Mixing henna

Ever wonder how to mix a batch of henna? There are so many different recipes online, some using water, some using citric acid powder. My recipe is one that I've been using for years and has always given me good results. Each batch of henna powder is different though, so there aren't really exact measurements. Just get your henna to the consistency you want, and my recipe will make sure you get a good stain. I'll add the measurements at the end.

Sift your henna

If you buy quality henna, this step is less important as it will probably be triple sifted already. I buy my henna from The Henna Guys, and their powder is always smooth. I have had experience with pieces of the plant still being in the powder though, so I always sift with my trusty 1970's tea strainer.

Burgundy henna powder. Those lumps break up easily with a plastic spoon.

Add sugar

Yes, regular old sugar. This helps the henna stick to the skin, and the longer the henna is on the skin the darker your stain will be. I've played around with using powdered sugar because... well, because that made more sense that putting granular sugar into my henna powder. But it doesn't make a difference, and the sugar dissolves anyway. I do sift the sugar though, to help catch those lumps so I can break them up.

Mix in your liquids

Start with lemon juice. Stir the juice into your henna / sugar mixture until it starts to clump up. You'll notice the henna starts to form a lump, keep adding lemon juice until you don't see any of the dry powder left. Once you have a really dry lump of henna mixture, add the essential oils. You can pick any oil that you like, just do your research. Some oils are skin irritants. I use lavender, because I like the smell. Other common options are tea tree, cajeput, ylang ylang, and niaouli.

Next, mix in the tea. Add it slowly, about 1 tsp at a time, until you reach the consistency you want. Go VERY slowly. You can always add more tea later, if the henna doesn't flow out of your cones smoothly. It's much harder to fix watery henna.

As gross as this looks, this is the consistency I'm looking for.

Dye release

Say what now? Dye release is letting your henna develop, similar to hair dye. I have an easy way to know when my henna has released its dye, shown below.

First, put your henna into a sandwich bag. I use a cup to hold the bag so that I can easily scrape the henna in.

Learned this trick when my grandma taught me how to frost cakes.

Once you've got your henna in the sandwich bag, lay it out flat and spread out the henna. Place the henna on top of a paper towel, and in the sun if you can. Henna needs to be warm to release the dye, and the sun always gives perfect results fast. Give the henna about an hour, then check it. You're looking for the dye release on the paper towel under the henna, shown below:

The dye release will stain the towel through the sandwich bag. (shown to the left of the bag)

Package your henna

This step is all you. If you want to put your henna in squeeze bottles, put it in bottles. I prefer cones. Whatever you decide to use, put your henna into the packaging. Squeeze all of the henna to the corner of the sandwich bag, snip the corner off, and squeeze the henna out. You can freeze the henna for future use, or use right away. I let my henna cure in the cones for a day before using them.

Henna Recipe

- 1/2 cup henna powder

- 1 tsp granulated sugar

- 1/4 cup lemon juice

- 2 teaspoons of essential oil

- 2 to 3 tablespoons of black tea, in 1 teaspoon increments

Remember, this is just a guide. Every batch of henna powder is different, and you may need to use more or less than I use. Pay more attention to consistency than the recipe.

That's it!

You've made your henna. Next step is to find some beautiful designs and create a tattoo. Post your photos in the comments, I'd love to see how your henna paste turned out!