1. WHAT IS HENNA?

*Henna or ‘Lawsonia inermis’ is a privet type bush that grows abundantly throughout the eastern countries. H The Latin name for the plant is lawsonia inermis. The Arabic name is henna ( also heena, الحناء) The Indian name for the same plant is mehndi, mehendi, or mehandi. The Hebrew name for the same plant is kopher (כֹּפֶר). In Turkish it is kına.

2. IS THE PROCESS OF GETTING HENNA PAINFUL?

No. Henna is known to cool down the skin. It does this by affecting the circulation of blood beneath the skin that it coats. At most people report a slight tickling sensation as they are being drawn on and while the henna dries on the skin.

3. IS HENNA SAFE?

Henna paste is made from the henna plant (Lawsonia Inermis) which is dried, and ground into a powder. Once sifted the powder is ready to be made into a paste for body art (or hair dying) purposes. The longer the paste is on your skin, the richer the stain. Once the paste is removed, the stain will oxidise over the following 48 hours at which point the colour will attain full maturity.*

4. WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN MY HENNA PASTE?

The recipe is simple. You need to buy good body art quality henna.

• 25gms of henna powder (Rajasthani or jamilia but I prefer Rajasthani only.)
• 2tsp sugar (to be adjusted based on humidity level)
• 2tsp essential oils (cajeput, lavender, tea tree oil etc as per your preference).
• Distilled water or lemon juice.

Add henna powder, sugar and essential oil in a bowl, mix it either with distilled water or lemon juice until the lumps are removed. Don't make it very watery, keep the consistency smooth like a dough. Cover the henna with a cling plastic wrap for dye release. Keep the henna on for 24hrs if mixed with lemon and 6-7hrs if mixed with water at around 75-85F degree or 23-30C degree. Always do a spot test in your palm. The color should be a bright pumpkin orange.

5. DO I SELL HENNA PRODUCTS?

No, I do not sell henna products. You can buy the supplies from the following websites:

• http://www.hiralhenna.com/shop
• http://www.hennasooq.com/baq-henna-powder/

6. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY HENNA APPOINTMENT?

• Leg waxing/sugaring or shaving should be done 2days before henna. Doing this after your henna is done will impede the color results.
• Pedicure and manicures should be done the day or morning before the henna day.
• Please skip all massage oils, and body oils as this can impede color results.
• Please wear comfortable clothing to do your henna in.
• Remove your contacts, if this applies, before getting your henna done.

7. HENNA AFTERCARE

• Seal the henna and leave on for 6-8 hours
• Keep the henna warm and dry.
• Scrape the henna off – Never wash the henna with water.
• Avoid contact with water for 24 hours
• Avoid harsh soaps, exfoliants and scrubbing of your henna design.
• Protect your henna design with cocnut oil or olive oil when bathing.
• Avoid going to swimming pools or applying tanning lotions/sunscreens can all cause accelerated fading of your henna
• Henna stains will be bright orange at first, and darken within 24-48 hours to reach peak color results of deep reddish-brown and up to dark cherry tones.