Monday, May 17, 2010

Henna Tattoo for the Back

Here is a photo of a henna tattoo on the back. This is a photo of the henna paste on the skin. The impact of the black paste on the white skin is quite striking. However, it is not advised to put henna on the back.

There are several reasons for this, and the primary reason is that the finished color will not be as dark as henna on the hands, arms, feet or legs. In fact, I do not recommend that you put henna on your back unless you are willing to go to extra effort to ensure good color.

Every ones skin type is different, and some people may get a good result for a henna tattoo on the back with aftercare. It is much more likely that I will get a complaint from a client that henna tattoo on the upper back is not very dark. There is very little I can to to correct this.

For most people, the pores of the back are small, the upper back may be oily in nature and these factors inhibit the henna from deeply penetrating the skin. It is also quite easy to smudge the henna when driving home!

Here is a photo of the Phoenix Tattoo 48 hours later. As you can see, my client went the extra mile to get a good finished color.

As henna is a heat activated dye, applications of olive oil and sunshine ( or perhaps a tanning bed ) gave the henna the extra push necessary to get dark color on the back in this air-conditioned Western world.

If you click to enlarge the photo, you will see that the darkest color is in the lower back. Sometimes it is possible to get a good finished color on the lower back... especially for women.

This pattern was a special order for a special occasion, and extra time was spent to keep the henna wet on the skin as long as possible ( lemon sugar glaze with essential oils was applied regularly over a two hour period to help the henna penetrate the skin.)

I do not offer this kind of henna at the Midnight Sun. The fee for this size and quality of work is $85 an hour. There may be some artists who are able to get a better color than I for the back. If you are out there.. please leave a comment on the blog so others can find you.

Or... feel welcome to post a tip to help us all get darker results on the back.  With all best wishes,

Ann George - Henna Artist - Spirit Vision Henna in Jacksonville, Florida

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Contemporary Henna Pattern - for the active woman

Here is a photo of a henna tattoo (paste is on the skin - not black henna) for the active woman.

You will see that there is a lacy henna pattern on the palm, rather whimsical, yet incorporating traditional components.

However, the fingers and thumbs are free of henna paste, so work can continue for the three to six hours necessary to get the darkest henna color.

The palm will always show the true beauty of henna.. yielding colors ranging from rose, to red.. and in some cases, with good aftercare, black cherry red.

To ensure the darkest color, leave the paste on the skin as long as possible. It is also good to enjoy the outdoors! Heat is good for henna, water is not.

If you want your henna color to last as long as possible, no matter where you put it... the once you remove the paste, cover the design with olive oil to seal in the color & some body heat.

If you must wash anything.. please remember .. a bit of olive oil over the henna tattoo keeps water out and color in. For more information on the henna tattoo process, visit the FAQ page on my site.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Tribal Henna Patterns for Men

Here is an example of a freehand tribal style henna tattoo. Bold tribal henna is a good choice for men who want the experience of henna tattoo.

This design, while seeming very geometric, also has components found in traditional African patterns.

Henna always gives the darkest color on the palms of the hands. This is because of the nature of the skin on the palm - very porous - and fleshy.

The porous nature of the skin enables the paste to penetrate deeply. Also, as we sweat from the palm, the henna paste may stay moist on the skin longer, which helps get a better finished color.

If you would like henna tattoo in the Greater Jacksonville Florida area, please call Spirit Vision Henna.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Simple Henna Pattern - Design for the Back of the Hand.

This simple henna tattoo is a modification of a design by Kim of  Hasina Mehndi. She has generously offered free henna tattoo designs for other artists to use.

If you visit her site, you will certainly enjoy a very elegant style of henna tattoo! and beautiful examples of gilding.

This elegant henna is just a bit of one of those free henna patterns adjusted to please the client.

The body art of henna tattoo is used to enhance the natural beauty of the hands and feet.

I believe this pattern, in this position, accomplishes that goal. For henna tattoo this summer, please call for an appointment.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Full Palm Henna Tattoo - Traditional Henna Design

Here is a photo of a full palm henna tattoo. Henna always gives the reddest, richest, darkest stain on the palms of the hands.

It is traditional to put henna on the palms. If you have never had the experience, a soothing relaxing, aromatherapy moment.. please consider bringing a driver with you for a traditional henna tattoo.

It is pampering in the extreme... and the gorgeous henna tattoo left once the paste is removed is quite exotic, and exciting. This is a photo of henna paste on the skin.

Under this black paste, henna, a heat-activated body dye, is penetrating layers of the skin. The longer you leave the paste on, and the hotter you get.. the darker the finished color.

There are all sorts of aftercare tricks to give you the deepest possible stain.. but most folks choose a simple henna.. and thus it is not as important to push for dark color.

Bridal henna is another matter... but you may visit other posts on this blog to learn more about that. If you are interested in henna tattoo, either for yourself, a party, wedding, gallery opening or other event, please feel welcome to call Ann George at Spirit Vision Henna.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Traditional Henna - Freehand Henna Tattoo - It's a Good Thing!

Here is a photo of a traditional style henna tattoo. This design is quite intricate, and is covers the fingers, hand and a bit of the lower arm.

This is a free hand or chef's choice henna and a photo of henna paste on the skin. The finished color will be shades of red to reddish brown.

The color will be darkest on the tips of the fingers, and become lighter as the paste moves  up the arm.

Spirit Vision Henna artist Ann George will create a unique henna design to suit both your hand, and your budget.

Enjoy the benefits of temporary body art... no pain.. no commitment.

Namaste.