If you are new to henna painting, this recipe is a good start, but look around at what other practitioners are doing too. Keep in mind that no recipe is a guarantee of immediate success because there are a great many variables that affect the results you get, so you have to be willing to inquire and experiment until you find a combination of materials and techniques that works for you.
What will you require to prepare a paste of henna :
A general rule in mixing henna is that the more acidic the mixture, the darker the stain. If the paste doesn't give a dark enough stain, add lemon or lime juice to the paste.
Strain the
juice from one lemon or lime into the bowl with
the henna powder, and stir the mixture, adding
just enough lemon or lime juice to make the henna
form a paste as thick as cookie dough. Save at
least one more lemon or lime for the next day.
Add just
enough very hot, very strong tea or coffee to
make the henna paste a little softer than tooth
paste, then stir the paste until it is very
smooth. Cover the henna paste and leave it over
night for the dye to develop.
Designing with Henna
I don't
do any special skin preparation before applying
henna. My experience has been that if the skin is
clean and dry, and free of residues from lotions
and oils, and if the henna paste is acidic
enough, the henna paste will color the skin
without any other treatment.
The dye in the henna will be most effective on the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. The henna will usually show less strongly on other parts of the body.
Heat and perspiration will make the dye darker on the skin. Also, the henna will dye more strongly if it is kept moist and left on the skin for at least six hours. Wrapping is a good way to hold the henna in place and keep it from drying so the dye will make a dark stain on the skin.
How to make a cone for applying
henna...
Well-sifted
henna can be used to make the lace-like patterns
seen in traditional Pakistani henna decoration. A
cone made of a piece of plastic cut out of a
freezer bag is a good tool for applying fine and
intricate decorations.
Cut a
square 5"x5" out of a plastic freezer
bag. Have 10 1" to 2" pieces of tape
ready. Put a tablespoon of henna paste on the
center of the plastic square. The henna should be
about the consistency of toothpaste.
Fold up
one side, then the other to make a cone shape. (as shown in a
picture)
Roll the
tip of the cone between your thumb and forefinger
until the hole at the tip of the cone is about
the diameter of a sewing needle, then wrap the
plastic around the sides of the cone around
smoothly and neatly.
Secure the
sides and firm the cone tip with tape. Fold down
the top and tape it. Tape every spot that is
likely to ooze henna all over your hands when you
squeeze the cone. Also, wrap tape around the tip
of the cone to hold its shape. A tapestry needle
is a handy tool for keeping the tip clear so the
henna paste flows smoothly. (as shown in the picture)
Use the
cone as you would a cake decorator to make fine
lines by gently squeezing the henna paste out of
the tip.
Now with the help of
the cone you can apply it in the design one is
comfortable with.
