The art of mehendi appeared a long time ago and today it hasn't lost its importance and popularity. This love for body painting has existed since ancient times. At that time people were trying to put various protective symbols or totems on the body which had various sacred and symbolic meanings.
Today the henna drawings are a kind of safe tattoos, which, in addition, do not last long, and therefore there is no risk that if you do not like the picture, it will be difficult to remove. Mehendi is also not harmful to the skin - it is made by means of natural henna and natural additives. Such a drawing can be harmful only if you have a personal intolerance to wine, coffee or henna, from which the paste is made. Otherwise, mehendi paste takes care of the skin.
How is mehendi paste prepared? Do you have to buy the stencils or can you make your own? Let's look for answers to these questions.
The History of Mehendi
The history of painting the body with henna is still controversial, because some believe that the custom appeared in India, and others - in Ancient Egypt. The countries that attribute the origin of the custom include:
- India.
- Africa.
- Indonesia.
- Egypt.
However, it is generally believed that it was from Ancient Egypt that this custom actually originated. The fact is that the feet and hands of the deceased pharaohs were painted with henna. There was a belief that in this way they were provided with unimpeded access to the other world.
Nevertheless, in India the tradition of henna drawings is still alive, but now a woman before her wedding gets tattoos all over her body. It is generally believed that the brighter the resulting pattern, the happier the Indian girl will be in her married life.
Among other things, henna has healing properties, and therefore is often used as a therapeutic procedure, which can improve the health of the skin.
Advantages of the temporary tattoo
Temporary tattoo has a number of certain advantages, the most obvious of which is considered complete safety for the body. The only real risk lurks in the possible individual reaction to the components of the dye.
For this reason it is recommended to test the paint beforehand on a small area of the skin.
In addition to this temporary tattoo has several other advantages:
- It is not difficult to perform at home with their own hands;
- the process is absolutely painless and safe for health;
- imitation is not difficult to remove or correct;
- does not require serious financial expenses.
There is an opinion that the temporary tattoo does not look as spectacular, but this is largely determined by the technique of creating patterns.
The disadvantages of temporary tattoos can include individual intolerance of dyes and the need to update the picture.
The meaning of the symbolism
Each symbol in the art of mehendi has its own meaning, each of them can be interpreted in several ways. The most common are symbols of love, fertility, marriage, joie de vivre and birth.
Due to the fact that this art is more related to the marriage rite, you can find many symbols that are in one way or another related to the marriage ceremony procedure.
For example, the lotus flower symbolizes the purity of the bride, and the circle with tongues of flame is a symbol of life and fertility. In the interwoven patterns of mehendi you can often see the sign of infinity, which symbolizes the continuity and infinite variety of life.
Photo of mehendi stencils
How to choose a stencil for mehendi - look at the video:
Stencils for mehendi allow you to create amazingly intricate patterns that delight the eyes of others. Even a beginner can draw on your body the figure you like with their help. Simply touch the pattern to your skin and fill in the blanks with paint. After drying, the pattern will be ready.
Source
The difference in styles.
Mehendi on the hands is said to be a way of self-expression. This is due to the fact that the drawing can be picked up once a month and change it for any occasion, holiday or even mood. There are a total of 4 styles into which this art form is divided:
- Floral Patterns. This style is characteristic of the Middle East and is distinguished by the fact that it never has clear schemes or sketches of drawings.
- North African style. It consists of geometric patterns that are picked up and exactly match the shape of the hand or foot.
- Pakistan and India. Here it is customary to apply mehendi not only on the foot or hand, but also on the ankles and forearms. Such drawings resemble stockings or gloves.
- Indonesian motifs. They are a combination or mixture of all the styles already listed above. These motifs are the most common among young people, because they open the door to imagination and even allow you to come up with your own drawings.
With the help of special paper for temporary tattoos
Temporary tattoos, how to make an original drawing, if there is no artistic talent. In the sale you can find a special paper on which to print any drawing on an inkjet or laser printer. The life of such a tattoo is up to 7 days, it will last longer, but it will lose its aesthetic appearance. Remains of the pattern are removed with a washcloth and soap.
Temporary tattoos can be done with transfer paper, drawing the desired picture.
Special A4 paper is sold in packages of 10 sheets, the cost of a set of about 400 rubles. But what a free rein for the imagination! The picture can be drawn in Photoshop, or you can download a ready-made template from the Internet. For this method of application simple drawings are more suitable. They should be mirrored from left to right, because after the application on the skin tattoo will be perceived in a mirror image.
After printing the sheet should dry. Cut out the printed pattern with a small indentation from the edge. On the prepared dry skin the tattoo is translated. To do this, peel off the top layer of paper and glue the film with the picture to the skin.
Most types of paper involve a dry method of gluing the design, but there are also options for which the film will have to be wetted to glue it on. Instructions will be printed on the package of tattoo paper.
Materials for painting
To learn the art of henna painting is not at all difficult, especially if there are appropriate instructions or video lessons. However, a high-quality drawing will turn out only with the selection of the right materials.
To start, first you need to make a stencil for mehendi with your own hands. You will also need the following materials:
- Henna. The basic material can be of two kinds: natural (exists exclusively in brown color) or fast (dyes and preservatives are added here).
- Brushes. Professionals use special brushes for mehendi, which are created exclusively from natural fleece. It helps to paint your pictures easily and evenly. For beginners will be suitable and ordinary thin brushes for drawing.
- Cones. It is recommended that beginners buy them for the convenience of their first paint applications. It is enough to create a funnel out of paper or cut off the tip from the tube.
- Stencils. In order to ensure the accuracy and precision of the drawing, it is highly recommended to prepare appropriate stencils in advance. Especially relevant in use are stencils for henna on the hand. You can both create stencils yourself or use ready-made ones.
- Cosmetic pencils. They are needed in order to outline the boundaries of the drawing on the body.
Temptu .
This type of tattoo is as close as possible to a real tattoo and is performed by introducing a dye under the skin to a depth of 4 mm. The difference lies in the composition of the paint and the small size of the image.
The same dye composition is used for temptu, as for permanent make-up. The paint decays over time, but not completely. Experts say that the mark in the form of a bruise from temptu does not go away.
For the job you will need:
- tattooing machine;
- Pigment for permanent makeup.
The image is applied in compliance with all sanitary norms and in professional salon. On termination of the work a special ointment is applied.The pattern persists for about 3 years.
All temporary tattoos are conditionally subdivided into groups, depending on the term of their preservation.
- Patterns for a year are created with a needle or machine. For this reason it is reasonable to address to the expert for services.
- Tattoo for 3 months also requires the use of a needle, but the depth of the puncture is less. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of an unsightly stain under the skin when the paint dissolves. Because of the need to hide it, the drawing procedure has to be repeated.
- The mehendi stays on for a month, which can be removed with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice if necessary. The mixture is applied to the pattern, then washed off with soap and scrubbed skin.
- The tattoo is drawn with a marker or pencil for a couple of days. It is simple and not dangerous to health.
Applying an imitation helps to change the image and understand if there is a need for a full-fledged tattoo. When creating a temporary drawing, it is necessary to use quality materials and comply with sanitary safety standards.
Advantages of different types of henna
Of course, the main role in the application of mehendi plays exactly the chosen henna. Each of the types has its own range of advantages.
For example, natural henna is highly recommended for beginners. The thing is that it has the following characteristics:
- It manifests itself in a few hours after application, which gives the master time to correct the mistakes made.
- Such material will last for several weeks.
- The intensity of the color appearance will depend directly on the place of application. Brushes and feet are considered to be the places where the paint will appear the brightest.
The intensity of the pattern may also depend on the condition of the top layer of skin, because it is on which the pattern is applied. If it is damaged, the color may not be as bright, and the material will last much less.
Quick henna is also convenient to use, but before you start working with it, it is important to remember some nuances
- The drawing appears instantly, and therefore all the mistakes will not be corrected - the drawing requires great accuracy and skill.
- The applied pattern will not last more than a week.
Nevertheless, this option is considered quite convenient for a single event or for application at the resort.
Rules of care for the pattern
The color of the pattern does not appear immediately. It may even be orange at first, but after a couple of days it will get its true dark, rich color. To make the paint last longer, you just need to stick to a few rules:
- Do not rush to peel the top layer, he himself will begin to fall off when necessary.
- The picture can be washed, but it is undesirable to rub with a rough sponge and apply different creams or tonics based on alcohol.
- Bathing in chlorinated pools or washing your hands with such water is also not recommended.
Technology of execution
The first rule in the process of performance is unhurriedness and accuracy. If the master will not rush, his work will be much better.
The process step by step looks as follows:
- In the place where the pattern is applied, the skin should be steamed. Before starting the procedure, it is desirable to treat it additionally with a scrub to ensure the cleansing of the upper layer of the skin.
- The stencil is attached. In some cases, the stencil may be too small or too large, and therefore the master will apply the drawing in advance and adjust the size of the sketch himself (or if the client wishes).
- It is recommended to warm up thoroughly the cone or tube with henna in your hands.
- The paint is applied in a thick layer on the stencil.
- The drawing must not be touched for one hour.
- When the paint begins to gain color and crack, it is possible to rinse the drawing with warm water. To make the henna last longer, you can wrap it in foil. The body temperature will rise in this area and the drawing will stick better.
- After the place of application has already been washed, you need to blot it again, and then apply some oil on top (you can use any greasy cream for the same purpose).
How to use the stencil?
Let's see how to use the stencil for mehendi. It is a simple process that does not require any special skills. To practice, take a piece of glass the size of the image, attach a template to it, and apply the paint. The henna is easy to rinse off, so you can paint an unlimited number of times.
If the training was successful, prepare your skin area for mehendi. Scrub it well, remove any hairs and wipe it with eucalyptus oil. Now attach the stencil. Ready-made models attach themselves, homemade ones will have to be fixed with scotch tape or adhesive tape.
Take a cone of ready-made dye. If you dilute henna yourself, fill a small bag with a hole in the end or a syringe with the paste. Carefully squeeze out the paint and fill the voids of the template with it. Do not worry if some of the henna ends up on the stencil: the excess can easily be washed away with water.
When all the voids in the stencil are filled, do not remove the template. If you do it immediately, the henna will not be absorbed, and the pattern will look faded. Leave the stencil on the body for 4-6 hours. To avoid damaging the image, secure the top with cling film and cloth. After the specified time, carefully remove the template from the body.
Analyze the state of the picture: how straight the lines are, if there is any excess paint. If the image is blurry, adjust it by drawing the missing lines or removing the excess with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
Spritz the finished pattern with lemon juice and oil to moisturize and even out the skin. The first day the henna will look pale, but over time the hue will become brighter and more saturated.
Mehendi care
There are a few basic rules that must be adhered to in order to maximize the life of the mehendi. These include:
- Before each contact of the drawing with water, you need to treat it with some oil or cream.
- Do not rub the mehendi.
- It is not a good idea to soap it up.
- Do not use a washcloth even while showering.
- Do not exfoliate the area of the drawing or postpone it until the drawing has completely disappeared.
- Avoid bathing or swimming in the pool.
How long will a temporary tattoo last?
The determining factor for the "service life" of the applied tattoo is the technique of creating the pattern and the dyes used.
The dye used influences the durability of the tattoo and its care. The place with a tattoo should not be rubbed with a sponge, scrub or treated with a piece of pumice stone. Pencil patterns are wise to guard against exposure to moisture.
Tips for beginners
The art of mehendi can lend itself to anyone who wants to master it, if you put enough effort into it. It is important to pay attention to the quality of the material, because the quality of the work done will depend on it.
It is also necessary to adhere to the following tips:
- Take into account the time factor. It will take a large amount of time to create a pattern and apply it. After a certain amount of work is done, you will start working faster, but it will not happen immediately.
- It is not recommended to neglect the preparatory stage. Before starting work and creating a paste, it is better to sift the henna several times. This is necessary to avoid the formation of lumps, which can spoil the drawing.
- Prepare the correct stencils. The accuracy and precision of the drawing depends on the stencils, that is why it is better to make sure that the outlines of the stencil are correct and do not contain unnecessary details. This is especially true if the master uses a quick henna.
Mehendi is necessary in order to express the inner world of a person, and therefore it is possible to create sketches yourself and make appropriate stencils from them.
Skin preparation
Do you want to learn the art of mehendi? The stencils are ready - you can start working. But before you do, read some tips. In order for the drawing to be accurate and long-lasting, you need to prepare the skin before applying the paste. First, wash the desired part of the body. Wipe it with absorbent cotton soaked in alcohol so that it is not greasy. Ideally, you can also pluck out all the hairs so that the pattern will be smoother.
Making a pattern
It is not a complicated procedure to create a template yourself. The instructions for its making:
- First of all, it is necessary to print out a sheet with those sketches that seem most attractive.
- It is necessary to take a self-adhesive film, put it on the paper, and then carefully transfer to it the drawing that you like the most.
- It is necessary to take a penknife and cut out all the contours. In their place should be a void, which in the future will be filled with henna.
Such stencils can be used more than once if you carefully remove any henna residue with alcohol or simply put the stencil under hot water.
What are tattoo stencils
Stencils for tattoos are very popular among the female sex. Therefore, you can find many beautiful designs that will ultimately accentuate a woman's beauty. Stencils depict floral motifs, hieroglyphs, butterflies, inscriptions or animals. The design itself is a self-adhesive film that adheres tightly to the skin. The adhesive layer is made of a hypoallergenic polyacrylic-based adhesive. However, if you are prone to frequent allergies, before using a stencil, consult a specialist.
It is better to buy stencils for tattoos in specialized salons, not in the markets. It's all about quality: the higher it is, the lower the risk of allergic rash and redness on the skin. If you have purchased a good stencil, it can be used several times if applied carefully. The glue on cheap stencils dries quickly and loses its properties, so the picture risks peeling off during the process of applying henna or biological paint.
Important nuances
The ancient art of mehendi can be conquered by anyone, if he is quite patient and does not try to save money on materials.
It is worth remembering that the first few procedures will last quite a long time, and therefore your time should be calculated in advance.
It is highly recommended to read the recommendations, which will help to keep the drawing on the body for the maximum amount of time. If you carefully care for the drawing, it can last up to a month.
It is important to understand that mehendi is the art of self-expression, and therefore you should not be afraid to embody your own ideas. Perhaps for someone completely different symbols will be much more meaningful and they will want to see them on their body.
Types of stencils for mehendi
On the photo a stencil for mehendi
The art of body painting is gaining popularity among today's youth. Lovers of stylish jewelry are trying to show individuality, to attract the attention of others and the opposite sex. Masters mehendi easily depict the most complicated patterns on the body, but it is difficult for a person without skills to do it.
To make the work easier you can use mehendi stencils for beginners. They represent a base with slits for filling with paint. An amateur painter can only fix the sample on the body and fill the empty space.
You can buy mehendi stencils in specialized stores and salons together with the ready paste or henna powder. Samples are also sold on popular trading sites on the Internet. When choosing the right one, note that there are 2 types of ready-made stencils for mehendi drawings.
The first one is made of a stencil film. It is a single-use fabric with an adhesive base. It attaches well, is flexible and does not cause discomfort when removed from the skin.
Following the recipe: how to make a henna tattoo at home
Photo from: fashionclassic.ru
To understand how to prepare henna for tattoos does not need to be a spanner in the head, not at all. If you especially want, it is easy to understand, and learn, can also a beginner, who has never before encountered such a thing. To start with, it is worth immediately sift the henna powder through a fine sieve, and it would not hurt to do it a few times. These manipulations will not only get rid of lumps in the substance, but also saturate the powder with oxygen, which will not hurt at all. From sifting henna becomes fluffy, airy and homogeneous. Prepare the paint, as well as your dermis, begin the day before the process of painting.
First step:
- A full tablespoon of henna, which is exactly twenty grams, pour into a previously prepared bowl and pour a quarter of a glass of lemon juice.
- Thoroughly stir the solution, which will be more like apple puree, making sure that the mass becomes completely homogeneous.
- A bowl with the mixture should be carefully wrapped in a plastic bag, blocking the access of oxygen, and then put in a dark and warm place for about 10-12 hours. If the temperature of your mixture is too low, you can warm it up a little in a water bath, but not too much.
Some people recommend adding freshly brewed coffee or tea, as well as cinnamon and other spices to the paint. In fact, there is absolutely no need for this. It is not possible to dilute henna with water, because the pigment is released in an acidic environment. To make the shade thicker and richer, and even darker, you can add some kohl, or antimony, or basma, to this mixture.
Photo from: persianshop.com.ua.
The second stage:
- After twelve hours, take your mixture out of the bag and stir it again.
- To finally understand the henna tattoo how to do, you need to know that in the finished solution you need to add a full teaspoon of sugar, which will allow the mixture to be more plastic and not spread on the skin.
- It is now time for the aromatic oils, and you can stop at any one you like, or you can choose several. The main thing is that in total you add no more than one teaspoon of oils per 20 grams of henna. They are said to make the dye stick better to the skin and look prettier.
Photo from: keeplook.me
But that's not all, because after all the ingredients have been added, it remains to figure out how to do henna tattoos, because the mush will be very thick. To ensure that it squeezes out of the applicator freely, but does not spread in spots and blotches on the skin, it should be diluted with lemon juice to the desired consistency.
Do it little by little, until the paste resembles toothpaste or a medium thickness of sour cream. Adding the lemon juice in small portions, each time thoroughly stir the composition to see how it turns out. Then you need to return the bowl with the diluted henna back into the bag and send it to the old place, for at least another twelve hours until it fully "matures".
Using a stencil
Temporary tattoos - how to do through a stencil so it looks like a real tattoo. Black permanent marker, through the stencil, it is possible to draw very realistic tattoos. You can use a ready-made stencil or cut it out yourself. For this purpose, a drawing is drawn on a sheet of paper and cut out with scissors or a stationery knife.
A stencil is placed on the prepared skin. It should be fixed and not moved when working. This can be achieved by holding the template with your free hand or by taping it to the skin.
Slots are shaded with a permanent marker. Stamp inks can also be used. Stencil slots are blocked with it with a sponge or absorbent cotton. The finished drawing should dry. It will keep on the skin for 3 - 5 days, and if it gets boring faster, it can be easily removed with water and soap.
Proper preparation - is our everything: how to do tattoo henna at home
Photo from: indiada.ru
Naturally, the light henna tattoos can afford anyone, whether it is a prankster and a prodigy of life or a serious businessman who does not take his head off the papers, because these striking pictures on the skin remain not forever. However, with the right approach, careful preparation of the skin surface, correctly diluted composition, and compliance with all other rules, you can make mehendi long enough, nevertheless, eventually, they will fade and wash off, leaving only warm memories of the bright sun and warm summer.
It's worth finding out
If you are interested in henna tattooing, how long it lasts, how it will wash off and whether it is not harmful to the skin areas on which it is applied, it is worth qualitatively and thoroughly study the issue before you do something yourself. Incorrectly diluted henna, its wrong composition and other mistakes that beginners make can lead to quite serious burns, which then extremely bad and slow to heal. In order to avoid serious consequences, first learn everything about the process and only then proceed to mehendi painting.
To begin with, you must make sure that you are not allergic to the substance with which you will be painting on the body. To understand this will help a simple test, which is usually carried out with a variety of creams, masks, hair dyes and so on. You need to put a little solution on the inside bend of the elbow, or wrist, and if after a couple of hours, or better yet, by the morning, nothing bothers you, there is no redness or irritation, then everything is fine and draw the henna tattoo at home.
