Henna tattoos are a popular souvenir and many ladies get one done during exotic vacations. But they are also a traditional body art in some Asian countries and therefore appear particularly exotic. But if you want to do your own henna tattoo, you will find important information, tips, step-by-step instructions and inspiring ideas for designs below.
Make your own henna tattoo – beautiful temporary body art
These are traditionaltemporary tattoosplaced on the backs of the hands and feet because these parts of the body are well supplied with blood and have large pores and therefore absorb the dye particularly well. Of course, the tattoo can also be painted in other places. However, it can then fade more quickly.
Make your own henna tattoo – temporary tattoos for the hands, shoulders and décolleté
It makes sense to test the henna color on a hidden area of the body first, because every skin reacts differently. Depending on skin type and other health conditions, the result can vary in color intensity, just like with a real tattoo. The best thing is that this type of tattoo disappears after a good two weeks and you can paint something new on yourself.
Make your own henna tattoo – filigree chains and mandalas
There are many options when it comes to choosing motifs. There are even stencils available in stores that are placed on the skin and painted. You can create a stencil yourself using a firmer foil. The desired motif is printed on it, painted based on a template or designed yourself and then carefully cut out with a sharp knife (e.g. carpet knife). Another option is of course to paint the tattoo freehand.
Henna tattoo lasts at least 7 days and up to 3 weeks
If you want to do a henna tattoo yourself, you should get henna in powder form beforehand. It is sold in most Asian stores, but can also be ordered online. Some tattoo studios that offer temporary tattoos will also certainly provide the appropriate ink.
Henna tattoo color – brown or black
Henna as a natural product is red and can vary in color strength from a light red tone to a strong reddish brown. Other shades are no longer natural products. Black henna is particularly popular because it is visually very similar to tattoo ink. But it may contain PPD. It's best to test on a small area of the skin, wait 24 hours and only then start painting.
Paint delicate ornaments on your hands and shoulders
What is PPD? It is a color former characterized by its rich black color. Because the pigment is very strong, it can cause skin irritation and massive allergic reactions. If you suffer from any skin allergies, it makes sense to only use natural paint.
Henna tattoos on the hands – traditional for weddings
People have been cultivating the henna plant since ancient times and using it as a natural dye for coloring textiles and other items, but also for use on the body. In India, skin painting has been a traditional body art since the 12th century. This is called mehndi art and has two meanings - henna in Hindi and the process of painting and the work created as a result. In Asia, henna painting is still carried out today in connection with spiritual and ritual occasions.
Body art from India and Morocco
In India and Morocco, women paint their hands during different rituals, religious festivals, weddings, etc. Each culture and certain group of society has its specific symbols and signs that are used as an expression of belonging.
Doing a henna tattoo yourself – possible, but not that easy
Before you mix the henna powder, you may have already chosen a motif and a specific part of the body. Of course, it's up to your own taste or you can also use a stencil. You'll definitely find a few in the set if you got one.
Instructions easy
In order to make a henna tattoo yourself, you will need the following materials:
- Henna color is offered in powder form or ready-mixed in pointed bags or as a tube with an attachment in a set, already ready to apply
- Moisturizer
- olive oil
- Toilet paper, cotton swabs, toothpicks
- cling film
- Motif or template
- a skin-friendly pen for sketching
- Glass of water
Easier with a tattoo template
Before you start painting, you should have tested your skin tolerance. Then you can proceed further. First, the selected part of the body is slightly warmed, as the skin absorbs the color better when it is warm. Drink a cup of hot tea or warm it on the radiator.
Tips and tricks
Also, apply moisturizer to your hands before painting. This makes it easier to wash off the henna color if you have your hands colored during the procedure. First draw the selected motif on the selected part of the body with a skin-friendly pen. With the henna color you just have to follow the lines.
step by step
Now take a henna bag or tube with an attachment and cut off the first 2-3 mm of the pointed end at the front. This is how you get your “pen” with which you can now paint the motif.
Practice makes perfect
Before you immediately start painting the skin, we recommend making a test on a piece of paper. Try to imitate the curved shapes, practice the technique and the right pressure. This will give you a feel for how to use the art pen correctly. The opening in the henna bag can always be made larger, but never smaller.
Henna Tattoo – Possible on any part of the body
If you do a henna tattoo yourself, give yourself enough time and try to recreate the entire pattern first, for example the day before. Try to get the details and details perfect several times until you succeed and you are satisfied with the result.
Henna Tattoo als Armband
When doing a henna tattoo yourself, always start with a simple, straight line. You will quickly realize that it is not that easy to draw a perfect one. However, it serves as a starting position and you can place the entire motif nicely accordingly.
Decorate knuckles
Bows and dots, curved shapes and ornaments from oriental culture are perfect for a henna tattoo design. Paint and repeat an arch pattern several times at a distance and fill the space in between with delicate motifs. It looks particularly nice to decorate the knuckles.
Traditionally on hands and feet
When painting your hands and fingers, it's best to use symmetrical patterns.
Feet and calves
Painting your feet yourself with henna color is a lot easier than painting your hands. Thin lines and delicate details look best there. You can eliminate small mistakes immediately using a cotton swab or toothpick.
Fußkette
After you have painted the design on the skin, you have to wait until the henna color dries well. This basically depends on your skin, but also on the room temperature. After at least an hour, the temporary tattoo is already finished, but not quite.
Make your own henna tattoo on your feet – before and after picture
If you want long-lasting body art created by yourself, then wrap toilet paper around the painted hand and moisten it. To prevent it from drying out quickly, wrap the area with cling film. If the paint has not dried well, it will smear. Leave the foil wrapped around the tattoo for a few hours, overnight if possible. Then you can remove everything and let the henna dry until it falls off the skin on its own.
Do your own henna tattoo for the bridal shower
After the painting is complete, the best way to care for your new tattoo is to rub some olive oil on it. Afterwards, the color may unfortunately look a little paler than expected, but it only fully develops after about a day. A henna tattoo will last for at least 7 days and up to 3 weeks if you apply moisturizer regularly.
Henna tattoo on baby bump
Women mostly get henna tattoos in the summer or while on vacation in an exotic country. As an unusual idea or perhaps even a trend, women at a bridal shower like to have their hands painted with henna.
Baby bump party
Pregnant women also decorate their baby bellies with artistic ornaments, which is also called belly painting. Most of the time this is related to a photo shoot.
The inspiration
In order to make a beautiful henna tattoo yourself, you need above all a creative idea for a pattern that would suit you best and of course the appropriate powder color. You can choose between red-brown and black as you like, although it's good to know that the natural product has a red color.
Symmetrical ornaments
Make your own henna tattoo – design idea for the hands
Make your own modern henna tattoo
Make your own henna tattoo for the summer
Make your own henna tattoo on the palm of your hand
Make your own henna tattoo – mandala or dream catcher
Make your own henna tattoo on your shoulder
Make your own henna tattoo or alternatively self-adhesive tattoos
Also read:Remove children's tattoos using household resources
