Henna Gloss On Natural Hair

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year's Eve!

As a henna head, I've gone from doing a full strength henna treatments every month to every six weeks. Imagine my surprise when I got a calendar notification of my last henna for the year.

Yo! I thought that was six weeks ago?

I had clearly miscalculated.

So, I had to decide whether or not to commit to a 5 hour treatment. Not really. I remembered Glory on my Instagram posting something about a henna gloss. I went ahead to look it up and loved what I saw.

So what is a henna gloss? What makes it different from the regular henna treatments?

Henna gloss is a shorter, quicker, easier alternative to regular full strength henna treatments. You know how henna requires 4 hours for proper penetration plus an hour for a moisturizing DC. Right! So, henna gloss involves the addition of conditioning and moisturizing ingredients such as conditioner, coconut milk, yogurt, e.t.c. These other ingredients basically make up the gloss part of the henna gloss.

Overtime, with regular application, I've been able to master the act of henna-ing without any issues but this time, I was a bit hesitant and I'm so glad I discovered an alternative.

Basically, you need just two things for a henna gloss - henna and conditioner but you know how I like to do the most. So, I added some honey, grapeseed oil and rosemary oil. Oh and yeah, it is important to use a conditioner devoid of any trace of protein. Your best bet is a moisturizing conditioner.

Next you mix up your ingredients with plastic utensils. It's also important to decide whether or not you want some dye release. If you do, mix your henna with something acidic like black tea orlemon juice and leave it overnight. But then, you might have to deal with the henna stains. If you like to go the easier route by avoiding stains and whatnot, mix the henna with some warm water and then your conditioner subsequently.

I left mine for about an hour plus. I didn't want it to be too short or too long. Next time, I plan to use my heat cap. Since it's not a full strength treatment, four hours isn't necessary.

When I was done, I rinsed out with cold water. I was expecting my hair to be hard and stringy which is the normal state of a freshly henna-ed hair but it was surprisingly manageable - the same result you get after a deep conditioner plus the weather wasn't very favourable. I didn't need to deep condition afterwards which was a good sign. So, I just cowashed and moisturized afterwards. Ideally your hair should be really conditioned and moisturized when you're done but I didn't use enough conditioner. That will change by my next application.

What else can I say? Yass to henna glosses!

So, for all ye lazy naturals, this is your shot! (I'm looking at you, Berry)

Any henna head in the house? Have you tried henna glosses?

Love, coils and curls
 eBunitehair