Paste matters!

When I first started mixing my own paste, I looked online for the correct consistency of the henna paste. However, a few batches down the road, I decided to make the paste more liquidy and added some extra lemon juice. Initially, my paste used to have a toothpaste consistency. With this trial, the paste resembled stirred yogurt in its consistency. To give you an idea, the paste was liquid enough to start oozing out of the cone as soon as I cut the tip. Now, this new consistency helped me increase my speed greatly, and I was able to generate a better flow in my designs. 

While on the same topic, for all you die-hard Jamila Henna fans, if you haven't done so yet, buy a 50 gram sample of a stringy henna and try mixing the two powders together. Though my first batches were purely Jamila Henna (and I loved the colour!), I started mixing Jamila with Rajasthani Henna (50/50 mixture). The paste texture is to die for! Now, this may very well be my imagination, but I also think that the addition of the Rajasthani Henna makes the stain more vibrant. Try it out, I fell in love with it the first time and don't want to try anything else any more. Ok, I know I will keep trying new things, but as for making the perfect henna batch every time - stain, texture and consistency - I think I've fixed my paste matters :)

Design from "Naksh"

, originally uploaded by Joy of Henna.

I recently bought "Naksh" by Bhavini Gheravara. Really stunning designs, and has everything that I love about Bhavini! This was done for a bride who wanted very simple designs on the backs of her hands :)

Blogging update

, originally uploaded by Joy of Henna.

My full time job and henna have kept me super busy since the beginning of January! Now that things have started to calm down a bit, and the fact that I discovered the "Blog this" feature on flickr only today, I've decided to start blogging on a regular basis now!

So to start off the blogging revival with some henna, here's a piece that I did today. It's loosely adapted from a design in "Shangar" by Deepika Chauhan.

Joy of Henna @ Toronto Yogathon for Schizophrenia

Toronto Yogathon for Schizophrenia, originally uploaded by Joy of Henna.

I offered henna services at the Yogathon for Schizophrenia in Toronto. The event was organized by the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario. I really enjoy doing henna at charity events, as it lets me do something I love while supporting a great cause at the same time!

Henna at a private party

, originally uploaded by Joy of Henna.

A couple of weeks ago, a wonderful lady who was getting together with her close girl friends had me do henna at the party.

The party was held at the Verity Club in Toronto (www.verity.ca). The venue was really beautiful, as were the ladies I met :)

Great time over all, check out my flickr page for more photos!

How to mix henna paste

Making your own henna paste is easier than it may seem! It is totally worth making the switch from using store-bought henna cones to making your own! Make your henna paste, and you can guarantee that your paste has no artificial chemicals or preservatives, is 100% Natural and pure henna, and produces fantastic stains!


The best recipe for your henna paste does not need to be the most complicated one! I use a very simple recipe - and get fabulous results every time!


Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (about 25g) of fresh, finely sifted Henna powder
• 1 teaspoon of Sugar 
• 1 - 1.5 teaspoons of essential oils (see note below)
• Lemon juice 

How to Mix:

• Mix: Mix the Henna powder and sugar well in a small bowl, and add slightly warmed lemon juice until you reach the consistency of play dough
• Set Aside: Cover the mixture with plastic wrap, and let it sit for 12 hours.
• Essential Oils: After 12 hours, add the essential oils to your mixture. Stir well. Cover again and let it sit for another 12 hours.
• Consistency: Adjust the consistency of the paste using lemon juice (not warmed) until it is like thick, stirred yogurt. Add small quantities (e.g. half a teaspoon) of lemon juice and stir well. Check the consistency before adding more lemon juice.
• Fill applicators: Using a spoon, fill a ziploc bag or a "carrot bag" with your henna paste. Snip the tip of the bag, and use this to fill your cone/bottle applicators!

Notes:

• Make sure that your henna is fresh and very finely sifted. For added smoothness, you can strain your henna paste through an old stocking before filling your applicators. 
• The "sitting" time is different for different henna powders. I use Jamila Henna Powder (on its own, or mixed with Rajasthani Henna). The 24 (12+12) hours in the recipe is advisable for Jamila Henna. If you are not sure about the time, ask your henna supplier, or send me an email!
• This recipe assumes a room temperature of about 80 degrees Farenheit. I live in Toronto, and since my house is almost never that warm, I usually leave my covered paste in our oven, with just the light turned on. 
• You can substitute lemon juice in the recipe with water or tea. 
• Essential Oils are only optional. You can mix henna without these, and you will get stains from your paste. But, the darkest and deepest stains come from using essential oils in the paste. Use only 100% Essential Oil (i.e. no carrier oils). The oils that are useful for henna are high in monoterpene alcohols. Examples are Tea Tree Oil, Cajeput Oil and Lavender Oil. Most artists who sell Henna powder also sell these essential oils. 

Try it out, and let me know how this recipe worked for you!

Sowmya

www.joyofhenna.com

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting Joy of Henna's blog! I will be updating the blog regularly with events, free designs, henna recipes and how-to's, tips and tricks and lots more! This blog is also a great place for you to share your questions, thoughts and feedback with me!

I update my website and flickr with new photos regularly! Check out http://www.joyofhenna.com and my flickr portfolio. 


Hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Happy new year!

Sowmya