Mehendi Tips !!!!

MEHENDI:

Mehendi, a common shrub is known to have been in use in all parts of the world since time immemorial. The traditional way of painting hand and feet with mehendi is still popular especially among brides.

Decorating the bride's hand and feet with the application of henna or mehendi is symbolic of the auspicious occasion. Besides decorating the hands and feet it is a popular dye to colour hair. It is also used as a home remedy for various minor ailments.

In North India, application of mehendi is a common custom. For them this is an auspicious day before the wedding.

The application of mehendi is an art that is fascinating and exciting . A combination of geometrical and floral patterns are used in this decorative art.

PREPARATION AND APPLICATION:

Fresh leaves of the plant are ground into a fine paste, a little lemon juice and water are added to it to get the desire consistency for application. Nowadays mehendi in powdered form is also available. A fine paste is prepared with the powder and lemon juice. Tea or coffee is added to it to increase the intensity of colouration.

In the past, mehendi was applied with the help of small sticks. But today, plastic cones are used instead of stick and the mehendi paste can be pressed out in the shape of a fine strand through its nozzle.

After the formation of design, the mehendi is allowed to dry, for more intense and durable colouration it should be kept for five to six hours. During this time the drying paste is prevented from flaking off by periodic dabbling of a cotton soaked in a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.

TIP:

To make a Mehendi cone,

Ingredients : One pack mehendi powder, enough water to make a thick paste, extract of two lemon, eucalyptus oil - 1 teaspoon, strong black tea -2 teaspoons.

Sieve the dry mehendi powder and add all the above mentioned ingredients and keep it for seven hours. Then fill the paste into a thick plastic cover and tie it tightly. Make a small hole with a pin at the tip of the cone. The fine mehendi paste can be squeezed out in a thin strand.

MODERN METHODS:

Few modern methods are adopted to suit the women who cannot spare five to six hours for putting mehendi. Zardosi mehendi is the most popular method which is in tune with today's fast life. By this method one can sport beautiful designs on the hands and feet with different colours according to the persons choice in 30 minutes. The art of putting zardosi is the same as mehendi- a specially prepared black herbal henna is filled in a paper cone. With this the design is drawn on the hand and feet. After twenty minutes it can be washed off. This leaves a black imprint which can be later filled with different colours, nail polish, glitter sprinkles etc. to make it more colourful. This gives a tattoo effect on the hands and feet, and it lasts only for a few days.

Apart from this, computer graphic designs are also used with the traditional mehendi designs. Traditional Arabic designs of mehendi have now become popular in India. Wonderful designs make the art of mehendi more attractive and beautiful.

BRIDAL HEENA:

Mehendi or henna plays a very important role in Indian and other Asian marriages. Intricate henna patterns are applied on the hands and feet of the bride in most Asian cultures. It is a common belief that the darker the color on the bride's hands, the better their married life. The names of the bridegroom are often enmeshed within the intricate swirls and curls of the henna patterns. In fact, applying bridal mehendi forms an intricate part of the wedding festivities. Womenfolk gather together amidst joyful singing and dancing as the henna artist applies patterns of flowers, birds and geometrical shapes. Bridal henna patterns include flower arches, flowery trails, leaves and chains. Intricate patterns are applied on the hands right up to the forearms.

ART OF HENNA:

The henna powder is usually mixed with water and made into a thick henna paste. It is then filled into cones. The tip of the cone must have a hole just enough to allow a smooth flow of the henna paste to make intricate designs. Once the design is applied, it is allowed to dry. The henna tends to give away a darker color if kept for a longer time. Lime and sugar water is periodically dabbed on the henna patterns to keep them damp and prevent cracking. Another method of applying mehendi is by spreading a henna stencil over the hand or any other body part and then applying henna paste all over the stencil.

APPLYING MEHENDI DESIGNS:

• Sift the henna powder, remove the debris and make a smooth paste with the henna powder by adding to it a hot mixture of tea or coffee till it reaches mud like consistency.
• Fill a plastic cone with henna paste. There should be a small hole to allow the paste to ooze out.
• Hold the cone in the right hand and carefully make patterns by squeezing out the paste in a smooth and even manner.
• Keep the palm horizontal till the patterned side dries.
• Mehendi tends to give off a darker due if exposed to heat. The longer the mehendi is kept on, the darker the color.
• Keep it as long as possible. Then scrape it off.
• The color will vary from person to person.

HENNA KIT:

A mehendi kit would give you mehendi powder, stencils and henna design pages. A basic henna kit normally contains –

• Henna powder
• Applicator bottles
• Essential lavender or eucalyptus oil
• Designs
• Stencils
• Cones
• Mixing cups
• Cotton balls
• Stirrers

Some kits are customized with ready to use henna paste and stencils. The ingredients can also be bought separately.

HENNA STENCIL:

Henna stencils are ideal for those who have minimal drawing skills. Choose from a wide range of stencils available for henna patterns. Place the henna stencil over the body part and apply henna or body paint over it and Voila - you have a henna design in place! Henna stencils can be used for creating a central focus theme for your mehendi design. You can elaborate on them too. Large henna stencils work well for the upper back, lower back and chest. Smaller finer stencils can be used for cuffs, anklets and armbands. Choose from plastic reusable stencils or those with adhesive backs.

ARABIC HENNA DESIGN:

Henna patterns tend to differ from country to country and from different cultures too. Each style is distinct. Arabic henna patterns are usually created from black henna. Asian mehendi designs are typically reddish brown. Arabic henna designs vary from the Indian mehendi patterns in that they are large and floral whereas the Indian designs are floral and paisley. Asian henna patterns tend to be composed of repetitive patterns of lines, leafy tendrils, teardrops and abstract shapes. Arabic henna designs are inspired by Arabic art.

MEHENDI TIPS:

Do's

• Wash the area to be decorated with a good soap (one with a mud base) and water.
• Mehendi should be kept for 2-3 hours till it is fully dry.
• Scrape off the dry Mehendi and do not wash it with water for atleast 24 hours, to ensure maximum colour.
• Apply a mixture of lemon and sugar, atleast twice, to the dry area.
• After the tattoos are dried completely get some steam passing through cloves over the gas and apply Vicks for a good darkened color.
• When the Mehendi starts fading and appears patchy, it can be removed by applying cosmetic body bleach.

Dont's

• Do not use an oily soap as this can prevent the color from setting properly.
• After the tattoos are applied avoid washing the area with soap or water.
• Avoid staying close to the air conditioner as it dries up the mehendi.

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