How to apply Henna (Mehndi) on your Hands!

 by creativegirlz
Contest WinnerFeatured
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Henna is basically a dye that gives a cooling effect when applied on the skin and gives red color to it. It is mostly used on hair as a natural dye but is commonly used to decorate hands.
When it dries completely, the skin or hair is washed with water to reveal the dyed color.
Asian brides are not complete until they have applied Henna on their hands and feet.

In this instructable, I will show you how to apply Henna on hands and make different designs with it.

What will you need:
Henna(mehndi) cone (pencil cone is better)
A printed copy of Henna design
A transparent Glass sheet (you may use clear plastic sheet instead)
Tissue paper
Glitter cone (optional)
A4 sheet or plain piece of paper
Pencil

Things to Remember
Nowadays the henna cone contains some chemicals, so if you are allergic or your skin is sensitive, then check a little amount of henna on your palm before making the whole design. If it gives you itcy or burning feeling, do not use it. Sometimes, it happens when the henna is expired so make sure to use the fresh one.

Also, if you have done waxing on an area where you are going to apply henna, do not do it just after waxing. Wait a day or two, as skin pores will be opened and henna contains some chemical. This situation may cause damage or irritation on your skin.

Henna gives different color on different skins. On palms, the color is darkest, near to black sometimes. On the other side of hand, the color is much lighter and then on arm it gets lighter. The color comes best after one or two days. You will notice the difference of the color everyday, first it goes darker, then after few days, it goes lighter and finally its gone!


 
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Step 1: The Basics of applying Henna

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Before you can master the art of applying Henna on hands, you must practise on glass sheet

Place henna design on a table or some hard surface. Lay a sheet of clear glass on it to cover it completely.

The main thing to apply Henna from cone is to hold the cone correctly. Hold it in your right hand (if you are Right-handed), taking photo as a guide. Your hand must be comfortable while holding it and try to squeeze to see how comfortably you can do it. Squeeze little at a time, do not apply too much force as the henna mixture is in liquid form and at the beginning, it comes out of the cone without squeezing. Learn as you do!

Take out the pin from the cone when you are using it and keep it in someplace safe. And do not forget to put it back in the cone when you have done working.

When you are ready to start, take the pin out of cone and squeeze a little henna on a piece of tissue paper. It will be black in the beginning and hard too, keep squeezing it until the mixture comes out of light color and is soft.

As you start applying, the tip keeps on get messy, so keep cleaning it with tissue paper. The cleaner the tip, the neater will be your work.

Now you have learnt how to squeeze, clean and hold the cone. Start applying the henna on the glass sheet following the design from the paper. As a beginner, your hand will keep shivering, the lines will be wavy and it will be messy. Do not worry it happens.

Place the design in front of you as the fingers will be near to you and the wrist away. The reason for this positioning is that whenever you apply henna on someone’s hand, you will never start from fingers as they will be near to you. You have to start from the farthest place and come to nearest. Otherwise the whole hand will get messy!

If you have made some mistake while applying it, do not worry. Just wipe off with tissue paper. But when you are working on skin, then it will definitely leave its color.

Now what you need for perfection is….practise! It is the regular practise that will improve your handling and applying skills. Keep practising on glass sheet as you can see, you can wash it easily. Let it dry for the next use or wipe it with tissue paper if henna is not completely dried.
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ray_sunshine16 says: Apr 1, 2013. 9:53 AM
Thanks just what i needed.i see a lot of henna tutorials showing how to draw patterns but non ever tell me how to use the cone when it comes to pressure and flow of the henna.thanks a lot. The instructable diagrams are an awesome help a well. I got an instructable account thanks to you- ray_sunshine16 . Ill post picks of what I've learnt soon .
Osquar says: Sep 20, 2012. 4:12 AM
How long does the henna last approximately?
creativegirlz (author) in reply to OsquarSep 28, 2012. 3:31 AM
Good quality henna lasts upto 7 days, but the color fading process goes on for about a month.
hammer9876 says: Jul 8, 2010. 12:51 PM
Beautiful work! I find this so much more interesting than a tattoo. The fact that it wears off is great. Do women other than brides have this done? How often?
Spritie in reply to hammer9876Mar 11, 2012. 7:40 AM
lots of people do this just for fun
zeyanimisbah says: Jul 6, 2010. 5:29 AM
ur wrk s grt,,um a mehndi designer n i luv da instructions.....mashallah, :))))
Kasm279 in reply to zeyanimisbahJul 10, 2010. 1:02 AM
I have no idea what you just said...
shazni in reply to Kasm279Feb 1, 2012. 6:13 PM
mashallah means- as god wills
ToddisI in reply to Kasm279Aug 10, 2010. 5:40 AM
I believe thats ancient zeyanimisbahian... I a proffesor on it... it says your works great! I'm a mehndi designer and I love the instrucrions.... Hubla mama bumbumkink
zeyanimisbah in reply to Kasm279Jul 10, 2010. 9:31 AM
??????????????
Kasm279 in reply to zeyanimisbahJul 10, 2010. 11:07 AM
did you mean to say "your work is great, im a mehndi designer and i love the instructions" ?
zeyanimisbah in reply to Kasm279Jul 11, 2010. 8:26 AM
yess,,seems lyk ur confused :P
Cerafem in reply to zeyanimisbahAug 13, 2010. 8:50 AM
:( this is everything that is wrong with our generation. please use words...
melraeart in reply to CerafemApr 3, 2011. 12:09 PM
haha agreed!
click HERE for latest obsession in reply to CerafemSep 20, 2010. 3:10 PM
Hey, Cerafem, I'm 14 and just look at me using words!

Oh, and capitalization!

Okay, I'm sorry...
Kasm279 in reply to click HERE for latest obsessionSep 20, 2010. 4:11 PM
Heh, I'm 15 and most of the time I at least capitalize :D
BearNecessity in reply to Kasm279Nov 28, 2010. 5:08 PM
I am 23, and I rarely use words...
Kasm279 in reply to zeyanimisbahJul 11, 2010. 9:50 AM
Just a hint so you don't get this in the future, use vowels in your words >.>
click HERE for latest obsession in reply to Kasm279Oct 11, 2010. 6:59 AM
I did.
Kasm279 in reply to click HERE for latest obsessionOct 11, 2010. 3:32 PM
Not you, the other person :P
click HERE for latest obsession in reply to Kasm279Oct 11, 2010. 4:46 PM
Sorry. A thousand apologies and free people pies to you.
zeyanimisbah in reply to Kasm279Jul 11, 2010. 10:51 AM
LOL ;)) ^_^
Javin007 in reply to zeyanimisbahJul 16, 2010. 11:06 AM
Pretty sure Kasm wasn't joking.
tinker234 says: Dec 10, 2011. 1:13 PM
excuse me could you tell me where i can buy hena
creativegirlz (author) in reply to tinker234Dec 20, 2011. 8:46 PM
Its readily available in Asian countries but I don't know about your area, you may google on net and purchase online maybe!
tinker234 in reply to creativegirlzDec 22, 2011. 3:28 PM
is there a website?
maryam sweto says: Oct 22, 2011. 9:05 PM
thank with the help of u i can solve my problem
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lesmeiS says: May 9, 2011. 9:12 AM
thats soo cool lol so how dose the stuff work? dose it stain your hand ?
creativegirlz (author) in reply to lesmeiSJul 10, 2011. 10:23 PM
yes, it sorts of stain/dye your skin.
ToddisI says: Aug 10, 2010. 5:41 AM
Where do you get the henna???
melraeart in reply to ToddisIApr 3, 2011. 12:08 PM
Here is a link to a great web sight. It sells henna and all of the supplies that you would need for henna tattoos and hair dye!

http://www.hennacaravan.com/hennakits.html

I'm always happy with their service!
ShootingStars says: Sep 29, 2010. 7:11 PM
Wow that is beautiful. Great work!
aasnahbee says: Sep 12, 2010. 11:54 AM
Masha Allah, the designs of the henna are really very beautiful.
lala1989 says: Aug 26, 2010. 11:29 PM
it'cute but i don't understand~ did u paint on the glue paper frist ,and then press it on hand?
creativegirlz (author) says: Aug 17, 2010. 2:33 AM
Check out my new instructable How to make Gola Ganda aka Shaved Ice on a stick! http://www.instructables.com/id/Gola-Ganda-Shaved-Ice-on-a-Stick/
creativegirlz (author) says: Aug 6, 2010. 5:01 AM
Yayyyy! I got my prize today! I am so very happy and thanks to all people who voted for me and Thanks to judges and Sephora and instructables for prizes! BTW my brother has taken the shirt :(
ship20 says: Jul 24, 2010. 7:49 AM
Wow, these designs are beautiful. Congrats on a winning entry.
creativegirlz (author) in reply to ship20Jul 30, 2010. 1:23 PM
thanks and waiting for my prize!
Se11Out says: Jul 15, 2010. 1:23 PM
Can I use my self hand to do picture on it, or it'll be very difficult? PS: I have not practice in drawing before
creativegirlz (author) in reply to Se11OutJul 18, 2010. 10:15 AM
definitely you can do it on your own hand. in video, i applied henna on my own hand! no problem if you dont draw. Its all about practice.
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