how to care for your henna
In this video, I have Mefix medical tape applied over dry henna which I slept with on overnight. I then applied a little coconut oil on top of the tape to help with removal. Once tape is successfully removed, I apply more coconut oil to protect stain and scrape off remaining henna paste. I then rinsed my hand and blotted off water with a towel.
1) leave henna paste on for at least 4-6 hours
The longer you leave your henna paste on the darker your stain color will be and the longer it will last. I will apply a sealant to your design of lemon juice and sugar. This mixture will help keep the paste on your skin and keep the paste moist as it continues to stain.
If your henna is applied in the evening, i recommend sleeping with your design on. You can wrap it in medical gauze, toilet paper, or something similar. Slip a sock over it to keep everything in place. Don’t use plastic wrap, as it will cause you to sweat and the ink will run.
2) remove your paste and add an oil to your stain
“Oil before water no scrubbing!” ~ remember this mantra to preserve your stain, if nothing else.
Remove the henna paste using your finger nails, an old library card, or the back of a butter knife (whatever works). The stain will be a bright orange-ish color upon removal. Apply a natural oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil to your stain. Any natural oil is good. This will help protect your design from exfoliation.
3) protect stain with a natural oil
Continue applying oil to your stain to help it last. Apply oil before and after showering. Henna will last about 10 -14 days depending on location and amount of time paste is left on skin. Peak color will be 48 hours after paste removal. Enjoy!