How to Make Henna Necklaces

Henna is used as a bridal decoration for wedding ceremonies.

Henna body art is a popular alternative to permanent tattoos that has been used for centuries as a ceremonial decoration that brings good luck among other charms. Henna is made from the powdered leaf of a henna plant, mixed into a paste and applied to the skin as a dye. It can also be used as a natural hair and clothes dye. Paste made from the henna leaf creates a reddish or dark brown stain when applied to human skin. The darkness of the pigment is dependent upon the freshness of the henna leaf powder and the ingredients used to mix the paste.

Things You'll Need

• Henna kit
• Henna powder
• Henna applicator
• Tea tree oil
• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Water
• Stirring stick

Instructions

1. Mix the henna powder into a stiff paste with lemon juice and tea tree oil. Tea tree oil will darken the henna stain. If you prefer a lighter reddish pigment, mix honey into your henna paste instead of tea tree oil.

2. Store your henna in a bowl covered by plastic wrap for 2 to 24 hours before use. Allow the newly mixed henna paste to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours to achieve the best results.

3. Place the henna paste in your henna dispenser. A simple dispenser can be made with a sealable sandwich bag that has a small hole cut or poked in one corner.

4. Use a mirror to dispense the henna paste in a necklace design on your sternum. You can use a pre-made stencil, draw a faint design with body-safe art pencils or create a freehand design with the henna dispenser.

5. 

   Henna designs can be intricate or simple.

   Allow the henna to remain on your sternum for 4 to 24 hours. Because the staining process is lengthy, you may need to seal the henna to keep the paste from drying and falling off of your chest. A simple lemon and honey mixture will stick the henna to your skin and keep it moist. Either wear a low cut shirt that won't rub against your henna design, or wear a high-collared cotton shirt that can be stained.

6. Wash the henna paste off with warm water and enjoy your henna necklace for up to three weeks. Save your unused henna paste in a sealed container to refresh your body art as it starts to fade.

Tips & Warnings

• Henna paste can be sealed and stored in a refrigerator for up to one month.

• There is no such thing as black henna. Any product that claims to be black henna may be harmful and cause permanent health issues.

References

• Earth Henna
• The Henna Page: Warnings: PPD Black Henna: What is Black Henna?
• The Henna Page: Mixing Henna
• The Henna Page: Seal Your Henna