... has anyone done this ? I've got really long, light brown-reddish hair and I'm thinking of using the bodyshop copper henna to brighten it up. I've never done it before and am not sure how strong the colour will be - the packet says to leave up to 5 hours. Also, will vaseline work as a barrier to protect my skin from staining ?

Nooooo - henna is just wrong! :gag:

Yes, vaseline will work as a barrier.

If you leave the copper henna on for the full five hours, it will be quite bright, especially if your hair is quite porous (if it's dry or damaged). I used to leave henna on for between one and two hours, which was enough for my hair to become a rich red/brown without being too bright.

Beware that it's very smelly and messy. The correct consistency is thinnish mud that looks like it's made from tea leaves :lol: . It tends to flake as it dries too, so don't go anywhere that you're worried about getting stained.

Nooooo - henna is just wrong! :gag:
No it isn't, it's lovely :) .

Beware that it's very smelly and messy. The correct consistency is thinnish mud that looks like it's made from tea leaves :lol: . It tends to flake as it dries too, so don't go anywhere that you're worried about getting stained.

oh my lord, it sounds quite scary. Is it difficult to get an even coverage ? would hate to have streaky bits.

I used to henna mine a few years ago- and I loved the result. My hair is naturally very porous, so I only left it on for an hour or so, but still got glossy lovely colour as the outcome.

oh my lord, it sounds quite scary. Is it difficult to get an even coverage ? would hate to have streaky bits.

It doesn't slip and comb through the hair as easily as most hair colours, so it's worth getting someone else to apply it to your hair to make sure that you have even coverage, but other than that I never had any patchy areas or anything.

Oh- and my hair was waist length at the time, so if yours is really long you need to remember that you need plenty of it, maybe two kits if you've got lots of hair, and a dark coloured towel and some cling film to wrap it up during the process.

oh my lord, it sounds quite scary. Is it difficult to get an even coverage ? would hate to have streaky bits.
I'd say that it's more difficult to get an even coverage if your hair is long and if you don't get the consistency of the henna right when you add the water. If you make the paste too thick, the moisture is leached out of it by your hair, and it becomes difficult to apply. You need to have the consistency at about the level of lightly whipped double cream.

I'd really recommend using two packets too. It's better to put on too much than too little. Is your hair really thick as well as really long? I'd even think about using three packets of the Body Shop henna if so. You can always make the first two up, then open the third if you find you need it.

thanks for the great advice, I think I need to go and get another packet as its thick as well as long.

Keep your fingers crossed !

Oh, one last question - does it fade over a few months, or grow out ?

A bit of both- the edge between the dyed hair and the regrowth is less obvious than with most dyes, but it's still there.

I'd say that it's more difficult to get an even coverage if your hair is long and if you don't get the consistency of the henna right when you add the water. If you make the paste too thick, the moisture is leached out of it by your hair, and it becomes difficult to apply. You need to have the consistency at about the level of lightly whipped double cream.
I'd really recommend using two packets too. It's better to put on too much than too little. Is your hair really thick as well as really long? I'd even think about using three packets of the Body Shop henna if so. You can always make the first two up, then open the third if you find you need it.

I used to have waist length hair and it used to take me hours, loads of henna (and the assistance of a friend!) to get it on. Sometimes it used to start thickening up in the bowl and we'd have to add a bit more water. But I've never known anything like it for the vibrancy of colour or the fantastic condition it left my hair in.

The Mehndi henna colouring range is far superior to the body shop version. You can buy it off e-bay or in health food shops.

Lush do a variety of hennas, in block-form so you can break off as much or as little as you like.

there are a number of different ones, giving results from red to copper to black, the staff can advise you about quantities and potential results.

We (me and the mother - Melody-On) would strongly recommend the lush henna having used it loads. It's solid and it's so so so amazing when you're done, it's like your head is actually glowing! I used the red one a couple of times to enhance my natural auburn colour, but my sister uses the dark brown one and that brings a wonder ful gloss :)

Anyhoo, we leave ours in for about 5 hours, or even sleep in it! Wrap it in cling film when you're done applying so it stays, and wait it out!