Mehendi (Lawsonia inermis) is a small local shrub whose leaves are used for making henna. In many rural areas people believe in grinding the fresh leaves in-between the grinding stones along with some oil. Though cities people basically opt for dried leaves and ground them into a paste. Both the process of mehendi gives out a rusty-red pigment which finally turns to drak chocolate in colour is suitable for making beautiful patterns or designs on the palms and feet. Mehendi paste can be used on head hairs too as it works as a dye for colouring them giving them an extra condition and glossy look. One can feel the cooling property of the mehendi when applied in palms or feet plus natural mehendi has no side effects on the skin.
Mehandi is very popular thing in the regions of sub continent for a very long time and the women as well as girls use this on weddings or any other popular event. In Hindu festivals, mehndi is usually drawn on the palm, back of the hand and on feet, basically in those areas where the design will be clearest due to contrast with the lighter skin on these surfaces. Traditional Indian designs are of representations of the sun on the palm, which generally includes flowers leafs or a circular motif, in this context, is intended to represent the hands and feet. Mehendi or Henna is a paste that is bought in a cone shaped tube and is made into designs for men and women. These cones can be prepared at home by simply making a paste of grounded dry henna along with water. Many people believe that storing it for longer time gives more colours. So after storing it for few hours or overnight, pack it in a cone and cut the tip of this cone.
Mehndi is applied on hands, palms, legs and shoulder to beautify the body. Now day’s mehndi designers are also available like Arabic, Pakistani and Rajasthani, Marwari and many more according to their knowledge of the art. All of them are named after geographies. Though the designs might look similar but only with a close look one can identify the difference in the designs. Like in Arabic style mehandi, designs are generally incorporates comprising big floral motifs and does not cover the entire hand, but if you see an Indian designs, they use smaller and finer floral motifs covering the entire hand. Indian designs also often include animal drawings like elephant or a peacock.
Mehndi paste is usually kept for rest around 4-6 hours. Many believe in keeping it over night so that it can give a darker colour in short period if time. It is applied on the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush. After 15–20 minutes, the paste starts to dry and they start to crack away, and during this time, a mixture of lemon juice and white sugar can be applied over the henna design to remoisten the mehendi paste so that the henna still stain darker. One can avoid this part by re-coating the design again with mehendi as sugar and lemon syrup makes the palms stickier creating other possible problems. The mehandi is worn three to six hours, or sometimes kept overnight and then removed by simply with the fingers. When first removed, the henna design is pale to dark orange in colour and gradually darkens the colour within the next 24 to 72 hours. This final reddish brown colour can stay on hands or feet from one to three weeks depending on the quality and type of henna paste applied.
Following are few easy and simple mehndi designs which an amateur person can make it by herself!!
Gorgeous Mehandi Designs for Youngsters:
Now a day’s applying mehendi is becoming a part of trend where no reason is required. Many societies or school- colleges have started keeping mehandi designing competitions. This types of events helps the youngsters to showcase there creativity and enhance them further. Gorgeous mehndi designs are getting popular day-by-day as mehndi is one of the most important elements to beautify a girls or women hands and feet.
