Bring art back to the word “pARTy” with cool henna tattoo designs. You’ve seen them in concerts and other major events, but it’s high time you bring the exotic vibe in your mini parties.
Henna tattoos are becoming popular attractions for parties of all ages. The designs are varied, depending on whom the party is for and what the celebration is all about. It’s probably the thrill of using your skin as a canvas of art (which is usual in tattoos) but without the pain of the micro-needle that makes henna tattoos well-known.
What is a henna tattoo?
The ink used for henna tattoos comes from a small flowering shrub. As a plant, it’s mainly used in treating skin conditions, fevers and headaches. Its flowers are fragrant; they’re used to create perfumes, deodorants, and antiperspirants. Its leaves are dried, pounded into fine powder, and then used to dye clothes, hair and even the skin, although only temporarily.
The art of henna on skin has no clear origins, although there were speculations that it came from Ancient Egypt. Stories say that Cleopatra used henna skin tattoos to adorn her body.
Mehndi is the art of applying a henna tattoo to the hands and feet. It is an art traditionally used in rites of passage and celebrations because of the meaning of the designs. There are cultures around the world that use henna tattoo in their unique way. For example, in Hindu weddings, brides are adorned with henna to symbolize beauty, joy, offering and spiritual awakening. Moroccans, on the other hand, paint henna on doors, instead of skins, to bring them prosperity.
In Egypt, the fingers, toes, and hair of mummified remains have tested positive for henna using infrared technology.
The design of henna art depends on the country where it is used. For instance, you would notice fine lines and floral patterns in Hindi designs while Arabic designs are more significant in scale. Furthermore, African designs are geometric and bold.
In the US, Hindi and Arabic designs are the most popularly used.
Is henna safe on all skin types?
The untainted ink used in henna skin tattoos is safe for all skin types. Be wary, however, of inks that contain p-Phenylenediamine, also called coal tar or PPD. According to the Food and Drug Administration, PPD is known to cause allergic reactions in some people.
Choose henna tattoo artists that use only natural components when producing henna. This way, the art becomes safe even for children’s delicate skin. Avoid the black varieties of henna that contain PPD.
With that said, the next question would be: how long does a henna tattoo last?
The length of time a henna decoration lasts on the skin depends on the person’s skin type, lifestyle and the color of ink used. Though, a henna tattoo lasts for four weeks.
Henna in weddings
Henna marks the joining of two families. In both Hindu and Muslim traditions, Henna tattoos are considered an essential pre-wedding tradition. The henna is given by the groom and sent to the bride in a beautifully prepared package.
An artist will then apply the henna tattoo on the bride’s hands. Following tradition, the design is made of intricate swirls and lattices in floral patterns. The idea is to use henna tattoo artist to create an illusion of a princess bride.
But more than the beauty of the art, henna tattoos are also believed to ward off the evil that might go in between married couples. Therefore, the more intricate the designs are, the harder it will be for evil to enter the marriage.
Also, the depth of hue applied to the henna tattoo will signify the love between husband and wife. The thicker the hue, the deeper the love.
It is customary in Hindu and Muslim weddings that the bride shouldn’t do any housework until the henna tattoo wears off.
Henna in kids’ parties
Remember how kids would enjoy body or face paints? The colors give off the excitement, making kids giggle and have fun.
Kids can have fun by switching to henna. Contrary to popular belief, a henna tattoo is not a fake tattoo just because it’s temporary. Instead, henna is an art form, and with its application, your child’s skin becomes an art masterpiece.
With its lack of vibrancy in colors, henna can easily compensate for that with its unique patterns and cool designs. You don’t have to stick to the lacy, and intricate patterns. Henna tattoo designs can be simple and straightforward. Ask your preferred artist to ready a portfolio of previous works that kids can quickly pick up during the event.
Henna works best for overnight parties because the color results are most noticeable in the morning. If the party involves water, for instance, pool and beach parties, remind kids to dry their henna tattoos entirely before jumping into the water.
Henna in lady parties
Henna brings out your true beauty – even history and mythology would agree.
Hindus believe that goddess Parvati used Henna to appeal to her husband, Lord Shiva. Henna pleases Lord Shiva, thus guaranteeing Parvati’s success and bliss in marriage. This goes without saying that henna is believed to be an irresistible aphrodisiac.
The Queen of Egypt used to adorn herself in henna to show off her high social status and to seduce men, too. Cleopatra’s charms were amplified with the beautiful art of henna.
Henna has the same effect even in modern times and with ordinary people. If you wish to affirm or negate myth and history, give henna a try.
Inject a henna tattoo party in your bridal showers or sleepovers.
“Menna” tattoo for men
“Menna” means henna for men. These tattoos have a strong appeal to them because instead of focusing on the swirls and curls, they focus on the geometric aspect of temporary tattoos.
Menna tattoos are inked anywhere on the body, but the most popular of which highlight the biceps, the abs, and all those manly glories.
Henna as a talisman
Yemenis believe that Henna offers protection from evil. This beautiful form of skin art is used to ward off malevolent spirits and demons. Yemeni women adorn themselves with a henna tattoo to keep them safe from the “wicked eye.”
Even if you’re not Yemeni, you lose nothing if you believe henna’s power to act as your personal, although temporary, talisman. Have an artist draw henna on your skin during Halloween, concerts, and other events.
Henna’s therapeutic effects
These days, meditation parties are gaining popularity. The core of meditation parties is to relax the mind and soul and to rid them of diseases. Henna comes right in the middle of meditation parties with its many therapeutic effects.
Although already processed, much of the nutrients and healing chemicals in the henna plant have been retained in ink used for body tattoos. The high concentration of useful substances and nutrients gives henna its anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
Some of the therapeutic benefits of henna, when applied to the skin, include:
Clears up irritation, infection, or pain in the beds of finger and toenails
Reduces wrinkles and fine lines thereby slowing down the aging process
Provides an antibacterial effect on the skin
Protects wounds, scrapes, and burns against inflammation and infection
Relieves many sleep disorders like insomnia and restlessness
Lowers blood pressure and gives a hypotensive effect
Why choose henna tattoos?
The benefits of henna tattoos outweigh those of permanent ink tattoos. A henna tattoo does more than provide a temporary but attractive alternative to permanent ink. Henna does not require the use of needles and is, therefore, painless.
Also, there is no room for long-lasting regret regarding a henna tattoo because it doesn’t last forever. Besides, who would regret getting geometric or intricate flower patterns for four weeks?
Unlike the permanent tattoo that contains ink that could be harmful to the skin, henna has properties that improve the condition of the skin as it slowly fades away.
Again, there is no harm when only authentic and unmixed henna is used on the tattoo. Harm may come if you get tattooed by inexperienced artists who mix henna with a cheap hair dye called paraphenylenediamine, or PPD. PPD is a chemical that can burn the skin.
How to decide on a tattoo
Enjoy the art of tattoos while being safe and smart with your choice. Consider a temporary tattoo, in place of a permanent one, if you:
Are not sure if you will always want a tattoo. Getting a tattoo may be a burning desire for now but are you sure you will have that burning desire for years to come?
Are not sure if you will always want that specific tattoo design. Sometimes, your preference changes. For example, you want to tattoo the name of your partner but what happens if you both call it quits? It will be costly to erase that name using a laser. If you do get it erased, your skin will never be the same.
Can’t afford to have a permanent tattoo removed later on.
Are worried about the possible health risks of an allergic reaction or infection that might arise from the ink used in permanent tattoos.
Preparations for henna tattoo
Think of yourself as a blank canvass for the henna artist. With that said, you need to make sure you clean your skin well and that you remove any lotion or sunscreen too. Dry your skin using a towel or tissue.
While you’re doing that, your artist will prepare the ink to be used. Again, look out for the black dye. You should not let your artist apply any black henna dye on your skin because that contains harmful chemicals. Henna should be brown, orange-brown, or reddish-brown.
Next, your tattoo artist will trace the design you want on your skin. Since the design is not yet inked during this stage, you can still change it, depending on how it looks on your skin. Sometimes, transfer paper is also used.
If you’re sure about your design, give the signal to the artist, who will position the tip of the applicator just above the skin. He or she will gently squeeze the bottle to apply the henna. It should emerge from the tip in a rounded tube. The tip should not touch the skin; otherwise, the tattoo will be flat.
You should allow the henna to dry on your skin. A liquid hair gel will be sprayed on the dried henna and followed up with a piece of gauze wrapped around it. The design should be wrapped for approximately 12 hours. The longer you leave the henna wrapped, the deeper its tint will be, too.
Lastly, gently wash off the dried flakes of henna on your skin. The tattoo design should be what’s left behind. You can use coconut oil or olive oil to protect the tattoo and help it last longer.
Caring for your henna tattoo
A henna tattoo will stay on the skin for about four weeks. However, the more often you wash the area, the faster it will fade, too. Ideally, you should keep the area dry for the first 48 hours, but if you must wash it, then you have to apply Vaseline or baby oil to protect it.
You have the option to reapply for your henna tattoo by calling your artist or by doing it yourself, but that will only be good for four to five applications. Should you choose to reapply the henna tattoo on your own, highlight the curves and swirls. This way, the soul of the design is as magnificent as first applied. You need to have a steady hand to get this task done. It has to be as light as a feather, too.
After that, there is nothing you can do to prevent it from fading.
Happy henna art day!
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Do you want these popular henna tattoo designs at your next event? Our henna tattoo artists will come to your party and create these beautiful works of body art.
Contact us at (970) 377-0093
Our talented artists will create fun, intricate designs for you. We serve the areas of Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, and nearby areas in Colorado.