Mehendi is considered to be an ancient Indian body art. It is
used in creating elaborate ethnic or contemporary designs and exotic patterns on
various parts of the body; traditionally mehendi was applied on the hands and
feet of Indian bride and women preparing for special festive ceremonies. Today
men are finding it a nice alternative to permanent tattoos. But now both men and
women enjoy the temporary tattoo. The art of applying henna in this manner is
called Mehendi, it is an ancient ritual and art form No Indian wedding is ever
complete without the mehendi ceremony. The ritual of mehendi is followed in
every part of the country where the hands of the bride are adorned with the
lovely red hue of the mehendi. Henna designs can be used as armlets, bracelets,
anklets, and general designs on hands and feet. Various kinds of designs can be
made depending on the occasion. In wedding ceremonies mostly traditional Indian
designs are made on the hands of the bride. These traditional designs are
elaborate and detail. Other than the ethnic and conventional designs for the
bride you can opt for contemporary designs, which are sleek and fashionable.
Today brides also opt for Arabic designs, ornamental designs and tattoo designs
like necklace tattoos, navel tattoos and anklet tattoos.
Henna is a
natural product. Its leaves are dried and grounded to make the henna powder.
Since it is a natural product, there are no known side effects. It usually takes
many hours to get a good henna stain on the skin, and that stain is quite
harmless. The shade varies according to the quality of the henna powder. Your
henna design should last at a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 weeks depending on
the thickness of the epidermis of your skin and on where the design is located.
To have a good result leave the henna paste for eight hours and more. The longer
the paste is kept on, the darker the design will be. The less exposed to water,
soap or rubbing, the longer the designs will stay. For the wedding day try to go
for simple and detailed designs on your hands and feet. The designs should not
be overdone it should look pretty.