Is there religious meaning to henna?

Everyone may wear mehndi without worrying about offending the cultures from where it comes. Some mehndi designs have specific cultural and religious meanings. Mehndi is also applied for certain events in some parts of the world. If you would like to know more about this topic, I’d be happy to talk with you! I offer many different designs and will be glad to work with you to find a beautiful and meaningful one for you.

Do men get mehndi done?

Sure! While mehndi is more common on women, there are traditional events where men apply henna as well. Also, there are many modern, tribal, and traditional designs that are very masculine. See my photo gallery for images of male mehndi.
 
How much does it cost?

The price of a design depends on the level of detail and size of the design. I am glad to work with you to make your henna experience a memorable and affordable one. Please check out my Services page for some general prices and feel free to contact me for an individualized quote.
 
How long does the application take?

Application may take anywhere from 5 minutes to a couple hours, depending on the complexity of the design. Most designs take 5-30 minutes. Plan to also spend time letting it dry, plus at least a couple hours of limited mobility in the area where it has been applied, in order to have it set properly.
 
What is the process like?

First, decide on a design out of the many I have (or bring your own idea!). It is best if your skin is fairly dry, so that the color soaks in best. I use a variety of handmade cones and jac bottles to apply the henna, using each one like a different artist’s brush. Using the design as a template, or creating freehand, I will recreate the image by drawing with henna. The henna feels cold and sometimes a little tingly (due to its relation to the mint family) when applied. After completing the design, we will let it dry entirely. Then I will dab the design with lemon juice to help it stain better. Once completely dry, we will wrap the design, trapping the body heat in and creating a better stain. The paste and covering should be left on for at least a couple hours or, ideally, overnight. After this time, rub off the dried paste. The color will be orange on your skin and will darken over the next two days until fully red-brown. The first day, it is a good idea not to use too much water on the area, so that the setting is complete. Using oils/lotions and avoiding harsh scrubbing will help lock in the color.
 
Is henna safe?

Henna is safe and rarely (if ever) causes a reaction in healthy adults. I only use natural ingredients to make my henna paste at home. By hand-making my henna, I am able to control the quality of the batch and know exactly what goes in. The paste consists of the crushed buds and leaves of the henna plant, essential oils and spices, and citrus juices. Henna should never be applied to skin that is broken, already irritated, or otherwise compromised. If you have sensitive skin, or are wary of trying henna, I would be happy to do a small test patch on your skin and/or provide you with a detailed list of my ingredients.
 
What is black henna?

Black henna is not real henna! Real henna comes from the leaves, twigs, and buds of the henna plant. These all contain Lawsone, the natural staining agent that leaves the color on your skin. Black henna can refer to indigo, which was once used to dye hair. Other products labelled black henna could be a dangerous mix of chemicals, not meant for the skin. These could cause serious skin reactions and should be avoided. I only use 100% natural henna, NOT black henna.

           Why is henna usually applied to the hands and feet?

Henna may be applied anywhere on the body. In most cultures and traditional designs, it is applied mainly to the hands and feet. The main staining agent in henna, lawsone, stains deepest on these parts of the body. This is because the skin on the hands and feet contain higher levels of keratine, which binds with the lawsone, staining deepest. Although this is the traditional location for henna application, henna will stain the skin anywhere on the body. I use high levels of essential oils in my henna paste to ensure a dark stain on all areas and skin types/colors.