How To Get Henna Mehndi Designs: The Complete Guide

Photo by Tauseef Khaliq

Henna mehndi designs are a popular way to adorn the hands and feet of women in India, Pakistan, and Arabia. The art of applying henna is called mehndi, and it has been practiced for centuries. Henna paste is made from the dried leaves of the henna plant, and when applied to the skin, it leaves a Temporary tattoo-like design.

What is henna?

Henna is a natural dye made from the leaves of the henna plant. It has been used for centuries to color skin, hair and nails. Henna is safe for most people and causes no irritation. However, some people may be allergic to henna and develop a rash.

The history of henna

Henna has been used for centuries as a natural dye for hair and skin. The plant henna, also known as Lawsonia inermis, is native to North Africa, the Middle East, and India. The leaves of the henna plant contain a red-orange dye molecule, lawsone. When applied to the skin in a paste form, the lawsone temporarily stains the outermost layer of skin cells called the stratum corneum. Henna has been used for everything from weddings and festivals to religious ceremonies and body art.

The earliest recorded use of henna was in Egypt in the 4th millennium BC. In ancient Egypt, henna was used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Cleopatra is said to have used henna to tint her nails before meeting Mark Antony. Henna was also used as a treatment for various ailments such as headaches, jaundice, and stomach disorders.

In India, henna has been used for centuries as part of wedding rituals. The bride and groom often have their hands and feet decorated with henna designs prior to the ceremony. Henna is also used during festivals such as Holi and Diwali.

The art of applying henna is

How to prepare your skin for henna

If you're planning to get a henna mehndi design, it's important to prepare your skin first. Here's a quick guide on how to do it:

1. Exfoliate your skin. This will help remove any dead skin cells and give the henna paste a smooth surface to adhere to.

2. Moisturize your skin. This will help the henna paste glide on more easily and prevent it from cracking or flaking off.

3. Apply a barrier cream. This will create a barrier between your skin and the henna paste, making it easier to remove the paste later on.

4. Wait for 30 minutes before applying the henna paste. This will allow your skin to absorb the moisture from the barrier cream and prevent the henna paste from drying out too quickly.

How to apply henna

Henna is a beautiful way to decorate your hands and feet for special occasions. If you're new to henna, don't worry! Applying henna is easy once you get the hang of it. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply henna.

1. First, make sure your skin is clean and free of any oils or lotions. This will help the henna stick to your skin better.

2. Next, take a small amount of henna paste and place it on the center of your palm.

3. Using your index finger, start spreading the paste outwards in a thin layer.

4. Continue until your entire palm is covered with a thin layer of henna paste.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for the other hand.

6. Now it's time to start decorating! Use your fingers or a toothpick to draw simple designs on your palms. Remember, the thinner the lines, the better the henna will look.

7. Once you're happy with your designs, leave the paste on your skin for at least 30 minutes to allow it to dry completely.

8. After

How to remove henna

It's easy to remove henna from your skin with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Just soak a cotton ball in the alcohol and rub it over the henna design. The henna will start to fade away immediately. You can also use lemon juice or vinegar to remove henna, but rubbing alcohol is the most effective method.

Henna aftercare

Once you've got your perfect henna mehndi design, it's important to take care of it to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips on how to do just that:

- Avoid water: This means no washing your hands, no swimming and no sweating! The longer the henna stays on your skin, the darker the stain will be.

- Protect your design: If you must wash your hands, make sure to use a mild soap and avoid scrubbing the area too vigorously. You can also apply some petroleum jelly or coconut oil around the edges of the design to help seal in the color.

- Be patient: It can take up to 48 hours for the full color to develop, so resist the urge to pick at your design during this time.