Creating your henna design is an art form so there is no set way to design for yourself or others.
Squeeze paste out of desired applicator and create your design. Some people like to squeeze the tube paste into an applicator bottle. If using a stencil, spread paste on the design and let dye paste set but you must keep this on your skin whilst the henna is drying. Dab with oil several times once the design is completely dry. The paste will start to stain your skin keeping the henna active, moist and in contact with your skin resulting in a darker design.
Here are some great Henna recipes websites:
http://www.hennacaravan.com/how/mix.html
The designs will last anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the care of design, the depth of henna dye stain and what part of the body the design was applied on. Also, if exposed to rubbing, soap and water, the Henna will start to fade.
Henna dye stains the outer layers of skin, so the less you rub or wash the longer the design will linger. Works best on warmer, more porous parts of the body like the hands and feet. Applying heat with sunshine or dryer, will help designs on parts of the body to become darker.
There are many variations and "recipes" for mixing your own henna paste. There is no wrong way, some methods work better than others. There is no "correct" way to making henna paste for mehendi.
We suggest cleansing the area of skin the henna is being applied to and keeping the design moist with oil while henna dye penetrates skin. You must leave the design on the skin as long as possible, ie 12-24 hours for best results. You can use one part lemon juice to half teaspoon of sugar, mix and dab on the design to keep design moist and help henna design stain darker on your skin.
QUICK TIP! Use a hair dryer to dry the design. This helps warm the skin and also helps the design darken overtime therefore, your henna design will last longer.
Almost ready to start designing your patterns. Supplies to have handy are: cotton ball, oil, toothpick or fine 'hair grip' device, paper towel or tissues, lemon juice with sugar mix, a creative mind definitely or a book if needed. You should start off creating simple, easy henna designs then progress to more elaborate and intricate designs. Lots of ideas can be found in books, packaging, pictures and if this fails, you will find thousands of designs on the internet. But remember, its alwasys better to create your own, bespoke henna designs.
The pre-made tube is great for convenience however, every tube has a different darkness of colour dependant on the shelf-life and henna quailty used. The henna powder mixed yourself using fresh powder and oils will last longer, giving a deeper colour each time and you will know how fresh the paste is. The ready made henna paste should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and kept in the dark. Use paste within 7-10 days as colour will start to demise and not ensure colour quality when used next time.
This is entirely up to the person wearing the paste. You will see effects even after an hour, dependant on the henna mix used. 2-3 hours minimum is recommended to achieve perfect results however, 12-24 hours, away from water achieves the best results. The longer the better as this helps the design to dye your skin deeper and deeper. You can put a cotton glove or an old sock over your hand to keep it warm and to help the dye process.
Top tip! use a hair dryer to heat and dry the henna design resulting in a darker stain.
Simply pick dried paste off over sink or other safe area. PLEASE DO NOT wash area with water if you can help it. You need to scrap this dried paste off with the back of a knife or wooden spoon. Be careful of clothing and furniture. Henna dye stains! Dab area again with oil if possible. The more you wash with a loofah/sponge, the more the design will fade and over time, the design will disappear.
We knew you'd like it. The henna design will become even darker over the next 24 hours as the design is exposed to air and the heat from your skin. The more you wash, scrub and dependant on aftercare of your design, you will see a design that should last for 10-14 days minimum.
Care Instructions
- Design must dry completely.
- When dry, apply lemon+ sugar fixative over the design with a cotton ball (Approx. 1 tbsp lemon juice to 1 tsp sugar, stir until dissolved).
- Wear design on skin for 2-12hrs. Repeat lemon+sugar fixative to keep design moist.
- After 12hrs, remove henna with a wooden spoon or back of knife using a drop of olive oil or any vegetable oil.
DO NOT USE WATER!
- Keep design well coated with oil, avoid direct water contact for another 24hrs.
- Design will start to deepen over 48hrs.
- Best results if less exposed to soap, water, rubbing or scrubbing.
- To maintain life of design, continue to coat with oil or moisture barrier before exposure to water.
- Depending on aftercare of design, your skin type and area of application, henna can last several weeks on average.
Henna is very natural, very safe and no need to worry. People have been safely using henna for 5,000+ years. As with any cosmetic product, do a skin test to rule out any possible (though rare) allergic reactions if you are unsure. Keep out of reach of small children. Not for use around eyes, mouth or for internal ingestion. It has to be said though, like anything, "if it hurts, don't do it" unless you know an expert like me, of course! I can assure you, I have been using Henna since I was a child and have never experienced any bad reactions.
There is no such thing as Black Henna. Henna is a natural plant extract and when mixed with oils, produces a dark orange stain. Most black henna is natural henna adulterated with a toxic chemical dye called called Para Phenylenediamine or PPD for short. When added to henna the resulting stain is black. PPD penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the dermis (living cells) and passing into the blood stream is extremely dangerous in either case, because it is a toxin that is able to get into the bloodstream through the skin. Once in the system, PPD toxins collect in the liver, causing liver and kidney damage and exposure can lead to damage of these organs or worse!
Check this link for more information http://www.hennapage.com/henna/ppd/whatisppd.html
TOP TIP! You can use the remaining henna paste to condition your hair as it is a natural plant extract.
Henna can also be used to dye your hair as is has Lawsone, a tannin dye molecule, in its leaves. When you pulverize the leaves and mix them with a slightly acidic liquid such as lemon juice, the dye molecule becomes available and this eventually dyes your hair. Note, Body art quality henna has a higher dye content than hair quality henna, so more Lawsone is available to saturate the hair follicle.
Check this link for more information: http://www.hennaforhair.com
