Welcome back dolls! ❤️
Recently I have become absolutely obsessed with the art of henna tattoos!
I decided to do some research and try out some beginner techniques to see how easy it really is to do all of the complicated designs you see all over twitter/Instagram and online in general - unfortunately for me there are no henna courses available in Essex so it really is all self taught!
There are hundreds, if not thousands of henna videos on YouTube so there is enough inspiration out there to get you started.
I believe it is important to do research before taking the plunge and buying masses of henna cones/tubes and covering yourself in it - for example before doing my research I didn't know the dangers of black henna. Black henna often contains the chemical p-Phenylenediamine which gives the normally red/brown dye a black tint so avoid black!
To be honest I have had black henna used on my before and I was perfectly fine but if you are allergic to hair dye, body paint or have sensitive skin I would strongly recommend against using it.
At the moment I have been using Golecha natural henna paste cones, which dry a nice dark brown colour and usually last about 4-5 days before the pattern turns red/orange. I purchased these from eBay directly from an Indian company based in India ..not only are they cheaper but I feel as if they are more genuine than the tubes you can buy from the UK. As with any product, buying henna from internet stores can be risky so be sure to read the seller reviews before you part with your cash!
When using henna for the first time it's always best to do a little patch test (I did mind on my thigh so no one would see!) and if all is okay your ready to start!
If you're using the cones cutting the tip can be a make or break situation ..cut to much and the designs will be thick and messy ..don't cut enough and your ink won't come out! I usually cut about 1/2 mm of the end and apply some ink into tissue or paper to make sure I'm happy with the width and flow of the ink.
Take some time to look at designs online and test basic swirls and patterns on your leg or stomach (somewhere no one can see) until you are comfortable enough to start testing designs out on your hands.
Once you're happy with applying henna the design possibilities are endless!
I hope this little beginners guide has helped you guys - stay tuned for my beginners design guide ❤️
