BEAUTY

The Beauty of Henna Designs

 

Henna is a natural dye which is derived from the dried, crushed leaves of a shrub called Lawsonia inermis. Though the leaves are green, the dye produced ranges. Research has shown that it is henna that produces the lovely reddish hair colour favoured by many Middle Eastern and North African women. It is also used to paint designs upon the body, traditionally the palms and soles, for the purposes of beauty for a bride, various festivals, celebrations and also spiritual benefits in other parts of the world. The historical trail of henna began in ancient Egypt, but today it is used in almost all parts of the world. Much of the modern revival of henna derives from its popularity in India and Pakistan. It is however, believed that the plant arrived in India as a gift from Egypt and there is much debate as to when it actually arrived on the subcontinent, perhaps as late as the Mogul Empire.

How to mix and apply henna: There is no one or special way to mix henna. Different henna artists have their different and peculiar ways of mixing their favorite hennas; they have their methods as well as their tools. People have different skin types, some respond well to one henna, others respond well to some other. What might work perfectly for one person may not work for the other. Henna can be stored in an airtight, light- proof container in your freezer; when stored this way, it can stay good for years. But when kept in the light, in an open or hot place, it will lose its dye potency.

 

What is needed to mix your henna paste? Basically, not much! First you will need a container, henna and lemon juice: Not so much is needed to make a good henna paste. Your henna and lemon juice can get you started. Mix your paste in a plastic bowl using a plastic spoon. Metal bowl and spoon are not advisable to use because the acidic henna mix can react with some metals and tarnish them. When you apply the paste on the skin, remember that the paste has to stay on the skin for a while to make a stain.  The longer you leave the henna pastes on your skin, the better the result. To keep henna on your skin from falling off, add some sugar to it. This makes it stick better and makes the henna paste smoother and silkier to work with.

Remember that hennas are different, so also is the day. On humid days you may need less sugar, and on dry days, you may need more. Add some grape or lemon fruit juice or anything sour. Add whatever sour liquid you want to use, little bit at a time, stirring it in. when your henna paste is well mixed, you’ve stirred in enough sour liquid for a start, then cover the henna paste with plastic wrap, press out all the air, and let it rest for a while. Henna paste doesn’t stain your skin until it releases the dye. That’s when the sour stuff beaks up the cellulose of the henna leaves, and makes the dye available. This takes some time though, and will be slower or faster if it’s cooler or hotter. After applying, leave for a while and allow the henna paste to dry off on your skin. Then, by choice, you can wash off the henna from  your skin. By this time, the henna must have gained and reveal the stain that is required on your skin. Leave for a while to dry up and the beauty designs of henna on your skin will be clearly revealed.

By Rifkatu Yusuf