what products do you use?

[trinut001]

I need to color my hair again but it is really drying my hair out. what natural hair coloring products are the best?
also what is the best conditioners, shampoo's, and body wash??

[brownies]

I know this sounds too good to be true but since I stopped dying my hair, & using any products except shampoo my hair feels amazing.
Its like I allowed it to go back to its natural state and it is finnaly happy. For the first time in my life I LOVE my hair...and the best part I do almost NOTHING do it.
Here is my hair routine:
Wash with shampoo only (no conditioners, or leave in treatments) let it air dry and style itself. I only pull my fingers through it every now and this (NOTE: this only works for wavy/curly hair)

I don't even use a hairbrush anymore. Here is a pic:
http://i36.tinypic.com/n4vygy.jpg

[rawstrength]

Pure body-art quality henna, pure cassia obovata and pure indigo are the only safe and natural hair dyes. I personally have never dyed my hair using these dyes, but I've seen others use them with fabulous results.
I wash my hair with water every other day and I wash my hair with an all-natural, vegan, organic bar of soap once a week. This works really well for me. Let me warn you that when you initially give up toxic chemical filled hair products, you may go through "hair detox" and experience a few weeks of extreme greasiness. Now that I'm through with my hair detox, my hair looks better than ever. Wishing you all the best!

[petaltothemetal]

I don't color my hair anymore either. I was convinced I looked sick before because I didn't have a lot of color in my skin and that's why I went more blond than I am naturally. My skin's been clearer and more pink since I went 50% raw over a year ago (and now I'm doing my second 100% challenge) and I decided I didn't want to put poison on my scalp and let it sit there for 45 minutes anymore. And like brownie's, my hair looks far better now than it ever did. I don't mind the big white streak near my right eye. I think it looks kind of cool. And it is very soft and combable. (As long as I use conditioner. I use Pantene and get it at a Big Lots store very cheaply.) As far as shampoos go I look for the natural brands to go on sale and then I buy 4 bottles or so at a time but I'm not too particular which one. I also stopped wearing all makeup and only use aloe with a little tea tree oil in it as a moisturizer/skin healer since I have combination dry/oily skin that is prone to rashes when I'm exposed to things I allergic to.

Now the caveat: My hair looked funny for about three months after I stopped dying it. I should have cut it short and let it look frosted/tipped because that would have made it "cool." I just let myself look unkempt for a bit until my hair solved itself.

[lynnc72]

I won't use henna on my hair because henna will not cover grey. When you use henna, you can't use professional color or it will damage your hair. My daughter works in a salon so she colors my hair. When she does, she only does what needs to be done, and doesn't go to my scalp - just on the hair.

That's a myth amongst hairdressers. The henna they know is not the same as pure body art quality (BAQ) henna.

I used BAQ henna over chemically fried hair and it's gotten a lot shinier over the years. Frankly I would never go back to chemicals.

Pure BAQ henna (without indigo mixed in) gives a deep red color on my grays. It looks like natural "highlights" on my dark brown color. People pay big bucks at the salon for the natural "highlights" that I get for free. :D

Although some people think henna is more of a "hassle", I enjoy spending a few hours once a month playing with my hair. The shiny, glossy results are well worth it IMHO.

Edit to say: I wash my hair with only conditioner everyday. I make my own conditioner with coconut oil and BTMS (an emulsifier). Shampoo hasn't touched my hair since Nov 2005.

Soap hasn't touched my face in many years. I use sunflower oil and emulsifier mixture to wash my face.

I use Dr. Bronners soap as a body wash.

[trinut001]

Where can I find/buy the BAQ henna color?

Kendra I LOOOOVE your hair. I am so envious how long it is. You look great!

so from what I am gaterhing you shouldn't wash your hair everyday and only use shampoo?? I will try that. Where can I find the shampoo bars? Does Whole Foods carry that stuff?

[brownies]

Thanks! Its been many years growing it out. About two years ago my hair was about an inch or two long in the back and a bit longer in the front (aline bob) Its been a long time coming and I"m so happy with it now.

I tend to wash my hair once every 3 days. If I know I will be taking it easy for a few days I will stretch it out longer if possible. On these days I pin my bangs back cause my bangs are where the greasiness shows.

Anyway, good luck with your dye search. I hope you find something that works for you.