lush henna hair dyes

I've been wanting to try the Lush Henna Bars forever. I used henna on my hair once using some brand at Whole Foods. I think it was Rainbow or Mountain something? It seemed like it left my hair really dry so I get frustrated and didn't try again. I spotted these henna bars like a year ago but I just never tried it because it was $20 and the site says you have to use the whole bar. So that was a turn-off. I finally bought one over the weekend and did a lot of research about how to use it and how much of the bar you really had to use. Some people used the whole thing but a lot of ladies who have longer hair than mine only used 2 squares. I decided to start off with 2 squares and if I needed more I would just mix more up. Well 2 squares was MORE than enough. People have also complained about the smell. It's definitely not as strong as some people have commented. It smells a little of old cigarettes but it's definitely tolerable. 

This product was not as hard or messy to apply as most reviews I've read on Lush or on the net. I have it sitting on my hair right now and so far I'm really pleased with the application. I'll come back to updated once I've rinsed out in 6 hours or so. I have 4a/b texture hair and it's really tight thick, curly, and coarse. Straightened out my hair is armpit length in the front and almost bra strap in the back. If I let it dry naturally it barely brushes my shoulders (just including that so you get an idea of how long my hair is). I parted my hair in 4 sections and applied it throughly but didn't glop it on because because I wanted to make sure I had enough. I ended up having quite a bit left over so then I went back and put it on really thick. I didn't grate it like I've read a lot of people do because it just seemed like it would take a while and I'm lazy like that. I found that step is really unnecessary. The hot water melts the lumps if you let it sit for a few minutes. I just used a knife and cut off the 2 squares and then kinda broke it up into chunks. Then I poured water from my Brita pitcher into a ceramic mug and microwaved it for 2 minutes so it was hot, but not boiling. I poured the water over the henna chunks and let it sit for a couple of minutes in the Pyrex bowl I was using. Came back and stirred it with the stick end of one of the plastic brushes they use to apply hair color at a salon. I didn't pour the whole mug of water at once, rather I poured a little at a time until it was yogurt consistency (you kinda have to just eye ball it). Then I slapped on the gloves and used my hands to apply it like a deep conditioner. I planned to actually use the color applicator brush to brush it through but I figured my hands would be quicker. Seriously...this was easy peasy. There was very little mess. Not sure how it could all over everything as long as you're careful. Yes, there were a couple of drops and splatters on my arms and the sink but I just took a washcloth and wet it with warm water and simply wiped it up. My hair is really dark brown almost off black and I'm hoping this will make it richer. I'd love for it to go rich deep black but I suspect you may need a couple of applications for that I have 4 squares left so I'm thinking about doing it again on Sunday if I have 6 hours to burn. As long as the color is good this product is a keeper!