Re: More basic Questions
Posted by Amy C on July 21, 1999 at 16:42:57:
In Reply to: More basic Questions posted by Help!!! on July 21, 1999 at 07:26:10:
: 4. Are there other things besides Coffee and lemon juice you can add
: to the henna mix to get a darker color?
I haven't tried many elaborate recipes, but I do like to add a little port to my paste. It makes things a little stickier - less cracking, better contact & slower drying time. I think it may also make things a little redder. I also think cloves & clove oil help. I rub a little clove oil on after the paste comes off & my designs darken quite a bit over the first day or so. I'm not sure if it's the clove oil that does it, I'll have to do a side-by-side experiment one day.
Usually I cook up some coffee, lemon juice, a black tea bag & some powdered cloves & strain it. Then I use that, more lemon juice, a few drops clove oil and a little port.
What makes more color difference than my recipe is how warm I keep the area while the paste is on.
Usually my paste is like a moss green when wet & turns black as it dries.