What is Mehndi ?

For a brief history of henna and my approach to the artwork, take a peek at THIS

Mehndi refers to the powdered leaf of a beautiful and fragrant flowering shrub known by many names - lawsonia inermis, henna, heena, hana, mehndi, mehandi, mignonette tree, and Egyptian privet, to list a few.

The powdered leaf contains a compound called Lawsone, which when combined with a weak acid (diluted lemon juice or coffee) and a terping agent (eucalyptus or lavender oil), results in a paste that can be applied to colour skin, hair, nails, and various textiles.

Once mixed, the herbal paste has a highly ephemeral nature and is only viable for a brief window of time, which is why using fresh (not storebought!) mehndi and appropriately planning your adornment results in the safest, most long-lasting designs.

What color will My Henna Be?

Ranging from dark cherry to chocolate browns, getting a deep colour from your application is all about good aftercare, placement in an area where the dye absorbs well, and using fresh, high-quality paste. Light and dark skin stain equally well, creating shades darker than your own skin tone. Though you may have heard of other colours such as black and white henna, these are not true henna but concoctions of dye, synthetic pigment, and/or body adhesive applied in “henna” patterns.

How long will the design last ?

The longevity of designs is determined by

- paste quality

- how long the paste is left on the skin (refer to prep & aftercare info below)

- the area chosen for adornment (thick skinned areas hold pigment longer)

- aftercare of the design

Although I’ve got you covered in mixing fresh, fantastic paste with high dye content - placement, skin preparation, and aftercare are up to the recipient and will determine how long your designs last! For a general idea, I’ve included some basic timelines below:

- Hands / 1.5 - 3 weeks

- Feet / 2.5 - 4 weeks

- Belly, Back, Shoulders - 1.5 - 2.5 weeks

Pro Tip for Deep Colour : Because skin cells expand and contract with temperature, changing the surface area available to be coloured, a higher body temperature while the paste is in contact with the skin results in darker designs - so dress warmly! You can even wrap up the design in breathable fabric and sleep with it on!

How do I Prepare for & care for my design ?

After the paste is removed, mehndi goes through an oxidation process that lasts up to 48 hours during which its colour darkens from a pumpkin orange to a deep reddish brown. Please follow these recommendations for best results:

Do not apply lotion or creams before your appointment, this will interfere with the paste’s ability to permeate the epidermis. Save these for after your design has oxidized in order to preserve it!
Once the mehndi has been applied, apply a sealant of lemon juice & sugar mixed in a 1:1 ratio over the design when it is about 80% dried (you can use a cotton ball, cloth, or fingers).
Keep the paste on as long as possible! 8 hours or overnight is ideal because body heat further intensifies the colour (wrap with a thin fabric, ensuring isolation of adorned areas). You can also get fabulous colour from a few hours in contact with the skin, but 8 hours or more is best for getting the deepest colour possible.
Do not use water to remove the dried paste, and avoid direct contact with water/soap/detergents for the first 24 hours if possible.

**OXIDATION OF A HENNA DESIGN WITH PROPER AFTERCARE**

Relax….

Plan to have a restful period of time following application to prevent smudging/flaking of the paste, especially if you have chosen an elaborate design with intricate elements. Evening appointments are fantastic because you can sleep with your mehndi intact and get extra-strong colour!
**When applicable, it is also recommended to wear clothing that can be changed without disturbing the design.**

Reviews

“Amy not only made a beautiful, intricate design that was exactly what I hoped for my bridal henna, but she created the most welcoming, warm environment for the mehndhi party with my family and friends. I could not have asked for a more perfect evening and it was all thanks to her -- not just her remarkable skills but her deep knowledge and her wonderful attitude.”

~ Alyshah H. ~

“I first came across Amy's art while having dinner at the Naam in Vancouver. I started following her on instagram and saw her beautiful art and mehndi. So, naturally when I thought of getting it done, Amy came to mind right away! I asked Amy if she was available with very little notice and she was super kind and accommodating from the beginning. I didn't realize that Amy is based in Salt Spring. I live in Vancouver and decided it would be a nice, soul healing trip, and well worth it to see her in Salt Spring. My experience with Amy was beyond any and all expectations. It was truly a magical, enchanting experience. Amy puts her unique energy, warmth, sweetness, kindness and love into every aspect of the mehndi process. Her attention to detail is so amazing. She is such a beautiful artist. It was so special and sweet and a memory I will hold dear always. You truly are in the best hands with Amy.”

~ Ailvi B. ~

“Having darker skin, I'm always worried about if the henna will show up and so I normally get my palms done. However, Amy assured me that because she was mixing the henna paste fresh, she had complete certainty that it would present a beautiful stain on my skin and she was absolutely right! I am absolutely in love with my design and how symmetrical everything is! And it's so dark and beautiful! And if that wasn't enough, she was an absolutely pleasure to be around and talk to and it made the 2hrs go by extremely fast! I will definitely be getting my henna done by her again!”

~ Asiyah R. ~

“I've had an idea in my head for awhile to get an ink tattoo with a particular design, artfully incorporating the name of my bff of 35 yrs. So when I walked into Amy's booth at a summer event I gave her a vague idea of what I had in mind. The resulting henna tattoo delighted me - and my bff! The henna art lasted abt a week but what I'll never forget is Amy's kindness and compassion when I told her the story of me and my bff who now has Alzheimer's. Amy's clearly artistically talented but she's also one of the rare few whose intuition and big heart inform her practice. Hire her and be delighted”

~ Anonymous ~

“A conversation in jest, many meany years ago "hey Amy, wouldn't it be cool if you did my bridal mehendi when I got married?" Fast forward to June 2022, I was getting married and Amy made the trek out all the way to the Bay Area! Amy is a skilled, creative, authentic, and most of all - caring. She worked with me to help create a bridal design weeks and months leading up to the mehendi. I could not have asked for a better experience, it was so special to have my bridal mehendi done by my talented friend. Along with the beautiful art, Amy also made the mehendi session so warm and fun - despite us going late into the night! Thank you :-) “

~ Rayna S. ~