Henna is a natural colorant made from the dried leaves of the Lawsonia inermis shrub. It produces a beautiful reddish-orange brown color that bonds well with protein fibers, and has been used for thousands of years to dye
skin (mehndi), fingernails, hair, leather, silk and wool. On cellulose fibers, it produces a pale ecru color and must be used with a mordant.

Fabric/Fiber/Surfaces
Protein fibers: skin (mehndi), fingernails, hair, leather, silk and wool.

Instructions

1. Mix equal parts henna powder and water in an applicator bottle.

2. Add 1ml eucalyptus oil (mordant) per 4g henna powder and mix well.

3. Let the mixture age for 45 minutes and stir well before use. For best results, use within 24 hours. If it is difficult to squeeze the paste out of the applicator, the addition of a few drops of water may be necessary.

4. Thoroughly wash skin before applying.

5. After application, allow the paste to dry on skin (10 to 15 minutes).

6. Moisten the design by lightly applying a citrus/sugar solution with a cotton ball. This will set the henna for a long lasting, dark color. Do not oversaturate the design with the citrus/sugar solution as this will thin the paste and cause fine lines to spread.

7. Once the henna assumes a black and glazy appearance, reduce or stop the application of the citrus/sugar solution. Leave henna on skin as long as possible (up to 12 hours for the best results) for a long-lasting, dark design (3 hours of set time usually results in a dark, solid color). If you plan on going to bed before removing the henna paste, wrap the area with a paper towel or cloth to protect the design and avoid staining your bedding.

8. After setting, remove the henna with a cotton ball and vegetable oil. Avoid wetting the area for a day. Color will darken overnight.

If you are prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, do a small test design and wait a day before proceeding with something more elaborate.