Friday, May 8, 2009

Amla Paste vs Henna Treatment

I am torn. Tonight is my weekly spa treatment and I can not decide which treatment I want to do. I can say this that since I have started using the Ayurvedic powders my hair is looking GREAT. A few months ago I started raving about Henna. As I have previously stated, I was always afraid to henna my hair because I did not want to change the color of my hair nor did I want to loosen my curl pattern. Well after viewing VERY inspiring pictures on www.curlynikki.com, I decided to follow her lead and give it a try. My first experience with henna was pleasant. My second experience with henna was even better. My third experience with henna left me in LOVE with henna! So I started applying henna to my hair once a week and finally stretched it out to once every 2 weeks.
Well ofcourse my curls started to loosen and my puff was not looking as curly as usual. So hennaforhair.com mentioned using Amla powder in your henna. So I altered my henna recipe to include: green tea,honey, henna and amla powder. The Amla was added to prevent the loosening of my curl and keep my hair color from becoming TOO red. Well it worked. My hair still has/had a reddish tint but it was very subtle.
Well before I even started with henna a friend mentioned Amla powder and oil. I never got into it or even researched it. Well after seeing how well it worked with Henna I got curious. After doing a little research I decided to try it as a paste alone. I mixed Amla powder,coconut oil and olive oil and applied it to my hair for one hour. After I rinsed it out my hair was SUPER soft and MAD curly. I then applied a deep conditioner (last few times I used Elasta QP DPR 11) and was in love. I have been wearing a protective style so all I can account for is:
1. My hair had started shedding allot and it has decreased DRASTICALLY
2. My hair is not a s red anymore...looks similar to my 1B instant weave
3. My curls are POPPIN!
4. My hair feels fuller...but again I am in a bun baggied up. So who knows?

Well both henna and Amla have similar results...one is just WAY easier. I am also not sure if my shedding was from the brand of henna that I used or what...but I do know that Amla has helped decrease that drastically. I also know that if I henna...it will roll over into my Saturday morning. Whereas if I choose Amla I will be done tonight...Hmmmm what to choose.

I am feeling rather lazy and I plan to rreeaaalllyy be into work and watching the game tonight...maybe I will henna ONCE a month and AMLA every week or every other week. But my question is...if Amla is doing me so well...should I really continue with Henna.

Man...color me confused because Henna is also VERY good to my hair. I will let you know what I decide and take photos of my results.

Oh...and before I go. I am happy to report that my edges (temple area) are filling back in. I was looking at my little fuzz this morning. I am SO happy that my hair is obedient! LOL

4 comments:

Elegance said...

Wow, that amla sounds like some good stuff! I think I would rather use that than henna if it is easier to use.

These Three Kings said...

Wow!! I think I will try this this week! I found your blog through a search I did on Amla vs Henna. I saw Amla in the Indian stores in my area and thought.."heck, naw, I am not putting that in my hair' clearly..what was i thinking..because I hearing about it everywhere...Have you tried the Amla Oil they sells in stores as well?? how is that
Thank again for the info..your hair is just beautiful!!
Grace to You
Nicole

Sibil said...

Wow! Sounds great.. Im surely using Amla tomorrow! :) Was wondering how much quantity did u use for the Amla powder, olive oil and coconut oil? Please reply!

Take care! Thanks a ton for sharing! :)

Anonymous said...

Try nupur henna. It has amla powder in it.