It will not flake off like readymade chemical cones – because you want it to stay on as long as possible. It is worth the wait

I cater for those ladies who care about the environment, ethical natural products and what they put on their skin.
​​​If this is you, read on…

The Henna Lady Bristol

IN SUMMARY:

NATURAL HENNA
is an investment in Art & Beauty.

• It takes time to develop and needs care to keep as long as possible. 
• Everything comes to those who wait….it needs to be done 48 hours before an event (so book in advance please).  In the Summer I may be available at short notice, always try, but booking in advance guarantees the day.
• It is recommended to keep the paste on for 4+ hours – overnight is best (especially if you have a dark skin tone) – to ensure a dark stain that lasts for weeks.  
• The longer the design is kept on (past 4 hours) the longer it will last.  If you are over 40-years old, when your skin starts to get thinner, then 6 hours or overnight is recommended if you want it to last over a week.

Now, of course you would love your hands covered in beautiful designs (mehndi) – but you do have to think of the logistics when you have both hands done…..you cannot do much as you wait for it to develop without smudging the design.

• Think about going to the toilet, changing, eating, etc? You don’t want to ruin a design that’s taken hours to create.
• So, I have to come to you. Then you can relax afterwards (and make sure a partner or friend is there to wait on you!)

Basically, you have to be a Princess for the rest of the Day (wonderful, eh?)

• [For teen birthday parties – it is best to have me come once they have expended all their energy and are tired out (while watching a movie is the best time!]
• ​My recipe will not flake off like ready-made chemical cones, and I seal your design with a special blend of Essential oils, lemon and sugar to make sure it sticks to the skin for as long as possible.  You get to pick the design off afterwards (that’s the best bit in my opinion!).
• (Bridal henna is usually sealed and bound with special tape, for keeping the design on overnight)

If you want to know more, grab a cup of tea, relax and read on…..

NATURAL HENNA
More Information

When the henna is removed (after at least 4-5 hours on the skin) it will leave a bright orange stain.  It needs this time to fully be absorbed through the layers of skin.  The longer the design is in contact with your skin, the darker the stain will be and the longer it will last.  It develops into a dark brown stain over the next 24-48 hours by oxidising (turning darker) with exposure to heat and air.  

Keep hands warm if you are naturally cold. The warmer you are the quicker it develops

It’s fun watching it darken over time.  This is why I recommend having your henna (or mehndi – the name for the designs) done 2 DAYS BEFORE AN EVENT, for an optimal stain on the day.

This is how NATURAL henna works

It will not flake off like readymade chemical cones – because you want it to stay on as long as possible.

It is worth the wait

I know exactly what goes into my henna paste because I make it fresh for every booking, and it’s all natural from the henna plant itself, ground into a powder. It is mixed with lemon juice, sugar and essential oils – that’s it. It spoils unless kept in a fridge or freezer.
More info about my henna paste further down the About Me page.

Because natural henna is best kept on the skin for 4 hours plus, there are those that don’t like to wait that long. Nowadays everyone wants things quickly. So, they developed these quick-fix cones to get a dark stain very quickly.  It flakes off after drying, unlike natural henna. As natural henna paste spoils after 3 days (as would any organic ingredients), they have to add chemical hair dyes to ensure a very dark stain.

If your skin itches or burns – wash it off immediately. That is not natural henna.

Unfortunately, there is no legislation around labelling, so they can write ‘natural henna’ on these cones. Common sense will tell you it cannot be if it’s been lying around for months in a cone, that’s not even airtight. You can get fake everything nowadays, it’s the same with henna.  Anything that stains dark quickly is not real henna. Natural henna must stay on the skin as long as possible to ensure a deep dark stain.

I use sugar in my natural henna paste, so it won’t flake off after drying, but will stick to the skin for hours. I also put a lemon and sugar seal over the design, so you are good to move around and get on with your day.  So, it’s not a hardship to keep it on for a long time.

Of course, if you have a very detailed bridal style design on both sides of your arms/hands – then you do have to be a princess for the rest of the day!

• NOTE: Always buy from a reputable artist that makes their own paste and ships it next day.  If I get enough interest, I will start selling my own cones.
• If any ‘henna’ ever makes your skin itch or burn, wash it off immediately.  This is the chemicals burning your skin. 
• Henna will never itch – you only feel a slight tickle as the henna dries on your skin.

IF YOU PREFER A BLACK STAIN – PLEASE TRY MY JAGUA

This is a natural alternative to so-called ‘black’ henna (read more about this on Henna Questions page).

If you have an allergy to a certain essential oil, please let me know.  The only reactions I have ever had to my paste are to certain oils, but this is only a slight irritation which goes away quickly.  Nothing like the effects of chemical ‘black’ henna which can burn your skin.  I am also a qualified Aromatherapist, so I make my own blends of quality essential oils.  In over 10 years I have never had a reaction, even from the most sensitive skin.

Professional Freestyle natural henna Mehndi artist

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IN SUMMARY:

NATURAL HENNA
is an investment in Art & Beauty.

• It takes time to develop and needs care to keep as long as possible. 
• Everything comes to those who wait….it needs to be done 48 hours before an event (so book in advance please).  In the Summer I may be available at short notice, always try, but booking in advance guarantees the day.
• It is recommended to keep the paste on for 4+ hours – overnight is best (especially if you have a dark skin tone) – to ensure a dark stain that lasts for weeks.  
• The longer the design is kept on (past 4 hours) the longer it will last.  If you are over 40-years old, when your skin starts to get thinner, then 6 hours or overnight is recommended if you want it to last over a week.

Now, of course you would love your hands covered in beautiful designs (mehndi) – but you do have to think of the logistics when you have both hands done…..you cannot do much as you wait for it to develop without smudging the design.

Think about going to the toilet, changing, eating, etc? You don’t want to ruin a design that’s taken hours to create.

So, I have to come to you. Then you can relax afterwards (and make sure a partner or friend is there to wait on you!)

Basically, you have to be a Princess for the rest of the Day (wonderful, eh?)

[For teen birthday parties – it is best to have me come once they have expended all their energy and are tired out (while watching a movie is the best time!]

​My recipe will not flake off like ready-made chemical cones, and I seal your design with a special blend of Essential oils, lemon and sugar to make sure it sticks to the skin for as long as possible.  You get to pick the design off afterwards (that’s the best bit in my opinion!).

(Bridal henna is usually sealed and bound with special tape, for keeping the design on overnight)

More pictures on my Facebook/INSTA Pages
(The Henna Lady Bristol)
NAMASTE