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.)