What is Henna?
Henna is a plant found in dry arid regions such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Morocco. The leaves of the plant are dried, ground into a powder, then sifted to extract twigs or pieces that would clog the fine tip of a cone.
Henna is NOT BLACK. Please avoid vendors that sell Black Henna. Black Henna often has dye added and some can have disastrous results. Pure henna is green in color, stains orange and deepens over time to brown or orange red or black cherry. The powder smells like green tea. The stain’s color differences depend on where on the body henna is applied, how thickly applied the paste is, how long it’s on, and the warmth of the skin.
For thousands of years women have decorated their skin with this all natural body art. The powder is mixed into a paste. The ingredients of the paste can vary, just as ingredients in a cookie recipe can vary. However, just like bakers need flour, every good henna recipe has its essentials.
Henna powder can be mixed with lemon juice for the simplest recipe. Other variations can include using honey, dark tea, wine, sugar, and essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, cajeput, lavender, clove bud, and so on.
I make my paste by hand. I use fresh all natural henna powder, tea or water, honey or molasses, and essential oils. Please let me know if you have a sensitivity to any of the above listed oils, and I will gladly make a batch for you without.
With good care, your henna design can last 1-3 weeks.
Caring For Your Henna
1. Leave paste on at least 2 hours, or wrapped overnight for best results.
2. Scrape paste off, do *not* wash it off.
3. Henna stain will be orange in color at first, deeping to reds and browns over 24 hours.
4. Avoid getting the area wet for 6 to 12 hours while final color develops.
5. Oil skin with olive oil, or vegetable based oils, to protect it before showering.
6. Moisturize. Avoid friction, exfolitation, and alpha hydroxy products on area.
Henna looks different on everyone due to body chemistry, temperature, and location of design. Hands and feet stain darkest,
while chest, upper arms, and back stain lightest.
