Please post your henna questions here and I will do my best to answer your queries. Look forward to hearing from you!
Q: How long does henna last?
A: Anywhere from 2-4 weeks is pretty standard. Usually henna will last 1-2 weeks of good color and 1-2 weeks of fading color. Certain things will lessen the life of the design such as chemicals in hot tubs and swimming pools, exfoliating, harsh soaps and scrubs, and lotions containing alpha hydroxy or other skin-sluffing chemicals. Henna does not tend to last as long on the torso or head. Henna on the head for example, will be lighter in color and will last about a week.
Q: Where does henna stain darkest?
A: Henna stains darkest on the hands, feet, ankles, and wrists. The further in towards the center of your body the design is put, the lighter it generally is. Henna stains darkest on areas with lots of dead skin.
Q: What is henna made of?
A: Henna is made from the crushed up dried leaves of the henna plant. These leaves are then sifted to remove debris and then I mix it with lemon juice, sugar, and a mixture of safe essential oils.
I always seem to buy runny watery henna. I buy it from Southall, the good brand – purple/pinky packaging. How can I tell if it’s good or not so good, cuz I’ve wasted so much money and is there a way to fix the runniness??
If you are buying henna that is runny or watery, then I assume you are buying pre-mixed paste. I do not recommend pre-mixed paste because natural henna has a dye release time of about 3 days after which the stain becomes more and more subtle. In order to maintain the stain for longer periods, companies may add chemicals and other substances that could be harmful to the skin. The safest and easiest route is to buy henna powder and mix it to the consistency you prefer using lemon juice and essential oils such as cajeput and lavender. If you mix it yourself, you can control not only the consistency but also make sure the dye is still within its peak!
Sondos said,
September 20, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi,
I always seem to buy runny watery henna. I buy it from Southall, the good brand – purple/pinky packaging. How can I tell if it’s good or not so good, cuz I’ve wasted so much money and is there a way to fix the runniness??
meghansmehndi said,
September 21, 2009 at 3:30 pm
If you are buying henna that is runny or watery, then I assume you are buying pre-mixed paste. I do not recommend pre-mixed paste because natural henna has a dye release time of about 3 days after which the stain becomes more and more subtle. In order to maintain the stain for longer periods, companies may add chemicals and other substances that could be harmful to the skin. The safest and easiest route is to buy henna powder and mix it to the consistency you prefer using lemon juice and essential oils such as cajeput and lavender. If you mix it yourself, you can control not only the consistency but also make sure the dye is still within its peak!