How to Prepare and Apply Body Art Henna

Preparation

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Rebecca’s Body Art Henna
1 teaspoon Sugar
½ cup Lemon juice (fresh squeezed and strained is best)
1 teaspoon of Rebecca’s Essential Oil: Tea Tree, Lavender or Geranium 

Supplies

Kitchen wrap (plastic or beeswax)
Tissue/toilet paper
Gauze or cloth
Mixing bowl
Henna cone or applicator 

Process
  1. Add Body Art Henna, sugar, lemon juice and essential oil to a small mixing bowl. 
  2. Mix well until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes.
  3. Cover bowl tightly with kitchen wrap so there is no air contact and let sit in a warm location (approximately 75 degrees F) for 24 hours. 
  4. Test your Henna paste by placing a bit of paste onto your palm and let it sit for at least 1 minute. A bright pumpkin orange stain indicates that the Henna is ready. 
  5. Check consistency. We like the consistency to be like ‘ribbons’ that flow off the spoon. Some like it thinner, some prefer it thicker like toothpaste. 
  6. If the Henna paste dries and cracks quickly, or doesn’t form a continuous, well-structured line, add a little more sugar. If the paste is too thick, add more lemon juice ¼ teaspoon at a time. If the paste is too thin or wet, add a little more Henna powder. Keep adjusting and testing until you get the paste to your preference.
  7. Fill your applicator cone or bottles and apply Henna. 

 

How to Apply Body Art Henna

  1. Immediately before application, thoroughly wash the skin with soap and water, or wipe with rubbing alcohol to create a clean, oil-free surface.
  2. Apply henna paste to clean skin in thick, uninterrupted lines. 
  3. To seal the henna paste for optimal color, apply a lemon-sugar seal. Warm ¼ c. lemon juice and 3 tsp sugar. Mix well.  Once henna is dry on skin (approximately 15-30 minutes), swab or dab the design with lemon-sugar mix. This step is optional; it will darken the stain. 
  4. Once dry, wrap design in toilet paper, gauze, or cloth and secure with tape, rubber band or hair tie. To further secure, wrap gauze or paper with kitchen wrap or an old sock. 
  5. Allow henna to remain on skin for 4-6 hours, or for best results, overnight.
  6. Remove henna with olive oil or simply scrape off.
  7. Avoid contact with water for 8-24 hours to ensure a lasting & beautiful stain.

Use with caution if you anticipate being in the sun or heat while henna paste is on the skin, as lemon oil can be photosensitizing. 

For individuals with sensitive skin, apply a test patch to skin and leave on for 5 minutes then rinse off. Look for signs of irritation, including red skin or blisters.