Mehndi - A Beautifying And Grooming Gift Of Nature

 

Mehndi or Henna is used for temporary skin decoration. Traditional Indian Mehndi designs are the representations of the sun on the palm. In the late 1990s Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West, which are also called henna tattoos. On special   occasions such as Hindu weddings and Hindu festivals like Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Teej and many more festival, Mehndi is typically applied. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the design will be clearest due to contrast with the lighter skin on these surfaces, which naturally contains less of the pigment melanin. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.

These Days usually people buy ready-made Henna cones, which are ready to use and make painting easy. However, in rural areas in India, women grind fresh Henna Leaves on grinding stones with added oil, which though not as refined as professionally prepared henna cones, achieves much darker colors. Mehndi can be used in 2 ways either for decoration in palm and feet or for application in hair.

How To Use Mehndi In Your Palm and Feet:

Henna paste is usually applied on the skin using a plastic cone.  The Henna Paste gets dry after about 15–20 minutes and begins to crack. At this point, a mixture of lemon juice and white sugar can be applied over the henna so that the henna will stain darker. The painted area on the skin is then wrapped with tissue or plastic for creating more intense colour. The wrap can be kept for 3 to 4 hours or overnight and then removed. When removed, the henna design is pale to dark orange in colour and gradually darkens through oxidation, within 24 to 72 hours. Finally the colour becomes reddish brown. It can last from one to three weeks depending on the quality and type of henna paste applied, as well as where it was applied on the body Generally thicker skin stains darker and longer than thin skin. Moisturizing with natural oils, such as mustard, olive, or coconut oil helps in extending the lifetime of the stain.

Mehndi/Henna For Hair:
Mehndi is a really wonderful natural hair dye which has been used in India since ages as it has great qualities in it. 

How To Use Henna On Your Hair:
In a bowl take enough quantity of henna according to the length of your hair. Add little warm water into it and mix properly to make a thick paste. Now squeeze one lemon juice on it.  Add a few drops of mustard oil to it if hair is dry,  but if hair texture is oily then lemon juice is good for it. Add two teaspoons of yogurt to it for a dry and itchy scalp (with dandruff). Apply it on your hair properly and leave it for 2-3 hours and let it dry completely. Make sure your hair is clean before you apply henna. Finally, wash your hair with running tap water and then dry your hair naturally.

Benefits of Mehndi application on Hair:

• Strengthen hair
• Increases the volume of hair
• Helps in maintaining Dandruff free hair
• Gives a natural shine to hair
• Gives a natural conditioning of hair