How to: Dye eyebrows using Henna.

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Before I start with today’s post, there are a few things I need to address.

1. Some people are allergic to henna without knowing! Please do a patch test to see if this applies to you!!! Please research online how to do a patch test!Henna is known to be dangerous to people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), which is more common in males than females. Infants and children of particular ethnic groups are especially vulnerable
 I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHOICES. I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY OF YOUR INJURIES RESULTING IN THIS. THIS INFORMATION I AM PROVIDING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. I repeat educational purposes only!!!!!!

2. Make sure you purchase 100% pure henna that is packaged and not blended.

(wikipedia)Para-phenylenediamine "black henna" use is widespread, particularly in tourist areas.^[46] Because the blistering reaction appears 3 to 12 days after the application, most tourists have left and do not return to show how much damage the artist has done. This permits the artists to continue injuring others, unaware they are causing severe injuries. The high profit margins of "black henna" and the demand for body art that emulates "tribal tattoos" further encourage artists to deny the dangers.^[47][48]
It is not difficult to recognize and avoid para-phenylenediamine "black henna":^[49]

• if a paste stains torso skin black in less than ½ hour, it has PPD in it.
• if the paste is mixed with peroxide, or if peroxide is wiped over the design to bring out the color, it has PPD in it.

Anyone who has an itching and blistering reaction to a black body stain should go to a doctor, and report that they have had an application of para-phenylenediamine to their skin.

3. Use common sense when trying a product. Do some research to see if the product comes from a reputable manufacturer.

4. The FDA (http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm108569.htm) views on Henna: "Henna, a coloring made from a plant, is approved only for use as a hair dye. It is not approved for direct application to the skin, as in the body-decorating process known as mehndi. This unapproved use of a color additive makes these products adulterated and therefore illegal"

So to make the long story short...

Dying your skin using Henna in the USA is considered Illegal due to the fact that there needs to be some Industry oversight in making sure "which" products are considered safe to use. Yes, it's red tape and many that do use Henna are calling for the FDA to review this "ban".

So before I go to the HOW TO, this is what I am declaring.

1. OUT OF MY OWN FREE WILL I AM CHOOSING TO DYE MY EYEBROW
2 I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED WHEN USING HENNA
3. I PURCHASE HENNA THAT IS 100% PURE.
4. I AM SHOWING THIS "HOW TO" IN CASE A PERSON WISHES TO DYE THEIR HAIR OR EYEBROW. I AM NOT ENDORSING THE USE OF HENNA. THE DEMONSTRATION I AM GIVING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

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On with the SHOW!

I have always been intrigued with Henna. When I saw some "henna" I took the chance, I bought some. I did alot of research before delving into it. So, like a kid in a toy store, I was ready play with my henna!

Before I get to the show and tell, I am going to show you which Henna I used.

This particular Henna by Hesh gives a reddish/orange tone. Perfect if you have natural strawberry blond hair or red hair.

Back of the box of Henna, showing it is 100% pure.

STAY AWAY from this Henna brand: RESHMA!!!! I got irritated with a red reaction!!!

So, for you to set your henna you need to mix your henna with freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice. DO NOT use the fake STUFF, it needs to be fresh!!!!!! There is no need to add water. Its just henna and lemon/lime juice- that's it!!!!!!

Basic Henna How to!!!!

The mixture you see up there was actually way too much! For your eyebrows all you need it half a lemon/lime!!! You need to add enough Henna to yield the texture of yogurt or vanilla/chocolate pudding/ Another way to think about it, the texture of cake mix, after you have mixed it with milk, eggs, etc. It cannot be runny!!! Nor dry in texture, it needs to be a perfect marriage of both- Like vanilla pudding or Yogurt!
BUT the most important aspect is that YOU MUST ALLOW 24 HOURS for the henna to cure!!! And again, DO NOT dilute with water, only with lemon/lime juice that is freshly squeezed. You can leave it covered with saran wrap in a dish bowl, use an old tupper ware or like me use an old pill bottle. You can leave it in the fridge (my preference) or leave it on top of a place where no one can touch it (kids, pets..etc)

My henna cured for 24 hours.

Getting ready for Henna DYE-- what you need

1. OLD t-shirt for you to wear.
2. gloves, like the ones that come in pre-packaged hair coloring boxes
3. tooth pick, the end of a cotton swab (q-tips), but the cotton end cut off to apply the henna. have a few cotton swabs handy for cleaning up around the area.
4. scotch tape/ or vaseline // used as a guide, to the dye doesn't go over the area.
5. TIME-- you need to give yourself 2-5 hours depending how dark you want the dye to be.

My eyebrow prepped with tape

My eyebrow with Henna, it may look like i went over the line, but its actually cleaned up. The tape gives the illusion that it's messy!

You will notice the henna get dry, get a bit "cracked". Make sure you area is completely saturated with the henna, that way you do not have "spots" that do not have the dye!You can apply a little honey when it gets cracked so that way the henna stays there and does not fall off.

My eyebrow fully dyed with Henna!!

 After allowing 2 hours, this is how my eyebrows looked!! I took off the henna with water with an old wash cloth. Pretty Nifty, huh??? When I have some "extra" henna I use it for my "roots". But when I dye my eyebrows, I do not have to work extra hard on them when I get ready. That's the benefit of this.