Healthy Hair Ingredient | Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair 

Image Credit: Henna Blog Spot 

I absolutely love henna!

Since my hair is fine textured, I use a lot of protein-based products to keep my hair protected and on my head. Henna tends to acts as a protein treatment by binding to the keratin in the hair cuticle to strengthen it...and my hair definitely appreciates that. The last time I used henna was my first treatment and I felt that my hair will forever be changed! On my quest to find the perfect henna treatment for my hair, this time I am adding hibiscus to the mixture.

What is hibiscus?

Known as the "flower of hair care," the hibiscus plant is native in tropical countries throughout the world, like Jamaica and other Caribbean countries.

What are the benefits of hibiscus?

Although the plants are quite beautiful, you can benefit from the flower petals or finely crushed into a powder. Hibiscus can be used in oils, conditioner, masques, and shampoos.

Gentle cleanser
Decreases hair shedding and increases shine
Promotes hair growth
Adds a red tint to the hair with frequent usage
Provides great slip when used as a final rinse

Henna-Hibiscus Recipe

100g henna (make sure it is the most recent Summer crop, Jamila from Amazon)

1.5 cups water

1 tbsp. hibiscus (Saraga International Grocery)

1 tbsp. honey

Microwave/plastic bowl with top

Saran wrap

Spoon

Strainer (optional)

Coffee filter (optional)

Measuring cups

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

 

Pour the henna in the microwave bowl. Set aside 

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Allow the water to boil, then SLOWLY pour the hibiscus in the boiling water. Boil the powder and stir often for 5-10 minutes. DO NOT LEAVE THE KITCHEN! Once you see your tea boiling viciously, turn off the stove and remove the pot.  

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

*Most of the powder will be dissolved, but there will be some left. You can choose to pour the hibiscus tea in the henna now...I will strain the powder from the tea.

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Align your measuring cup, strainer, and coffee filter steadily - then pour your tea in the coffee filter. Allow the tea to filter entirely (which could take a few minutes and a few more coffee filters). Once all of the tea is in the measuring cup, throw the coffee filter(s) away.

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Slowly pour the hibiscus tea into the henna, which stirring the henna in a "cake batter" consistency. Make sure to not overdo the tea...you don't want the henna to seep out while you sleep.

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

If you are going for the color aspect of henna, no need to sit overnight. The acidity of the hibiscus tea will release the lawsone of the henna as you create your mixture.

Applying Henna

Henna

Gloves

Plastic cap

Saran wrap

Old Bonnet

Knee-high sock (optional, but recommended)

Old towel

Old T-shirt

Applicator brush (optional)

Vaseline (optional, but recommended)

Bobby pins (optional)

Start on clean, detangled hair...

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Have EVERYTHING ready before even touching the henna!

Put your gloves on (unless you want orange nails and fingers). Rub Vaseline on your ears, forehead, and neck so you won't get any stains from the henna.

Section your hair in 4-6 sections. Start in the back and apply the henna to the roots (with your applicator brush or hands) and work your way to the ends. Squeeze and rub the henna down the section to make sure it is fully coated. 

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Once applied, wrap your hair in a bantu knot (use bobby pin to secure if necessary) and move on to the next section.

Apply VERY SLOWLY...there is no need to rush. Once your hair is full of henna and bantu knots, wrap your hair with saran wrap, plastic cap, knee-high sock (just in case henna tries to seep out), and an old bonnet.

Allow to sit over night to set (especially if you want the color) and rinse out (not while you are in the shower) with your head leaning over  the bathtub. Use the shower head or bathtub head to rinse the henna out THOROUGHLY. This could 3-7 rinses depending on how much henna is in your hair and how long your hair is. Use conditioner if you need help with rinsing the henna out.

Once the water runs clear from your hair, proceed with deep conditioning your hair. Henna is considered a great protein treatment which could leave your hair dry (that's why the honey was used to add moisture to the mix

My Experience

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair Wrapped up tight...no henna
on MY pillow tonight!!

Mixing up this batch of henna was too easy, just like the first application. I cleansed my hair with Rhassoul clay, then got all my stuff together...on my bedroom floor...and got to work. My bedroom has a wall length and floor length mirror, so it was easier for me to apply on the floor where I wouldn't make any messes.

As I was watching the TV series | Once Upon A Time, I did my henna session...I moved sooooooo slow. I wanted to make sure that every inch of my hair had henna applied. And once all the henna was applied and saran wrap, plastic cap, knee high sock, and old bonnet were on my head, I slept with it overnight. I started this session around 5 and finished around 7 on a Friday night.

The next morning I rinsed it out THOROUGHLY with no conditioner...it did take about 10 minutes to fully rinse the henna out, while I leaned over the bathtub using the shower head (there were no stains).

Once rinsed out, I continued with my deep conditioning session for an hour and did a blow out by African Threading.

My Thoughts

You may think this is a lot, but I thoroughly enjoyed this session...this surely works for me! This session was a bit better than the first session...instead of 2 cups of water, I used 1.5 which was perfect. The henna was not too soupy, but a "cake batter" consistency. I absolutely love this mix of henna, but I will try another recipe...and I will choose my main henna treatment in May!

Also, DO NOT COMB OR BRUSH YOUR HAIR WHILE IN HENNA!! YOU WILL BREAK YOUR HAIR AND YOUR NECK TRYING...

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

If you are not sure where to start with henna, check out my first session of doing the henna treatment. I have so much information from articles to video tutorials. If you are interested, definitely check it out. Henna and hibiscus are herbs, which will do no harm to your hair. What can I say...

I'M A HENNA HEAD!!!

Henna With Hibiscus For Natural Hair

Natural hair says: if your hair is fine, thin, damaged, excessively shedding, or you just want a good conditioning session, try using henna. There are no risks with henna nor hibiscus. Try it for yourself.

Always Desire Your Natural,



Christina J