Mehendi (Mehndi) / Henna Design for you!!

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Mehendi is not the huge commitment that tattooing is because of its temporary nature as its stain is not longlasting. Henna also allows you to play around with designs until you find one that you are comfortable with and then you can get it permanently etched into your skin if you want to. Some people like permanency while others are much more comfortable with temporary forms of body art. Regardless of how you use henna to decorate your body ; the main idea is to have fun.

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Natural Henna is NOT black
Natural Henna gives a dark/ brownish color when applied on the skin. If you carefully prepare the mixture of henna and follow guidelines for its application you will be able to get a very dark shade – but never black.

Black Henna is mixed with chemicals (PPD) to give a lasting black effect. No natural henna can give you the black effect without chemicals – no matter what suppliers claim it all have some amount of PPD. PPD is know to have caused severe BURNS and RASHES.

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Henna is also referred to as: Henne, Mehandi, Mendee, Al-Khanna, Al- henna, khidab, Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian Privet, Smooth Lawsonia, Reseda. However its botanical name is ‘ Lawsonia inermis’ and it belongs to the botanical family ‘N.O. Lythraceae’. Henna is a shrub, 8-15 feet high, with small white, yellow, pink or cream-colored sweet smelling flowers. It produces blue-black berries. It thrives in hot, dry climates. Powdered (young) leaves of the plant is what is used for dyeing hair, nails and skin.

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While much of the tradition and symbolism around the use of mehndi has been lost over the generations, there are still some traditions, which are still followed by some. In many eastern places, henna is thought to hold special medicinal or even magical properties. It is used to help heal skin diseases, prevent thinning hair, and cool the skin to reduce swelling in hot climates. It is made into a beverage to heal headaches and stomach pain. Newly purchased homes in Morocco often have their doors painted with henna to wish for prosperity and chase away evil. Henna is used as a protection against the “evil eye”. The foreheads of bulls, milk cows, and horses are sometimes decorated with henna for their protection. Tombstones in graveyards are sometimes washed with henna to please the sprits. Many people even name their girl child Henna or Mehndi. Henna is used in celebrations of weddings, births, and other religious ceremonies and festivals. An Indian wedding ceremony is not complete till the brides mehndi ceremony is held. There are many superstitions regarding mehndi during a wedding. It is said that when a bride has mehndi done for her wedding, the darker the design, the more her mother-in-law loves her. A good deeply-coloured design is a sign of good luck for the marital couple. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names. A bride is not expected to perform any housework until her wedding mehndi has faded.

Such is the history, traditions and superstitions behind the lovely designs created by Henna or Mehndi.

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Expression. Fun. Painless, temporary tattoos. Unlike permanent tattoos, a lifetime commitment to your mehndi design is not required as the designs fade over time. Generally in 1 to 4 weeks, but it will depend on where your design is on the body and how long the paste was left to set. The less exposed to soap, water and rubbing, the longer your design will last. Many celebrities have been seen wearing mehndi designs and general awareness of the art form has increased due to articles in national magazines, publications and television broadcasts.

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# If the paste is greenish, and smells like spinach or a hay bale, it is probably natural henna. Sometimes reputable henna artists add natural oils or herbs that can spice up the fragrance and darken the color.

# If the paste is deep black or grayish, it is probably NOT natural henna and should be avoided. PPD paste is jet black.

# Ask how long it takes to stain and how long it lasts. If the answers are “just an hour or two” and “a week or more”, it’s PPD. If the henna artist tells you that you only need to leave the paste on for an hour or two, their henna probably contains PPD and should be avoided! Real traditional henna must stay on your skin longer to make a stain – usually 6-12 hours. The resulting color will be a reddish brown, not black.

# Ask how long it lasts. If the answer is “a week or more” then it most likely contains PPD.
Ask what colour it will give. If the answer is “pure black”, it’s PPD. Real henna does NOT stain black. PPD does stain black! If the artist is offering “colored henna” ask to see a list of ingredients, and decide for yourself if the product is safe for you.

# Ask to see an ingredients list. If the artist can’t supply one, or you don’t like what you see, walk away.

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One of the first cosmetics used in ancient civilizations was henna when many women of different cultures and religions would decorate parts of their bodies for religious or celebratory reasons. The oldest discovered records of henna application date back to ancient Egypt. The moghuls took henna cultivation from the Middle East through North India in the 16th Century. Since then, the art of practicing mehendi has spread to many Asian countries. In North Africa, women use henna to symbolize Islamic patterns.
Many brides have their husband’s initials concealed in their mehendi designs. This allows the new groom to search for his initials that can lead to further relaxation and play on their wedding night. Traditionally, the mothers of the bride and groom place the first application of henna in the palms of the bride. Mehendi from the mother symbolizes happiness, prosperity and love which she takes to her new home. The mehendi that comes from the mother-in-law signifies love for her daughter-in-law, welcoming her into the family.

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For thousands of years the art of using henna for body decorating has remained one of Asia’s best secrets. Its captivating and alluring effects have always been greatly admired. It is not until later that the popularity of henna has spread to the western world.Yet western traditions of mehendi designs are quite distinct from eastern design. Hence, mehendi has favored as a fashion trend with modern styles of tattoos, glitter, black mehendi and a variety of different colors.

Typically, mehendi was used to decorate the hands and feet of women for ceremonious and celebratory occasions such as for wedding and mehendi parties. All types of women, regardless of their backgrounds, use henna. You’ll find mehendi being used more often on mehendi night, also known as the Chura ceremony. The groom’s family would supply the henna from the bride and female relatives. The henna would be carried over with candles and dancing, the ceremony often serving as an icebreaker between the two families.

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Henna is more than just a cosmetic paste, its cultural and traditional worth making it a part and parcel of many festivals. From weddings and engagements to religious occasions, all remain more or less incomplete without it. Asides its aesthetic element, henna is believed to hold special medicinal value. It is said to soothe dry skin, heal certain skin diseases, and reduce swelling. Even beverages are concocted out of it for stomach cramps and headaches.
An Indian wedding is incomplete without a mehendi ceremony. Henna symbolises fertility, and at weddings, depicts the love between a husband and wife. It is said that the name of the groom is hidden within the intricate design on the bride’s hand, and the wedding night cannot proceed until he is able to find it.

In Morocco, doors of new homes are painted with a coat of henna to usher in good fortune and to act as a talisman against evil.

Dating as far back as Egypt during ancient times, where it was known to have been applied to the toes and fingers of the deceased Pharaohs before mummification. The paste is even used to ward off evil spirits.

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Mehndi is the art of creating designs on the skin using henna paste. These designs can be applied in different parts of the body.Initially henna was applied in these countries to cool the body in the hot summers. Dots are applied on the palm of the hands of both men and women to cool the body. As time passed the users of henna began drawing patterns, which over a period of time became intricate designs that are popular today.

Mehndi body art has been practiced for centuries in the Middle East, India and in some parts of Africa. Though generally mehndi is thought of as a woman’s forte, men in all the countries have practiced it as well.

The different cultures gave rise to different style of mehndi and different methods of application. Intricate and fine line designs were developed in Pakistan and India. Geometric patterns and designs became the specialty of Morocco. In Africa bold geometric shapes and patterns became popular. Mehndi patterns are applied with the help of gold rods, plastic cones, plastic bottles with tips, syringes and toothpicks etc. Today mehndi art has become a means of expression for the Mehndi artists.

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Henna and tattooMehendi is not the huge commitment that tattooing is because of its temporary nature. For people who are too scared to endure the poking of a needle or are too ambivalent to commit to wearing the same permanent design forever :- mehendi is a wonderful alternative.Anyone who is hesitant about getting a permanent tattoo :- try walking the streets with a henna design for a couple of weeks first. It helps you discern if you can accept the constant backward glances and whispers that you often hear when you are in public as a decorated person. Henna also allows you to play around with designs until you find one that you are comfortable with and then you can get it permanently etched into your skin if you want to. Some people like permanency while others are much more comfortable with temporary forms of body art. Regardless of how you use henna to decorate your body ; the main idea is to have fun.

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Leave the paste on as long as up to 8 hours (or more if you can stand it). The longer the paste is kept on, the darker the design will be. After you peel of the paste, dip a Q-tip in some olive or Avocado oil and take off the remainder of the dry paste. Do not expose your new design to water in the first 24 hours after the design has been applied as the colour is still in its darkening process.
Your design should last at a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 weeks depending on the thickness of the epidermis of your skin and on where the design is located.The less exposed to water, soap or rubbing, the longer the designs will linger.

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Just like turning a functional container into an elegant crystal vase, so have humans transformed an herbal medication into beautiful body decoration.So many unique and practical uses of the henna plant logically lead to the cosmetic application we know today.Though traditionally a woman’s art, mehndi is not limited to the female. There are many rituals that do include men. And in the modern Western world, it is not unusual to see a man with intricate henna tattoos, or even a male mehndi artist.

Trade routes and religious missions took the henna plant from Greece to Egypt and North Africa, to Arabia and India, Tibet, Persia and Spain.Though recipes and designs vary from region to region, the basic purpose of mehndi remains the same; henna tattoos are a celebration and protection.Each culture embraced the plant in its own unique way.Henna provides a reason to get together, to slow down, enjoy life and to honor the things that make us special.

They are always present during holidays and festivals, weddings, pregnancies and births, and especially during the hottest days of the summer.

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The art of henna began in the hot climates of the Eastern Mediterranean. Its first uses include a medicine and coolant to soothe the skin that was exposed to the intense desert heat, as well as a textile dye.
*The leaves, stems and seeds were pulverized and perhaps added to fragrant liquids to condition dry hair and callused skin, to act as a natural sun block, and most importantly, to keep the body’s temperature low. When thickly applied to the palms or soles of the feet, henna seems to magically draw out heat. For this reason, henna is also used to combat headaches and fever.

*Ancient healers found the henna plant to be an excellent antiseptic as well. It protects against surface bacteria and fungi, and thus was applied to nails (especially after pregnancy), small cuts and burns.

*Additionally, various formulas of henna have been used to heal insect bites, dry sores, and toughen skin against abrasion and blistering. Henna reduces sweat and has also been known to help fight mild infectious disease.

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The Henna plant is one of the most fragrant flowers on earth. Widely cultivated in tropical countries but probably native to North Africa and Asia. It is widely naturalized in the West Indies and Mexico where it is known as “mignonette”. Its leaves produce the henna or alhenna of the Arabs (cyprus of the ancients), a yellow/red die which is used in Egypt and elsewhere by women to color their nails, and by men to die their beards, and for other similar uses including horses manes and tails. It is known in the West Indies as “Egyptian privet”, and sometimes as “reseda”. It is the camphire of the authorized version of the Bible.

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Traditionally, along with the lovely and exotic costuming, jewelry and makeup, dancers would wear special Mehndi designs on their hands to draw more attention to their movements. Mehndi, the use of henna to stain the skin in India, can be incorporated into ones costume today as well quite easily. There are two ways of going about this. One way is to use real henna to stain the skin and leave a tattoo (or temtu) which can stay apparent for up to three weeks. The other way is to use a body-paint, makeup or special fake Mehndi method

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HENNA POWDER is a natural base for hair coloring & conditioning and body decoration products. It is being used extensively as a raw material to make a variety of Henna products for use on Hair, Face & Body, in an easy to use form so that we can induce the natural properties of Henna in our daily life.

Henna prevents premature graying of hair and is used for hair nourishment, making the hair shiny and smooth. Henna plates and protects the hair shaft while acting as a cooling agent for head.

Henna contains a red-orange pigment, lawsone, which stains the hair & skin. Henna powder is applied to hair or skin in a paste form, the lawsone molecule migrates to the outermost layer of the hair ( cuticle ) or skin ( epidermis ) and stains it.

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Mehndi application – self practice

Rashmi Jain practicing mehndi / henna – self practice.
(Hands & Feet)

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Decoration of hands and feet with mehandi, heena, symbolic of good luck in married life, is a notable feature of the folk aesthetics in Rajasthan. A sticky paste is made by mixing a little water with the aid of a match-stick. A fantasy of delightful patterns are thus created, which when dried, leave rich red designs printed on the skin.
Although there is a large variety of patterns, the one called chowk is amongst the most popular with the womenfolk. Literally meaning a courtyard, there are various forms of this pattern, a different one for each different occasion.Thus, there is a specific design of chowk for the Gangaur, another for the Teej, and yet another for Holi and other festivals.
Amongst other favorites are chopper, representation of a game which is played by throwing dice and is symbolic of conjugal love; pankhi or beejani meaning a hand-fan, a typical design for the summers; and, lahriya meaning a wave or a ripple, the most popular pattern in the rainy season.

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African mehndi patterns are bold, large geometric designs, usually black.African Mehendi style generally has geometrical floral patterns. After the henna paste is removed Africans apply a blackish paste of ashes, ammonia compounds and other corrosives to get the henna stain to turn out blackish. This is poisonous and is not a recommended procedure as there have been reported deaths from this procedure. We can only assume the reason they would go to these risky lengths is the natural color that henna stains, dark brown to dark orange, does not show up as well on very dark skin.

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Expression, Fun, Painless, temporary tattoos with desired pattern and intricate designs.Like permanent tattoos, a lifetime commitment to your mehndi design is not required as the designs fade over time in generally 1 to 4 weeks. But longevity will depend on where your design is on the body,the skin type and how long the paste was left to set. The less exposed to soap, water and rubbing, the longer your design will last. Many celebrities have been seen wearing mehndi designs and general awareness of the art form has increased due to articles in national magazines, publications and television broadcasts.

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Mehendi ceased to be just a traditional mould of designing long ago. Today, there are different patterns that come under four main categories, mix-and-match and fusion designs. Arabic, Marwadi, Indian and black outlines are the major and well-known categories.

While Arabic designs comprise a huge leaf and three to four flowers, Marwari designs are thin patterns where the entire hand is filled without a single gap. The other designs comprise kalash, doli, peacocks, mangoes, parrots, etc.

The magic of mehendi in all its glory and glitter continues to enthrall. So, next time you are all set for a party, remember that there are many options for you to have the best and flaunt it all.

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The art form of henna (Arabic) or mehndi (Hindi) varies from region to region. Varying designs have a different meaning for members of each culture, such as good health, fertility, wisdom, protection and spiritual enlightenment. While Arabic henna designs are usually large, floral patterns on the hands and feet, Indian mehndi involves fine, thin lines for lacy, floral and paisley patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins.

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The application of henna to the body is neither painful nor poisonous. When used in body decoration, henna can be thought of as an organically-derived temporary tattooing. Henna simply a method of drawing various designs on the skin without the use of needles. As the skin absorbs and reacts with the henna powder, the skin is actually stained for a period of up to four weeks. Because henna is a natural stain, it can’t be rubbed off or removed with soap and water.

The dye, which is permanent on fabric or wood, lingers anywhere from 2-12 weeks on skin, depending upon the quality of the henna, its reaction with an individual’s skin and the care taken to preserve the design.

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