Commonly Asked Questions...
How long does it take to apply?
How long should the stain last?
Is reddish-orange the only color?
What is the lime and sugar for?
Henna is a plant generally grown in hot, dry climates…its leaves, ground into a powder, release a copper colored pigment when mixed with activating ingredients. The henna powder I use is imported directly from India and I make my paste fresh every week. Every real henna artist has their own recipe, much like cooking. I use fresh lime juice, black tea, coffee, tamarind paste, sugar, fenugreek seeds, lime or lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, pomegranate syrup & purified water. I use what is considered a complicated recipe. The only thing you have to have is the henna powder, something acidic (lime or lemon juice) and a terpinol (I use eucalyptus). Everything else helps to make the henna stain darker, last longer, or smell better!
Henna tattoos start at $20 and go up from there…depending on size, placement and difficulty of design. Since my work is freehand, I can adjust the design to fit almost any price range. The more I get to make it up, the cheaper it can be!
How long does it take to apply?
It depends on the design and where you put it. Commonly, it takes 20-45 minutes. Of course, it can take much longer if the design is large or difficult, or if the person gets henna in more than one area.
How long should the stain last?
Usually it lasts anywhere from a week to a month or longer. It depends on where the design is done, how long the paste is left on and how well the person takes care of it. Also, everybody’s skin is quite different and even varies on different parts of the body. Henna likes the skin to be thick, dry and more alkaline than acidic. The palms and the feet stain the darkest and last the longest. The ankles, forearms, and low back are also good areas. The skin gets thinner and more oily on the upper arm, upper back, stomach and chest. Most men’s skin is different (thicker & less oily) and will usually stain better in all areas. Darker skin also stains darker and lasts longer. Henna doesn’t work very well on the neck and doesn’t work at all on the face.
After the designs are applied and bandaged, the painted area should not be disturbed for 8-10 hours or more for best results. The longer the paste is left on the body, the darker the stain and the more enduring it will be. Once it is dry, however, it is no longer active. Pull off the cotton (most of the paste should come off with it) then rub the area with a dry paper towel or tissue to remove the paste. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil to assist in the removal if the paste is stubborn or to help with the tape and its residue. The oil also helps to protect it from water immediately. Next, lightly rinse the area with water…don’t scrub. Initially, the color of the stain will be light. Don’t worry, it will darken substantially and the lines will become more defined over the next 24 hours. Try to keep the area out of water as much as possible during this time period to allow for maximum darkening…usually the darker it gets, the longer it lasts. More importantly, dry it gently after being in water. The towel does more damage to the henna through exfoliation than a little water running over it! Any type of oil or balm (not containing petroleum products) can be applied to the stain as often as desired. This will extend the life of the henna, especially if used before bathing or swimming. Burt’s Bees lip balm is my favorite, but anything natural that is oily or waxy will work…Tiger balm, cooking oil, vitamin E oil, cocoa butter, etc. The waxier ones also work to protect the skin from exfoliation, not just to repel water.
Is reddish-orange the only color?
Yes, but the color will greatly vary on each person and each body part (see “How long should the stain last?”). It also changes color throughout the life of the henna. There is no such thing as black henna. What you usually see called “black henna” is a liquid chemical that often causes allergic reactions in people. I hear stories of horrible itching and sometimes scarring. This is almost always found in areas frequented by tourists (it’s all over Mexico & Florida)…it is quick and cheap, but not always safe. There is a more authentic “black henna” that is still not henna. It come from Yemen and is carbon-based, ground from a rock not a plant. This is what you see in National Geographic images from around the world as black designs on hands and faces. I have seen this product in New York City, but it is not commonly found in America and is usually much more expensive than real henna. There is a third type of product called “black henna”, still not real henna, which is used to dye the hair. It is not meant for the skin and will actually give you a chemical burn if applied like real henna. You should always ask your henna artist for a list of ingredients. Even natural ingredients can cause allergies…this is why I don’t use clove oil, it is too strong for many people.
After blow-drying the paste, I apply a mixture of lime & sugar to the henna. This has many purposes, and it’s how you can tell if someone is doing authentic henna. Lime (or lemon) juice is the active ingredient in the paste, causing the henna powder to release its color. The lime & sugar mixture sticks the henna to the skin like a glue, keeps it from drying out so that it can continue staining, then hardens to form a protective coating.
Old enough to sit still! Generally, this is around 4 years old, sometimes 3 for girls. For a party, it is necessary to have permission from all the parents.
Mehndi (the art of applying henna) is a ritual that has been around since early Egyptian days. The plant (Lawsonia Inermis) is widely used in the Middle East, Northern Africa, and India for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Every region and every family has different traditions surrounding its use. In India, mehndi is part of 16 traditional adornments reserved for weddings, while in Morocco it can symbolize luck or protection. Initially valued by the Egyptians for its cooling effect on the skin, the art of mehndi reinvents itself in every situation.
