(image from henna cat)
Buxus (katam): a black/grey dye; supposedly a less permanent, less dark version of indigo.
Indigo.
Amla: Gooseberry. Supposedly tones down the redness in henna. Helps retain curl.
Methi (fenugreek): not related to color, but nice to learn about!
Cassia, although I have blogged about it before.
And finally, coconut oil. Just a reminder!
Read on for a list of things I have tried (or will try, or want to try)!
Above is a link to wikipedia. Apparently, nearly all indigo produced today is synthetic. Wow.
Here is info on dying hair with indigo from the henna for hair page.
UPDATE: I've used indigo, and lived to tell. I'll do a blog post on my henndigo experience. In brief, indigo is a blue dye, than when mixed in the right quantity (and manner) with henna, can produce brown tones.
Here is a link to Cassia info on the Henna for Hair page.
Cassia, on its own, has a light yellow cast that is only visible on blond or grey hair. Used by itself, it has conditioning results similar to henna, although not the same smoothness, and the results only last for about a week (as opposed to 1-2 months after a henna treatment) Used together with henna, it makes the red less intense and can help stave off the darkening effect of multiple henna treatments. I use it frequently!
Amla: (Phyllanthus emblica): Indian Gooseberry.
Here is a post from blackgirllonghair.com where they ask the Beauty Brains about Amla.
I used it recently and it seemed to tone down the redness a bit. My amla was just purchased from a local grocery store, so I can't speak to its quality. From what I gather, it can be used as a cleanser for face and hair on its own, and it can be used as the acidic component in a henna mixture. I will try it next time as my acid and report back.
Buxus: Here is an article from Henna Blog Spot.
- and -
Here is an article about katam (buxus) and indigo from renaissance henna.
I haven't been able to find it. I'd like to try it. It seems it mainly comes from Yemen and there is an embargo.
Here is post from the Black Hair Diary where a hair mask is made of ground methi powder.
I never had luck with the powder. I mixed it with my henna once. I didn't feel like it did much. Again, I bought it from a local grocer. I do like using the non ground up methi (just the seeds). I soak them in coconut oil and use that oil on my ends nightly and after showers. I think it smells nice. I'm not sure if it does anything. Perhaps it gives the hair a bit extra slip.
Lastly, I'm not sure if I have ever professed my love for coconut oil, but if you have curly, dry, hair, coconut oil should be your best friend, and there are countless scientific studies saying why.
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