Henna has been used for centuries by people for body art and/or hair. Using a 100% natural product is the best way to go, and always brings memorable times with its use. This recipe is best used for body art. For use in hair, please read our article on How to Use Henna and Indigo to Dye Your Hair.
Essential ingredients:
- Fresh body art quality henna powder that is finely sifted.
- Bottled lemon juice.
- 100% pure essential oils, such as cajeput, or tea tree or lavender (also known as terps).
- Sugar, preferably dextrose or fructose.
- Measuring the henna powder. Take 2 tbsp of henna powder (about 25 grams of henna), and put it into a bowl. Add 1 tsp of sugar of your choice, and mix well.
- Adding the lemon juice. Heat some lemon juice (about 1/4 cup) on the stove or in your microwave, and add it slowly to your henna powder. Mix well until it is the consistency of play dough. Cover your bowl and let it sit for 2-3 hours.
- Adding essential oil. Then add 1-1.5 tsp of “terps” (essential oil). Cover again and let it sit for another 8-12 hours. Please make sure to read the article on how to choose the right henna powder for body art as it explains how different henna powders have different sitting periods to achieve proper dye release.
- Testing the paste. Test your henna paste periodically by placing a bit of paste onto your palm and let it sit for 1 minute. Remove the paste by washing off, and see if you have a bright pumpkin orange stain indicating that it is ready to use.
- Second round of lemon juice. Add more lemon juice (not warmed up) a little at a time and mix well. Do this until you have it to the consistency of toothpaste.
Additional Tips:
- Straining your henna paste makes it extra smooth. You can do this by taking a large cup and placing a carrot bag inside, and then putting a cheap nylon stocking inside that. You then pour the henna paste into the stocking’s opening and pull the stocking through the carrot bag. That way, the henna paste is forced to come through the nylon stocking into the carrot bag. It will be extremely smooth and you won’t have any clogs in your fine tips or cones. What is also good about this method is that, once the henna paste is in the carrot bag, you can easily use that to fill all your applicators up.
- Please do read our aftercare article on taking care of your henna design, to ensure best results.
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2 Comments
Hi
I recently went to Tunisia and had a henna tattoo done. However the henna used is very different to the kind made in your recipe.
I was more like a thick liquid that the artist put on with a thin nib, and it didn’t have a thick paste on top of the skin. I was wondering if you knew anything about this kind of henna that you could tell me - as i prefer this kind of henna.
Thankyou
Heather Owston
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your comment. hhhmm the henna you are describing sounds like black henna…what color was the henna design? Was it natural henna like reddish -brown or just plain black?
Black henna is illegal in Canada, and it is dangerous to use as it can cause scarring or blistering. I am going to be putting up our black henna warning soon.
Khadija
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[...] with its use. This recipe is best used for body art. for use in hair, please read our article on Hhttp://hennablogspot.com/22/Henna hair color directions FAQFrequently asked questions about henna hair coloring. … Yes. Mix [...]