I have wavy hair so finding products that are gentle are a top priority. I used to apply semi permanent color but since I'm getting more grays I had to switch to something permanent. I did a lot of online research and Henna is what I chose. It's natural, permanent, and most users found it strengthen and added shine and manageability to their hair. Henna is difficult to apply. I recommend having a friend on board to help. Doing it outside is a bonus. Have a cape or use a garbage bag to protect ski and clothing. We used hair clips to section off the hair (use as a many as you can). Start at the nape and as close to the scalp as you can. If you dont, it's difficult to go back and fix. Break the henna up in smaller bricks. Use the entire block...do not try to use less because you do not want to try melting more as you are in the midst of application trust me. Either use boiling water or simmer over double boiler. The batter will end up looking like a thin brownie batter. Use gloves. Work in small sections of hair, take your time as its easy to miss patches of hair and once it stiffens in your hair it's almost impossible to rework the hair. Keep some warm water on hand if the mix thickens. Having a friend to apply is almost mandatory. Once application is done let set for at least 4 hours (8 is better). Rinse out in the shower. It takes a good half hour to penetrate the hard shell of henna encasing your hair. Do not fear it does come out be patient. Use a deep condition after. The application is horrendous and long but the color was fabulous and my hair was very soft after.

vealcalf2000

Uniontown, PA

First off, I have to say that henna isn't for everyone. If you're not prepared for a bit of a mess and don't have a lot of time to spare, give it a miss. But it's so worth the effort. I've waist length auburn hair with more than a sprinkling of grey. Caca rouge (red poo, because, well it kinda looks like that when it's mixed) has been covering all my grey hair for years now. I use a full bar if it's been more than 4 or 5 months since my last application, otherwise a top up that's mostly just roots uses 2 squares, so at 13 euro a bar it's very economical. Break off the bit, grate it if you're bothered (if not just put it in a plastic dish, don't use metal with henna) and pour over some boiling water. Let it soak up the water and if needed add a bit more. The consistency you're looking for is similar to that of a good thick moisturiser, it needs to be thick to stay on. It's a bit of effort to get it on, but once it's in I wrap my hair with plastic wrap, put an old hat on and go about my day about the house as normal. I leave it on for 6-8 hours, which my family don't exactly like as there's a strong smell of cloves from caca rouge. After that it will take a lot of work to get it rinsed out, I've found it easier to do this by using a cheap conditioner as shampoo. It takes a couple of days for the final colour to show, too, but the shine and the colour is really worth the effort. Well, to me anyway. Ease of Application This is not an easy to apply product, especially not the first few times.

ghotion

USA

I decided to start using henna about six months ago when I began seriously trying to grow out a really bad haircut. I have been coloring my hair various for years and have used every drugstore brand and darn near every color in the spectrum. The color usually looked good for a week or two but then turned brassy dull. And red, my favorite of all the colors, fades so quickly. I had been reading about LUSH Cacas for some time but was too afraid to try it. I always heard bad things about using henna but after researching the process and talking about it with other LUSH henna users, decided to give it a whirl. And I'm so happy I did. LUSH cacas come in bricks that contain 6 squares. They come in a few different shades. Simply break up the squares with a knife, mix with hot water and wait for the mixture to melt into a consistency that is like thick brownie batter. Then I just apply it all over my head until it looks like a helmet, cover with a plastic cap and a towel and let it sit for about 4 hours. Effectiveness I know it sounds like a big pain, and it is somewhat, but the results are amazing. It's like my natural hair color but better. All the natural high and lowlights are still there, but they are enhanced with a wash of red that looks very natural. My dad has naturally red hair (in fact his nickname is Red) and when I was at a party with him last month with some of his old friends everyone kept commenting that it was obvious who my daddy is. It looks that natural. And when the sun hits my hair it's like the heavens cracking open and the angels singing. It looks amazing, feels amazing, and my hair is so healthy. It's super shiny, super soft, and I can't keep my hands off of it. I've never used a hair coloring product that actually improved the condition of my hair the way LUSH henna does. The color brightens and sort of ages and improves the first few days after coloring. I've gotten so many compliments on my hair since I made the switch and will never go back to the old way again. Ease of Application Applying henna can be a real pain. After using henna for a long time, I'm used to it, but it can be very messy when first learning to use it. Washing it out is a bit of a process as well. It takes a long time to rinse as it is very thick and grainy.

Buggheart

Annapolis, MD

I really enjoyed using the LUSH Caca Rouge. I have naturally brown hair so it left a hint of red under normal light but in the sun I had gorgeous red highlights in my hair. I received quite a few compliments from many people. I have a lot of hair so I used most of my block in one usage (but I think the average person could get 2-3 uses out of one block). I took my block and shredded it using a cheese grater (this took a while and required a bit of elbow grease but it was well worth it). I then mixed it with lemon juice until it formed a greenish paste. I let it sit for 8+ hours to let the henna come out. I then applied it to my hair, wrapped it up in cling wrap, and then wrapped a towel over that (this is a very messy process, in case you hadn't already guessed).  I slept with the mixture in my hair overnight and then washed it out in the morning (I recommend doing this over a weekend when you have plenty of time). The result was fabulous! I will probably only dye my hair this way from now on. :)

Nunie8

Ann Arbor, MI