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While henna tattoo kits are available
online or in beauty and health food stores,
with a bit of effort you can create your own
henna paste for your mehndi designs. Download
stencils and use the recipe below to help
create your henna body adornment.
Download stencils
>
Recipe
Adapted from Mehndi: The Art of Henna
Body Painting by Carine Fabius
Ingredients:
3 teaspoons powdered and sifted henna
1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil
2 tablespoons black tea
1 cup water
Silver or metal mixing spoon
Plastic bowl and lid
Plastic wrap
Instructions:
1. Boil water and add black tea, Leave to
infuse for at least two to three hours (overnight
is better).
2. When the tea is finished steeping, pour
it through a strainer to keep leaves and sediment
out of the henna mixture.
3. Pour the henna powder into a plastic bowl
and add the oil to the powder. Do not mix.
4. Add three tablespoons of the tea to the
powder one at a time and stir.
5. Press the mixture into the sides of the
bowl to smooth it out.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and seal
with a lid. Place away from light and leave
for 12 hours.
7. Use a spoon to smooth any remaining lumps.
8. The henna paste should be about the consistency
of toothpaste. If it is too runny, add more
henna powder, if it is too thick, add water
or tea a few drops at a time and mix.
9. The henna is now ready to use and can be
stored for two to three days.
Application
Many artists apply designs with homemade henna
cones. Plastic applicator squeeze bottles
fitted with a metal tip are also common and
often easier to use. These bottles, used in
silk-screening, can be found at most art supply
stores.
Ingredients:
Henna paste and applicator
Eucalyptus oil
Cotton balls
Paper towels
Cotton swabs
Toothpicks
Straight pins
Vegetable oil
Mixture of lemon juice and sugar (1/2 lemon
to 1 teaspoon sugar)
Instructions:
1. Shave hair from area to be painted.
2. Wash and dry the area thoroughly.
3. Gently massage a drop of oil into the area.
4. Apply the henna design.
5. Use cotton and toothpicks to smooth lines
and fix mistakes. Pins can be used to clear
applicator tips.
6. Let henna dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
7. Using a cotton ball, moisten the design
with lemon and sugar mixture after it dries.
Continue moistening as it dries for 12 to
20 hours. The longer the paste stays on the
skin, the better the henna will penetrate.
8. Remove the henna paste with a cotton ball
dipped in vegetable oil.
9. Avoid wetting the design for as long as
possible, at least four hours and up to one
day.
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| Download this PDF file to learn how to prepare henna and get tattoo stencils. |
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