Having problems? Perfectly normal since henna is both a
science and an art! Find common mistakes and how to correct them
here. Henna is like cooking. Making a batch of boxed
brownies is easy, but there are still plenty places to make
mistakes.
The number one reason henna does not stain well is that the area of the body that the henna is on was not clean. Lotions, sweat, hair products, and anything else on the skin will give you a poor henna stain. Make sure the skin is completely clean before applying henna. Washing with dish soap or wiping the area with rubbing alcohol or which hazel can help.
The henna paste needs to be mixed. Henna can sometimes separate a bit from shipping or sitting for awhile. Be sure to knead your henna cone or tube thoroughly before using.
The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good stain.
One hour is bare minimum and will NOT leave a dark stain. You should shoot for
at least four hours for a
good stain, overnight is best.
Premixed henna dries quickly so try sealing the henna design after the henna is set but before it is completely dry. You can also mix in some sugar into the henna to help it stay moist longer and adhere to the skin better.
Make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
Pre-mixed paste typically leaves a light to medium stain.
If you are looking for extra dark henna stains, try mixing your
own henna from fresh powder or sealing and wrapping your henna
design.
You were cold when applying the henna. You would be shocked at how
much body temperature plays a role in your henna color. Henna needs
warmth to develop and if you are even a little cold it can effect your
stain. Try sealing and wrapping
your design.
Reapply your design. Some skin types need an extra application of
henna to get good color (especially if your body temperature tends to be
lower).
The color has not had time to develop. Assuming you did not use
water to remove the wet henna paste, the henna color will darken over the
next 12-48 hours.
You can help your pre-mixed henna paste leave a better stain
by following the below... Tips for helping pre-mixed paste (applicator required:
empty cones, applicator bottles...)
Squeeze your pre-mixed henna paste into a small bowl. Add sugar in a ratio of approximately 3 or 4 parts henna to 1 part table sugar. Mix WELL. Mix REALLY WELL.
Add a few drops of
henna oil,
lavender oil, or tea tree oil and mix it well. Allow the henna sit for 1-3 hours in a warm location away from sunlight.
Transfer the henna paste to your chosen applicator and you are ready to go.
The number one reason henna does not stain well is that the area of the body that the henna is on was not clean. Lotions, sweat, hair products, and anything else on the skin will give you a poor henna stain. Make sure the skin is completely clean before applying henna. Washing with dish soap or wiping the area with rubbing alcohol or which hazel can help.
The henna did not sit long enough for the dye to develop before being used. After mixing the henna it
must sit in a warm (not hot) area away from sunlight for anywhere between 2-24 hours. The warmer it is, the
quicker the dye develops. Too hot and you may "cook" the dye out of your
henna. Ideally it should be 75-85 degrees where the henna is resting.
The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good stain. Try sealing the henna design after the henna design has set but before the henna is completely dry to help it stay moist longer. Also, make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
Keep the moist henna on your skin for at least 4 hours.
Try using lemon juice to mix your powder henna instead of water.
You can also try adding tea tree oil to your mix. Adding tea tree and
lavender essential oils can darken the henna stain.
You were cold when applying the henna. You would be shocked at how
much body temperature plays a role in your henna color. Henna needs
warmth to develop and if you are even a little cold it can effect your
stain. Try sealing and wrapping
your design.
Reapply your design. Some skin types need an extra application of
henna to get good color (especially if your body temperature tends to be
lower).
The color has not had time to develop. Assuming you did not use
water to remove the wet henna paste, the henna color will darken over the
next 24-72 hours.
Henna paste is drying too quickly or cracking too much while drying.
This is a big reason why pre-mixed henna doesn't leave as
dark of a stain.
Your henna mixture needs to be stickier. Add sugar or honey to your henna. This will keep the henna moist longer and will help the henna adhere to your skin.
Your henna mixture is too thick. Some artists like extra thick henna,
however thick henna tends to crack. Try thinning your henna paste by
adding lemon juice or essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil.
Try steaming your henna design as it starts to dry to keep it moist longer.
The heat from steaming can help deepen your color quite a bit.
Add a sealer over your henna design after the henna has set but before it is completely dry.
You can follow the sealer with a wrap
for extra dark color.
The moist henna was not left on the skin long enough to develop a good deep stain.
The next time you do henna, try sealing the henna design after the henna design has set but before the henna is completely dry to help it stay moist longer. Also, make sure the henna is directly on the skin and not "floating" above the skin on hair.
The henna design is coming in contact with water or chemicals too often. Chlorinated water (pools, spas) will fade henna very quickly (this includes tap water which often has high levels of chlorine). Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the house (especially dishes) and when washing your hair. Apply a light layer of Mehndi oil
or olive oil over your henna design before coming into contact with water.
You may be using an exfoliating soap and/or lotion. Most facial soaps are highly exfoliating.
The skin is dry. Dry skin helps henna to take and get a nice deep dark stain,
but it also fades the henna quicker as dry skin sheds it's cells faster than moist skin. Apply henna oil or non-exfoliating lotion over your henna design daily.
The skin typically exfoliates completely every 20-30 days. Your
skin may exfoliate quicker than most.
You used too much oil in your henna mix. Oil will help your henna
color develop to a deep rich color, but the stain will also fade about
15-30% quicker.
I've read the trouble shooting tips but I'm
still having trouble.
Try a different part of your body. Henna takes the best on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Thinner skin like your back or upper arm are more difficult to stain
and may require more than one application.
Try a different kind of henna. The same henna works differently on different people. If you've been using pre-mixed henna, try mixing fresh henna from henna powder.
Mixing your own henna from powder is capable of the darkest possible stain.
Reapply your design. Some skin types need an extra application of
henna to get good color (especially if your body temperature tends to be
lower).
Your henna may have lost it's color due to age or improper storage. Keep your henna in a cool dry place or
wrapped in the refrigerator. When mixing henna, only mix as much as you need at a time. If you mix extra
henna, wrap it very tightly and freeze it. If doing henna outside in the heat, keep your henna in a cooler when not in use.
The heat and sun can ruin fresh mixed henna very quickly.
In some cases, henna just doesn't take well to certain people (I have to
work much harder for a good stain than most others). Never use henna with chemicals to compensate. If henna doesn't take well to you, then you will need to work extra hard. Mix your own henna from henna powder using the Beachcombers! Favorite Henna Recipe. Seal your henna design completely and use additional heat to help activate the henna. Wrap your henna design
and leave it on overnight.
