What's the story with Henna?

Back in my college days, I used to be what us pro's now call a kitchen beautician. I colored my own hair everything from black to purple and back to blonde so many times that no one was very surprised when I decided to become a professional hair stylist. Along my journey I found henna, and from what I remember it looked like mud, smelled even worse and left me with pinkish tangerine colored hair. Clients have asked me what I think of henna as a natural alternative to traditional hair color, and I have always been cautious. When asked recently I decided to do a little research, and what I learned surprised me. There are two types of henna on the market, pure henna, made from the actual plant and another type of henna that has metallic compounds. The metallic compounds can be anything from lead, silver nitrate, copper, nickel, or iron salts. This is very dangerous to your health and your hair. I remember seeing someone's hair smoke and nearly disintegrate when color was placed on previously hennaed hair in my early hairdressing days. The difficult thing about henna is that it is hard to tell the good from the bad stuff? I have seen it sold anywhere from Whole foods, to Indian groceries and even Lush. I guess if you insist on experimenting yourself, I would recommend reading the ingredients if they are listed, and if they are not don't buy it!

This was made with human hair!

I was scanning the internet today and I found a creepy website advertising jewelry made with human hair. Upon futher investigation I learned that during the Victorian times jewelry was made with the hair of a deceased loved one as a token of love and remembrance. There are a few techniques used, and on the right is an example of "palette work". This design was created by laying the human hairs flat and up against each other, then gluing them to a base similar to tissue paper. When the hair is dry, they would then cut out a pattern and create a delicate piece of artwork which would be placed in a brooch or pendant. Apparently, there are only a handful of people doing "hair work", and this could become a lost art?

"Bumpits"? You know you secretly want one!

Errin was wandering through Target last week when she discovered a hair device we have all been curious about called "Bumpits". For those of you infomercial enthusiasts who might remember the "Revo Styler" or "Topsy Tail", the Bumpit is the newest addition to these past "inventions". With the help of a few Anita Kurl stylists, we have researched this one for you. From what we have learned, this product provides the structure to create a beehive like look reminiscent of the 1960's, as seen on Dusty Springfield above. On the website for Bumpits they claim to "give you perfect volume and style, effortlessly in seconds". They give the same effect as pieces of rolled foam we were trained to use in hair school, or in updo classes. I remember learning from Mrs. Costello, my cosmetology instructor, that women in the sixties would sometimes use a coke can or pantyhose stuffed with human hair for the same purpose. Our first instinct in the salon after seeing the infomercial was to make fun of the Bumpit. But, to be honest, the smaller size does give you that full in the crown ponytail that all the girls are wearing right now. The "Hollywood" Bumpit however, is a little too big for anyone not wanting to look like Amy Winehouse.

PS. I swear the news anchor I am watching on channel 7 is wearing one right now!