Probably everyone at least once in life has thought about doing a tattoo. But not everyone dares to take this step. The process itself is not very pleasant, in addition, get rid of the caused drawing is almost impossible. Therefore, henna drawings have gained incredible popularity, especially in the summer season. After all, you can safely experiment with the design and try a variety of options. Moreover, if desired, such a tattoo can be done even at home. About what you need for this and how the process itself takes place, read below.
Tattoo henna: the main advantages
Despite the popularity of such temporary tattoos, many still have doubts about whether it is worth doing such an option. In fact, this material has a lot of advantages. At a minimum, with its help you can make absolutely any design on your own, even without turning to a master. This significantly saves time and finances.
In addition, it is impossible not to note that the application of the henna tattoo is absolutely painless, which is not the case with the classic version. The process of application itself is safe, which is also important. For many students and schoolchildren the indisputable advantage of course is the cost. It is ten times lower, so make such a tattoo can absolutely everyone.
Inscriptions
Henna drawings on the wrist can contain an inscription in a foreign language. In this case, the symbolism of such mehendi should be found out from the meaning of the words.
The most popular inscriptions in English on the wrist in girls are:
- "Love is life" - "Love is life";
- "I will love you forever."
- "♪ I am lovely ♪
- "Together forever."
- "Husband is my everything."
Girls like to henna also funny inscriptions or names of loved ones. Those who like German better can put their favorite expressions in it.
Among the popular ones look good on the hands:
- "Enttäusche mich nicht" - "Don't disappoint me."
- "Vergeben, verliebte sich, fuhr fort" - "Forgiven, unloved, moved on."
- "Nur vorwärts" - "Only forward";
- "Das Leben ist ein Märchen" - "Life is a fairy tale";
- "Glücklich, modisch zu sein" - "Happy to be fashionable".
Some write on their hands verses from their favorite songs or the names of their idols. Girls also often put words and phrases in Arabic on their wrists. In addition, henna images of hieroglyphs or Arabic numbers are popular.
Sometimes flowers are woven into the letters, or a cardiogram line may come out of the name of a loved one. Words can be in the form of notes or located among the stars and planets. There are phrases written on ribbons or bows.
In addition to traditional letters are printed on the wrists in henna and runic symbols, which are considered the letters of the Celtic and Slavic alphabets.
Most often on the skin can be found:
- Jera - helps in the realization of plans;
- Ken - physical health, healing, protection;
- Lagu - develops vitality and intuition;
- Man - helps in business and develops intelligence;
- Thorn - brings good luck, protects from evil, promotes changes in life;
- Ur - the beginning of a white streak of good luck.
Some girls put on their skin staves of runic symbols. One popular is the "Helmet of Terror. The ligature helps to protect against negative energy and removes ill-wishers from life.
It is not recommended to wear the runes on the body for a long time, so they are not suitable for permanent tattoos. This is a good way to draw these ancient symbols with henna. So they have time to endow the person with the necessary qualities and they are easy to neutralize by washing off the body.
Tattoo henna at home
As mentioned above, it is much easier to do a henna tattoo. This does not require any equipment or special skills. Therefore, you can do it even at home. The main thing is to choose a suitable pattern and to be patient, because you may need a lot of time.
Separately, it is worth talking about the choice of henna. Many are familiar with this powder as a means to strengthen or color hair. But for the application of bio-tattoo, it is definitely not suitable. Pay attention to the inscriptions on the package to buy the right powder with a greenish hue. It is best to go for the purchase to a specialty store or phytopharmacy. There you will find a variety of quality options for a small cost.
It is also very important to prepare the henna properly. To do this, mix the powder with lemon juice in a small container until it is a thick sour cream. Then put it in a dark place for at least 24 hours. After that, add to the mass a pinch of sugar and literally a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil. The resulting mixture should be left for another 12 hours. Only after all the manipulations you can proceed to the stage of preparation. To do this, fill a special applicator or even a syringe without a needle with the obtained paste. If the whole process seems too complicated for you, you can buy ready-made henna paste for bio-tattoo in small cones. It is very easy to use and even a beginner can cope with such a task.
Before proceeding to the application, it is necessary to make a few important steps. First of all, it is necessary to remove the hair on the place where you plan to do the tattoo. After that, wipe that area of skin with alcohol to get rid of excess skin grease.
For beginners we recommend to apply the selected drawing on the skin with a cosmetic pencil. This will make the tattoo look more even with the correct lines. Only after all the preparation, you can proceed to the application of henna. Be very attentive and make sure that all lines are approximately of the same thickness, unless otherwise provided by the drawing itself. Too thin lines can be traced with a toothpick.
After applying the tattoo it is very important to wait at least two hours until the henna dries completely. If the drawing was done in the evening, it is possible to wrap the hand with plastic film. But it should be done very carefully, so as not to smear it. Also, do not fasten the film too tightly so as not to disrupt blood circulation. Another option is to spritz a few times with a hairspray with a strong fixation. But only a product without alcohol is suitable.
There is no need to remove the henna crust, it is best to leave it like that for about a day. Only then, if you want, you can scrape off the remains or wait until they come off on their own. But on no account wash off the henna with plain water.
To seal the pattern and give the skin a glossy sheen, apply eucalyptus or sesame oil. This will increase the drying time of the henna, but at the same time its effect on the skin. Note that initially the pattern will have a slightly different color. Only after a day the shade of your choice will appear.
Secrets of henna drawing
When the mixture for the morning is ready, you need to stir it once again thoroughly and proceed to outline the contour and create a tool with which we will draw. You can use thick polyethylene, foil, the real "home professionals" wield even simple bags. In general, anything that does not leak and from which you can make a cone will do.
- Cut out a 5×5 cm square from a plastic bag. Put a tablespoon of henna paste in the center of the square. The henna should be the consistency of toothpaste;
- Fold one side into the other to make a cone shape;
- Roll the tip of the cone between your thumb and forefinger until the hole at the tip of the cone is the diameter of a sewing needle;
- Secure the sides of the cone with tape. As you squeeze the tape, paste will come out of the nose of the cone;
- Use the cone in the same way as a cake decorator, to make thin lines, you need to gently squeeze the tip.
Photo - Painting with henna
We advise at first to use stencils with wide lines that do not require experience or increased attention, it is more convenient to pass training by outlining the wrist.
Important! Before applying, it is necessary to lubricate the dermis with oil, this should not be forgotten, by the way, often a set of cosmetic oils contains wooden sticks for fragrance. Their wide ends are also a great tool for dyeing.
The average cost of a henna tattoo in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine is $2-3, but it is clear that it will be cheaper to do the drawing with your own hands.
You can order henna directly from India or use powder from domestic stores. It is worth beware of very cheap mixtures, they can be harmful to the delicate skin. Also, in many stores there are fully prepared formulations of all colors, just ask the seller a catalog of paints for tattoos, there you can buy other materials and tools.
How long do henna tattoos last?
Perhaps the most popular question about henna tattoos is how long does such a design last? In general, we can say that not very long. Most often it is from eight to ten days. But on some areas the image can be clear for up to a month. Don't rush to get upset, because thanks to this you can experiment with patterns and change them quite often. In addition, a lot depends on how careful you are with the bio-tattoo.
To begin with it is recommended not to take a shower and not to wash your hands before scraping off the remains of henna. After that, you should also not do it too often. In addition, it is especially important not to use various peels and scrubs, which contribute to the renewal of the skin. The same applies to stiff brushes and sponges, as well as auto-tanner.
To increase the longevity of the pattern, try not to visit the pool and sauna. Also, do not rush into too active workouts. Those who made a henna tattoo on vacation, will have to adhere to all the same rules. In addition, do not swim too often in the sea, because otherwise the pattern will quickly come off.
The symbols on the wrist and their meaning
Henna drawings on the wrist have their own meaning.
Most often in this area girls wear floral ornaments or ancient solar symbols:
Symbol | Meaning |
Point | The human soul, the basis of creation. |
Drop | Infinite energy |
Circle | Integrity, integrity, change in life |
Square | Stability and honesty |
Triangle | Serenity and Health |
Cross | Source, starting point |
Star | Divinity and hope |
Star with 5 rays | Five elements on Earth |
Star with 6 rays | Harmony between a man and a woman |
Octagon | Sides of the World |
Spiral | Reconnecting with Primal Energy |
In addition to geometric designs, plant elements are used in mehendi.
The most frequently depicted on the body of girls are:
- buds - love and new life;
- Leaves - abundance, prosperity, wealth;
- Lotus - innocence, health and eternal life;
- liana - flexibility, success in undertakings, development;
- fruit - immortality, joy and happiness;
- Indian cucumber - fertility, prosperity;
- Vine - loyalty.
Mehendi also features the sign 'om,' which many people recite during meditation. It is used to symbolize the universe and wisdom.
In mehendi, the elephant symbolizes peace, harmony and courage and the fish symbolizes freedom, prosperity and fertility. There are mandalas in mehendi that represent prosperity and the right flow of energies.
Interestingly, on the hands looks the eye of Fatima, which brings the owner protection from negative influences and indicates his chastity. If the sign of the sun is applied to the skin, it is a symbol of wisdom and infinite life energy. The moon on the wrist is a symbol of femininity and the harmonious passage of all cycles in the body.
In addition to traditional henna drawings, non-traditional images for mehendi, such as birds or hearts, are applied to the body. The most popular are drawings with natural dye on the beaches during the summer holidays.
The ancestors believed that each symbol painted on the skin has its own sacred meaning and affects the person, strengthening or weakening in it certain qualities. In today's world, the original symbolism given to body art has not survived, but their general meaning is still there.
For example, the owl on the wrist is a symbol of wisdom and longevity, and the dove with a twig in its beak denotes peace and harmony. The swan on the hand symbolizes fidelity, femininity and boundless love, and the peacock is a sign of joy in life and beauty.
The cat on the skin is a sign of dexterity, wisdom, independence and longevity, while the tiger symbolizes strength and lightning-fast reaction. Black panther henna apply those who want to demonstrate to others their leadership qualities and the ability to protect themselves and their families.
You can draw a dandelion, from which parachute seeds fly out, on your hand. In this case, the picture indicates the lightness of character of its owner.
Chamomile henna on the body is a sign of purity of feelings and truth in relationships, and the rose is a symbol of passion and bright love. Lily on the wrist indicates purity and innocence of the girl.
Some women are asked to henna an anchor on the wrist, which symbolizes constancy and a stable position in society. The crown on the body denotes superiority and a person's desire for power, and the dream catcher protects against bad thoughts during the night's rest.
Drawing henna on the hands and insects. A bee on the wrist symbolizes hard work and family values, and a spider symbolizes femininity and inner strength. If the insect sits in the web, it indicates the connection of all the cosmic energies in one person.
Fly on the hand - a protective symbol, it protects against evil and bad thoughts coming from enemies. A butterfly drawn in henna on the wrist, is considered a sign of immortality and rebirth.
A henna tattoo on the hand
In fact, there are an infinite number of designs that can be transferred to the body as a henna tattoo. We have prepared a large selection of ideas for inspiration, among which you will definitely like something.
As you can see, tattoos made with henna look really very beautiful. The main thing is to choose a suitable design and to follow some rules. Then the result will pleasantly surprise you and will delight you for several weeks.
Some tips from the pros
Experts do not recommend wearing light-colored closet items. Henna can stain your clothes if it is hot outside, as your hands sweat. More often wear orange variations, dark brown tones.
Some people ask if it is possible to tan with tattoos. The answer to this question is given in the affirmative. In this regard, henna plays "into the hands" of those who decided to get a beautiful tan immediately after the application of mehendi. The sun will bypass the henna tattoo, which will leave a stylish white hue pattern on the body after removal.
A henna tattoo is a fun pastime suitable for a warm summer. A beautiful and fashionable image is easy to get and is not difficult to wash off after a while. Tired tattoos can be removed from the hands, apply new ones, diluting the image with bright style, a mystery of personality.
What color will be the henna tattoo?
There are three colors of henna - black, red and white. However, after the full drying of the applied henna, small changes in color are possible. In the black color remains almost unchanged. Red henna becomes darker after a few days. White henna changes its color to a slightly brownish-reddish hue. Any other color sold as mehendi dye is actually produced artificially, that is, it contains chemicals that are potentially dangerous to the skin.
What are the possible complications
Doing a henna tattoo yourself, you must be prepared for possible complications. If the henna is of poor quality, after its application on the skin may appear spots, redness, burns. Therefore, there is no need to save money when choosing henna for mehendi.
Popular mehendi designs
In mehendi, there are a huge number of patterns, symbols. Each of them has a certain meaning:
- dream catcher is a talisman against evil forces,
- The image of a cat on the body reveals the capacity for wit and wisdom,
- The swan and peacock feathers mean success and good luck.
Popular lace, openwork drawings that emphasize femininity, grace. But most often for tattoos girls choose a variety of flowers. These pictures will look beautiful in any area of the body.