rnrnHenna paste, or [tag]mendhi zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000002 Â zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000003 [/tag], takes from a few minutes to a few hours to apply depending upon the bodily location and the desired detail of the design. After the drawing with cones or syringes is completed, the paste dries to grant the color to become absorbed by the skin. While this takes only 10-15 minutes, the paste should be left on the skin for another 6 hours to accomplish the most lasting affect. A sugar and lemon mixture dabbed on the dried mendhi deepens the final color. When fully dry, the crust falls off on its own. Gentle toweling removes any last bits. The [tag] zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000002 Â zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000003 tattoo zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000002 Â zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000003 [/tag] lasts longer with moisture but gradually lightens through natural exfoliation of the skin. Harsh soaps, chlorine and commercial exfoliation speeds the fading of the design.rnrnCelebrations, such as childbirth and birthdays, might include [tag] zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000002 Â zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000003 mehndi zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000002 Â zyxwere_temp_replacer_1000003 [/tag], but it is Indian brides who traditionally display the most elaborate designs covering their feet and hands. Applying the paste is a celebratory pre-wedding ritual to bring love and good fortune to the couple but it has neither religious nor sacred meaning. Occasionally brides select to mendhi much of their body and include the name of their groom amongst the designs. It is his right and duty to carefully search for it on the wedding night.rnrnIn the Middle East, mendhi days are spent getting to know women of the family as the designs are applied. Females gather to adorn skin with the more casual floral patterns inspired by Arabic art. It is a woman’s day to put away household responsibilities and share a joyful activity with others of her gender.rnrnLeaves are ground into a paste and might be mixed with other ingredients such as oil or tea. The resulting mash remains dark green or black even though the stain is consistently reddish brown. Recipes for henna mixtures are well-guarded family secrets for good reasons. Women want their family members to have a deep, rich tattoo as tradition proclaims the bride doesn’t do housework as long as her design can be seen. In addition, how much your mother-in-law will love you correlates with the length of time the mendhi remains.rnrnThe paste that has adorned so many women comes from Lawsonia inermis, a small tree that grows in areas where the minimum temperature is usually greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Lawsonia inermis is a thorny tree that needs about five years to mature and produce leaves with useful levels of tannin. It grows better in arid than in wet regions and tolerates extreme heat and long droughts. Its origins as a tattoo paste can be traced to areas of Northern Africa, the Middle East and India. Blossoms of the same tree have been used in perfumes since 1500 BCE.rnrnThe use of this abundant plant began in earnest when the desert people of India discovered its “cooling” properties. By dipping their hands and feet into the mud or paste made from the crushed leaves, they were able to keep their body temperatures low as long as some color remained. In the arid heat of their desert environment, this was indeed a fortuitous discovery! From this general application came more specific ones. Women found that a big central dot in the palm cooled as well as staining the entire hand or foot. This rudimentary design was embellished with dots around the center which evolved into the use of increasingly amusing designs.rnrnIn addition to being used to apply temporary tattoos, henna has been used to color wool, silk, animal skins and men’s beards. Mummies dating to 1200 B.C. show evidence of henna use on hair and nails of pharaohs. This day the deep-colored paste is used by women to give luster to their hair as well as hide the grey.rnrnWhen an Indian woman asks her husband if he has mendhi on his hands, it doesn’t mean she really thinks he’s decorated with reddish-brown body art below his wrists. She’s referring to her bridal days when she was not expected to work while the mendhi could still be seen and is asking if this is also HIS reason for laziness.rn

Â

To put the mendhi on, professionals use an instrument that looks like an icing applicator for cakes. It holds the henna in a plastic bag and has a small metal nib. You can imitate this by buying an icing applicator with a nib, or just using a plastic bag and twisting it up so that it comes to a point. Nip off the end of the bag so that you can decorate with it, make sure the hole is little so that you have more control. Below are some armband patterns.

rnrn