Skin decorations are an important part of the tribal look. This chapter gives you valuable information regarding the selection and application of cosmetics, mixing and applying henna, and includes dozens of insirational mehndi designs.

Henna can be kept in the refrigerator for several days but it will deteriorate in strength without showing much change externally. You can freeze henna to preserve it for several weeks or months if need be. However, it needs to be at room temperature when applied. If the paste is chilled, you will not get as dark or rich a color.

Applying the Paste

Henna is generally applied with either a cone or a plastic squeeze bottle. Bottles can be purchased in the dye or paint sections of a large craft center or art store. Look for small bottles that have fine tips. Some can be found with tips as narrow as 2 mm and these can be used to make very delicate lines. They are reusable but have to be thoroughly cleaned after use to prevent the narrow opening from clogging.

Another alternative is to use a cone. Following the same basic principles of the pastry bag, the cone has the benefit of being inexpensive and disposable. See instructions to the left for making the applicator cone. Filled with henna, is held in much the same way as a pastry bag is and is squeezed to get a good flow going. You can practice on a piece of wax paper until you get the hang of it. Scrape the henna off the paper and reuse it for practice until it dries.

Once the paste is applied, a mixture composed of one teaspoon of sugar and the juice from half a lemon is applied over the top of the henna design. This helps set the paste firmly. The longer the paste remains on the skin, the darker the resulting design will be. Applying heat to the design by holding it near a candle or incense will help make the design a deeper color. Some henna designers will use a heating pad to rest a hand on, for instance, to aid in the darkening process.

When the henna is dry and begins to flake, the best way to remove the paste is to scrape it off with the edge of a spoon or other utensil. Once the henna has been removed, a layer of eucalyptus or olive oil is applied to the skin to help set the design. Be gentle with your mehndi and it will last for several weeks.

Step 1: Start with a square sheet of plastic	Step 2: Roll the sheet into a cone	Step 3: Tape the cone closed
Step 4: Fold the top sides inward	Step 5: Roll the top down	Step 6: Tape the top closed and cut the tip off