Henna Tips

by Khadija Alkhateeb

Tips For Applying Henna

dot

Indian

Sift henna using a tea strainer, to get a fine, powder, and to discard all the sticks and derbis.
Use warm water and add lime juice.
Mix henna into a bowl and the lime water with 9 drops (pending on how much henna powder is used) of Mahlabiyah oil.
Mix until the henna paste is fine, thin, and smooth, mix consistently in one direction like cake batter.
Put the bowl into the frigid to get the henna paste into a thicker consistency and to let the oil settle.
In 1 hour or less, take the henna out and put the mixture into your henna tube.
When your henna is on the skin, when you are complete with your design, add water and sugar and dip a cotton ball or Q-Tip and dab the sugar water onto the pattern until the pattern is dry
When the henna is dry, reapply the design or leave it only on for 1 coat.
Do not wash the henna off of the skin, rather scrape off the flakes, try sleeping in it. Have a wonderful time.

Sudanese

Sift henna using a tea strainer, to get a fine, powder, and to discard all the sticks and derbis.
Boil water and at the boiling point add loose tea leaves, or lipton will work as well, the darker the tea the better.
When the tea leaves have settled, discard tea and use only the water.
Mix henna into a bowl and the tea water with 9 drops (pending on how much henna powder is used) of Mahlabiyah oil.
Mix until the henna paste is fine, thin, and smooth, mix consistently in one direction like cake batter.
Put the bowl into the frigid to get the henna paste into a thicker consistency and to let the oil and tea water settle.
At 1 hour or less, take the henna out and put the mixture into your henna tube.
Before applying the henna to the skin put mahlabiyah oil onto the skin where the henna will be placed.
When the henna is dry, reapply . For the Sudanese the longer the better.
Do not wash the henna off of the skin, rather scrape off the flakes, try sleeping in it.

United Arab Emirates

Sift henna using a tea strainer, to get a fine, powder, and to discard all the sticks and derbis.
Dry limes, cut the limes into slices and this may take a couple of days, then boil the dried limes unil the color of water turns red.
When the water has turned red add loose leaf tea like the above recipes.
When the tea leaves have settled, discard tea and use only the water.
Mix henna into a bowl and the tea water with 9 drops (pending on how much henna powder is used) of Mahlabiyah oil.
Mix until the henna paste is fine, thin, and smooth, mix consistently in one direction like cake batter.
Put the bowl into the frigid to get the henna paste into a thicker consistency and to let the oil and tea water settle.
At 1 hour or less, take the henna out and put the mixture into your henna tube. When the henna is dry, reapply .

Using Mahlabiyah Oil and Henna Stickers

Using 'henna helpers' like Mahlabiyah Oil, you should know your skins adaptation before applying. Be sure to test on your skin before you apply the oil to your henna to check for an allergic reaction. Al Muhajabat is not responsable for any allergic reactions.
When using henna for stickers, you may prepare the henna using any of the above henna instructions. You even do not have to bother with sifting, since henna will be applyed directly onto the skin.
Apply the sticker in place, on clean, dry, non lotioned or oiled skin. Place the sticker so there are no creases or bumps.
Take the henna paste into your fingers (or however you choose to apply it) and spread onto the sticker.
PLEASE NOTE:While applying henna onto a sticker, the henna paste must be thick. Thick enough so the henna does not soak through the holes or the design of the sticker, you want it to stick into place and not run.
Spread the henna on the sticker, no need to make it incredably thick so the henna doesnt dry. Just smooth enough for a nice design.
Let the henna stay until it drys and flakes off, or until you are ready to take it off, min. 1 hour. No need for 6 hours as many "claim".
Peel the entire sticker off with the henna paste still on. If you prefer to scrape the henna off first be careful if it is still wet.
Apply Mahlabiah oil if you would like. Enjoy.

Where to Apply Henna Traditionally henna is applyed to the fingers, hands, palms, feet, nails, and the hair. As well, henna is applyed to the wrists, arms as well as ankles and legs. Parts of the body take henna 'better' than other parts. So you may notice that although you left your henna on your hands the same amount of time as on your feet, your hands turned darker? Or, the henna on the hands fader quicker than the feet. While all this is true, it is due to activity, water contact, and temperature. Henna on your arms, legs and body parts other than the traditions areas do not 'take' as well, do not be discouraged, it is all part of the properties of henna and its nature.