I personally really like the luer lock plastic tips, as it really works well for applying glue sealant, and getting the glue to go on finer for more detailed designs (I was making freestyle glitter tattoos/zardosi). It takes practice, and a good flow, because you want to avoid glue bubbles. I also liked the fact that the glue at the tip didn’t get as thick, and congested as I’ve seen with other applicators. I just removed the little bit of dried glue (when I left it out overnight it dried), and was back to using this applicator. Videos on luer lock bottles, and tips will be coming really soon!

These luer lock metal tips also come in more size choices then jacquard bottle do. There are 6 different choices, and they even have much smaller tips. The bottles are also larger (1 oz and 2 oz), softer, and gentler to your hands.

What sets Henna Sooq’s luer lock bottles apart from the rest? CHOICES! We are the only company giving you a choice between 1 oz or 2 oz bottle sizes when purchasing luer lock sets. Our metal tips ALL come with the luer lock protective cap, included at no additional cost.

Get your Luer Lock Bottles and Tips today at Henna Sooq

Happy henna’ing!

It’s important once you have vented how you feel to just move on. Keeping things in, and letting it marinate, don’t do your soul, health, and relationships any good. Don’t bring it up, or at least try not to. Just let it be a lesson learned because everything happens for a reason. Personally, I probably bring plenty of it upon myself.

Do you ever just sit there and be quiet, and actually watch how things happen/unfold? Sometimes to observe is good. It gives you time to come back to it, and then respond/react.

Today it’s sunny, breezy, and gorgeous out. My daffodils are blooming, and I just found out that my fiddleheads are coming back!! I was worried they wouldn’t because shortly after I bought them, and planted them last year, they died. My mom had told me, not to worry, they’ll be back. I really didn’t believe her. But here they are!

For those of you who might not know what fiddleheads are, well they are kind of like spinach, but roll up curls of spinach. I just steam mine, with a bit of salt and butter, and eat them like that. They only come up once a year (springtime), and that’s what also makes them very expensive. They are one of my favorite veggies! In Quebec, we can go right into the forest/bush, and get them for free!!

Read more here at Vegan Yum Yum: Fiddlehead Ferns

I’ll be the first to say that this article, if it really means indigo and not some other plant, then I don’t agree with a lot of what is said in this article. Basma, from the indigo plant? That sounds like they are calling indigo by another name. A lot of the information in this article is not correct.

You can use commercial hair dyes, relaxers, or perms, if you use 100% pure henna and herbs. You should ALWAYS do hair strand tests first before using ANY new hair product, even natural ones. Make sure that henna, and herbs are the right choice for YOU. Remember your hair is unique, just as you are. There are many recipes, and natural regimens out there, and you have to discover which of those are right for you. We’re here for you!

Please read:

Dark Chocolate or Black Night? Your Choice is Basma!

There is another favorite hair dye besides henna in the East. It is called basma. This vegetable hair dye is environmentally friendly. It is prepared from dried leaves of tropical plant indigo, which have greenish grey color. Basma can be used only with henna or coffee, because basma itself can dye your hair in green or greenish blue. Basma has excellent cosmetology properties: it stimulates hair growth and gives it a natural shine, improves hair structure, strengthens hair roots, and eliminates dandruff.

Also as henna, basma should be prepared immediately before applying on hair; you have not to store a hair dye. Take from 20 till 100 grams of basma and henna powder depending on your hair length. The proportion is determined depending on the desired tone and hue intensity. Having dissolved a powder in proportion of 1:1 you will get a nice brown hue. If you want to get hair so black as night, the proportion should be 1:2 (henna: basma); but having changed the proportion of components (1:2 basma: henna) you will get hair of bronze color.

Apply the dye dissolved with water to cream mixture to dry or wet clean hair; it is better to start with back of the head. Then apply the dye on top of the head and on temples, and then on the entire length. For effect enhancing you should put plastic hat on your head, and then cover it with a towel. Keep the dye for 20-30 minutes (for having a light tone), or 1-3 hours (for having rich dark tone).

However, dyes from natural ingredients are not permanent as chemical dyes are. Therefore hair dyed with henna or basma should be spared; wash it with mild shampoos and rinse it with conditioners and balms of the same type (do not use deep cleaning shampoos!). Maintain the color intensity using such a rinse. Pour the mixture of 25 grams of henna and 25 grams of basma with 1.5 liters of boiling water. Filter the mixture carefully, cool it and rinse your hair with it. You have to moisturize your hair regularly and nourish it with protein masks for keeping the resulting hair shine. You can make the mask by yourself: mix 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of honey, aloe leaf juice, 1 teaspoon of castor oil.

You should remember: if your hair is dyed with vegetable dye, you cannot use artificial dyes. The reaction of chemical agents with henna and basma can lead to unexpected results, including blue or green hue. Natural dye has to be completely washed off. 

Henna Sooq gives back to the community!

We have the opportunity to support our local Relay for Life that is hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Event: Relay for Life
Date: May 16, 2008 at 7 pm
Location: John Rennie High School, 501 St. John’s Boulevard, Pointe Claire, QC  H9R 3J5
John Rennie Map
Time: From 7 pm to 7 am
Website for more information: Relay for Life

We’ll be there from 7:30 pm until about 9:30 pm. We will be giving a small introduction to henna, and a demonstration. There will also be free henna designs given to the first 50 people!! So please come out and support this event!

We hope to see you there!

There are a few things that are a must when choosing any henna powder:

-Fresh. You must always buy fresh henna powder. If you want a great stain, don’t just grab henna off the shelf (since who knows how long it may have been sitting there) Even from crop to crop you will notice that the freshest henna powder gives the best stain results. After all, doesn’t a chef use the freshest ingredients in the preparation of our meals?
-Body Art Quality. This means that the henna powder is the best quality since they take the leaves from the top of the plant with the most dye content. It also means that it is 100% pure and natural. This term is usually used to describe henna that is also used for body art.
(Please remember that not EVERY henna powder nor herb is body art quality. Ask yourself this: Is this henna powder or herb used as a body art product or really for hair usage? This term is sometimes only used for marketing purposes. Always be well informed.)
-Finely Sifted. None of that dirt, grit, sand, nor sticks help with getting a great staining henna paste. Even if you try to sift it yourself, you lose most of the henna powder you purchased.
-Pure. Must contain no pesticides or chemicals. No PPD nor any other powders or ingredients. Only get 100% pure henna powder.

Now that we have the basics down, now comes the individual henna powders.

Jamila Henna Powder

Jamila henna powder yields great stains results and comes conveniently packaged in 100 grams foil packages in sealed boxes (when it is stamped with summer crop for body art usage, and is also used for hair). It does have the longest dye release, taking up to 24 hours to prepare for body art, and 12 hours for use on hair, before ready to use. It is a reliable henna powder, but not great if you need henna quick. It has the ultimate best sift of ANY henna powder. It is very popular amonst professional henna artists, and for hair dyeing. It washes out of the hair very easily, and the texture pf the paste is similar to melted chocolate. It yields deep reddish-brown tones for body art and for hair. This henna comes from Pakistan.
Please read our more detailed article on Jamila henna powder.

Indian Henna Powder

In ever increasing popularity, the indian henna powder from the Rajasthani Region, is very well balanced. You get dye release in 8-12 hours for body art. So you can start a batch in the morning and have it ready by the evening. The stains results are some of the darkest I have ever seen. Typically reddish tones (burgundy/mahogany) and sometimes near cherry black. It is triple sifted and through nylon cloth. For hair usage, this powder we recommend you allow it to sit from 1-2 hours, and then apply onto your hair. Every crop year varies, and usually gives the hair a reddish tone. On lighter hair it may come out more orange-toned.

Yemeni Henna Powder

The yemeni henna powder comes from the Sana’a region. It takes 8-12 hours to achieve dye release for body art. For hair, we recommend you allow this henna powder to sit from 1-2 hours before applying it. It is well known for being one of the stringy hennas. This henna powder is now much better sifted (since the 2009 crop), since the company has upgraded its henna processing facilities. Now many more henna artists are using this henna powder. It is absolutely one of the most popular henna powders for hair dyeing, and covers grey very well. It gives the most gorgeous, deep red tones of any other henna powder currently.

Moroccan Henna Powder

A very popular henna powder for both body art and hair, this henna is found in the Western Sahara. It has the quickest dye release. It is best to let this henna sit at least 2-6 hours for body art. For hair usage, only allow to sit for a maximum of 1 hour and then apply it. It is also a stringy henna. It has great color, usually very bright and becomes quite dark suddenly (on skin). We usually recommend this henna powder for achieving brown to black tones, when used in hair dyeing. We recommend it because it has a fast dye release, and doesn’t give bright red tones on hair.

We do hope that this guide has been helpful to you, please let us know if you have any concerns or further questions.