LoveHennaHair

What our customers say about us...

2014-01-02T17:29:00.000+00:00

In 2013 we received some great feedback from our customers on Lovehennahair, here are just a few:

"I needed some advice about colour and Jyoti could not have been more helpful and supportive. She even sent me a free couple of packs to help me, answered emails immediately even over the weekend, fab service Thank You"

October 2013

"Extremely good service and product quality"
October 2013

"I buy regularly from this shop, great products and service"
June 2013

"Fantastic product great colour and condition!"
March 2013

"Fast efficient service. Satisified customer"
January 2013

Happy New Year!

2014-01-01T06:00:00.000+00:00

Best Wishes for 2014

from

Jyoti and Helen

LoveHennaHair

Helen's Hair September 2013

2013-09-07T14:02:00.000+01:00

Started with 100g natural henna.
Added some water and lemon juice until it become a muddy mixture.
Left for 6 hours.
Applied to hair.
Left on hair for 3 hours.
Rinse and condition.
Result: Gorgeous Red Hair.

Before:

During:

After:

Natural Henna does NOT contain any metallic salts

2013-09-05T13:55:00.000+01:00

I was talking to an ex-hairdresser today and was so disappointed when she said she didn't like henna because she believes that "the metallic salts in henna cause your hair to break if you later use a chemical hair dye". Spent ages trying to convince her that she must not have been using natural henna but some sort of mix.

100% natural henna is just crushed, dried leaves, nothing added.
100% natural henna does not contain any metallic salts.
100% natural henna does not break your hair if you use a chemical hair dye later (however chemical hair dyes may break your hair anyway, with or without the use of henna).
100% natural henna does not strip your hair but rather bonds with the composition of your hair.

Other positive effects of 100% natural henna can include:
* Boosts hair growth
* Treats dandruff
* Aids restful sleep
* Therapeutic and calming
* Detoxifying
* Soothes headaches, aches, and pains
* Cools scalp and skin & reduces temperature
* Fights infection

Hints and tips when using henna and indigo to colour hair

2012-06-16T08:40:00.000+01:00

Jyoti says:

For those of you who use or want to use 100% natural hair colours but do not like the smell of henna lingering for days afterwards, I may have found a solution.

Last month, I tried something new with henna and indigo that I want to share with every one. Following an inquiry by a customer, I decided to experiment with soaking henna in a mixture of coconut oil and tepid water (half and half) before adding indigo. The result was worth it! The mixture was much more creamy and easier to apply and the hair was more evenly coated, thus giving better coverage. When I washed it off, the smell of henna was less intense than usual and my hair was softer. To top it all, the colour has stayed for longer. I am going to stick to this method from now on.

Helen says:

When I use pure henna to dye my hair the children moan about the smell (like wet hay but I actually like it) but I have found that adding about 10 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture makes the scent more acceptable to them.

Other tips when using natural hair dyes:

Do a strand test to get an idea of colour and check for allergies
Make sure you cover your clothes in old towels
Use gloves so your hands don't get stained
Experiment with amounts and thickness of mixture to find what works for you
Remember that henna and indigo are natural, do not contain bleach so cannot lighten your hair
Add a small amount of an acidic liquid into your henna mix to help the dye stay longer - vinegar, lemon juice are good examples
You can try adding coffee/paprika/beetroot juice/red wine to achieve different tones

Don't forget our other natural products including:
Soapnuts
Natural Mahogany Hair Dye Mix
Red Hair Natural Hair Dye Mix

Fab reviews about LoveHennaHair

2012-05-25T10:21:00.001+01:00

We LOVE the positive feedback from our LoveHennaHair users...
Here is one of our most recent.

And others from the LoveHennaHair website...

"Amazing service, thank you."
May 2012

"Cannot fault them. Products are excellent, service is swift and efficient, communications as you would wish: informative and timely - they don't pester you with emails but keep in touch and respond promptly to queries. Thank you and hope you continue to flourish!"
Feb 2012

"As always the delivery was prompt & the outward packaging was fine. However, when I opened my parcel the packet of indigo inside was burst & went everywhere. But after phoning lovehennahair I received a very sincere apology & my complete order sent out again. Great customer service & a prompt resolution to my complaint. Will definitely continue to order."
October 2012

Why we love Henna and Indigo...

2012-03-20T10:43:00.000+00:00

Some interesting facts about henna and indigo

Henna and Indigo- Truly ‘green’ hair dyes

We have been extolling the virtues of our 100% natural hair dyes since we started selling them on our web site www.lovehennahair.co.uk in 2008. In fact, the ecological credentials of our natural hair dyes stretch beyond the fact that they are made purely by drying and grinding leaves of the plants Lawsonia Inermis (henna) and Indigofera tinctoria (Indigo). Henna and indigo are ecologically sound crops for small land holders in marginal farming areas, and if the market for these products increases, it will benefit family farms and soils, as well as preserving our own health.

Henna is a green powder with a distinctive smell which, on its own, dyes hair orangey-red. It contains tannins known as hennotannic acid. Tannins are slightly astringent and their use will tighten the surface of the scalp and hair follicles, strengthening the follicles’ grasp on each hair. Henna penetrates the hair shaft, strengthens it, smooths the cuticle and thickens the hair, making your hair more resistant to breakage.

Indigo is also a (different shade of) green powder that smells like frozen peas. If you mix that with water, you'll see a bluish purple glaze form on the surface after a while. It can be used in different combinations with henna to create a range of colours from orange to brown to black.

Don't forget our other natural products including:
Soapnuts
Natural Mahogany Hair Dye Mix

Helen & Jyoti
NaturalHennaHair
LoveHennaHair

Helen's Hair ~ January 2012

2012-01-27T12:50:00.000+00:00

Recipe:
50g of Henna mixed with water and left for 8 hours.
Applied to hair.
Left on hair for 3 hours.
Result:
Lovely red tones in my hair!

xxx

January 2012 Sale

2012-01-24T09:43:00.000+00:00

10% off a few of our favourites:

Henna

Reetha

Shikakai

www.lovehennahair.co.uk

www.naturalhennahair.co.uk

So excited!

2011-10-26T21:36:00.001+01:00

We are so excited to be able to tell you about our new shopfront at www.naturalhennahair.co.uk.

It's fresh and clean and easy to use.

Please take a look and let us know what you think of it!

If everyone loves it as much as we do then we will be looking to move our LoveHennaHair domain name over there in the near future.

Helen & Jyoti
www.naturalhennahair.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Latest pics of Helen's hair

2011-07-04T13:04:00.000+01:00

Henna dyed hair:
I left the henna on my hair for 2 hours and have just taken photos (1 and a half weeks later) in the sunshine...

Freshly mixed henna powder

2011-06-24T12:38:00.002+01:00

Thought I would show you what my freshly mixed henna looks like.

50g henna + 4 tablespoons lemon juice + water =

Yes, I am going to put this gooey, muddy-looking substance on my hair! It feels like a cool, soothing mudmask.

I will now leave this mixture for about 8 hours and then apply to my hair for about two hours.
Will then post some new pics of my hair in a few days.

Helen
xx

(Henna powder available for sale from www.lovehennahair.co.uk)

Helen's Hair ~ May 2011

2011-06-08T14:51:00.000+01:00

100g pure henna for 3 hours...

And while we had the henna out, we thought we'd have a play with Henna tattooing...
On my daughter's wrist... A dainty butterfly...

And a couple of swirls around my arm...

The tattoos lasted about 2 weeks before fading and washing off.

Oh and by the way, we are starting to send out a newsletter...
Sign up here to receive our free newsletter and find out about new offers/sales/products...

Helen

Before and After ~ Ruth

2011-03-07T10:43:00.000+00:00

One of our lovely customers very kindly forwarded us some photos of her hair after using Henna/Indigo.
I'm so pleased that she loves the results.

Before Henna/Indigo ~ using a chemical dye...

After henna/indigo her hair has a natural shine (indoors and out) and has a beautiful reddish tone.

Thank you for sharing these with us, Ruth.

Remember, Henna and Indigo natural hair dye is available to purchase from our online shop at www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Helen
xx

Dyeing your hair with henna and indigo ~ detailed instructions

2011-01-22T15:55:00.003+00:00

If you have never dyed your hair at home, the first time may seem messy and hard work but it does get easier with practice.

1) Cover everything in old towels or newspaper, and wear old clothes.

2) Decide on the proportion of henna and indigo. You can mix indigo into henna to get shades of reddish-brown to auburn to brownish black. Remember every person will be different and the results could vary depending on the pH content of your hair on the day of application.

However, here is a rough guide:

-Pure henna will be reddish orange

-Equal portions of henna and indigo will give you a light brown colour.

-One part of henna to two parts of indigo will be dark brown to blackish.

-For guaranteed jet black hair, this process has to be done in two steps, maybe over two days. First apply henna all over, leave for at least a couple of hours and rinse off. Then, within a day, repeat the process with indigo.

Caution: Pure indigo, applied without henna, will give a bluish tinge to grey hair and greenish hue to blonde/ash hair and will dry your hair out too.

Quantity: 100g of powder for every six inches of hair. Curly hair will need more. 200g is usually enough for shoulder length hair.

3) Mix in a bowl with warm water- about 300ml for every 100gms should give you the correct coating consistency but it can vary with the level of humidity in the air. First, mix henna with the water, cover and leave for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. If indigo is also being used, add it to the henna paste just before using. (This is because henna molecule takes a while to release colour but indigo, when mixed with water, remains active for only about an hour). Mix well to remove lumps. Add some more water if it feels dryish otherwise it will not coat the strands properly.

4) Apply the mixture using plastic gloves, starting at the back.

For whole head, I use a brush to apply a blob to the roots in one section and then spread it to the ends before moving on to another section. Some people prefer to use their hands or foam. Cover your entire head, and wear a shower cap or wrap it in cling film. Make sure you wipe off any drips that run down, or you'll have streaks on your face and neck (can be scrubbed off!).

5) Keep the colour on for between 45 minutes to 4 hours. The longer the time, the darker the colour. Rinse the mixture off with water and then shampoo as normal. Hair will feel rough at first but silky smooth as it dries. The colour will deepen over 2-4 days. Reapply as often as you like for the desired effect.

Henna and Indigo available from www.lovehennahair.co.uk

Jyoti

Helen's Henna Dyed Hair - January 2011

2011-01-18T12:04:00.000+00:00

I hadn't put henna on my hair for nearly 4 months (time/illness/family constraints).
This is 150g of henna mixed with water and lemon juice and left on for 2 and 1/2 hours.

Deep auburn.

Before henna:

After Henna:

Helen
xx

Why clingwrap...?

2011-01-17T14:55:00.000+00:00

We advise customers to wrap their hair/head in clingwrap after applying henna to their hair. Why?

1) It keeps the dye from staining any towels/cloths that you are wrapping your head in.
2) It keeps the henna moist ~ which aids the dye absorbing.
3) We just want you to look funny and scare the neighbour who comes knocking :-D

Helen
xxx

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T21:59:00.000+00:00

Fancying something different, something fresh for the new year?
Try a new hair colour.
Henna can add a beautiful red tone to your hair (depending on your natural colour) and because it's a natural hair dye, it won't damage your hair ~ in fact it's a treatment too!

Helen
xxx

Hair Mix Recipes

2010-11-02T13:38:00.000+00:00

Hair Mix Recipes:
Please remember that these colours are an estimate.
These are natural dye products so an exact shade cannot be guaranteed.
Experimentation is the key.
Strand tests are highly recommended for both a colour check and allergy check (though allergies to these natural products are very rare)

If you use pure henna the following colours will take effect:
Blonde - Vivid Red
Dark Blonde - Vibrant Red
Red - Vibrant Red
Medium Brown - Auburn
Dark Brown - Dark Auburn
Black - Black with Red shimmer
Grey - Coppery Red

If you use 1/2 indigo and 1/2 henna, the following colours will take effect:
Blonde - Medium Brown
Dark Blonde - Medium Brown
Red - Medium Brown
Medium Brown - Medium Brown
Dark Brown - Warm Brown
Black - Warm Black
Grey - Dark Brown with Reddish Highlights

Mixing Amla with Henna will soften the red dye.

Nuts about soapnuts...

2010-09-01T17:12:00.000+01:00

Fab little nuts that you can use to wash your clothes.

The shell of soap nuts contains a natural detergent called ‘saponin’ which is released when it comes in contact with water and creates mild suds. The hard inner nuts can neither be eaten or used for washing and soap nuts are sometimes sold as halved shells with the seed removed. Our soap nuts are sold whole as the friction they produce helps clean the clothes better.

How to use:
Just put 5-6 soap nuts in a small net bag (or knotted sock, I use an old stocking foot!), place in the washing machine drum along with the load, and wash as usual (40 degrees ideally).

My washing comes out smelling fresh, clean and soft so there is no need to add a conditioner. If you want fragrance, add a few drops of essential oil in the softener drawer. They work well with colours and delicate fabrics such as wool and silk but not recommended for whites. As they contain no bleach, the whites tend to become grey after a few washes. They aren't quite strong enough for my son's rugby clothes but then nothing is :-)
I have been using them for normal washes without any problems.

One lot of soap nuts will do 4-6 consecutive loads. Stop using them when they become dark and soft and lose their shine.

Available to buy from LoveHennaHair

Helen
xxx

Amla ~ The next superfood?

2010-08-27T17:10:00.000+01:00

I grew up in India surrounded by Amla trees and loved eating the astringent sour juicy fruit plucked from the tree. I knew the fruit was used in ayurvedic tonics but did not realise it had so many wonderful properties or I would have treated it with more reverence!
Amla or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) is the fruit of a deciduous tree found mainly in India. It is small and greenish-yellow with vertical stripes and resembles gooseberry (hence the name). When I started researching it, I was amazed to discover that to list all of its reputed benefits would take forever but here is the condensed version.
Amla is believed to have cell rejuvenating properties and is used extensively in India for glossy healthy hair and to prevent dandruff. A paste made from dried and powdered amla is commonly applied to maintain healthy hair. It makes a wonderful hair tonic for people suffering from hair loss as it is supposed to strengthen the roots. It also helps combat thinning and premature greying, presumably by making the hair shaft stronger. Mixing amla with henna and indigo not only provides all the above benefits but also tones down the red shade of henna to dye the hair brunette.
I was surprised to learn that amla can also be used as a deep-cleanser for hair and body. Apparently, using amla regularly to wash dull, limp and oily hair makes it thick, bouncy and lustrous. It is also an excellent exfoliating, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial astringent scrub for your face,without the alcohol or chemicals found in commercial products. Its high levels of vitamin C break up the top layer of dead skin cells, and bits of amla seed gently exfoliate the skin. Mix a spoonful of amla powder and enough warm water to make a yogurt like paste and let it rest for 15 minutes. Scrub your face with the paste, and wash it off after a minute.Skin feels firm and tight.

When taken in dietary form, it strengthens teeth and bones and increases the red blood cell count. It has cooling, diuretic and laxative properties useful in the treatment of constipation and piles. It is also an anti-oxidant helping to boost the functioning of the immune system thereby preventing a wide range of diseases. It has antibacterial properties helping to prevent infections and healing ulcers.
It is used therapeutically as a cardio tonic, aphrodisiac, and antipyretic medicine and in the treatment of gastritis and heartburn. Some research studies have shown that amla is good for diabetics, as, apart from very high levels of Vitamin C, it also provides other essential minerals which help maintain proper functioning of the metabolic activities of the body. It has minerals such as chromium, zinc and copper. Amla also helps to prevent respiratory disorders such as common cold, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections. It can aid body building by increasing the total protein level due to positive nitrogen balance, giving an anabolic effect. To top it all, amla is also known to have anti aging properties. Wow!

Available from LoveHennaHair

Jyoti

Henna/cassia mix ~ latest pics

2010-08-27T14:38:00.001+01:00

Henna/cassia 50/50 mix. Left on for about 3 hours. Dyed my hair on Sunday, so it's had a few days to mellow out a bit.
Love the vibrancy and healthy shine that my hair has. Still haven't had it cut, so close to a year now without even a trim.
Helen
xxx

Reetha Powder/ Soap Nuts- nature's all purpose cleanser

2010-08-21T17:07:00.000+01:00

REETHA, the Soap nut tree, grows abundantly in India. Its fruit has been used for cleaning hair, body and clothes since ancient times. Soap nuts are 100% natural and contain no chemical additives, making them a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin. They work like soap because their shell contains a substance called "saponin" which is released when it comes in contact with warm water. The inner seed is hard and black and contains no saponin.

Reetha or soap nuts can be used whole or in powdered form in many ways:

1)Use whole or cracked soap nuts to wash clothes in the washing machine instead of detergent and fabric conditioner. Most soap nuts are sold after the shell has been cracked and the seed discarded. I find using whole soap nuts (including seeds) more effective in the washing machine as the friction created by the whole seed probably goes some way towards cleaning the clothes and they can be reused 5-6 times before being composted. There is no need for fabric conditioner as garments are fresh smelling, clean and remarkably soft but essential oils can be added to the conditioner drawer. They are hugely economical and also eco-friendly as there are no chemicals going down the drain. With adapted plumbing, this grey water could be used in the garden or such.

2)When the soap nuts become dark and soggy( usually after 5-6 washes), you've extracted most of the saponin so stop using them in the washing machine. You could still soak them (excluding seeds) in a bit of water, whizz them in the blender, strain and use as 'liquid soap’ for the hand basin.

3)DIY soap nut liquid is very easy to make and has multiple uses for a truly natural way of living. This liquid can be used as shampoo, face and body wash, laundry detergent, all purpose cleaner, car wash, liquid soap, pet shampoo, washing up liquid as it is suitable for every kind of cleaning. A mixture of soap nut liquid and vinegar (ratio of 2:3) makes a great window cleaner. This recipe will make approximately 1.25 litres of Soap nut liquid.
Instructions:
Take approximately 1 litre of water in a saucepan and add about 50g (handful) of new soap nuts (excluding seeds). Cover and boil, then simmer for approximately 30 minutes. The boiling process extracts the saponin from the nut shells and combines with the water to make a liquid cleanser. Let the infusion steep overnight and strain into an appropriate container.
You could experiment by changing the soap nut shell to water ratio to alter the concentration depending on its use and adding essential oil if appropriate. A longer cooking time will make the liquid more concentrated.
4)Reetha powder mixed to a paste with water is an effective hair shampoo. As there are no chemical foaming agents added, it does not lather but cleans thoroughly and hair feels thicker and shinier. It is reputed to reduce dandruff and prevent hair loss. The longer you use the powder to wash your hair, the less you will need to use as the residual chemicals are removed.
5)The same paste can also be used as a face and body wash. The skin is left soft, smooth and resistant to infections and insect bites. The powder also has a deodorizing effect and is meant to reduce psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions.

Some interesting facts: In India, Reetha is cherished not just for its mild, anti-parasitic detergent effect but also for its anti-venom properties. It is commonly believed among paddy growers that the presence of this tree repels venomous snakes, not all snakes, as non-venomous snakes are essential to protect the crop from rats. In case of snake bite, sipping the juice of Reetha fruits and applying it inside the eyes is meant to help expel the venom. Reetha has formic acid which is an irritant so it is mixed with cow's ghee before using in the eyes. In case of scorpion bite, the patient is fed Reetha juice mixed with jaggery (sugarcane extract) to combat its extreme bitterness. Another documented use of Reetha is to smoke it instead of tobacco for a few weeks in order to reduce the craving for tobacco. A very small quantity is used by goldsmiths for washing gold and silver ornament.

Available from LoveHennaHair

Jyoti

Shikakai

2010-08-17T17:04:00.002+01:00

Until a few years back, when shops were not packed with fancy haircare products, most Indian homes were filled with the fragrance of a black concoction every morning. This was when reetha (soapnut), soaked overnight, was blended with shikakai powder to make a 100% natural shampoo and body wash.
Reetha and Shikakai contain all the required goodness for healthy lustrous hair. Shikakai, which means ‘fruit for hair’, is a gentle herb, native to southern India. It is extremely mild and doesn't strip hair of natural oils making it ideal for those with sensitive scalps. It is probably nature's original pH balanced shampoo which removes dirt and keeps hair free of fungal infections by detoxifying the blood in the scalp and preventing premature greying of hair. It is a natural conditioner since it also detangles hair. Shikakai contains 100 times more vitamin C than grapefruit as well as abundant antioxidants such as vitamins A, D, E and K that promote healthy hair growth.

I have just returned from a trip to India and used this trip to brush up on my knowledge of the traditional natural recipes used by folks back home. One of the most popular homemade reetha-shikakai hairpacks is to mix two parts of reetha with one part of shikakai, adding half-a-cup of fenugreek (methi) seeds into this mixture. If possible, add dried hibiscus leaves too. Make a powder or grind the paste of fresh leaves. Wash and rinse hair thoroughly with this paste.

Jyoti

Before and After Henna: Vickie

2010-05-06T15:57:00.006+01:00

My friend Vickie has tried henna and is loving the results.
Here's a pic of her hair before henna (with a few grey strands):

and here is her softer, NO Grey hair:

Vickie is loving the condition of her newly-treated hair. She says it feel and looks softer and seems to be in better condition than before henna treatment.

xxx