Is henna suppose to dry when on head?

Hi ladies,

So I applied henna for the 1st time about 2 hours ago. I followed the mixing instructions from that free booklet on mehandi.

I wrapped my hair with plastic wrap & then I also used a cap that I got from bnb that's suppose to insulate & keep my hair warm.

As I'm touching my hair (through the wraps) it feels like it's stiffing up, especially around my hairline (even though it's covered). Is it suppose to be doing this? Did I do something wrong? Any feedback will be soooooo helpful!

Thanks!

Used 200 grams jamilia henna (mixed with a combo of tea/limes/lemons)

Did you start with wet hair or dry hair?

I've only henna-ed a couple of times, but each time, my hair stayed damp throughout the process. (I leave henna on about 5 hours.) I apply henna on damp hair, after I've washed my hair.

I don't know if this would make a difference, but a lot of ladies on the forum find using a lot of lemon juice drying. I mostly use tea, and add just a tablespoon of ACV to my mix--many here seem to only use tea. I also put a good bit of honey in my henna mix right before I put it in (after the mix has sat overnight).

So, it could be a bunch of things. Hope it goes well Be sure to do a deep conditioning after you rinse out the henna in any case.

Hi bpjedi!


To answer you question, my hair was a lil damp, but not too much, I had washed my hair and it was starting to air dry. As I slept throughout the night, it began to drip and by the time I took it out it was moist all over.

My 1st henna process was really...... interesting [lol]

I had finished adding the henna to my hair around 8:30 last night:

https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/pictur11.jpg

https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/pictur12.jpg

I woke up at 4:30 [8 hours later] to the feeling of dripping henna going down my face & neck [I was sleeping sideways] so I forced myself up, and rinsed it out in the shower. I had NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER rinsing out the henna, I just stood in my tub and let the shower head remove the majority, and then I took my fingers and loosened any remaining deposits.

Afterwards, I deep conditioned my hair with Garnier Fructis, added back my gold cap and went back to sleep and woke up at 8, so my hair was conditioning for a good 2 1/2- 3 hours.

I woke up [once again] to the feeling of conditioner dripping down my neck to my back this time! [I was sleeping on my back], so I got up and rinsed out my hair. My hair was REALLY soft and even became wavy/curly [I have my dad's hair which is mostly on the wavy/straight side]

[My hair after my BC]
https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/17965510.jpg

So I added Garnier Fructis leave in conditioner and used Wild Growth Hair Oil for a seal.

I don't see any red deposits yet from the henna, but maybe I have to be outside to see it. I did have a few, [very few] grays that I've hereditary had since I was 14, so I'm hoping that those are covered so that I can stop plucking them out! [lol]

So I am planning on doing the process over in a couple of weeks. Next time:

1. I will DEFINTLEY do it in the daytime, I cannot go through another henna "night process" again!

2. Also, I will make sure that my hair is freshly damp

3. Buy an essential oil to add to the mixture. The smell of henna makes me VERY nauseous


Thanks for your advice! :-)

I'm so glad to hear how it all turned out I'm a daytime henna-er. I move around so much at night that I know there'd be a mess; my husband says I'm like a rotisserie chicken when I sleep! Scent-wise, I like adding in powdered ginger and cinnamon, and then several drops of clove essential oil. Those spices can irritate you if you have sensitive skin, though... I think that lavender essential oil is supposed to be good in that case.

Happy Henna-ing

It's ok if around your edges get dry, just be careful when you rinse it out, so that you don't damage those areas of your hair. Let those parts get really wet and use extra conditioner when washing it out, so that you don't damage those "baby hairs" along your hair line.

On another note, I've read some articles that says to let the henna dry completely all over your head prior to washing it out (so skip the saran wrap and plastic cap and just let it dry). I've never tried it, and given the pain of washing dried henna from around my hairline, I think I'll stick with my cap and saran wrap!

Did you love the results?

One other thing...if your henna dripped then it could be that your mix was too watery or your hair was too wet. Your mix should be the consistency of pancake batter and your hair should be damp. Next time try the stretched cotton to go along the base of your cap to catch the dripping...or if you are ghetto...I mean resourceful like me...roll up some paper towel and add it, then put a headband around the cap to keep it secure. Result=no dripping!

Hi MelMelBee!

To answer your question, I do love the results! My first time was a lil' hectic, but it was worth it! My hair feels stronger & didn't shed as much as it usually does when I use to wash my hair in the past.

The henna smell is FINALLY fading away, which is making me VERY happy cause I really couldn't take the smell! As for the color, I can't see it while indoors, but I assume that it took cause I can't see any of those premature grays that I use to have.

I did use some paper towels (I folded them into squares) and used them to protect my ears from rubbing against the hair cap (it was irritating my ears).

I can't imagine trying to remove the henna if it completely dried on my hair! Some on the back of my hair dried out so it was a lil painful as it loosened up and washed away. I can't imagine what it must
feel like to have my whole head dried with henna!

As I experiment I will tweek my henna mixture to see what my hair likes/doesn't like. So far I know that I need to apply the henna to completely damp hair to avoid the dryness issues.

:-)

Congrats on your BC...it took me a while to realize that your avatar was your relaxed ends...so go 'head girl!!!!!

When you say "dryness issues", are you referring to the henna drying or your hair feeling dry after hennaing? Just want to make sure I am understanding your question correctly

@ MelMelBee,

I meant dryness while the henna mixture was still on my head. It was drying/getting stiff all around my hairline & I didn't know if was suppose to do that or not. Since it's been out [the henna], I haven't had any dryness issues, mainly because I moisturized my hair & then sealed it with some EO.

And thanks for the congrats on my snipped hair [lol]. I had a texturizer for the looooongest time, and I finally cut the last of it off last week [Feb 2]

[After my BC, hair tamed with unrefined shea butter]
https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/16773810.jpg

And since then I've been either braiding or twisting my hair. Here's my latest style:

[Hair braided into a Mohawk with double strand twist in the middle]
https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/pictur13.jpg

https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/pictur14.jpg

https://i.servimg.com/u/f77/16/17/56/38/pictur15.jpg

OK, good! Just making sure..LOL

I LOVE the style...I'm trying to get parting and flat 2-strand twisting together so I can hook my head up like that

Keep up the great work!

@msbox1984
Those styles are great! My hair is just getting long enough to start doing some braids, but I'm bad at cornrows, unfortunately. Your hair looks fab

@MelMelBee, I like the hairstyle you have in your avatar, too