How to Draw Henna Tattoos
Henna tattoos are thought to have originated in Egypt, where the plant was discovered. Henna later spread through India when it was brought there by the Egyptians and renamed Mendhi. In traditional Indian weddings, the bride's hands and feet are painted with delicate henna patterns for good luck. Today, henna tattoos are a popular form of temporary body art, worn by those who do not want a permanent tattoo, or who are thinking about permanent art and want to see what it looks like before making a final commitment.
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Things You'll Need
- Mixed henna paste
- Paste applicator
- Tattoo design
- Tracing paper
- Water-soluble, soft-tip marker
- Roll-on deodorant
- Hair dryer
- Two tbs lemon juice and sugar
- Eucalyptus or olive oil
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Choose the area to be tattooed. Places with little body hair, such as the hands or the inside of the arms, work best. Wash the area with hot water and soap, dry thoroughly and use a cotton ball to wipe with astringent or rubbing alcohol.
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2
Choose a design. The design may be drawn freehand or transferred from paper to avoid mistakes. To apply by paper, trace the design onto tracing paper with a water-soluble marker. Apply roll-on deodorant to the prepared area, then place the paper, drawing side-down, on the skin. Leave the paper on for three minutes.
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3
Carefully peel away the tracing paper to reveal the transferred design. Trace the lines with henna paste using the applicator of your choice. Correct mistakes immediately by scraping away excess paste with the flat end of a toothpick.
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4
Allow paste to dry for two hours. Gently heating the tattoo with a hair dryer while it dries will intensify the color.
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5
Make a solution of equal parts sugar and lemon juice. Dab onto the tattoo with a cotton ball, allow to dry and apply a second layer. This also helps intensify the color.
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6
After five to seven hours, remove the dry henna paste by brushing it away with a soft cloth. To preserve the color, apply eucalyptus or olive oil immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid getting the tattoo wet for 24 to 48 hours to prevent smudging. When the tattoo begins to fade, apply another layer of paste to make it last longer. Henna tattoos last longer on areas of the body covered by clothes. When drying the tattoo after a shower, dab it dry rather than rubbing.
Some people are allergic to henna paste. To test for allergic reaction, drip a little henna mixed with water on the inside of the arm and wait 12 hours to make sure allergic reaction does not occur.
