Mehandi designing for beginners

Mehandi or Henna designing is a traditional Indian art form, similar to the art of tattooing, but temporary in nature. Previously, it was used for auspicious reasons, but now it has become a fashion statement, whereby each and everybody wants to sport it for personal pleasure. However, there are still many of them who are unaware of this art form, and my tutorial will be surely be helpful for them in learning the basics of mehandi designing. For easy learning, let's divide the process of learning into three stages:

• Preparing mehandi powder
• Preparing the mixture
• Cone-making and filling, and
• Application

PREPARING MEHANDI POWDER:

For preparing the mehandi powder, collect mehandi leaves(or henna leaves) and dry them in the sun for 5 days. Now, grind it into a fine powder and sieve it using a fine cloth. Use the fine powder for application.

Note: The mehandi powder can be stored in an air-tight container for future use.

PREPARING THE MEHANDI MIXTURE:

For preparing the mixture, take mehandi powder in a bowl and add water and eucalyptus oil to it(in the ratio 4:2:1). Mix it well with a spoon and leave it to soak for 2-3 hours.

CONE-MAKING AND FILLING:

For making the cone, do the following steps:

1. Take a thin plastic sheet and cut it into a rectangular shape(6 inches x 4 inches)
2. Start folding the sheet along its width and keep rotating it, until you reach the end of the sheet(When you have done this, it will resemble a cone-shaped object)
3. Now, stick a cellophane tape at the tip of the cone to hold it in place
4. When the cone is ready, start filling the prepared mehandi mixture into it
5. Now, seal it with the help of a rubber-band. Ensure to seal it well, so that the mixture doesn't spill out. The mehandi cone is ready now.

Note: Do not fill the mixture till the brim of the cone, as you require some space to seal it

APPLYING MEHANDI:

• For applying mehandi, cut the tip of the cone, according to the thickness you need and make sure that the hands(or any body part), on which you are about to apply is moisture free. This helps to retain the colour for a longer time.
• Apply the designs as per your creativity and allow it to dry for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 6 hours.
• After this time period, remove the dried mehandi(by using water) and you will see a nice-orangish stain, in the places where mehandi was applied.

Note: The colour of the mehandi stain may vary from orangish-dark brown, depending on the quality of mehandi leaves)