Noun: Mehendi (Indian Term), Maruthani (South Indian), Saumer (Sudanese): the art of henna.

Henna tattooing has a long history in Eastern cultures, most notably in India, Arabia, and North Africa. Henna is a dried powder crushed from a small shrub whose botanical name is Laesonia inermis. The henna plant can be found in the hot climates of Iran, India, pakistan, Egypt, and throughout North Africa. Henna was thought to be a gift from the ancient Egyptians. It has a unique property when made into a thick paste and applied to the skin: it draws out heat, so it's not hard to believe that it may have been first used as a sort of "air conditioning" for the ancient desert-dwellers.

Henna paste stains the top 7 layers of skin, so it fades in 9-28 days. The better you moisterize the longer it will stay. There is no guarantee on how long it will last, or how good the contrast will be on your skin tone. Everyone's body is unique, and interacts differently. We can tell you that if you want more contrast, stick to the hands and feet, especially the palm and sole where the skin tone is lighter. Traditionally brides in India would have elaborate designs painted on their hands and feet, sometimes reaching to the elbow or knee.

SonKissed Henna Designs is a Mehendi service. You can book us for private parties, company picnics, or for custom designs. We can be reached at sonkissedhenna@yahoo.com.