Gelled Henna Recipe, now with pectin recipe

Fia's gelled henna (calculations adapted by RogueWriter)
Slower version for powders with slow dye release (Such as bulk powders)

½ cup (4 ounces) henna powder/Cassia Obovata (For conditioning w/ no colour change)
1 ½ cup Black tea (12 ounces)
¾ cup Lime Juice (1 Tbsp Lime/Lemon juice concentrate with ¾ cup water)
1½ Tbsp Powdered pectin (about 1 oz.) *SEE NEW ATTACHED RECIPE ON BOTTOM!*
1 Tbsp AMLA powder

Sift Henna in nylon/fine mesh first.

Dump sifted henna powder in a bowl and mix with half of the liquid. (DO NOT ADD PECTIN YET)

(POT 1) Let this one stand on top of something warm until you see dye release – these are basically the same steps as if you were preparing a regular henna paste.

(POT 2) After you've seen dye releasing from the henna, boil the remaining half of the liquid, then add pectin.

Pour the liquid & pectin (POT 2) mix into the henna paste in the bowl (POT 1) and mix well.

Add AMLA Powder

Let this stand until it is gelled - usually about 20 minutes- and use.
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Pectin recipe: For one/two gelled henna or casia applications

~Take one sour apple (young unripe or green tart apples work best.

~Chop into pieces (the smaller the better...like gravel sized)

~Place in pan with enough water just to cover

~Boil stirring frequently for 20 minutes or until apples are tender

~Strain mixture through mesh sive or cheeseclothe.

~Check mix by taking a drop and placing it in a tablspoon of alchohol. If it congeals and gets goey its ready. If not place mixture back in pan boil for 5 minutes and check again.

Colouring info:
For Chocolate brown henna I have been told by Indian women to use a metal bowl and Coffee/Tea (such as Earl Grey) and Walnut powder. Also AMLA is said to prmote chocolate colours and tone down brassiness however you will have reddish highlights, its unavoidable.

For Fiery red finery Here is a tried and true bunch of additions that my sister and I have used on her to mae her hair Burning flame bright.

Additives:
Papika (yes paprika)
Red Zinger tea (Our FAVE and tried and true add in! Not only does this add brilliance to the red, but the hibiscus in the tea actually acts as another colorant AND a slip agent making washing it out a breeze)
Red Wine. I usually use the cheapest reddest wine I can get from goodish grapes. Italian wines like Fat Bastard, Red Cat, and Barberras bring a burgundy/Ruby colour to hair. A warning to though alleric to Sulfa drugs like Baytrol BE CAREFUL YOU DON'T HAVE TOPICAL ALLERGIES!!! As 98% of wines contain sulfites and can make you break out. (antoher reason for tea preference)

These above additions can be used as a liquid or in liquid to replace the water/Fluid in the recipe.

Happpy Henna everyone!

Henna for Cocoa/Fire Engine coloured tresses

Henna for Chocolate brown hair:
The Thneeds:
Cotton wicking to wrap around head (avaiable at beauty supply stores)
Plastic bags
Saran Wrap
Coffee/Tea Brewed for an hour STRONG (Red Zinger Tea for red)
metal bowl and spoon (for Brown henna Non-metal Bowl and spoon for red henna)
Plastic gloves
Vaseline
Old towels
Old t-shirts
200 grams Henna
Lavendar essential oil
Olive Oil
AMLA Powder
Lime Juice
(optional) Walnut Powder or Nutmeg (brown) Red ZInger tea (red)

The Method:

Brew BOLD coffee or Strong Black Tea with a scent you can stand or love
Boil Mixture for an hour.

Add 200 grams Henna, mix with the mixture above until goopy (for shoulder legnth hair)
2 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Tbsp AMLA
1 Tbsp Lime Juice
7 Lavendar Essential Oil

Let henna mixture sit in warm place for 2-3 hours in METAL BOWL (That you don't care if it gets stained..cause it will)

Schmear vaseline around your crown, cover ears and make the line about an inch wide.

Add 1 TBSP Pectin (see recipe on Gelled Henna Article, or available in canning isle)

Wait about 20 minutes until desired consistancy is reached.

Stir and put into your hair in sections (friends help friends, also makes for good co-dependency)

Pile hair in bun on top of head use old scrunchie or non metal pony holder to hold hair up, Clip hair in a bun.

Wrap cotton wicking around crown of head.

Cover with a plastic bag and wrap with saran wrap.

Cover with a thermal hat and sit for 4 or more hours.

Rinse using warm water and LOTS (Like an entire bottle) of conditioner. *note* I find that Suave, VO5, Natures gate and Jason or Giovanni works like a dream...If price is a concern use Suave)

I personally reccomend Suave Aloe Vera/Coconut VO5 Spa Lemongrass and use the whole bottle.

Rinse and rinse and rinse until the stuff is out, Garden hoses work REALLY well for this.

Hair will be super conditioned and pretty for 4-6 weeks and doesn't need to be washed for 5-6 days.

Samsara the Feral

"Socialization with other humans is very important. However as stated before, feral kittens (or feral cats) tend to bond with one human so they adjust to a new home better if they have also socialized with other humans."

Insert giant sigh here. If CHris had been the one to get up in the middle of the night to feed and change her. Or to give her treats, or to make her feel better (dispense medication in tuna...YUM) Sam may have made him her favorite human.

But alas. Now two out of the three cats in this house have claimed me as their favorite human.

Which is exactly what I didn't need. Maybe me being gone for eleven days to Florida will help her get closer to Crash.

~Rogue