Freebie: Basics to Henna

BASICS TO A Beginner’s guide to Henna Mixology & Body Art

BASICS TO A Beginner’s guide to Henna Mixology & Body Art

TABLE of

CONTENTS Black Henna Warning..................................5 The Theoretical Introduction.............................................9 What is Henna.......................................11 History of Henna...................................13 Geography of Henna............................15 Types of Henna......................................17 The Practical Ingredients.............................................22 Recipe.....................................................23 Body Art..................................................25

BLACK HENNA WARNING Henna has a wide misconception of being black. As a matter of fact, black henna is dangerous to the skin and even illegal in most countries.

100% pure and natural henna stains range from the colors orange, red or brown but never black.

The reason black henna is a threat is because it contains chemically produced dye called ‘para-phenylenediamine’ which is also known as PPD. This synthetic coal tar dye can cause bad skin reactions amongst some people.

THE THEORETICAL Introduction, History & Types of Henna

INTRODUCTION Henna is the Persian name for a shrub known as Lawsonia inermis. It's originally a flowering plant from the plantea kingdom, mainly cultivated in tropical areas. The henna plant stands 1.8 to 7.6 m tall with spine-tipped branches. Henna paste can be made through an array of recipes however the main ingredients consist of; natural henna, sugar, lemon, tea and a combination of essential oils.

Unlike chemically produced dye, natural henna is completely safe. Unless an individual has a specific allergy to henna, it is 100% risk free of any skin harm. Henna is known to be the safest cosmetics.

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Photo Courtsey: Google

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WHAT IS

Henna is the Persian name for a shrub known as Lawsonia inermis.

It’s originally a flowering plant from the plantea kingdom, mainly cultivated in tropical areas. The henna plant stands 1.8 to 7.6 m tall with spine-tipped branchlets.

The name henna also refers to the dye prepared from the plant and the art of temporary body art (staining) based on those dyes (see also mehndi). Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather.

HISTORY of

Henna dates back from the Ancient Egyptian times varying in its use and functionaly. Henna was always extensively used for beautification and cosmetic purposes stemming into various beauty rituals.

Oldest documentation has shown that henna was heavily used in the Middle-Eastern region for; moisturizing, skin protection against the sun, hair dying and of course the common red henna skin patterns. Many iconic individuals gave in to henna practices such as Nefertiti and Cleopatra.

In Europe, henna was popular among women connected to the aesthetic movement and the Pre-Raphaelite artists of England in the 1800s.

Contrary to the cultural tradition in Britain that considered red hair unattractive, the Pre-Raphaelites fetishized red hair.

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GEOGRAPHY of

The henna plant is native to northern Africa, western and southern Asia, and northern Australasia, in semi-arid zones and tropical areas. It produces the most dye when grown in temperatures between 35 and 45 °C (95 and 113 °F). During the onset of precipitation intervals, the plant grows rapidly, putting out new shoots. Growth subsequently slows. The leaves gradually yellow and fall during prolonged dry or cool intervals. It does not thrive where minimum temperatures are below 11 °C (52 °F). Temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F) will kill the henna plant.

Areas of Henna Use 600 BC to 50 BCE Tunisia Libya Egypt Saudi Arabia Turkey Iraq

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Iran Pakistan India Spain Italy Greece

TYPES of

Powder Type

Description Jamila henna powder yields great stains results and comes conveniently packaged in 100 grams foil packages in sealed boxes As of more recently dye release is only 8-12 hours for body art tattoos, before ready to use. It is a reliable henna powder, but not great if you need henna quick Rajasthani henna is increasing in popularity due to its well balanced nature. You get dye release in 8-12 hours for body art. So you can start a batch in the morning and have it ready by the evening. Its stains results are some of the darkest.

Moroccan henna has the quickest dye release. It is best to let this henna sit at least 2-6 hours for body art. The dye can demise quickly if left out too long. It’s not a good henna to freeze as a henna paste. It is also a stringy henna.

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Photo Courtsey: Henna Lounge

THE PRACTICAL Henna Mixing & Body Art

Photo Courtsey: Google

INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup (20 g) fresh henna leaves or henna powder 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice freshly squeezed and strained to remove pulp and seeds 1.5 tablespoon essential oil 1.5 tablespoon white granulated sugar

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Photo Courtsey: Henna Lounge

THE RECIPE 1.

2.

Sift the henna powder

Add lemon juice

You want to get rid of those lumps and chunks that may deteroriate final your henna mix, then pour your sifted powder in a bowl.

3.

Mix in 1/4 cup of lemon juice.

Make sure it is free of any seeds or pulp. Keep mixing until you get a ‘mashed potatoe’ like consistency.

4.

Mix the ingredients

Cover the mxture

Add in 1.5 tablespoon of essential oil* of your choice as well as sugar. Mix very well until creamy and smooth.

Cover the paste in with a plastic cover in a warm area.

Wait for 24 hours then the paste will be ready for use.

*more essential oil is not better.

*before placing in cones, mix again.

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Book published by The Henna Project www.thehennaproject.net