Henna is one of the oldest forms of makeup. It is an entirely natural product and temporarily colors the skin as if it were a tattoo, so it can be used to create different shapes and designs on the body. The classic henna powder is easily available on the market, but to use it first you have to mix it with other ingredients. Fortunately, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to prepare; Plus, it gives results that last a couple of weeks, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to perfect your artistic skills.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Compound
Step 1. Get everything you need
For a simple mixture you will need a few ingredients. The necessary utensils, such as wooden spoons and bowls, you should already have in the kitchen.
- Pure henna powder. Make sure you buy the one specifically for tattoos, not hair.
- Cloves, which is a spice obtained from the dried flower buds of the syzygium aromaticum tree. You need 7-8 nails for a standard henna powder pack. Make sure you use solid nails instead of oil, which is considered harmful.
- Finely ground coffee beans. 2 tablespoons is enough for a standard bag of henna powder.
- Lemon juice. You can buy it ready-made at the supermarket. It should be mixed with the powder before adding the hot coffee and clove solution.
Step 2. Sift the henna
Using a sieve or cheesecloth, filter the powder into a bowl so that it is totally free of lumps. To be considered perfect, a henna compound must be homogeneous. As a result, it eliminates coarser particles that may prevent you from mixing it evenly.
Store the powder in an airtight glass container to prevent it from coming into contact with moisture in the air
Step 3. Mix the cloves and coffee
Prepare 2 tablespoons of ground coffee beans and 7-8 cloves. Mix them with a glass of water until you get a relatively homogeneous mixture.
For the moment, the henna powder must be separated from the other ingredients
Step 4. Put the coffee and cloves in a pot, then bring them to a boil over medium-high heat
Once they come to a boil, turn off the heat.
Step 5. Filter the solution
Once it comes to a boil, it is important to remove the solid pieces. Just strain it, just like you did with powdered henna (you'll need another bowl). Use a colander or cheesecloth.
Filtering the solution several times allows you to remove all sediments with greater care
Step 6. Add the lemon juice to the henna powder, which will help you extract the tint
Calculate 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for every 2 tablespoons of the coffee and clove solution. Pour it over the powder, then mix the ingredients well until you get a smooth consistency.
- Using an alternative to lemon juice (such as an oil) could radically change the dye release times.
- Do not use lemon juice if you have a citrus allergy. As alternatives, strong, cold black tea, or a Coke or Pepsi without gas will work fine. However, remember that caffeine is absorbed by the skin, so do not use drinks that contain it if you are sensitive.
Step 7. Mix the coffee and clove solution with the henna powder
You will need a bowl and a spoon. Add a tablespoon of solution at a time, then mix well and watch how it goes. Keep doing this until the powder has a consistency similar to that of toothpaste.
Gradually add the coffee and clove solution - one tablespoon at a time is enough. This way you can better control the consistency
Step 8. Add some essential oils
They are good for the skin and allow the henna to darken without compromising its viscosity or texture. You could use several, including tea tree oil, lavender, and frankincense. 30 ml should be enough to give the henna color. As always, mix until smooth.
Step 9. Let the mixture sit overnight
After mixing, you have to wait for the color to be released. If you apply the henna ahead of time, you will have a less intense result. Wrap the bowl in cling film and secure it with a rubber band.
- Press the cling film with your fingers to bring it as close as possible to the henna surface and help the excess air escape from the container.
- The warmer the environment, the sooner the color will be released.
Part 2 of 2: Apply Henna to the Skin
Step 1. Wash with soap and water to remove excess dirt and maximize the effectiveness of the henna
Step 2. Get a funnel
Classic kitchen funnels are generally too wide to allow for precise application on the skin. Instead, narrow-tipped or henna-specific funnels are perfect in this regard. You can find them in stores that sell henna and online.
- Henna funnels are sometimes sold together with the powder.
- You can also make your own by rolling a rectangle-shaped plastic sheet (plus or minus 9cm x 18cm). Create a cone and cut off the tip with scissors.
Step 3. Gradually fill the henna funnel with a spoon
Let the mixture flow slowly. In this way you will be able to control the doses without risking damaging the funnel. Fill it about 2/3 full.
Since henna has a viscous texture, you need to be patient while filling the funnel
Step 4. Close the funnel
Once the funnel is filled, grab the end with your thumbs and index fingers. Fold it and tape it to close.
Step 5. Squeeze it gently to apply
Once the funnel is filled and closed, squeeze it gently: pass the nozzle over the skin with a steady rhythm.
If the henna runs out, you can open the cone and refill it. However, henna takes time to dry carefully on the skin, so you may want to prepare more of it than you plan to use
Step 6. Fix mistakes with water right away
Henna takes at least 4 hours to dry completely, but it starts to set pretty quickly. As a result, keep a wet towel handy, you never know. Correct mistakes as soon as you notice them.
Step 7. Touch up the henna over time
The duration of the drawings varies from a few days to a couple of weeks. However, they begin to fade quite early. In this case, it is good to touch them up by lightly brushing them with a fresh coat of henna.
Step 8. Consider the drawings
The possibilities are practically limitless and the complexity depends on your skills. If you are just starting out, you will see that you will gradually get carried away.
Once you get better at it, you should try making original designs. The art of henna is often very complex, so you may want to make a drawing on a sheet before reproducing it on the skin
Advice
It is recommended to filter the dust and all compounds at least 3 times, in order to improve the consistency and effectiveness of the henna
Warnings
- Henna is not black. All products that promise a black tint lasting more than 2 weeks contain a chemical called PPD, which can be quite dangerous.
- Don't let the henna get too hot, otherwise the heat will prevent color development. An optimum temperature is 20-26 ° C.
