Hand Designs To Try

Need some idea's for mehndi designs? Try some of these techniques and see how you do. This is an Indian mehndi design I've created - try being creative yourself and add to it!

Remember that to add depth to the henna designs try doubling up the outlines of the flowers with extra mehndi layers, I wasn't able to do that here unfortunately!

Mehndi Hand Design - The Net

The 'net' hand for mehndi designs is very popular and looks amazing. Here's the technique on how to do it. Start off with washing your hands and adding some oil to moisturize your hands ie: olive oil, sunflower, or eucalyptus.

Most henna artists like to make an outline of where they would like to create their design. Since this is the net design you should make an outline on your hand like the picture below:

 Start off making vertical lines at a 60 - 65 degree angle from one end to the next.

Then try making the same lines going in the opposite direction. Don't worry if your lines are not perfect, just make sure that your lines are making a diamond shape while crossing with the other lines.

Now on the inside corners of each diamond add a simple dot as close to the lines as possible - below I've spread them apart so you have an idea of what I'm talking about.

Your result should look like this:

Once you get the hang of doing this technique you can add to it how you like. Below is an example of a hijab style using this technique.
 

Good Luck!

Different Uses for Mehndi - Part 2

Mehndi has two main uses nowadays - colour and decoration. Mehndi designs have become so specific that anything decorated in the same technique, no matter what material used, is considered a 'mehndi/henna design'.

As candles are being decorated with actual mehndi being used to make the designs they also use dimensional paints in order to add colours and glitter to the design. Candles, candle holders, picture frames, glass items and other such things are decorated with mehndi designs using glass paints and dimensional paints.

The colour of mehndi is used for dying hair and fabrics.  You can purchase hair care products made with henna to colour your hair a deep red colour. Normally you would find it in an Indian grocery shop but you can also make your own as there are plenty of Youtube videos showing you how. Mehndi keeps your hair soft and resilient naturally which is why it's used by a lot South Asian women.

Different Uses for Mehndi - Part 1

Mehndi is also used for decorating not only the hands and feet but also for hair, home decor items, and even food! Henna designs are the new trend when you want something different in your everyday decoration. 

Candles designed with mehndi have become a huge home decor trend, and not only with the south asian community. Designers sometimes use glitter, rhinestones and what not to add more colour and shine to their design. It's easy to do if you can get the hang of making mehndi designs and a great way to give your home a bit of culture.

How To Make Hijab Cones

Making the cones for your paste is very simple. All you need is either Floraphane or Cellophane sheets which you can find in any gift shop. Cut out a square shape approx 8 inches and roll it into a cone starting from one corner.

Once you have the cone shape tape down the end flap.

Fill the cone with mehndi paste (see my blog on how to make mehndi paste!). Make sure you don't over fill the cone, leave an 2 cm gap from the top of the cone not the corner of the sheet. Once filled you can fold the top flap several times over the cone and then tape that down as well. Tape it well!

 

Snip a tiny corner at the tip of the cone no bigger than the size of a pin if you wish to make intricate designs, and voila you are done!

 Good luck! :)

 

How To Make Mehndi Paste

Everyone has their way of making mehndi and here's mine. First of all you need to start off with buying yourself a henna powder which you can usually find in one of your local Indian/Pakistani grocery shops.  You should always sift the powder before you start making the paste because when you make your cone you don't want bits coming out or twigs stopping your paste from flowing smoothly.

Once you are satisfied that there is nothing in the powder you need to make your liquid to help improve the colour of the mehndi.  You will need:

1. Cloves - 1 tbsp
2. Lemon juice - half or 1 tbsp
3. Instant Coffee - 2 tbsp

Boil the cloves and coffee in about 1 cup of water for about 10-15 minutes and then sift into a cup or container. Add the lemon juice. If you are using a fresh lemon make sure you don't get any pulp or seeds into the mixture. 

Using a normal table spoon just add about 2-4 spoonfuls to about half a cup of mehndi powder until you have a thick smooth paste. Once you are satisfied that there are no lumps in the paste add more liquid until the paste becomes as runny as, lets say, as heavy cream!

More to come stay tuned!

Naqsh-e-Henna

The Pakistani Mehndi Ceremony - Part 2

The ceremony begins where the bride-to-be is dressed up in traditional colours such as green, yellow or orange and usually goes without make-up. She enters the room with her friends or sisters who hold a veil over her head as they lead her onto a stage.  If the groom-to-be is having his mehndi with the bride-to-be then he enters the ceremony the same way with his friends or relatives holding the veil over his head.

The stage is usually decorated with curtains, flowers, fancy chairs for her to sit and a table filled with sweets, bangles, mehndi and candles.  The bride sits on stage as she is given to hold a leaf, a piece of paper or a paper note to hold with mehndi in it. Then one by one the married female relatives come to feed her sweets or put bangles on her or both; wishing her luck, a happy life and their blessings.  If the groom-to-be is joining her then the same is done to him. I don't think anyone actually puts oil in his hair as it's an old tradition!

Normally there will be song and dance and this is a chance for their relatives and friends to tease the bride-to-be and groom-to-be and to hopefully help them relieve any stresses they should have. The mehndi ceremony is symbolic as it is supposed to bring a good life and longevity to the bride.

 

Naqsh-e-Henna

The Pakistani Mehndi Ceremony

In Pakistan the mehndi ceremony is usually called a 'tael mehndi' (oil and mehndi) ceremony. Traditionally the groom-to-be and the bride-to-be would hold their ceremonies separately, but nowadays the choice is up to the family to hold a ceremony together or of their own accord. The mehndi is supposed to be applied to the bride-to-be and the oil is supposed to be applied to the hair of the groom-to-be.

Nowadays however as the bride usually prefers to have her mehndi done professionally they have their mehndi done in a parlour or call a professional mehndi artist to their home if none of their relatives are experienced enough. It's not usually applied at the mehndi ceremony.

More to come soon!

Naqsh-e-Henna

The Indian Mehndi Ceremony

The mehndi ceremony for the Indian/Hindu culture is held before the bride-to-be gets married. It is a time of ceremonious dancing and singing as well as the gathering of family, friends and relatives just before the wedding.  Firstly the bride-to-be is 'beautified' by having turmeric paste applied to her face, feet and hands to brighten her complexion for the big day. Once that is removed they apply  mehndi on her arms down to her hands and on her feet up to her knees.

The guests all participate in song and dance and a bit of teasing of the bride-to-be to help ease her tension and stress for the big day.  Usually all the women who are attending the wedding have mehndi put on their hands, but it's never has elaborate as the brides mehndi.
Traditionally mehndi is a necessity for the bride to be for several reasons:

1. The deeper the colour is represents the love that the husband will have for his wife as well as the understanding the bride will have with her mother-in-law.

2. It is known to symbolize fertility and a happy marriage.

3. As mehndi is known for it's cooling effects it is especially applied to ward off stress and any illnesses before the wedding day.

It is also tradition that if the bride is to move into her in-law's home she is not to do any chores until her mehndi fades away.

Mehndi is usually applied at night and not removed until the next morning. The groom-to-be also has mehndi added to his hand but not as decoratively as the bride. It is applied to the man subtly as a mark of a good omen.

Mehndi Ceremony

Mehndi has become such a tradition in south Asia that before a bride gets married they have a day set just before the wedding for the cultural 'Mehndi Ceremony'.  Traditionally it's just a day where the bride-to-be and groom-to-be are set on a stage while their relatives sing and dance around them. Sometimes it's just set for brides-to-be but sometimes the groom-to-be is also invited or hold their own party.

The tradition is that relatives, friends or henna artists would apply decorative mehndi on the bride-to-be on this day, but sometimes brides-to-be will apply their mehndi from a salon by a professional rather then have it done at the actually ceremony.

More to come about mehndi ceremony's very soon!

The History of Mehndi - Part 2

Traditionally in India during the Moghul period mehndi used to be applied simply by just spreading the paste all over the palms of the feet and hands including the nails. Over time the application started to become decorative where instead of just spreading it all over the palm of the hand they would just put a circle in the centre of the hand and just dip the tips of the fingers in the mehndi.

Since then mehndi has been coned and refined and requires quite a lot of skill to apply. Brides nowadays demand professional looking mehndi and perfection where a simple blob won't do!

I remember the time where mehndi was introduced to the western world by a popular music artist at the time who was trying to find herself - can you guess who? Yes that's right it was Madonna. She went from discovering Judaism to discovering the art and culture of Indian henna and jewellery.

So as she brought it back with her to the U.S. the rest of us who were already introducing mehndi to our friends in school were forgotten!
But I digress...

Mehndi art designs have become so popular that nowadays they are used for decorating homes and even food items. For example it's become a trend to have mehndi art decorated on such things as candles, picture frames, jewellery boxes as well as cakes and other decorating desserts.

Mehndi will be continued to be used throughout and it's only a matter of time before it invades everyone's home.

Naqsh-e-Henna

The History of Mehndi

Mehndi has been around for thousands of years being used to bring good health, fertility and protect one from the 'evil eye'. We know mehndi today to be used by females for decorating parts of their bodies such as their hands and feet for special occasions like weddings or religious holidays.  The idea that it has been used for medicinal purposes or warding off evil has long since been forgotten.

The only visible evidence that suggests how long mehndi has been around is on female Egyptian mummies where hair, nails and hands have been found to be covered with mehndi.

The only written evidence I can suggest about mehndi being used dates back to around the 6th century where traditionally mehndi leaves were being used for it's healing abilities by Muslims or Arabs. It was known to heal wounds, illnesses such as small pox or leprosy, and improve the condition of hair and nails.  It was also known to keep the skin cool which is mostly why it was treated as a hair dye more than anything. Since Arabs mostly populated the deserts of the Middle East heat was a great factor in their lives.

It is said that the traditional mehndi we see today was re-introduced by the Mughals to the rich and elite families of India. Since then the recipe has been refined to improve the intensity of colour and ease of application.

More to come about the history of mehndi - stay tuned!

The Colour of Mehndi

When I was first introduced to Mehndi I was about 12. Now I'm not that old, but henna wasn't even introduced into the world at that time. What amazed me most was how long it lasted on my hand - at least 3 weeks! I was back in the homeland at a time when mehndi wasn't altered in any way nor filled with any chemicals like they have now.
Although I have to admit that after a week I kind of get tired of looking at the fading mehndi design over my hands. So I guess it's a good thing that mehndi doesn't last that long any more!
So lets get with the colour of mehndi. Initially mehndi comes out an orange colour if it's not mixed with anything but water. Actually if you put coffee or tea in it as well it just comes out orange.

If you purchase your mehndi from a professional 'mixer' then you will get a lovely dark mahogany red colour. Sometimes mehndi turns darker during the day, and then starts to fade in about a week.

The most dangerous kind of colour mehndi is black mehndi.  Such mehndi is mixed with a chemical called ParaPhenylenediamine or PPD for short.  PPD in mehndi will only take 2 hours to stain your skin black, and will last at least 2 weeks. Such mehndi penetrates deep into the skin and can reach as far as your blood stream.  Having such a toxin in your system can be extremely dangerous because not only on the off-hand chance you might just only get a skin infection, but constant use of such mehndi it will embed in your system and the toxins will start to collect into your major organs like your liver and kidney. This can cause serious damage and possibly expose you to cancer.

I'm not a professional mixer I'll tell you that now. I have however heard of other ways of turning mehndi black or near to black colour without the side effects, but I'll have to research a bit more on that before I can share it with you.
 

Mehndi Fun

Welcome to the land of Mehndi - pictures and tutorials coming to you from me! I personally can't do mehndi justice, but I love it just the same and any die hard henna fan would. By the by if you haven't figured it out yet, mehndi does mean henna - there is no difference between the two. That's your lesson for today...

So lets get on with it shall we? :)

Naqsh-e-Henna