Fresh henna paste is ready - an introduction to the process of making a good paste.

Henna paste that gives the deepest, longest lasting color, takes me 48 hours to prepare. It is possible to get a good paste in 24 hours, but the best paste, in my humble opinion, is given time and temperature for the henna leaves to release their dye.

On Wednesday morning I began the process by melting two "cubes" of prepared henna tea (I learned to mix a tea over 10 years ago, and have been adjusting it ever since,) adding some lemon juice, and after letting that cool, I added three henna powders to the liquid.

It is important for me to select a good texture for the paste on the first day. I find it better to make a bit thicker paste on the first day, that way I can adjust it with essential oils and other liquids to make it the consistency that I prefer to work with on day two.

After mixing the tea, lemon, powder and a touch of cajeput oil on day one, I put this in a stainless steel bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, but that wrap in a plastic bag, and put that on the porch to cure in the sun.

The warm summer sun on the porch helps the henna to release the dye. On the morning of the second day, I check to see if the dye has been released. This can be determined by just looking at the paste in the bowl. The past will be darker and you may see a reddish liquid at the bottom of the bowl.

On the second day I add a combination of essential oils ( called "terping") to help the paste continue to release the darkest dye, as well, to make the paste into a workable texture. I have learned over the years that a more liquid paste is easier to apply, stays wet on the skin longer, and gives a darker color.

I now use about 8 oils in the blend, although not all the oils each time. Sometimes I mix the batch with fewer. Oils that I have use are:

• clove
• cajeput
• basil
• neroli
• naioli
• cardamom
• tea tree
• geranium
• lavender

You can visit other sites to see lists of other oils. I am satisfied with the nice reds I am able to get on the back of the hand using this method. 

If you have a look at the video below, you will see a nice, fluid paste that goes on well. I like to use this viscosity myself. I hope you find this post helpful. 

You may see colors of the results of this recipe on my FaceBook page.

How To Make Henna Mehendi Designs Bridal Mehendi by Sunil Kumar

Henna Paste - Yes, there are secrets to great color!

This is a fine example (un-retouched) of a good henna stain. As is always true, the best color is achieved on the palms of the hands.

The palm is the most porous and fleshy part of the tattooable body. However, the kind of color that you see in this photo occurs when the finest quality paste is used.

Recently, shoppers buying boxes of henna at Midnight Sun have asked about the process.  They wonder what to do with this box of powder.

To be helpful, I have published a basic henna paste recipe on my site. It is not the recipe I am using this year, as I have perfected the basics to get a paste that I like very much. It is easy to apply, takes to the skin very well, and gives a good read color even on the back of the hands.

Important things to know about making a great paste are:

• It takes two days preparation to get the very best paste. The first day you mix the henna with lemon juice. I use lemon juice and a special tea composed of spices, herbs, flowers and other ingredients to help the henna stay to the skin and of course to give the darkest color possible. The second day you add the essential oils. 
• You get the best henna paste in the spring or summer time. Why? Because you can put the henna in the sun. Henna is a heat activated dye. Heat is required to get the powder to release the day. (As well, heat helps the paste cure in the skin.)  I put my paste in a metal bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, put that in a sealed bag, and set it on the porch. The bowl is covered to prevent the paste from drying out. 
• It is important to make the paste thin enough so that it is easy to work with. A more liquid paste handles well, and it penetrates the skin better. 
• I use a plastic cone to apply the henna. The squeeze bottle becomes difficult to work with overtime. You may cut off the tip of the cone to create the smallest opening that is possible for a good henna flow. If a line is too thin, you can go back over it. If a line is too think, there is not much to do about that as a good paste will begin to stain instantly.
• It is wise to invest in a good collection of essential oils. I have at least 6 that I use on any given paste. They include: cajeput, lavender, geranium, basil, cardamom, clove, neroli, tea tree, and... one or two more. You can visit different site to see what kinds of oils other artists use.
• I prefer henna powder from Henna Sooq at this time. I have used others, and there are many fine providers, but I am having excellent results with a combination of three powders from that company. 

In short, I have been working to make the a good henna paste for over 10 years. I have learned a good deal in the process. I encourage you to enjoy the journey. I do not recommend using premixed henna cones from a local store. If you want to buy henna cones already made to use, then visit a site that sells you fresh/frozen henna and ships it via Priority Mail. 

Hoping you found this post helpful. 

Namaste.

Fine line bridal quality henna paste on & off! See the finished color.

It is always a pleasure to provide the special service of fine line henna tattoo. Usually a client will find something in one of the intricate pattern books on hand. I have a good collection of traditional henna tattoo patterns from India, and often something there will spark the beginnings of a pattern.

In general, the purpose of henna tattoo is to make the woman's had appear even more lovely, and so pattern book designs are adjusted to fit. Here are photos of fine line henna with the paste on and then off the skin.

For this recipe I used three kinds of henna powder from Henna Sooq, home made tea with lots of herbs, spices and flowers as well as a good mix of essential oils to help the henna release the best color. If you watch this blog, you will see that the finished color on many photos is really quite red. I hope to provide this quality of color for the rest of the season. 

Prices are by the design if you are ordering one hand only and by the hours for traditional bridal henna. Namaste. 

What color is a finished henna tattoo? Here are some photos.

Many people are still confused about henna! The see photos of paste on the skin and think that the black paste is the henna tattoo. The paste on the skin is the beginning of a process that will give the various shades of red to reddish brown that are indeed the true colors of henna.

Each person is different. The same henna paste may give a dark color on one person and an lighter color on another. There are so many factors that influence colors. More info on finished color is on my site.

I am posting some "paste on // paste off" photos over the coming weeks for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy. This first photo is a sunflower mandala pattern.. notice the shading on the petals?

Now look at the finished photo below. You will see that the shading worked out rather well. Come visit the blog again to see colors of finished henna tattoos on all different skin types. Please like Spirit Vision Henna on Facebook! That is a good way to see the latest henna patterns. The blog is still a very good way to learn about henna.

Our new discovery is that coconut oil gives a very good finished color. (If you recently received a henna tattoo from Spirit Vision, please feel welcome to send a photo of your finished color after 48 hours. This gracious client did just that.)

Bridal Quality Henna Tattoo • Jacksonville Henna Artist

Here are photos of bridal quality henna tattoo. I was pleased to have a large collection of traditional designs from India and a customer who wanted to splurge a bit. It is with gratitude that I post this art.

If you would like to experience the fine art of henna tattoo, please feel welcome to walk in on Friday afternoons. The artist for Spirit Vision Henna is usually at Midnight Sun, 1055 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204 between 12:30 and 5:00 through out the summer. 

(Of course is is always wise to call ahead. Visit her FaceBook page for more photos. Pricing for Bridal Quality is usually by the hour.)

Colors of Henna Tattoo on Dark Skin, African/American Skin • Spirit Vision Henna

I am very grateful to my lovely model for helping me to photograph the process of henna tattoo from paste on the skin through a 48 hour development time.  

Many people do not understand that when they see a photo such the one below, that they are looking at am image of henna paste on the skin. 

This is the first part of the henna tattoo process. This paste will stay on at least 12 hours if you are careful and this look can last all day.

The next photo shows the color of this very same henna pattern taken about 18 hours after the paste as applied and about 8 hours after the paste was removed. This photo was taken under a different light, and on a different background, but you can clearly see the reddish brown color developing on the back of the hand and the darker color on the finger tips.

This next photos shows the result after 48 hours with good aftercare. 

Good aftercare includes regular moisturizing, keeping the hand out of chlorinated water, and avoiding petroleum products. You can see the "black cherry" color best at the finger tips and knuckles. On the back of the hand there is a nice deep red design in place.

It is the case that dark skin colors get excellent results with henna tattoo. 

For all skin types, the very best color will always be on the palms of the hands.  This is because the palms are fleshy and porous and allow the henna dye to penetrate most deeply. FMI visit my FAQ page.

Henna Time is Finally Here! Friday 4/11/14 at The Midnight Sun

It is warm enough, often enough, for a good start to henna season. Recently clients have been phoning for henna appointments. Here are a few answers to the FAQ of temporary body art.

1) Henna is available on Friday from 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm at The Midnight Sun.
2) No appointment is required for Friday service.
3) Henna is never black, the photos of black henna are paste on the skin.
4) Henna tattoo lasts longest if you take good care of your skin after the tattoo is applied.
5) Henna prices start at $15 and go up from there. That is the minimum price for adults.
5) Henna belongs on the hands, arms, feet and legs.
6) I do not put henna on the face or neck.
7) Henna tattoo is actually a heat activated body stain this means:

• The longer the paste stays on your skin the darker the finished color will be.
• The hotter it is, the more your pores open, and the deeper the finished color.
• Keeping olive oil on the finished design helps your color last longest.
• Keeping your design out of chlorinated water preserves the design. 
• Please, no lotion on skin!! Henna does not penetrate moisturizer. 
• Henna can be applied to all skin colors. 

If you have additional questions, please visit Spirit Vision Henna Tattoo! 

Traditional Henna Patterns for the Back of the Hands

I do not offer henna tattoo for sale during cold weather months as it is much more difficult for clients to get good color, however,  I did a henna for a visiting friend.

We were able to keep the paste on skin wet for awhile by applying lemon sugar. As well, once the paste was glazed and dry, I wrapped her hands, first in tissue, then in plastic food service style gloves.

Wrapping henna provides a way for the henna to "heat up" and the pores of the skin to open to receive the dye. Here is a photo of the pattern with paste on the skin.