Mixing Henna Powder into paste.

Before you begin, you may want to check out my guide onBuying Fresh, Safe, Dark Stianing Henna for Body Art How to Make Henna PasteThis guide is to show you how to prepare and store henna paste. We'll start with the most basic recipe and then explore posible substitutions. Then you'll learn how to make sure your henna paste is ready to use, and how to store it for later use.The basic recipe25-30 grams (2-3 heaping Tbsp)henna powder Lemon juice2-3 ml (1/2 tsp)cajeput essential oil.2 tsp sugarAdd sugar to henna powder. Mix in lemon juice until the consistancy is like thick mashed potatoes. Cover with plastic wrap in such a way that the plastic touches the surface of the henna. Let stand about 10 hours at room temperature. Add cajeput oil and stir. Recover and let stand another 10 hours at room teperature. Slowly stir in more lemon juice until the consistancy is like pancake batter. Your henna paste should be ready.How it worksHenna is a plant with a natural dye in its leaves like indigo. The reason it can stain skin so long is that the dye molecule happens to be small enough to absorb into the dead cells at the surface of the skin. This caused the stain to remain visable untill the affected cells are exfoliated. This means the first step to mixing henna is to get the dye released from the plant matter. The best way to do this is with an acidic liquid like lemon juice, strong cofee, or even pop.As henna paste dries it shrinks and cracks. This causes it to fall of the skin too soon. The sugar is added to make henna paste more elastic and stay on the skin better. You can substitue honey, artificial sweetener, or syrup. Experiment with sugars to see wich you like best.Some essential oils help the dye out of the plant matter and into skin much faster. Some examples of useful and safe essential oils cajeput, niaouli, geranium, lavender. tea tree, and basil. some people add other oils, that don't impact the performance of henna paste in order to make it smell good. Cajeput and Sweet Orange blend nicely together. Make sure to research any oils you use before you try it to make sure they are safe on skin. Be esspecialy careful if you are pregnant.Make sure your paste is readyIt takes time for the dye to be released from the ground henna leaves. Usually this takes 12-24 hours, but the brand, temperature, and recipe can affect the timing. On hot days (85 ) the dye can release in just a few hours! So how can you be sure your paste is ready? There are many ways, but here are my favorite two:1. Put your henna paste in a sealable sandwich bag. put the bag on a white paper towel or napkin. Lift the bag and check the paper towle every few hours to check for an orange stain. When it happens your paste is ready.2. Put a little dab on the heal of your hand and let it dry. As soon as it's dry, wipe the paste away. If it leaves a BRIGHT orange mark it's ready.Keep your paste freshStore your henna paste in sealable sandwich bag, cones or a carrot bag. It should keep in the freezer for several months, in the fridge for a week, or at room temperature for 2-3 days.The next step:Create Beautiful, Traditional Henna (Mehndi) Designs Make sure to visit my store and me page.Please vote if this guide was helpful. It does make a difference!