Get Dark Mehndi Stain: Mehndi is a traditional form of body art that is most famous in South Asian countries. With this unique form of body art, decorative designs are created on the skin using a paste made out of the powdered leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis). Mehndi designs are often applied to the hands and feet but can be applied to any part of the body for aesthetic purposes. You can think of them as temporary tattoos that fade over a week’s time. No strings attached to the design!
Significance of Mehndi Designs
There are many different styles and types of mehndi designs. They range from intricate and detailed patterns to more simple and minimalistic styles that one can opt for. Some popular designs include floral patterns, paisley designs, geometric shapes, Morrocan patterns, and everyone’s favourite mandalas. Traditional mehndi designs often have cultural as well as the religious significance. Mehndi is often worn for special occasions such as weddings or festivals like Eid or Diwali. Not to forget, the mehndi ceremony is an important part of every wedding in a South Asian country, especially in Hindu and Islamic religions. The bride and the groom get their hands adorned with gorgeous mehndi designs for wedding.
Although mehndi is a temporary form of body art, as the design eventually fades and disappears from the skin on its own, women generally love to have a dark mehndi stain on their hands and feet. The final stain of the mehndi design always varies depending on the quality of the henna paste used and the length of time it is left on the skin. The longer the mehndi paste is left on, the darker the final henna stain will be. It is important to follow proper aftercare to ensure that your mehndi design comes out looking its best and also to get the desired dark mehndi stain.
To get a dark mehndi stain, there are a few simple steps that you can follow. They include some age-old methods that actually work. Keep on reading to know all about how to get a dark mehndi stain easily with these tips.
How To Get Dark Mehndi Stain – 10 Tips
1. Choose high-quality and fresh mehndi paste
The quality of the mehndi paste always plays a big role in the final color of the mehndi stain. Look for mehndi paste cones that are made from 100% natural henna and the paste is free from any additives or chemicals. There are a lot of mehndi paste manufacturers out there that add chemical dyes to their mehndi so that it gives you a darker stain on your skin – and thus increases their brands’ popularity.
However, such kind of mehndi paste can end up giving you an allergic reaction because of the artificial dye. Steer clear of mehndi cones made by lesser-known manufacturers. If possible, try to find fresh henna leaves and grind your own mehndi paste at home. You can also opt for a natural mehndi powder instead which is easily available on Amazon. There is a video tutorial available towards the end of the post with will teach you how to make mehndi paste at home.
2. Prepare your skin for mehndi application
Prior to applying the mehndi on your hands or your feet, make sure that your skin is clean and free from any lotions or oils, as these can interfere with the staining process of the mehndi. Wash your hands and feet with soap, Don’t apply any kind of product afterward – not even a hand sanitizer (as some of them contain moisturizing ingredients these days). Apply the mehndi design on clean skin.
3. Apply the mehndi paste thickly
To get a dark stain, it is important to apply the henna paste thickly. Use a cone or squeeze bottle to apply the paste in a smooth, even layer. Thick mehndi designs always give out the most beautiful kind of dark henna stain.
4. Leave the mehndi paste on for as long as possible
The longer the paste is left on the skin, the darker the stain will be. You should try to leave the paste on for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight if possible. Even after you have removed the paste early, don’t touch the water – just apply a few drops of clove oil instead because this oil helps to retain heat, which in turn helps to darken the henna stain. I always keep a bottle of clove oil handy whenever I am applying henna on my hands. You can purchase it online.
5. Apply a mixture of lemon juice and sugar on your mehndi design
Dried-off mehndi stain often starts to shed early and ends up making a mess. This is when the old-but-gold tip of applying lemon juice and sugar mixture comes so helpful. Squeeze half a lemon and mix it with some sugar to make a sticky paste. Stick a round cotton ball to the end of a pencil, dip the cotton into the mixture, and then carefully dab it over the dried-off mehndi design. You can repeat this process whenever your dry mehndi starts to shed and you want it to stay on for at least 6 hours time.
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6. Use the heat of cloves on your design
The fumes generated from heating the cloves help to darken the henna stain. This too is an age-old method that truly works! Take 3-4 cloves on an iron pan (tawa) and let it heat for a while until you can notice smoke coming off of it. Then hover your mehndi-laden hands right above the pan for as long as you can bear the heat coming from the tawa. If you are unable to follow this tip because you don’t have cloves – or access to a kitchen for that sake, then you can apply the heat to your henna design with a blow dryer. Just avoid its excessive use which can burn your hands.
7. Protect the mehndi design
Once the paste has been applied, wrap the area in cellophane or plastic wrap to help the paste trap the heat within the skin and prevent your henna from drying out. This will help to darken the colour of the stain and also prevent dried-up mehndi paste from shedding and making a mess everywhere you will go. A lot of people also tend to wrap their mehndi design in medical tape or MeFix tape which is a self-adhesive tape used for dressing. It is a must-have for brides-to-be and also for bridal mehndi artists, it just makes taking care of the mehndi design much easier for a bride. Furthermore, this tape is water repellent which makes your mehndi design extra secure.
8. Remove the paste carefully
When you are ready to remove the paste, gently scrape it off using a spoon or spatula. Avoid using water, as this can stop your mehndi stain from darkening further. If you feel that the dried-off mehndi paste is not coming off easily from your skin, you can use mustard oil and then scrape it with a butter knife carefully. Generally, with MeFix tape applied, the henna paste should come off on its own as you will unwrap the tape.
9. Apply the mehndi 2 days prior to any function
Mehendi takes its own sweet time to give you its darkest-possible stain. Mostly, it keeps on darkening for 2 to 3 days and is at its darkest on the second day of application. Hence, it is recommended that you apply your mehndi design at least 2 days before a festival or a wedding, to flaunt its best stain.
10. Lastly, avoid exposing your skin to water for as long as you can
If your mehndi design comes in contact with water while the stain is still maturing, it can affect the intensity of the stain you will get at the end. Try not to expose your design to water for good 12 hours after removing the mehndi paste. It is not easy to do it as it sounds – but you gotta do what you gotta do for that perfect dark mehndi stain that you desire. The least you can do is avoid using soap!
Bonus Video: How to make natural mehndi paste at home
Things you will need:
- Natural Mehndi Powder
- Eucalyptus Oil
Keep in mind that the final color of the mehndi stain can also be influenced by factors such as the quality of the henna paste, the condition of the skin, and the individual’s body chemistry. Some people may naturally produce a darker stain than others. If you really like a dark henna stain but somehow the mehndi never darkens from its orange tint on your hands, then the only solution is to use instant mehndi cones. They have dye, so make sure that you patch-test it first before applying it to your palms.