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Providing henna body art services in Richmond, Virginia for all your celebratory needs |
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History of Henna For thousands of years regions, religions, and cultures in the Middle East have shared a glorious secret. The secret is a plant, called many names in many languages. Though the plant's scientific name is Lawsonia inermis, common names range from henna to mehendi, mehndi to mehandi. Henna stains have been found on ancient pottery, in portraits, and depicted on murals and tapestries of the past. People of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and many other religions have adorned their bodies with this magnificent art. Though some consider it a ritual or religious experience, there are just as many who use it out of practicality, or simply for fashion. Middle Eastern brides are particularly well known for being adorned with beautifully detailed henna designs before their wedding. Mehndi is used in the Middle East especially during the summer months on the hands and feet because of its powerful cooling properties. Henna body art can be deep in meaning, intricate, and elaborate as easily as it can be modern, simplistic, and stylish. The art of mehendi is an excellent addition to any occasion, and should be indulged in by everyone who wishes to try it. Women may be interested in hearing that Indian tradition claims a wife or daughter cannot do housework until her henna has completely faded, so as to preserve the design. That is certainly one of my favorite traditions to uphold! How it Works Henna dye is found in the leaves of the plant which, when ground into a powder and mixed into a paste, will stain the dead layers of skin to create a beautiful reddish-brown design that fades as the skin exfoliates. Fresh powder is the most important ingredient - most artists purchase their powder online so they know it has been shipped from the most fresh, recent crop. You can also find henna at your local Indian or Middle Eastern grocery store, though you should look for a date and make sure it is fresh. Henna powder is then mixed into a paste using water (some artists find lemon juice to achieve a darker stain), sugar or molasses (for a smooth consistency) and essential oils such as rosemary, eucalyptus, frankincense, cajeput, cardamom, and geranium. All of these oils are high in monoterpene alcohols that help the stain darken more quickly. Depending on the type of powder, the henna paste needs to sit out anywhere from 1-24 hours until dye release has been achieved. At this point it can be fed into the applicator, whether it be a plastic bottle with a metal tip, a hand-rolled plastic cone, or some other instrument. Henna is then carefully applied to the skin, and should be left on for six hours for an optimal stain. You can view the aftercare page for more information on how to protect your design. Interested in mixing your own henna? Don't know where to start, or what recipe to use? Contact me for a small sample of henna powder, and visit HennaTribe to view the personal recipes of several professional artists. |
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