Henna, henna, hennnnnna!

November 3, 2009

I’m soooo excited. Today, I took my two daughters on an adventure to Jackson Heights, NY to find authentic henna! We were successful after asking a young Indian woman in a jewelry store if she know where we could find the coveted product. Surprisingly, she didn’t know where it was sold?! The gentleman (probably the store owner) suggested we go to the grocery store on the next corner (leave it to a man to know where to find a hair care product). We were on our way. I pleasantly asked the young lady behind the counter, which aisle to find the henna. She mumbled something, not quite sure if it was English or a foreign tongue. I didn’t let her inaudible dribble stop me from feeling pleasant and favored. My girls saw the interaction and asked the lady once more (may Jehovah bless my sweet daughters). My eldest was reading the box when I caught up to her. I found the “Jamila” brand and snatched up 6 boxes (2 for each of us-daughters want to henna too!). At the counter, I decided to send the 2nd daughter for another 2 boxes. Feeling good about myself, we crossed the street and decided to buy some Pakistani food (delicious).

Later that evening, I mixed the henna with some steeped warm green tea infused with cardamom, got a muddy mixture (it really does look like baby poop, especially one that drank spoiled formula), and let it set covered with saran wrap for about 2 hours. My 2nd daughter and I were wondering if I ruined the henna, because I was worried about releasing the dye (just me being impatient). I mixed in 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to activate the mixture (I was going to get dye release whether the poop mixture liked it or not) and declared that I could wait no longer!!! We went upstairs with our supplies and started to get to work. There was a bonding moment for me and my kids as always, because of my enthusiasm I always manage to sweep them into my moment, making it our moment. My Nia (ride-or-die chica) demanded that she apply it to mommy’s head, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I let her and she did an excellent job. Did I mention that she is only 11 years old. My baby.

Now here I sit (11:45p) with a hennaed head covered in plastic and a doo- rag getting ready for bed, in love with my head, my daughters and the beginning of my “back to natural” journey.