Henna Tattoo Products
How do I apply henna tattoos?
Caution: As with all cosmetics and body care products, test on an inconspicuous area of skin for allergic reaction. Allergies can develop at anytime, so re-test before every application.
Follow these steps for quick and easy henna tattoo application:
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Gather henna, paper towels, a damp wash cloth (to remove mistakes), a straight pin (to remove any clogs in your cone or nozzle), and mehndi oil (optional).
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Wash area well. Do not use a lotion based soap. Dish soap works great and a swipe of rubbing alcohol helps.
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If your henna is not fresh mixed, mix henna thoroughly. Carefully knead cone or tube for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then make a VERY small cut at the tip of the cone or remove cap from henna tube. You can also squeeze the paste into a plastic baggie, knead it, and then squeeze it into an applicator bottle.
For cones, squeeze out about 1/4 inch of paste (this will get rid of any watery henna from the tip). For tubes, apply desired applicator tip.
Hold tip close to skin (or touch skin lightly) and slowly squeeze henna applicator, creating designs. Experiment with techniques. The thicker your lines, the darker the color. If you make a mistake, quickly wipe off henna with a damp cloth or paper towel or use a straight pin or toothpick to remove the mistake.
Allow henna to dry for at least 1 hour. Leave henna on longer to deepen color.
Ideally you should leave your henna on the skin for 4-12 hours. You can also apply a henna sealer after the henna is set, but before it is dry. This will allow you to keep your henna on for hours (even overnight) to produce a
much darker color.
Gently scrape off dried henna with your fingernail or a butterknife.
Do NOT use water to remove your henna paste.
Optional-To deepen color and help design last longer, apply a thin layer of mehndi oil over design.
Your henna tattoo will continue to darken over the
next 12-48 hours after removing the paste. Try to stay away from soap and
water as much as possible during that time.
If you used easy pre-mixed henna, your design will last about 5-12 days without henna oil, depending on how long you keep the moist henna in contact with your skin. With care, it can last 2-3 weeks.
If you used fresh mixed henna from henna powder your design will last about 10-15 days without henna oil, depending on your henna recipe and how long you keep the moist henna in contact with your skin. With care, it can last 2-4 weeks.
Tips to make your design last longer.
Find easy-to-use henna tattoo kits here.
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How do I apply colored henna paste?
Caution: As with all cosmetics and body care products, test on an inconspicuous area of skin for allergic reaction. Allergies can develop at anytime, so re-test before every application.
Colored henna paste is
very different from regular henna paste. It contains a small amount henna
powder mixed with plant extracts to create the color. It therefore does not last as long (normally 1-3 days)
as it only leaves a surfaces stain. Colored henna is perfect temporary designs or for accenting regular henna designs.
Follow these steps for quick and easy henna tattoo application:
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Gather henna, paper towels, a damp wash cloth (to remove mistakes), a straight pin (to remove any clogs in your cone or nozzle), and mehndi oil (optional).
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Wash area well with a non-lotion based soap (dish soap works great). A swipe of rubbing alcohol can help.
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Mix colored henna thoroughly. Carefully knead tube for about a 1 minute. You can also squeeze the paste into a plastic baggie, knead it, and then squeeze it into an applicator bottle.
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Hold tip close to skin (or touch skin lightly) and slowly squeeze henna applicator, creating designs. Experiment with techniques. The thicker your lines, the darker the color. If you make a mistake, quickly wipe off henna with a damp cloth or paper towel or use a straight pin or toothpick to remove the mistake.
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Allow henna to dry completely. Leaving colored henna on overnight will not give you a deeper color. Once it is dry, go ahead and peel it off.
Do not peel henna off before it is completely dry. -
Optional-To help protect the design, apply a thin layer of mehndi oil over design.
Your design will last 1-3 days depending on your skin
chemistry and care of your henna tattoo. Soap and water will remove colored henna so take care. Color will vary according to your skin tone.
Find color henna tattoo kits here.
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How do I mix powdered henna?
Henna is a very personal thing and what works great for one person may not work well for someone else. There is no right or wrong, and there are no exact measurements. Experiment with your henna recipe to find what works best for you.
Have fun!
Beachcombers! Super Easy Basic Mix
Ingredients Needed:
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Powdered Henna
Lemon Juice (or Distilled Water, Coffee, or Black Tea can be used)
Mehndi Oil
Henna Applicator (professional applicator, Moroccan syringe applicator, or empty cones)
Mix powdered henna with lemon juice (bottled juice is fine) a little at a time until your paste is the consistency of baking soda toothpaste. Mix thoroughly to remove any lumps. It should be thin enough be able to be pushed through the opening of your applicator.
Allow to sit in a warm place away from sunlight for a minimum of 2 hours or as long as overnight. This allows for the henna to release its dye. If you use the henna right away, it will not leave a stain. Once the henna is ready, add more lemon juice or mehndi oil, if needed, for desired consistency and transfer henna to your chosen applicator. Your henna is now ready for use.
Beachcombers! Favorite Henna Recipe
Easy Mix for Darker Color
Ingredients Needed:
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Powdered Henna
Table Sugar
Lemon Juice
Mehndi Oil or Lavender Oil
Henna Applicator (professional applicator, Moroccan syringe applicator, or empty cones)
Mix, approximately, one part table sugar to 3 parts henna powder. Warm the lemon juice on the stove. As an alternative, you can add the sugar into your lemon juice instead of directly to your henna powder. This way you can also make a lemon sugar mixture to use as a sealant later.
Add the warmed lemon juice (or lemon sugar mixture) to your powdered henna a little at a time. Mix thoroughly to remove any lumps. Your paste should be a bit thicker than you need to actually use, like thick mashed potatoes. Cover with plastic wrap, pushing the plastic wrap down so that it comes into direct contact with the henna paste, and allow the henna to sit in a warm place away from sunlight for 3-12 hours. If you use the henna right away, it will not leave a stain.
After the henna dye has been released, mix in
mehndi oil or *aromatherapy grade lavender oil a few drops at a time until henna is the desired consistency. You may need to add a bit more lemon juice to get to the consistency you like. Let the mixed henna sit for at least an hour before transferring to your applicator for use.
Substitution Ideas
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Lemon juice can be substituted for any slightly acidic liquid such as grapefruit juice, wine, vinegar, or ginger ale.
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Table sugar can be substituted with dextrose, fructose, corn syrup, or honey.
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Mehndi oil and lavender oil can be substituted with other oils or mixtures of oils such as tea tree, cajuput, frankincense, or geranium oil. Make sure all oils are *aromatherapy grade. Tea tree oil helps bring out the best color, but doesn't smell very nice. If you want to use tea tree oil, I suggest mixing it with geranium or lavender oil.
*Aromatherapy grade oil is the highest quality oil. Do not use cheap substitutes that may be mixed with chemicals. Poor quality oils can result in a poor henna stain and can be dangerous.
Keep any unused henna refrigerated.
For long term storage wrap tightly and freeze mixed paste.
Tips to make your design last longer.
Find powder henna tattoo kits here.
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More Henna Tips
1. Filling Henna Applicator Bottles
2. Lemon Sugar Sealer Recipe
3. Spray Bandage Sealer
4. Tips to Make Your Henna Tattoo Last Longer
1. Filling Henna Applicator Bottles
Filling professional metal tip applicator bottles and Moroccan syringe tip applicators can be simple. Remember to remove the nip from the professional bottles to expose the bigger opening in the bottle.
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For henna powder that you mixed:
Put henna paste into one corner of a sandwich baggie and cut the tip
or use a carrot bag. Squeeze henna into applicator bottle. The plastic bag can also substitute as a cone applicator.
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For instant henna paste from a tube:
Apply longest applicator tip and squeeze henna into bottle.
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Tap bottle often on a hard surface to settle henna and work out air bubbles as you fill. Be sure to fill the applicator bottle completely. If it is only partially filled it is more difficult to squeeze.
The nips on the applicator bottles can be a bit tight.
2. After-application sealer recipe for darkest color and extra long lasting design:
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Mix together equal parts sugar and lemon juice by warming on
the stove.
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Before henna is completely dry, CAREFULLY apply a thin layer on
the henna design (be sure you apply a thin layer, you don't want it to run). A gauze pad
or cotton ball work great as an applicator.
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Apply heat every so often with a hair drier or a candle to help release the henna dye for better color. Be VERY careful, do not burn yourself.
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Leave henna and sealer on for at least 4 hours (best to leave on overnight). Gently scrape dried henna off. Do NOT wash off or it will lighten your design.
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After all henna has been removed, you can gently rinse off the lemon/sugar mixture with
mehndi oil or a little water (do NOT use soap and do not scrub).
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Avoid washing your henna tattoo with soap for a day.
|
 
These henna designs used a lemon sugar mixture
that was applied too thick.
Notice how the henna has run and the design is not crisp. |
3. Super Easy Spray Bandage Sealer
Spray bandage makes a terrific henna sealer. It doesn't make a mess and best of all there is no running of your henna, so you get a nice crisp henna tattoo.
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After your henna design has set, but before it is completely dry apply spray bandage.
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Hold spray bandage 4-6" away from your henna design and spray a light layer.
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Wait a few minutes and spray another layer. Repeat if needed.
|
 
This henna design used one coat of spray bandage sealer.
Notice the henna tattoo is nice and crisp. |
4. Tips to make your design last longer...
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Use a henna sealer such as spray bandage or lemon sugar sealant and keep henna on overnight.
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Chlorinated water (pools, spas) will fade henna very quickly (this includes tap water which often has high levels of chlorine) so stay away from these to avoid fading your henna design.
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Wear gloves when your hands come in contact with chemicals (when cleaning especially).
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Use gentle soap when washing hands (stay away from any type of exfoliating soaps).
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Wear rubber gloves when washing your hair.
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Apply henna oil over your design before showering or any
contact with water.
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Henna Paste Safety & Ingredients
Beachcombers! only offers safe natural henna without harmful chemical additives. Allergies to natural henna are rare, but can occur so always test on an inconspicuous area of skin for allergic reaction. Allergies can develop at anytime, so re-test before every application.
We do not recommend henna be applied to any child under 8 years old.
Never apply henna to an infant.
Never use henna with chemicals or henna that does not contain a list of ingredients. If a henna tattoo is jet black and lasts more than 2 days, it is UNSAFE and contains PPD or other dangerous chemicals. If you have used henna with chemicals before, it is even more important to not come into contact with PPD or chemical based henna again. Reactions can happen years after your first exposure. Protect yourself! Always know what is in your henna!
More information about the dangers of Black henna are available in our Blog.
Beachcombers! Henna Ingredients
Ingredient list for Beachcombers! natural henna:
Natural Henna Powder
Mineral Water
Menthol
Henna Oil
Citric Preservatives
Ingredient list for Beachcombers! natural black colored henna:
Natural Henna Powder
Mineral Water
Henna Oil
Natural Vegetable Colors
Gum
Citric Preservatives
Ingredient list for Beachcombers! natural colored henna:
Natural Henna Powder
Mineral Water
Henna Oil
Natural Vegetable Colors
Gum
Citric Preservatives
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What kind of henna is best for me?
New to henna? Overwhelmed with the choices? Don't know the differences between different kinds of henna? This guide will answer your questions!
Henna is available in pre-mixed paste and powder form. All Beachcombers! henna is chemical-free and has all natural ingredients listed on the container. You should NEVER use henna without listed ingredients or henna that contains any chemicals. Pre-mixed henna paste is super easy and ready to use, giving adequate results. Powder henna needs to be mixed and takes a bit of time, but can yield exceptional results.
Regular Henna vs. Color Henna
Standard natural henna can leave a henna tattoo stain in a range of colors including orange brown, coffee brown, or deep red brown depending on your body chemistry, the henna mix, where you put it on your body, and how long the moist henna stays in contact with your skin. A standard henna design will last from 1-3 weeks.
Colored henna is very different from regular henna. Color henna contains a small amount of henna along with plant extracts to produce color without any harmful chemicals. Color henna is a surface stain and does not penetrate deeply into the skin like standard henna (similar to the stain blueberries might leave on your fingers). Color henna lasts from 1-3 days and can be scrubbed off if needed using soap and water (some colors wash off easier than others).
Colored henna is perfect for accenting a standard henna tattoo design or for a short term tattoo or to "try out" a tattoo before committing to the real thing. If you have taken the time to do an intricate long lasting henna design, adding colored henna to the design is a great way to keep the design fresh. You can change the colors to match an outfit or theme. If you are still not sure
what kind of henna you would like best, try both colored henna and natural standard henna.
Pre-mixed Henna Paste vs. Henna Powder
Is premixed henna paste or henna powder right for you? Well, that depends on what you are looking for from your henna tattoo and how much work you want to do to achieve those results. Try a little bit of everything to find out what you like best with a Beachcombers! specially designed starter kit. Read on for more details...
Looking for fun, easy, short term results from your henna tattoo?
Pre-mixed paste henna is for you. If you don't want to be stuck with a henna design that will last for 3 weeks or more (especially if you are new and want to practice often or change your henna design often), pre-mixed henna paste does not stain the skin as deeply as freshly mixed powder. Pre-mixed henna designs typically last 5-15 days and are not as dark as freshly mixed henna powder. This gives you a bit more flexibility and is more forgiving when you are a henna beginner. Pre-mixed henna paste is super easy to use. Just knead the cone or tube and apply your design.
As you grow as a henna artist or if you want darker longer lasting results, you can help your pre-mixed paste by mixing in some natural additives and/or using a sealer to keep the moist henna in contact with your skin longer.
Serious about henna? Looking for extra-dark long-lasting henna tattoos?
Beachcombers! fresh henna powder is the henna for you. Mixing your own henna paste from powder is more time consuming but can yield astonishingly good results. Be ready to commit to your henna design, as results typically last 2-3 weeks with some designs lasting up to 5 weeks with exceptionally good care. One of the best things about mixing your own henna is you get to create your own personal henna recipe. The Beachcombers! Favorite Henna Recipe is a very easy henna mix to start with and will give great results.
Tips for helping pre-mixed paste (Extra applicator required: empty cones, applicator bottles...)
Squeeze your pre-mixed henna paste into a small bowl. Add sugar in a ratio of approximately 3 or 4 parts henna to 1 part table sugar. Add some lemon juice, but not enough to make the paste too thin. Mix WELL. Mix REALLY WELL. Allow the henna sit for 1-3 hours in a warm location away from sunlight.
After letting your henna paste sit, add a few drops of henna oil, lavender oil, or tea tree oil and mix it well. Add more lemon juice if your henna is too thick. Let your henna sit for approximately one more hour. Transfer the henna paste to your chosen applicator and you are ready to go.
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Henna Trouble Shooting Guide
Henna made easy! Find your henna problem and a list of possible reasons/solutions for you to fix it.
Pre-mixed henna paste is not staining well.
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The number one reason henna does not stain well is that the area of the body that the henna is on was not clean. Lotions, sweat, hair products, and anything else on the skin will give you a poor henna stain. Make sure the skin is completely clean before applying henna. Washing with dish soap or wiping the area with rubbing alcohol or which hazel can help.
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The henna paste needs to be mixed. Henna can sometimes separate a bit from shipping or sitting for awhile. Be sure to knead your henna cone or tube thoroughly before using.
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The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good stain.
Ideally, you should leave henna paste on for 4-12 hours. Try sealing the henna design after the henna is set but before it is completely dry. You can also mix in some sugar into the henna to help it stay moist longer and adhere to the skin better. Also, make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
Powder henna is not staining well.
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The number one reason henna does not stain well is that the area of the body that the henna is on was not clean. Lotions, sweat, hair products, and anything else on the skin will give you a poor henna stain. Make sure the skin is completely clean before applying henna. Washing with dish soap or wiping the area with rubbing alcohol or which hazel can help.
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The henna did not sit long enough for the dye to develop before being used. After mixing the henna it must sit in a warm area away from sunlight for anywhere between 2-12 hours. The warmer it is the sooner the dye develops.
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The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good stain.
Ideally, you should leave henna paste on for 4-12 hours. Try sealing the henna design after the henna design has set but before the henna is completely dry to help it stay moist longer. Also, make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
Color henna is not taking well.
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The number one reason henna does not stain well is that the area of the body that the henna is on was not clean. Lotions, sweat, hair products, and anything else on the skin will give you a poor henna stain. Make sure the skin is completely clean before applying henna. Washing with dish soap or wiping the area with rubbing alcohol or which hazel can help.
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The henna paste needs to be mixed. Henna can sometimes separate a bit from shipping or sitting for awhile. Be sure to knead your henna cone or tube thoroughly before using.
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Make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
*Remember color henna is a surface stain. It will start fading immediately upon contact with water or upon sweating.
Henna is drying too quickly or cracking too much while drying.
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Your henna mixture needs to be stickier. Add sugar or honey to your henna. This will keep the henna moist longer and will help the henna adhere to your skin.
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Try steaming your henna design as it starts to dry to keep it moist longer.
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Add a
henna sealer over your henna design after the henna has set but before it is completely dry.
Henna tattoo design is fading quickly.
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The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good deep stain. Try sealing the henna design after the henna design has set but before the henna is completely dry to help it stay moist longer. Also, make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
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The henna design is coming in contact with water or chemicals too often. Chlorinated water (pools, spas) will fade henna very quickly (this includes tap water which often has high levels of chlorine). Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the house (especially dishes) and when washing your hair. Apply a light layer of Mehndi oil over your henna design before coming into contact with water.
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You may be using an exfoliating soap and/or lotion. Most facial soaps are highly exfoliating.
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The skin is dry. Where as dry skin helps henna to take and get a nice deep dark stain, it also fades the henna quicker as dry skin sheds it’s
skin cells faster than moist skin. Apply henna oil or non-exfoliating lotion over your henna design daily.
I've read the trouble shooting tips but I'm still having trouble.
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Try a different part of your body. Henna takes the best on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
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Try a different kind of henna. The same henna works differently on different people. If you've been using pre-mixed henna, try mixing fresh henna from henna powder.
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Your henna may have lost it's color due to age or improper storage. Keep your henna in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator. When mixing henna, only mix as much as you need at a time. If you mix extra wrap it very tightly and freeze it. If doing henna outside in the heat, keep your henna in a cooler when not in use.
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In some very rare cases, henna just doesn't take well to certain people. Never use henna with chemicals to compensate. If henna doesn't take well to you, then you will need to work extra hard. Mix your own henna from henna powder using the Beachcombers! Favorite Henna Recipe. Seal your henna design completely and use additional heat to help activate the henna. Wrap your henna design overnight.
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