Henna tattoos on the hands and body - how to do at home

Every girl in the depths of her soul dreams of decorating her body with an interesting drawing, but for many "eternal" tattoos - this is too serious a step. We propose to consider how to do temporary henna tattoos, provide interesting stencils for girls, tell about the principle of application and how long the paint holds, as well as the price of the powder.

Mendi or henna drawing - is a very ancient art of decorating the body of women. It was used in ancient Egypt, India, Persia and even some Slavic peoples. This technique allows you to leave elegant and cute marks on the body, leg, arm, etc., but most importantly, not forever, because the paint is applied exactly on the surface of the skin, not under it.

Most often biotattoos with henna, basma or drawings with a mixture of these substances can be seen on the hands (palms, wrists), legs (feet), bikini (erotic biotattoo), back and lower back. The most desperate representatives of the beautiful half of humanity also draw patterns on the neck, chest, decorate the inscription on the shoulder or hips.


A henna tattoo

Safety and health

Most of all, people who visit beauty salons, providing services for tattooing basma and henna, frightened by possible allergies. It should be said that tattoos with basma and henna are the most innocuous pictures that can be applied to the body. They consist entirely of natural substances, which have hypoallergenic qualities. The risk is minimized. In addition, many claim that after coloring hair and body henna, the regeneration process is accelerated, this technology can even treat psoriasis, alopecia and other diseases.

The only thing that may alert, sometimes the mixture includes cosmetic oils, it may be orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc. They are used to make the mark after the henna darker and more contrasting. If low-quality oil is used, undiluted, or you overheat it, you can get a burn. But in most cases, the reviews are encouraging.

This technique is used for "tattooing" adults as well as for decorating children.

This paint is natural and useful for the dermis of any age, in addition, such drawings look really beautiful and stylish (especially if the ethnic style is supported by accessories and appropriate makeup).

Advantages and disadvantages:

  1. The skin becomes fresher and tighter, this product is sometimes added to nourishing masks and scrubs;
  2. It can be applied to any point on the body, they are not dangerous at all;
  3. It is not painful, even pleasant, as the henna application technique can replace a tactile massage, relax after a day's work, awaken sensuality in girls;
  4. The main disadvantage is that the pattern washes off very quickly. They say that it lasts from 5 days to two weeks, this is not quite true, if a person often bathes (for example, visits the pool or swims in the sea), then the tattoo will live no more than 2 days.
  5. The integrity of the skin is not violated, moreover, some diseases are treated;
  6. After themselves do not leave a sticky residue, as stickers;
  7. It is easy to perform yourself, if you have graduated from art school courses, it will not be difficult to draw henna on the body.

Video: how to make temporary tattoos on the hands of henna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhoajSpLon8

Where is the best place to apply mehendi

The henna used to draw mehendi is harmless, so you can draw on any part of the body or face. However, mehendi lasts differently on different parts of the body: it lasts longest where the skin is rougher - on the hands and feet. On the back and abdomen mehendi will wear off a little quicker. If you paint on delicate areas of skin such as the inside bend of the elbow, mehendi will have the shortest life span.


Mehendi is often decorated on the hands not only because it is beautiful. On the hands, henna paintings last longer than on other parts of the body

Doing yourself a tattoo step by step

Let's take a closer look at how to make a henna tattoo at home, pick up a recipe and sketch, and consider the application of the design. Important: if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to ask for help from someone who knows how to draw, or to practice on inconspicuous areas of the body, in any case, the trace of henna for a while will "decorate" you.

Pattern Stencils for Tattooing
Photo - Stencils of patterns for tattoos

The first thing to do decide on the style of drawing. There are several options:

  • Animalistic theme - these are drawings of animals, birds, insects, made with light strokes and circles;

    Dragon stencils
    Photo - dragon stencils

  • Plants - the most common direction, especially popular with Indian beauties;
  • White pattern - this is a special style, it is also called colorless because of the absence of colors;

    White henna pattern
    Photo - White henna drawing

  • Colorful children's drawings with glitter - small drawings;
  • Women's intimate tattoos - different butterflies, birds, etc.

    Butterfly stencil
    Photo - Stencil butterflies

We offer you our selection of photos, beautiful templates and ready-made Indian sketches on which to do a henna tattoo at home. Remember, the meaning of the tattoo will be as you thought it up for yourself.

In order to make henna for a tattoo we will need:

  1. Henna powder (one spoonful will decorate the hands of six people)
  2. A few spoonfuls of very strong tea or coffee
  3. Two lemons or limes
  4. A strainer
  5. Wooden or steel alloy spoon
  6. A ceramic, glass or wooden mixing bowl.

Tattoo on back
Photo - Tattoo on the back
A general rule of thumb when mixing henna: the more acid, the darker the mixture. If the paste does not give enough dark stain, you just need to dilute more citrus juice in it, i.e. black tattoo does not imply adding more basma or coffee (this, rather, will give extra "brownness").

Step-by-step instructions:

  • Use a sieve to sift the henna powder into a bowl;
  • Sieve the juice from one lemon or lime into the bowl with the powder, you need to stir the mixture until it forms a smooth paste;
  • Add very hot strong tea or coffee to make the mixture a little softer than toothpaste, now cover the mixture with a cloth and leave it overnight until it swells;
  • Shelf life of such a paste in the refrigerator 2-5 days.

Colorful tattoo
Photo - Multicolored tattoo

For what occasions mehendi suitable

Temporary henna painting - an unusual decoration. Mehendi is applied to stand out and draw attention to a certain part of the body.

For weddings.

The white pattern of mehendi blends perfectly with the bride's dress. Usually the drawing is chosen after the dress is ready, mehendi completes the image. Even if you have a traditional style wedding, henna painting can be used instead of a detail of the image, such as drawing "gloves".

For a photo shoot.

If you have an oriental style photo shoot in mind, mehendi will complement the image. For yoga practitioners, henna paintings associated with India will be a striking detail in your Instagram photo. An unusual drawing on the hands will look winningly on a photo shoot in the city.

For a trip to the sea.

If properly cared for mehendi, the drawing is not afraid of salt water. The only thing to be aware of: the place of the drawing does not tan. After the trip, the mehendi is likely to rub off, but the light pattern on the skin will remain as a memory.

To try on a future tattoo.

If you dream of a tattoo, but do not dare, start with mehendi. You can make several variants of painting to decide on the pattern and place of application.

Secrets of henna painting

When the mixture for the morning is ready, you need to stir it once again thoroughly and proceed to outline the contour and create a tool with which we will draw. You can use a thick polyethylene or foil, but the real "home professionals" can even use a simple bag. In general, anything that does not leak and from which you can make a cone will do.

  1. Cut a 5×5 cm square from a plastic bag. Put a tablespoon of henna paste in the center of the square. The henna should be the consistency of toothpaste;
  2. Fold one side into the other to make a cone shape;
  3. Roll the tip of the cone between your thumb and forefinger until the hole at the tip of the cone is the diameter of the sewing needle;
  4. Secure the sides of the cone with tape. As you squeeze the tape, paste will come out of the nose of the cone;
  5. Use the cone in the same way as a cake decorator, to make thin lines, you need to gently squeeze the tip.

Henna Painting
Photo - Painting with henna
We advise at first to use stencils with wide lines that do not require experience or increased attention, it is more convenient to pass training by outlining the wrist.

Important! Before you apply, it is necessary to lubricate the dermis with oil, about this should not be forgotten, by the way, often a set of cosmetic oils contains wooden sticks for fragrance. Their wide ends are also a great tool for coloring.

The average cost of a henna tattoo in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine is $2-3, but it is clear that it will be cheaper to do the drawing with your own hands.

You can order henna directly from India or use powder from domestic stores. It is worth beware of very cheap mixtures, they can be harmful to the delicate skin. Also, many stores have fully prepared formulations of all colors, just ask the seller a catalog of paints for tattoos, there you can buy other materials and tools.

Om

Mehendi on the Hands: Meaning

To decorate your palms or wrists, choose a drawing of "Om", or "Aum". In Buddhism and Hinduism, this symbol means the coded name of the Creator. It signifies the wholeness and harmony of spirit and body, the fusion of man and nature, body, spirit and speech, man's comprehension of his "Self".

It is recommended to apply to women who seek to know the truth, realize their personality, want to achieve inner harmony. It is better to begin and end a pattern with this sign.

European style

The European style of mehendi, perhaps, differs little from mehendi in Eastern countries. But the arsenal of drawings is noticeably increased. Europeans are actively using the mixture of different styles: Arabian patterns are combined with Indian and African. Nowadays, small henna drawings have become popular. Most often mehendi is done on the neck, wrists, ankles and shoulders. European young people prefer to see on their bodies and stylized hieroglyphs, and abstraction, and plant ornaments. Now let's focus on how to make mehendi.

A little history

This art appeared about 5000 years ago. It is a way of self-expression and an opportunity to decorate your own body.

  • Historically, mehendi is part of the culture for: India, North Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia;
  • Each of these countries is characterized by a distinctive recognizable style and traditional directions in the choice of ornamentation;
  • For Europeans it is a relatively new hobby.

On Fingers

Sketches (stencils) for beginners

Beginning mendi enthusiasts often choose simpler and not very large sketches. They are easier to apply and get used to the image on the body.

  1. Sun (without complex patterns).
  2. Butterfly.
  3. Flowers.
  4. Pegasus silhouette.
  5. owl (silhouette with simple embellishments).
  6. Silhouette of wings.
  7. Simple mandala.
  8. Geometric shapes.
  9. Twigs in the form of patterns.
  10. Crown.

For Beginners

Lotus

Mehendi on hands: meaning
Photo: amritahenna.com One of the most beautiful drawings in mehendi. This flower is the most revered in Indian culture. The lotus is believed to be the embodiment of the human soul, pure and chaste, striving to rise from the swamp to the heavens.
The drawing of the lotus has several meanings:

  • Immortality, rebirth and rebirth;
  • spiritual growth and development;
  • femininity, family happiness (home - a full bowl);
  • beauty;
  • purity and purity;
  • perfection.

Mehendi on hands: Meaning
Photo: hennamehndi.ru
It is recommended to do lotus drawings for women who want to give birth or are already carrying a baby under her heart. This drawing will give energy and vitality to the future mother and the little man.

Lotus will suit those who are tired of the routine and gray of everyday life, who are interested in self-discovery.

Nature

For women

For men