How to Make Henna at Home?

September 25th, 2019 Posted by Gift Flowers

Henna art is among the top trends right now.

Take a look at Instagram, browse through Pinterest or even walk down the street where the cool kids are, and you’re bound to be enthralled with the beauty of henna designs inked on someone’s hands, fingers or even feet. It raises the question: what makes these patterns so captivating and how do we recreate them ourselves? Gift Flowers Singapore is more than happy to explore these findings with you.

What is henna?

Henna, also known as Mehndi in Hindi, is a dye that is specially prepared from the leaves of a plant called lawsonia inermis. When the leaves are crushed, an orangey-red coloured dye is released. This dye is then dried, milled and sifted into a fine organic henna powder that is ready for use.

This dye has been used since the Bronze Ages, mainly in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Northern Africa, Italy, Spain, and the Middle East. Extremely popular and widely used in India, it is now spreading worldwide, becoming a fashion trend and unique form of temporary body art.

What is henna used for?

Powdered henna becomes activated in the presence of air and water. Mixing the henna and water together can create a paste which can then be applied directly to your hair or skin. You can use it as a permanent hair colour or a temporary tattoo that we see so often. Understanding more about henna art and practicing with its exquisite painting techniques will allow you to conjure up the most mesmerising temporary tattoos for yourself and your friends.

Like with any art projects out there, start with simple henna designs and look for easy henna art for beginners. Here, we’ve got just the perfect clear-cut step-by-step guide to get you started.

What should I be aware of before I begin?

Although there are generally few side effects of henna, be aware that allergic reaction to the dye may occur for some people, so always do a patch test first. People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should not use this product.

What do I need to prepare?

Prepare some designs first, using a pencil and paper. You can even create a template of your hand and fill the designs within – vertical designs for fingers, a mesmerising mandala for your palm, horizontal bracelets for your wrists.

What do different henna designs mean?

Henna patterns have significant meanings, so find the ones that are meaningful to you. They are usually nature-themed; flowers symbolise joy and buds indicate new life / beginnings. Lotus can signify awakening sensuality and creativity while peacocks represent beauty. Other birds relay to freedom and butterflies show change. Vines mean longevity, the sun means immortality and knowledge and the moon means lasting love. Fish symbolizes femininity and water designs symbolise emotions or change in your life. The mandala itself represents the universe.

DIY Henna Care

After applying your design, don’t touch it for at least an hour so that you will not risk smudging it. The best thing is to leave it for 6 hours or overnight where the ink slowly darkens from its original reddish-brown colour. Prepare a sugar and lemon juice mixture. Once the ink is dried, coat it with the mixture – but don’t saturate it – and leave it for a few hours to keep the paste moist, resulting in an even darker stain.

The ink usually lasts anywhere between 1-3 weeks before it begins to fade and flake. You can prolong its duration by keeping your skin well moisturized. Avoid washing it with abrasive cleaning agents and try not to rub the design. With proper care, the beautiful design can last for several weeks.