•  Dot number 1 (top dot), central spiral and first circle of small petals in the centre of the flower = Hennacat Bohemian Blend Henna (coming soon)
• Dot number 2 (second dot down), and two outer circles of smaller petals in the centre of the flower = Hennacat Organic Rajasthani Henna
• Dot number 3 (third dot down) and outline of the large petals on the outside edge of the flower = Hennacat Yemen Henna
• Dot number 4 (fourth dot down) and line and dot in the middle of the larger petals on the outside edge of the flower = Jamila Henna
• Dot number 5 (bottom dot) and spiky bits on the outside edge of the large petals = Hennacat Super Sojat henna

Very important to remember: For optimum results you need to begin preparing your henna approximately 48 hours before you intend to use it. If you don’t give henna time to release its dye, or if you leave it languishing for too long, you will not get vibrant long-lasting stains.  hours.

In addition to henna which you can buy from my shop this recipe uses things you will usually have in your home and ingredients that you are likely to find in your local supermarket, or a combination of your local grocery and local chemist shop. Please read this recipe carefully before embarking on mixing your henna so that you understand the process.

20g of henna will make: 2 – 5 cones

For every 20g of henna you will need:

• 100ml bottle of lemon juice, or equivalent in fresh lemon juice (but buy two bottles just in case)
• 6ml  or 1 and a quarter tsp of Cajeput essential oil
• Glass bowl, or a cheap plastic bowl you don’t mind getting stained
• Metal spoon or a cheap plastic spoon you don’t mind getting stained
• One half to one tsp of Glucose powder available at chemists or icing sugar
• Cling film (Saran wrap)
• A warmish place
• Additional sugar and lemon juice for lemon sugar seal
• Cotton wool balls
• Cotton gauze
• Micropore tape or elastoplast tape

The recipe

1. Carefully pour about 90% of the henna powder into your bowl.
2. Gradually add the lemon juice, gently working it in to the henna. You should end up with a mixture which is similar to a thick mashed potato consistency. You are unlikely to need a whole bottle of lemon juice for just 20g of henna. However different henna needs different amounts of liquid. This is because henna is a natural plant product, similar to wine in that different harvests, from different places, impart slightly different characteristics to the henna.
3. Flatten the surface of the henna and then cover the henna tightly with a layer of clingfilm, then cover the bowl tightly with two or three further layers of cling film.
4. Leave the bowl somewhere warmish, out of draughts, but not too hot. I usually leave my henna to brew on top of the fridge where it is very gently warm.
5. After 12 hours if it is warm, or 24 hours if it is cool, remember where you left your henna, retrieve it, and scrape your spoon once across the surface. You will see that the exposed surface is browner, and the henna underneath is greener. In some henna pastes this difference is very noticeable, in others, it is much less noticeable. Now give it a stir. You should notice that the texture has become smoother.
6. Carefully add the 6ml of your essential oil. Stir until it has fully incorporated into the henna mixture. You may require slightly more or less oil according to your preferences.
7. Then add half to one teaspoon of glucose powder or icing sugar. And stir until it is fully incorporated into the henna mixture. You will notice the mixture becomes smother and glossy. If you feel your mixture isn’t smooth enough, add another half to one teaspoon of sugar. The sugar helps the mixture stay moist, but if you add too much sugar it will slide about on your skin.
8. Adjust the thickness of the mixture by adding in more henna powder or more lemon juice.  Here you can add in the henna powder you kept back if you wish. You are aiming for the texture of yoghurt, or in baking terms ‘soft peaks’. The henna mix should not clump to the spoon, nor should it be too runny. ‘Milkshake’ texture is too runny.
9. Leave for another 12 hours if it is warm, and 24 hours if it is cool.
10. After 12 or 24 hours, scrape the top of the henna again and check that there is a colour difference and then give it a final mix through.

Your henna is now ready to put into cones and use!

Lemon sugar seal – for sealing nearly dry henna paste and keeping it ‘stuck’ to your skin instead of the henna paste flaking off.

1. Carefully dissolve 2tp of sugar in 2 table spoons of lemon juice. You can do this either in the microwave for 30 second blasts (use a glass bowl etc) or in a small pan on the hob.
2. LEAVE THE SYRUP TO COOL FOR AGES!!!!!! Whatever you do don’t try to put the lemon sugar on straight away, boiling sugar syrup is really hot and will scald you. It is meant to stick to your skin so you will have volcanically hot syrup stuck to your skin if you get it on you.
3. When the syrup is cool, dab it on to the nearly dry henna pattern carefully. You don’t want to lift the henna paste off.

Wrapping, to help keep the sealed henna in place

1. Un-roll a cotton wool ball (yes I thought they were balls of fluff too, but they are actually rolls) and fluff it up slightly. Press gently onto the henna pattern so it sticks to the henna design.
2. If your design is big, cover the whole design with a piece of gaaze and tape the edges down – this will prevent the cotton wool from dropping off.
3. If your design is small you could tape directly on to the cotton wool.

Once sealed, and wrapped, you should leave the henna in place for at least 12 hours to get the same kind of colour that I did in the images above. I usually aim to leave the henna on overnight when I am sleeping to minimise inconvenience.

After 12 hours, remove the wrapping and gently remove the paste with lemon juice, rinse briefly with water and then watch the stain darken over the next two days. Your henna should reach the peak dark colour at around 48 hours after application.

Videos of the whole process coming soon!

If you have mixed too much henna you can put your paste in the freezer for long term storage or the fridge for short term storage. Make sure you wrap it well in a freezer or fridge proof container. The potent essential oils will add an odour to your food if you don’t wrap it well.

Why not buy some henna and have a go?

What have you always wanted to see someone else do, but have not wanted to ask? Maybe you are new to henna and you haven’t quite got something about rolling cones? Or is there a technique you have heard about but never seen demonstrated?

Anyone can enter! You don’t need to sign up to receive newsletters or buy anything, but if you do make a suggestion, as a thank you I will send you a coupon code for 20% off any order on the hennacat site

At the end of the competition, I will try to film as many helpful videos as I can.

What could you spend your amazon voucher on? Design source books such as the dover series of books or maybe Loretta Roome’s Mehndi book? Or perhaps there is a novel you’ve been wanting to read for a while or DVD you’d like – the choice is completely yours!

The winner will be drawn at random by a random number generator at midnight GMT London on the 30th May 2012.

Terms and conditions

1. Should you win, you are willing for me to publish your name, home town and country on my website and facebook site as the winner.

2. This prize is not transferrable, and there are no alternative prizes.

3. The competition is open to all, irrespective of location.

4. The prize will be shipped within one week of the competition draw.

5. Please keep comments on this post to suggestions and please keep them clean….– no matter how tempting it might be to answer someone’s question raised in a suggestion it will make choosing a winner by a random number generator a lot easier if the list of comments just contains questions.

6. You may enter as many times as you like, with different suggestions.

7. One suggestion per comment.

Why not buy a ‘henna professional kit‘ and have a go at this pattern yourself?

The fantastic music is by kind personal permission of DJ Pathaan from the Globetronic series of podcasts

Hennacat is on facebook!

You will need

1. Massage oil, or hand cream.
2. A towel
3. Somewhere comfortable to sit.

Preparation

1. Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any dirt, or debris.
2. Take off any watches, bracelets or rings you don’t want to get oil or hand cream on. Make sure you put them somewhere safe.
3. Drape your towel and around your lap, chest, and the sides of your body, making sure that you won’t get oil or cream on your clothes.
4. Sit quietly and close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Scan your hands and arms and notice where you feel tension or stiffness.

Apply oil

1. Being by spreading oil over your thumbs, fingers, hands and arms, up to your elbows. Don’t press too hard.

Arm spreads

1. Hold your left arm close to your left elbow with your right thumb towards you and facing upwards, gently squeeze the muscles between your fingers and thumb. Move up your arm to your wrist, and then begin again from the elbow. Now bring your right hand around behind your left arm. And repeat the squeezing movement on this side of your left arm.
2. Repeat six times.
3. Repeat six times on your right arm.

Step 5: Thumb striping

1. Now take your left hand in your right hand with your right thumb at your wrist with your thumb straight. Run your thumb up to the elbow then rotate your left arm so the back of your left hand is towards you and draw your thumb back up to your wrist.
2. Swap hands and repeat on your right arm. This feels a little clumsy at first but with practice is can become a smooth motion.
3. Repeat six times on each arm.

Thumb circles

1. Hold your left hand in your right hand, with your palm upwards.
2. Gently make circles in the left palm with your right thumb. Move along the fingers with smaller circles. Focus on any areas that feel tense. Remember to keep your touch light. Only use gentle pressure if it feels good. If it hurts, don’t use any pressure.
3. Turn the left hand over and gentle circle with your right thumb, on the back of your left wrist, the back of your left hand and the back of your fingers. Again focus on any areas that feel tense.

Finger massage

1. Gently massage the base of your left thumb with your right thumb, using small thumb circles.
2. Then gently pinch the left thumb between your right thumb and fingers all the way along the thumb, squeeze the sides of the nail and then ‘pinch’ the fingers off the thumb.
3. Now change hands and repeat along the right thumb. Continue alternating hands until you’ve massaged every finger.

Wrist rotation

1. Twirl your wrists one way, then the other.

Finishing

1. With both hands, continue to stoke your hands and arms as if you were applying moisturiser. Then rub the hands and fingers together generating heat. Allowing the pressure to become lighter and lighter.

Relaxation

1. Relax your hands down on to your lap and fold your towel over them. Let your arms and hands relax for a few moments. And notice how your arms and hands are feeling now after their massage.

Thank you for reading and watching!

This is a competition that anyone can enter! All you have to do to be in with a chance to win this £15.00 amazon voucher is to ask a question about henna in the comments section. You see anyone can enter!

At the end of the competition, I will attempt to answer all the questions submitted as well as drawing the winner.

What could you spend your prize on? Design source books such as the dover series of books or maybe Loretta Roome’s Mehndi book? Or perhaps there is a novel you’ve been wanting to read for a while or DVD you’d like – the choice is completely yours!

The winner will be drawn at random by a random number generator at midnight GMT London on the 30th April 2012.

Terms and conditions

1. Should you win, you are willing for me to publish your name, home town and country on my website and facebook site as the winner.

2. This prize is not transferrable, and there are no alternative prizes.

3. The competition is open to all, irrespective of location.

4. The prize will be shipped within one week of the competition draw.

5. Please keep comments on this post to questions – no matter how tempting it might be to answer someone’s question it will make choosing a winner by a random number generator a lot easier if the list of comments just contains questions.

6. You may enter as many times as you like, with different questions.

7. One question per comment.

Why not buy a ‘student henna kit’  and try this design out for yourself?

Fantastic music backing this demonstration is by kind personal permission of DJ Pathaan from the Globetronic series of podcasts.

Why not buy a ‘henna professional kit‘ and have a go at this pattern yourself?

The fantastic music is by kind personal permission of DJ Pathaan from the Globetronic series of podcasts

Hennacat is on facebook!

Why not buy a henna kit and have a go at this design yourself? ‘

If you would like to buy henna supplies please visit my shop.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is to subscribe to the hennacat YouTube channel.

The winner will be drawn at random at midnight GMT London on the 31st March 2012.

Terms and conditions

1. Should you win, you are willing for me to publish your name, home town and country on my website and facebook site as the winner.

2. This prize is not transferrable, and there are no alternative prizes.

3. The competition is open to all, irrespective of location.

4. The prize will be shipped within one week of the competition draw.

I’ve collated this work into the publication ‘Rings and Things in Henna and made it available free of charge as a PDF through mediafire.

This free e-book contains the following:

1. Brief Introduction
2. Deatils about how to position your customer
3. Cautions
4. Knuckle template for rings
5. Ring images part 1 – round jewels
6. Ring images part 2 – patterns
7. Ring images part 3 – square jewels
8. Ring images for younger people and fingertashes
9. Fancy and fun ring / finger images including fingerstaches
10. How to draw nine popular jewel cuts
11. One, two and three letter initials and words suitable for rings
12. Roman Numerals
13. Space for your own designs

This free publication is yours with no obligation, registration, or email address required. Simply click the links above or below to download:

Rings and Things in Henna (PDF)

If you are inspired to try henna our for yourself, why not buy some from my shop?

Please feel free to link to this page from your website. I welcome sharing!