anti-acids: what I'm finding after 6 months of hennaing and indigoing...

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Posted by Anna on October 26, 2004 at 13:14:27:

Folks,

For those of you intent on getting you're hair dark brown or black,
my advice is that henna and indigo color best without the addition of
something acidic (lemon, wine, vinegar--all of which I've used). All
that really seems to be needed for me is hot water and/or hot
coffee. Additionally, sometimes I thrown in some black walnut powder
or coffee grains into my mixes. The use of something acidic does not
seem to darken henna or indigo for me. I have experimented
extensively, also using short (1 hour), medium (12 hours), long (24
hours) dye release times, and I find that, once you see a color
change in the mix (be it henna or indigo), even if the change occurs
after only an hour, this seems to be the point at which the dye will
work best. The use of something acidic also seems to be tough on my
hair, and I have very strong, thick hair. With the addition of
water/coffee, my hair turns out fresh, clean and healthy. With the
addition of something acidic, my hair results in something very dry
and not so healthy. I have a lot of gray hair, but am able to
achieve an extremely natural dark brown color, although it usually
takes me 4 applications (2 separate henna treatments, 2 separate
indigo treatments). I also only use the best henna and indigo, which
I buy from Catherine.

Cheers...

Follow Ups

But isn't coffee acidic? Kirsten 12:30:19 10/30/2004 (0)
Strange-only acidic liquids work for me; never hot water. Faery Ring 01:26:18 10/27/2004 (1)
- Re: Strange-only acidic liquids work for me; never hot water. DAMAYANTI 18:49:49 10/30/2004 (0)

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: Folks, : : For those of you intent on getting you're hair dark brown or black, : my advice is that henna and indigo color best without the addition of : something acidic (lemon, wine, vinegar--all of which I've used). All : that really seems to be needed for me is hot water and/or hot : coffee. Additionally, sometimes I thrown in some black walnut powder : or coffee grains into my mixes. The use of something acidic does not : seem to darken henna or indigo for me. I have experimented : extensively, also using short (1 hour), medium (12 hours), long (24 : hours) dye release times, and I find that, once you see a color : change in the mix (be it henna or indigo), even if the change occurs : after only an hour, this seems to be the point at which the dye will : work best. The use of something acidic also seems to be tough on my : hair, and I have very strong, thick hair. With the addition of : water/coffee, my hair turns out fresh, clean and healthy. With the : addition of something acidic, my hair results in something very dry : and not so healthy. I have a lot of gray hair, but am able to : achieve an extremely natural dark brown color, although it usually : takes me 4 applications (2 separate henna treatments, 2 separate : indigo treatments). I also only use the best henna and indigo, which : I buy from Catherine. : : Cheers...
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