Thread: Mixing Henna

So I am attempting to learn how to do henna. I bought some powder, mixed it to the directions given and something is wrong but I have no idea what to do to fix it. I dries super fast, in about 10 min or so and by 15 minutes, it is already starting to pull up and crack. I thought that maybe I was mixing it to thick so I added more tea and I am still getting the same problem only it takes 20 mins before cracking. I am scared to make it to thin.

So it comes down to this, what is your henna mix? What do you add and in what amounts? Maybe I am missing something. Help?

just the powder and lemon juice for me, but i only use it on my hair. if you're putting it on skin you need to add tea tree oil, or something similar.
here ya go: The Henna Page - The most complete henna information resource!

I second trying out the hennapage link above- I add sugar for skin application- so I get kind of a thin lemon syrup mixture going & add the henna, essentially.

I don't have time at present to go into my whole henna process & formula, but here's the most important part as related to this question. I make a syrup of white sugar mixed into lemon juice in a small container (I usually use a Japanese teacup). Once the initial henna application has dried, I dab this on with a Q tip, working through the whole design over again. And then after a while, when it has dried once more, I do it again. And repeat, and repeat, for as many times as I've got the patience for. Not only does the sticky syrup re-stick the henna to the skin and help it stay in place, but the repeated re-wetting enhances the staining effect.

Rosette

My boyfriend does a lot of henna at various festivals and fairs, and we've been working on the recipe. A really good one is from Henna Caravan how to mix henna paste
We've been finding that we need to make it a little thinner than we think we do and the sugar really helps.

I hairspray the paste with non-aerosol hairspray once it's dry, and it pretty much stays on until you're ready for it to come off.

I add a little honey to my mixture to help it stick and it seems to keep it moist longer. I've also had success using glitter glue as a sealant when a sugar paste won't do.

So I have been looking at the suggested site and it is interesting, more of a science experiment then I thought it would be!

The directions that came with the henna I ordered said nothing about sugar, and one a few drops of lemon juice and essential oil are used. The rest is strongly brewed tea. Something is not adding up here.

I think I will go home tonight and try using just the lemon juice, sugar and oil to see what that gets me. Is that enough or is adding tea/coffee/water a must?

I've never used coffee tea or water. In my experience something more acidic gives a better stain. Also the oils added don't do anything for the texture of the henna, they are "terps" for the quality of the stain. The Henna Page - The most complete henna information resource! has pretty much anything you could ever want to know about henna.

Okay, after doing some reading, I think I have it down. Let me know if this is the wrong order...

1. Add sugar (gonna use honey cause that is what I have) to henna powder (around a 5:1 ratio)

2. Add lemon juice until around the same texture as loose mash taters

3. Let it rest until the dye releases

4. Add the essential oil

5. Add either more lemon juice or steeped tea (let me know which is best) until the texture of yougart.

6. Ready to rock?

God I hope I am doing this right.....also, approx how much oil should I add. I know it is hard to say cause each henna mix is different and it depends on the oil (can't remember which one I have) but about two drops for each tablespoon of powder? teaspoon?

Thanks for all the help ladies!

Honey or sugar should come after you've mixed it up and had dye release. Then add the oil and more lemon juice until it is the right texture.

A henna artist has used liquid bandaid to cover henna on me, both to minimize accidents when it's still wet and to maximize the color effect.

My recipe is henna, lemon/lime juice(I do it myself) and the blackest tea. tea has a natural tannin dye so it gives me nice dark color. I apply with jacquard bottle I like 7mm tip or a cone I make from plastic bags. When mixing henna has consistency as pudding not quite stirred.
do design

Here is my simple formula M.A.T.H.

Moisture-keep paste moist by wrapping it well (first aid gauze and tape is fine)
Acidity- keep dabbing sugar/lemon mixture a few times
Time-Keep henna in contact with your skin as long as possible. 6-12 hours(I like it really dark)
Heat-keep warm have a hot cup of coffee tea, belly dance conducts heat
Also a cheat blow dryer on low setting or just sit in the sun outdoors.


Day after- scrape paste with oliveoil, and use back of spoon or even credit card
Try not to get design wet for 12-24 hoursif you do put olive oil on design.

Summertime rules- avoid chlorinated pools and salt water for at least 12 hours.

Doing henna is like an apple pie recipe all of them the same but yet different.


Alrana

I don't use any essential oil.

Originally Posted by steffib

A henna artist has used liquid bandaid to cover henna on me, both to minimize accidents when it's still wet and to maximize the color effect.

ooo interesting idea- especially since my 'sit down quietly by myself' time has disappeared lately.

forgot to mention, i usually 'cure' my henna mix overnight in the fridge before using too for better color.

Thanks for all the tips! I am waiting for the dye to release now so I will let you all know how it goes! I am sure glad that I didn't try to mix the whole bag the first time!

I use the lemon juice and sugar mix too to keep the henna from drying out and flaking. I'll then cover it with paper bandage tape and wrap in paper towels before I go to bed.

Okay, so it did'n't crack and fall off like the first round so that was better but I didn't get a stain at all! I wore it over night, it stayed on, and it still didn't stain my skin! Is it possible I got a bunk box of powder?

It's highly possible. If the box is old and was stored improperly it can stain poorly or not at all. I would go and buy a box of the most recent Jamilla henna if you want a really good stain. It should be available on both of the links I posted.

Originally Posted by Mahsima

It's highly possible. If the box is old and was stored improperly it can stain poorly or not at all. I would go and buy a box of the most recent Jamilla henna if you want a really good stain. It should be available on both of the links I posted.

if you put your new, body art quality henna in the freezer, it will last longer too. Using old henna can be- interesting. Some of the colors in the henna fade while others don't resulting in some weird permutations. Get the good stuff from a reliable source& store it right & you won't regret it!

Originally Posted by Mahsima

It's highly possible. If the box is old and was stored improperly it can stain poorly or not at all. I would go and buy a box of the most recent Jamilla henna if you want a really good stain. It should be available on both of the links I posted.

That is the brand I got, it says it is from the Summer 2009 crop? So after letting what I mixed the second time sit on the counter all day yesterday, I got a little bit better stain this time (not dark but at least it looks like I tried something!). I am trying again today. Last night I mix just the henna and lemon juice and let it sit in a baggie on the counter all night on a white paper towel. This morning there was actually some color on the papertowel so perhaps this time the dye really did release. I am going to doctor it up when I get home (it is now in the fridge) with the honey and oils and see what I get this time.

I really had no idea what a science experiment this was going to be!..l;,

How long did it sit before you applied it? Generally I let mine dye release for about 24 hours (usually under a lamp or in some place warm) mix in the sugar and oils and let it sit for another 12 and then add more lemon juice/tea/whatever to get it to the right texture. Then I apply it. I usually get stains that are pretty dark.

You should keep unmixed henna powder in the freezer, but once it's mixed I've had much better results keeping it somewhere warm. However, your mileage may vary.

I thought that 24 hours would be correct for mine (based on various online charts), but never, ever got a dark stain.

Waited a bit over 36 hours the last time and it came out amazingly well! (I use the henna with sucrose from Henna Caravan, my own essential oil mix, lemon juice and black tea.)

I second the use of liquid bandaid!!! I do one foot, cover with liquid bandaid and then start the other. When both are done and sealed with the spray, I wrap in saranwrap and put on my BFs socks (shhhh dont tell on me!) and go to bed. In the morning I shower and then use nail polish remover to clean off the remaining liquid bandaid (it doesnt hurt the henna). It darkens over the next several hours.

Originally Posted by Mahsima

It's highly possible. If the box is old and was stored improperly it can stain poorly or not at all. I would go and buy a box of the most recent Jamilla henna if you want a really good stain. It should be available on both of the links I posted.

I second on Jamila Henna, gives a good stain- never failed me.
I only use Jamila henna, lucky I have a budding Indian community in town so all the stock is recent, in the Indo-Pak store near my house.


Alrana

Well, better this time. Not as dark as I know it could/should be but def. improvement. I am going to start another mix tonight and see where that one takes me!
I am also going to order another box of the Jamila from that henna site above to see if I just got a bad box and because I am running out now after all the experiments!
Thank you again for all your help.

Just as an added question, for those of you who henna your hair, how long does it last? Do you find that you also henna your scalp? I am thinking about giving it a go.

Success! Thanks everyone for all your help!