Adventures in Henna

That's right, readers, I've joined the redheads!  I'd been toying with the idea for ages but I wanted to wait until my hair was a little longer, as I was worried that a) I would look like my Auntie Loula, who has had short red hair forever, or b) short curly red hair might look a bit clowny, depending how red it got!  And secretly, I just wanted Delightfully Tacky's hair.  Or Karen Elson's (note of caution - her website plays music, don't open it at work!  Not that we read blogs while we're at work, do we?  Never!)

So, off I went to Lush (where else?) and came home bravely clutching a block of their Caca Rouge henna.  I'd used it before, years ago, and although the process is a little messy (it will look like someone's been mud-wrestling in your bathroom by the time you're done) and lengthy (you can leave it in for anything between 2-6 hours) I knew it would be much nicer for my hair, as it's a natrual dye (no chemicals) which is infused with cocoa butter, so it really softens your hair at the same time.  So, bye bye brown!

 

...and hello, erm...slightly lighter brown...

What the what?!  As you can imagine, I was pretty disappointed, but I only had myself to blame: I only had two hours spare but I thought it would do, and after half an hour with my head wrapped up in cling film I noticed my hair was really changing colour fast.  Now, here's the part where I have to admit that I must be getting old, and am nowhere near as punk as I used to be...I panicked that my hair would go too red, or orange, and so I unwrapped it (which is what Lush recommend if you want a brownier-red.  Keep it wrapped for a redder-red).

Still, it made me realise that I did actually want a redder-red, so I tried it again a couple of weeks later...

Ah, that's more like it!  I left it wrapped in cling film for four hours, and so now it is definitely red!  I am pleased.  Here I am looking pleased:

It's hard to tell from this slightly blurry photo, but the new hair colour sort of makes my eyes look a different colour - an unexpected bonus!  I think they look lighter, more hazel I suppose, when I'd always just thought they were plain old brown.  Oh yes, and I have also said bye bye to my fringe.  A change of colour has satisfied my Hair Boredom for the time being so I will no longer be needing it's distractions...for the time being...

Can I just say hello to my lovely new readers while I'm here?  Don't think I haven't noticed you!  Oh yes, and don't think I just go on about my hair all the time (although I might just have procured the most amazing hat, so you can expect some more blurry headshots in the not too distant future...)  Welcome one and all!  Put the kettle on, I've got chocolate Hobnobs :)