
• 1 funnel
• 1 spoon

 Directions:

• Pour all of the conditioner into the bowl.
• Put all of the powder into the bowl on top of the conditioner. It may help to make a well in the middle of the bowl. Add all of the powder slowly as the “fumes” may make you sneeze.
• Use a whisk to mix until it is smooth and free of lumps and powder.
• Pour the coconut oil into the mix and blend well. The final mixture should be very smooth.
• Use a funnel and spoon to scoop the mixture back into the conditioner bottle.
• Shake well before each use.
• Co-wash as usual.

 Thanks to:

· Milan, KISS member

· MedMurky, Healthy Textures member

· Founder of LongHairDontCare.net

Introducing Henna Sooq’s new Shampoo Bar line!  In our effort to continue providing the safest, natural hair care products, we consulted with a professional soap & skincare maker to create this luxurious alternative to synthetic, toxic shampoos.   Our Shampoo Bars are handcrafted in small batched for freshness, using only 100% natural oils, butters, organic herbs & pure essential oils.  Custom formulated for Henna Sooq, you won’t find these unique bar combinations anywhere else!

Why use Henna Sooq shampoo bars?

• 100% Natural. Commercial shampoos are not – they’re actually synthetic detergents! 
• Vegan & Biodegradable.  Safe for you and the environment. Comes packaged in a soap box that is 100% recyclable.
• Handcrafted in Canada.  Making each bar a unique piece of art as well as a fabulously moisturizing cleanser.  Perfect for gifts!
• Shampoo bars will not strip the natural oils from your hair.
• Ayurvedic – unique Indian herbal & oil combinations
• Doubles as a body soap!  Why buy 2 products when this gentle, creamy cleanser can be used from head to toe? Gentle enough to use on babies.
• pH Balanced
• No SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) or foam boosters. These are usually used to create the illusion of an expensive, high quality shampoo, but in fact it dries out skin and hair, irritates the scalp & can cause hair loss. Our shampoo bars only contain natural, safe ingredients that nourish, strengthen and cleanse the hair and scalp.
• No preservatives
• No detergents
• No petroleum based oils
• No residue.  Commercial detergent shampoos do leave a chemical residue in your hair. That is why they recommend you switch brands of shampoo every few months!
• Ideal for travel.  Made with only moisturizing oils, our shampoo bars are easy to cut into small pieces to use as your shampoo & soap when travelling, on vacation, at school, work & the gym.

Using a shampoo bar

• Wet your hair thoroughly. You can place the bar directly onto your hair, and move in circular motions to get the shampoo bar all over your scalp.  Or, you can rub the shampoo bar in your hands and get it well lathered, then apply directly from your hands onto your scalp (this method is ideal if you have curly hair, and want to rub the shampoo into your hair with your hands in such a way as to avoid tangles and breakage).  Wash out thoroughly.
• Be sure to only wash your scalp.  The length of your hair should not be washed or scrubbed.
• You can follow up with a lemon juice and water rinse or ACV rinse to help with tangles.
• The shampoo bar should last about 1 month or so, depending on how often it is used. Let it dry out between uses on a well draining rack away from the flow of water.  If it sits in a pool of water or if water runs over it, your shampoo bar will quickly dissolve.
  You can use our shampoo bars on color-treated, and/or permed hair
  Make sure you use your shampoo bar that you selected for at least a week, so that it removes any residues from commercial shampoos (should this apply), before deciding if this shampoo is right for you or not.

After using our shampoo bars, you hair will feel refreshingly cleaner, and softer. All the beneficial ingredients in our shampoo bars will also moisturize your hair, strengthen it, and enable it to grow richer, and fuller.

Where to buy:

Shampoo Bars Canada

Shampoo Bars USA

This past weekend, the festival went really well. It was a lot of work, but it was really worth it. I had the opportunity to meet Liza Garza, and Omar Regan. Both very down to earth people, and you can just see that these are two individuals who are making a lot of positive things happen.

The shampoo bars were a huge hit! We now have them on sale online. Now carrying 5 varieties of 100% natural and handcrafted shampoo bars, that are also safe to use on face and body. Please check them out:

Shampoo Bars Canada                          Shampoo Bars USA

We have a few deals going on at the Henna Sooq that we want to make sure everyone has seen and heard about. Every bit of savings counts, and goes a long way.

• Discounts for members of Long Hair Community and Long Hair Care Forum. Please email us for details at hennasooq@gmail.com
• Our free samples are still available (shipping charges will apply). Please view the Free Products category on the left hand side of the shop.
• We have lowered the price of our lavender essential oil. Big savings on that essential oil! Please view USA and Canada
• We lowered the price on our Yemeni henna powder. The new 2009 crop has just come in and now it’s starting at only $7.00 USD/$8.00 CAD for 100 grams. The yemeni henna powder looks really fresh, and we uploaded photos of the new crop online.

• Amla Hair oil has also been reduced! Now on sale. You can purchase this here at Amla Hair Oil USA or Amla Hair Oil Canada.
• Jamila Summer Crop 2008 is on sale. 100 grams is only $4.50 USD/$5.50 CAD. Limited quantities available.
• Jamila Summer Crop 2009 has come in stock last month, and we reduced that as well. Jamila 2009 starts now at $7.00 USD/$8.00 CAD
• We have about 3 kgs of Moroccan 2008 left in stock. We will be putting that online at a sale price of $45.00 USD/$50.00 CAD per kg.
• We have also received new self-adhesive stencils in stock, which will need to be put online shortly
• New Product! We now have Sedr (zizyphus spina christi) in stock. It will be going online shortly.

Our email to the mailing list will be going out soon. It will highlight the current sales and deals going on, along with information on how to use our latest products, and new recipes.

Henna Sooq will have a booth both indoors and outdoors at this festival. You can find us from 10 am to 10 pm on August 1-2, 2009 at the Living Arts Centre, where the event is taking place. At anytime, you can reach us directly at 416-902-3091.

The outdoor festival and bazaar will be located on Princess Royal Drive. Indoors there will be more vendors, and you will also find the workshops and shows going on. Special appearance by Omar Regan.

On Sunday, August 2, 2009 there will also be special apperances by brother Mutah (formerly known as Napolean), brother Omar (actor), and brother Amir (formerly known as Loon) at the CDA Conference which will be taking place at the RBC Theatre at the Living Arts Centre.

Sneak Peak! Our new shampoo bars will be featured for the first time at MuslimFest 2009. We will have them on sale only at this festival, and then they will be marked up at regular prices.

Now carrying:

Sweet Honey Shampoo Bar
Moroccan Clay Shampoo Bar
Cocoveda Shampoo Bar
Soapnut Shampoo Bar
Argan Oil Shampoo Bar

We hope to see you there!

The benefits of using ubtan are that your skin will left feeling soft, smooth, and absolutely glowing. Read more at these websites.

• The World’s First Known Cosmetic
• Ubtan for Moisturizing
• Indian Beauty Massage

 How to use our Premium Bridal Ubtan

• Take 1 tbsp of powder, and add warm to hot water a bit at a time.
• Mix well, until paste becomes thick like toothpaste. Add more water if desired.
• Apply onto your face, and rub in circular motions, until your face if fully covered with paste. You will notice the bright yellow tone of the paste. Don’t be alarmed, it will not stain the skin.
• Leave on for 15-20 minutes.
• Wash off with warm water. Pat dry.

Here are some other sample ubtan recipes:

1. Take 2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp glycerin and 3 tsp rose water and mix. Apply this lotion all over the body and keep it for 15-20 minutes and then wash with tepid water.

2. Take 1 tsp lemon juice, ½ cup yogurt and 1 tsp orange juice. Make a paste and apply this on your face and neck and keep for 10-15 minutes and then wash with tepid water.

3. Soak 1 tsp urad dal and 4 almonds in water overnight and then grind them into a paste. This mask is to be applied on face and wash it off after half an hour. This mask will not only nourish the skin but also bleach it.

4. Mix 2 tsp rice powder, 4 tsp tea water, 1 tsp honey. Apply this mask to your face and wash it off after half an hour with lukewarm water.

5. Take 1 tbsp powder milk, 1 peeled cucumber and 1 tsp yogurt. Mix all these together in a blender to a fine paste and apply on the face for 15-20 minutes and wash off with warm water.

6. Mix 4 tbsp. chickpea flour, 1 tsp. turmeric powder, 1 tbsp. yogurt, 1 tsp, rose water. Mix all ingredients and use this made fresh each day for massaging face & entire body. Excellent for normal to oily skin.

7. Mix 4 tbsp. chickpea flour, 1 tsp. turmeric powder, 1 egg, 1 tsp. honey. Mix all ingredients and use this made fresh each day for massaging face & entire body. This is excellent for smoothening rough skin and increasing elasticity.

Canadian Clients may purchase this product here: Canadian Henna Sooq Shop
USA Clients may purchase this product here: USA Henna Sooq Shop