Henna tattoo or Temporary tattoo or Mehndi tattoo

Henna or mehndi as it is popularly known in India, has been in use for thousands of years both for hair coloration as well as to decorate the hands and feet with henna designs. Henna is used to make henna tattoo or temporary tattoo.

Henna is a natural vegetable color made from the leaf of a tropical shrub called Lawsonia Inermis. It was revived in the sixties on account of the general interest in natural products and the sheen it gave to the hair. In ancient Egypt, henna was used to dye finger nails as well as the hair. Women also used it to color their breasts and navels. The Pharaohs were buried with their wigs and beards (worn by women and men) dyed with henna.

In some countries, sacks of henna are a traditional part of the bridal dowry and henna is also associated with religion and superstition. Berber women of Morocco dye their hands and feet both as decoration and to ward off the evil spirits of the earth. In India, women of all religions, be it Marwari or a Muslim; apply henna tattoo on their hands (and sometimes legs) on auspicious occasions. But nowadays, the trend has changed and you find girls using temporary tattoo more as a make up of the hand. Hence the traditional Indian concept that a mehndi symbolises a bride no longer holds good.

So if you wish to save yourself a trip to the parlour each time you want to have your palms intricately decorated with henna tattoo, then follow these ideas of how to make your own henna cones at home and spend your time designing. This article explodes the myth that one must have a flair for drawing in order to get the best henna tattoo or temporary tattoo designs. "In the beginning, you may find your hand a bit shaky and your tattoo design may not be upto the mark. After all practice makes a woman perfect.'' Creativity is at its peak when you do bridal mehndi (temporary tattoo for wedding). It takes anything over 5 hours to do both the hands and legs. Bridal henna designs are usually the dholi (palanquin), rath (chariot), floral sketchesand anything that gives one an auspicious feeling''.

Henna Cones : - How to make henna cones

Take a polythene sheet, 4"x 4" Cut at one corner, hold it in one of your fingers and roll out into a cone. Put the henna paste into it and close it in a 'paan' shape. Seal it with a cello-tape to make the cone firm. Hold the cone like a pencil and start making designs on the palm.

Henna paste : - Making henna paste & applying henna tattoo (temporary tattoo) on palms

Step 1

In order to make 4 cones of henna one has to use 100 grams henna. Henna powder available in the market can be used. The first step is to sieve the henna twice with the help of a nylon or a muslin cloth (nylon cloth is preferable).

STEP 2

Boil in one cup of water 1 tsp of tea leaves, 1 tsp sugar, a few pieces of tamarind and 1 tsp methi (fenugreek). Keep this mixture for at least 10 minutes and then strain this mixture. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or henna oil to the henna powder and make a fine paste with the strained water. This paste should be kept for a minimum of 1 hour or a maximum of 24 hours.

Step 3

Stir henna paste well, before putting it in the cone. Apply eucalyptus oil on your palms and feet before making the designs.

STEP 4

As the henna design starts drying, apply a mixture of l lime and half tsp sugar with the help of cotton at least thrice. A person who perspires more should apply the mixture only twice.

STEP 5

Henna should be kept on for 6 to 8 hours. Before removing it, apply mustard oil. Remove the henna with the help of the blunt side of the knife. Don't wash your hand for at least 6 to 8 hours in order to get good results.

If henna color is too light :-

1. Heat the powder of 5 or 6 cloves on a tava (pan)and put your palms over the steam for a few minutes.

2. Apply a little balm after removing the henna. In place of balm, you can also apply half tsp of oil and try to get a darker colour in a short time.

3. Wash your hands with a soap solution to give longer life to your henna design.