How to Make Henna Paste for Body Art
Use fresh body art quality henna powder such as my favorites Red Raj or Supreme Blend.
Bottled lemon juice, warm water or make a tea brew. Personally, I use 50/50 of distilled water and lemon juice, warmed up.
Use pure essential oils such as our eucalyptus, cajeput, tea tree or lavender (also known as terps). My personal favorite is our Red Raj Bliss Blend.
Sugar, preferably dextrose or fructose. I currently use fructose or raw sugar. Those on the west coast might enjoy trying molasses for a more “wet” consistency for the dry air there.
- Measuring the henna powder. Take 2 tbsp of henna powder (about 25 grams of henna) and place it into a glass or stainless steel bowl. Add 1 tsp of sugar of your choice and mix well.
- Adding the lemon juice/water/tea brew. Heat your liquid (about 1/4 cup) on the stove and add it slowly to your henna powder. Mix well until it is the consistency of a thick yoghurt.
- Adding essential oil. Then add 1 tsp of your essential oil. Mix well.
- Too much liquid? If you add too much liquid add a little more henna powder to adjust. You can cover your henna paste and allow to sit for 3-4 hours but I don’t. I mix my henna recipe and sometimes let it sit an hour to rest. I then take the henna paste I’ve made and cone it all up or place into carrot bags for storage. I place cones and carrots bags into the freezer and use when as needed when I’m ready to do so. The frozen paste will thaw naturally at room temperature. I am a true believer that freezing your henna paste for body art (and even for hair use) gives it a really nice boost in color.
- Testing the paste. Should you decide that you want to use your henna paste that same day then after it has sat 3-4 hours you can test the paste out. It might need retesting every hour thereafter if you’re not seeing the recommended results. Test your henna paste by placing a bit of paste onto your palm and let it sit for at least 1 minute. Remove the paste by washing off and if you have a bright pumpkin orange stain that indicates that it’s ready to be used.
- More liquid? Your henna paste when it’s ready to be used, should be a consistency of thick toothpaste (see below photo). If it’s feeling too thick for you adjust by slowly adding more of your liquid.
