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.

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.

I want henna tattoo today!! Why can't I get one?

Spirit Vision Henna is hoping for Spring! For warm, dry, sunny weather...... for henna weather to happen.

Thanks to all who are calling to make appointments for henna tattoo. I am so sorry that I have not been able to accommodate you.

Henna is a heat activated body art. The best paste happens when all the ingredients combined are allowed to rest in warm weather for a day or two. The heat releases the dye from the crushed henna leaves and this is how we get a good paste.

The photo on the right is a picture of the henna paste on the skin. This is not how your finished henna will look, but is a photo of the process.

If you notice, the shading technique was used so that this design when finished will have very bold lines as well as shaded areas.

To get deep rich henna tattoo, it is best to apply the paste when the weather is warm.... 75 degrees at the very least, and 80+ is best. It is also easier to get a good outcome when the weather is dry. (This way, you won't get rain on your henna, and the paste won't smudge or be damaged by water droplets.)

I usually pick one day a week to offer henna, and is seems this year, 2013, henna will happen on Saturdays at The Midnight Sun, 1055 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204 - weather permitting. Please call 904-993-7466 to schedule your henna appointment.

I have not made up any paste for this Saturday, but see that Wednesday of next week looks like a good day to make the paste. For more information on the paste, ingredients and the henna process, please visit my page about henna powder.

If you scroll down the page a bit, you will see some of the ingredients used. It is the combination of these ingredients, plus the application of a lemon sugar glaze, and good after care by the customer that results in a finished henna tattoo like the one you see pictured at left.

You will notice the color is darker at the fingertips and and fades to brown as you get near the wrist. This is completely natural. This is the quality of color I hope to offer you every time.

To be able to offer this kind of color, I prepare the paste two days ahead. This is why I prefer to do henna by appointment, or on the same day each work.

This is photo of "bridal quality" henna. I have plenty of design books to choose from, or you may have a freehand henna design like the one you see here.

Henna Tattoo for the Palm • Available This Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.

Here is a photo of a quick henna tattoo for the palm.

The palm is another excellent place to put henna tattoo as it is still a bit early in the year, and we don't have the hot temperatures necessary to give the darkest color.

Henna on the palm of the hand always gives the darkest stain, and depending on your skin tone, you may expect any color from a dark red, black cherry red or a deep rich brown.

Henna takes best on the palms as we have more pores there, so more places for henna to penetrate the skin.

The inner arm, or the outer arm as shown in the previous post, will also give good color.

As the weather warms up, it will be easier to put henna in other places and hope for a nice dark stain.

For those new to henna, this is a photo of the henna paste on the skin. Henna is not black when finished.

If it rains this Saturday, some care will be necessary to ensure your henna tattoo stays dry until the paste has stained the skin. Curious? Visit my FAQ page before stopping by The Midnight Sun this Saturday, 3/23/13 for your henna tattoo.