Island Girl Henna | 68 1/2 Main Street | Delhi NY 13753 | US
The Art of Henna
What is it? How does it work?
Henna is a plant whose dried leaves have the ability to stain. When mixed properly, henna paste can dye the skin safely, lasting 1-3 weeks depending on placement + aftercare.
Henna body art is fun and pain-free. No needles are used. Henna is applied on top of the skin similar to decorating a cake. Sometimes it tickles.
Island Girl's henna paste is blended in-house using the finest organic ingredients. Henna is applied completely freehand. Custom ideas are most welcome.
The paste is removed after several hours creating an orange stain that takes 2 days to reach the darkest color. The stain gradually fades as the skin exfoliates.
Tougher skin is best for a dark, long-lasting stain. The palms of the hands and soles of the feet stain the darkest. Yes, you read that right! The stain is lighter and fades faster the further from the hands and feet you go. Stain duration is determined by body temperature + chemistry, skin type, lifestyle, where the henna is applied and how well the client cares for it.
G6PD is a genetic blood deficiency. Anyone with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase knows to avoid fava beans, tonic water, moth balls, aspirin and other drugs. They also need to avoid henna.
The Maria Design Package offered a modest bridal mehndi option for Rosana.
Achieve the Best Stain
These instructions are specific to Island Girl's organic henna:
2 - 3 days before HENNA APPLICATION
Waxing/ Shaving: Hair must be removed from any area receiving henna at least 2 days before henna application. (This WON'T make your hair grow back thicker or darker.)
Manicures/ Pedicures: Should be done at least 2 days before you receive henna. Soaking and polish remover will fade your henna stain.
Spray Tans, Bronzer, Makeup: Henna cannot penetrate these products resulting in NO henna stain.
DAY OF HENNA APPLICATION
Bathe before getting henna. Newly hennaed skin needs to avoid water for 24 hours to achieve a great stain: shower before your appointment.
Do not apply hand sanitizer, cream, lotion, moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup on the area getting henna. PLEASE, do not wear perfume or scented products to your appointment.
Dress comfortably. Wear clothing that won’t touch or brush the hennaed area. For example, wear short sleeves or a tank top when getting henna on the hands or arms.
Leave the paste on for 6+ hours is ideal. There are no stain guarantees if paste is removed shortly after application.
Optional sealant & wrap: Sealant and wrapping are free services for appointments. Keep warm and leave on overnight to intensify the stain.
AVOID WATER from time of henna application until 12-24 hours after the paste is removed.
Henna for Your Special Day
Major Considerations
For the darkest stain with the most definition henna should be done 2-3 days before your event. For example, for a Saturday event, the best time to get henna is Wednesday - Thursday.
Achieve the best stain by leaving the paste on overnight. Henna can be wrapped with breathable materials (no plastic wrap). This is a free service at appointments.
Both palms? Arrange for someone to assist with ordinary tasks like driving, change clothes, pick an item up, eat, drink... and be merry!
Bridal Mehndi: Henna on the front and back of the arms and hands takes 4-8 hours and from below the knees to the toes takes 3-5 hours (dense coverage can be split over 2 days). Since the bride must remain still and undisturbed while getting henna it's common to do bridal henna in a relaxed setting separate from the mehndi party. A close friend or two is great to help the bride use the restroom, eat, drink, use a TV remote and other tasks. I no longer offer bridal mehndi in a party setting because it's impractical for the bride to sit still while missing out on all the fun at her party.
The Anna Design Package offers a touch of elegance.
Henna Aftercare
Caring for your henna stain
Henna paste takes 10-20 minutes to dry. Don't smudge it. Keep the paste on!
The longer the paste is on, the darker the stain. Unlike chemical dyes, organic henna needs time to stain the skin: 6 - 24 hours is best.
Do not use water to remove henna paste!
If no sealant was applied: Dried henna flakes off on its own. Flake off remaining paste before bed.
If sealant was applied: Use only vegetable oil (see below*) to remove stubborn paste and sealant stickiness.
- To seal and wrap your henna at home: Wait for the paste to dry. Before cracks form, seal with a water/ sugar solution (1/4 teaspoon sugar dissolved in 1 teaspoon of water). Use sparingly and avoid drips! Gently dab sealant on dry henna with a cotton bud. Let sealant dry, wrap design with unrolled cotton balls, bath tissue, gauze and tape. DO NOT USE PLASTIC WRAP - the moisture from sweat will destroy your design.
THE ORANGE STAIN TAKES TWO DAYS TO DARKEN!
Avoid water as long as possible, as much as possible. After paste removal, do not wet area for 16+ hours, if possible. Avoiding water allows the stain to darken.
Moisturize 2 - 3 times per day. Use a natural veggie oil (*olive, coconut, shea butter, jojoba, etc.) as a moisturizer and especially if the design has to get wet.
Water (especially chlorinated) is the fastest way to fade a henna stain. Hand sanitizer, water, soap, commercial moisturizers, sweating, soaking, exfoliating, shaving, swimming, gloves, manual labor and rubbing also cause fading.