Have you ever wanted healthy hair with a golden tint? Cassia obovata (Senna italica) is a plant that contains a slight golden yellow dye; also known as "neutral henna" or "senna obovata", it has the restructuring benefits of henna. Cassia obovata is safe to use on thin, colorless, dyed hair, and can last for a few shampoos or permanently. It will give dark hair a strengthening effect and blonde hair a boost of color. If you want to dye or strengthen your hair with Cassia obovata, read on.
Steps
Step 1. Choose the type of Cassia obovata you want to use
The premixed one requires less effort, but may not be completely pure (it may contain rhubarb root), while the powdered one takes longer, but allows for a customized blend. When you have made your decision, follow the instructions in the relevant section below.
Step 2. After you are done, rinse the Cassia obovata with a sulfate-free shampoo and / or conditioner
You can use hair products containing sulphate only after rinsing it well, because, without rinsing, they could remove the effect of Cassia obovata from the hair.
Method 1 of 2: Premixed Cassia
Step 1. Read the ingredient list of your Cassia obovata
It might not be such if it were a blend. If Cassia obovata is not on the ingredient list, but Cinnamomum cassia is present, you have the wrong type of cassia. Look at the other ingredients. Are there any metallic dyes? And herbs? It is important to research any additional ingredients and their effects. Always do the test on a strand, if you have a ready-made blend of Cassia!
Step 2. Follow the instructions on the box or on the back of the jar
Read very carefully. You can add herbs, but if you do, remember to try on a strand!
Method 2 of 2: Cassia Obovata Powder
Step 1. Place the powder in a large bowl, where you will prepare the fully customized cassia blend
Step 2. Mix in liquid
Research the pros and cons of each liquid before mixing and decide which one will provide the desired effect. You can use anything from chamomile to hot water or even champagne! If you're short on time, try chamomile tea for a quick release of tincture. If you have a lot of it, try lemon juice for a rich tincture. The liquid doesn't have to be acidic, but most people find acidic blends to tint better.
Step 3. Add more herbs
While this step is optional, it's fun and potentially rewarding to experiment with different herbs to find the scent, tone, and restructuring effect that suits your hair type. Some tips include:
- Unbleached chamomile leaves can be a great blonde activator.
- Cinnamon can add warm red or auburn tones.
- Clove powder can mask cassia smell.
- Rhubarb root, like cassia, contains a large amount of chrysophane acid, which causes it to dye yellow, so it's great for enhancing blonde. It can also stain your hands or clothes, so be careful!
Advice
- Do the test on a strand to make sure the shade is good. If you like the hue, take note of how long you left everything in the infusion and what herbs and liquids you used.
- You can add cassia to a henna blend to get a strawberry blonde color with an orange glow in the sunlight.
- Cassia obovata can straighten your curls, so you should try adding herbs that increase curl if you want the hair structure to remain curly as it currently is.
- Search other related wikiHows to find more natural ways to color your hair.
- Look for threads and links with your favorite search engine about Cassia obovata. The links you will find will help you create the perfect mix for you.
Warnings
- Although very rare, an allergy to Cassia obovata is still possible, so it is recommended to put cassia powder under a patch for 24 hours. If a rash appears, it could be an allergy to this herb.
- If you use "hard water" (ie with a huge amount of minerals), your hair can turn green due to a buildup of minerals - remember to try on a strand first!
- Do not force yourself to apply a cassia mask with conditioner: it would be imperceptible and would give almost no restructuring effect.
- By using cassia with amla powder, you will notice that the coloring effect of the cassia will be reduced, so, by mixing them together, you will not have the dye.
- If your skin has cool tones, the cassia shade can clash with your complexion. It is recommended that you find out if you have cool or warm skin tones before trying.
- Don't expect Cassia obovata to have the same effects as peroxide. It will not lighten black or very dark brown hair. Most people find that a lightening effect is seen only on blond and slightly brown hair.
- Do not confuse Cassia obovata with Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon). Even though they are from the same plant family, they are not identical and you cannot replace Cassia obovata with cinnamon.
