8/6/11  Jamila Henna 2011 Body Art Super Sift Quality

Though we've had the 2011 Jamila henna since the first week of July, I still feel as if it is brand new!  I am still so excited about the Jamila henna crop this year.

• The Lawsone content (dye content) weighs in at a whopping 2.64%!  Let me put this in perspective for you.  Most average henna is 1.7-2.3% dye content.  Anything over 2.5% lawsone is considered excellent quality henna.  Last year's Jamila henna crop was 2.55% and was fantastic.  The 2.64% lawsone content is HUGE!
• New packaging!  Gone is the holographic packaging.  Instead we have a slightly larger box (though the henna is still vacuum sealed in Mylar bags) and is marked on the bottom of the box with the crop and dye content info.

The henna design above was on difficult-to-stain me!  The paste was on for 3 hours, with no sealer, no wrap, and no additional heat!  Can you spell AWESOME!

Woo Hoo for 2011 Jamila!

Jody

1/21/11  Getting Outside of Your Henna Box

Are you in a henna rut?  Seem to be doing the same design over and over?  It's a whole new year, let's get out of that box!

Challenge yourself to do your henna differently. 

Always do flowers?  Practice henna designs without a single flower.  Can't seem to master the perfect paisley.  Do only paisleys until you get it right.

If you don't already have a henna notebook, get one.  Any grouping of paper will do, a notebook, a folder of paper, whatever.  Start filling it as designs strike you or as something inspires you.

Print out some of our blank henna hand templates and draw out some henna designs.  Get crazy here!  If you don't like it you can toss it out.  This is a wonderful way to try something new with no commitment.  If you like it commit the design to skin with some henna!

The point is to try something new!  Stretch your creativity!

Have fun!
Jody


 

10/26/10  Life of a Henna Tattoo: Good and Bad

I just finished a beginning henna workshop and what a GREAT class! I had an amazing group of women!

Two of the women in class are regular henna customers of mine and allowed me to demonstrate an important fact about henna color.  Two days before I gave both Stacy and Shannon henna tattoos.  Stacy didn't put any lotion on that day so I hennaed her without cleaning the area first.  I used witch hazel to clean Stacy's skin since she had lotion.

Stacy's henna was brilliantly dark and lovely.  Shannon's was rather lack-luster.  The exact same henna, the exact same day, and both designs done on the foot and ankle area.

I constantly tout that henna takes best on clean dry skin.  A quick cleaning can't remove all lotion since lotion seeps into the skin cells, but it's better than nothing.  Clean open cells allow a better bond with henna.  Think of your skin cells as a glass.  If part of the glass is filled with lotion (or water or anything else), not as much henna can fit in the glass.

For the best possible henna tattoo stain, you need clean dry skin!

Another thing brought up was how the henna tattoo stain on my hand was so dark.  The full answer to that is here http://shophenna.com/new_henna_tips.htm, but though my henna was very dark, it wasn't going to be a long lasting stain.  I only left my henna on for less than 2 hours, just long enough to do the design and finish a movie I was watching.

 

8/07/10  How to Get the Darkest Color Henna Tattoos

Download & print this article from our FREE Helpful Henna Downloads page.

Everyone seems to want super dark color from their henna tattoos.  I want to help you achieve this, but keep in mind henna isn't all about color.  It's about connecting (with others or just yourself) and contributing to a positive energy within and around us.  Henna can be as powerful as you let it!

Back to dark color henna!  There are many many factors that contribute to the color you ultimately get from your henna, we're going to address most of them.

1. The Henna Product Itself
Mixing your own henna from powder is capable of giving you the the darkest longest lasting color.  I suggest Jamila professional body art quality henna and the Beachcombers Favorite recipe.  Here is a rundown of the recipe I personally use...

1. Mix Jamila henna powder and lemon juice in a glass bowl.  I use lemon juice from the bottle, not fresh lemons.  I find I get more consistent results that way and I don't have to worry about clogging.  I don't mix exact amounts of henna powder and lemon juice, instead I go for a specific consistency.  I add lemon juice until the paste resembles thick mashed potatoes.  If you need a general reference for how much lemon juice to add start with approximately equal amounts of each.  Reserve a tiny bit of powder in case you need it later to thicken your mix.
   
   The acid in the lemon juice helps release the dye in the henna (lawsone).
    
2. I place plastic wrap over the henna paste and press it down so it is actually touch the paste.  I place the bowl in a warm (but not too warm) dry place overnight.
    
3. The next morning, I can see that I've had some dye release.  If you are looking at the side of the glass bowl you will see a darker brown ring around the top of the henna.  If you take a spoon and scrape a layer of the top henna off you will see a nice brown top layer with fresh green henna paste below. 
   
   I add regular white table sugar to the henna  and mix it in.  I use about 1 part sugar to about 4 parts henna.  You will find the sugar melts in the henna as you mix it in smoothing out your henna and adding "liquid".  This is why your henna should be thicker than you intend to actually use when you add your lemon juice.
   
   The sugar makes the henna stay wet against the skin longer and stick to the skin better, thus helping you achieve a darker stain.
    
4. I add equal amounts of lavender oil and tea tree oil.  Everyone uses a different amount of oil.  I use about 25-35 drops of each oil for one box (100 grams) of Jamila henna powder.  About half to 3/4 of each bottle included in the Jamila/oil combo kit.
   
   Both lavender and tea tree oils have monoterpene alcohols which will help release more of the lawsone dye in your henna resulting in a darker stain.  You can get a great combo pack of Jamila henna powder, lavender oil, and tea tree oil here.
    
5. I put the same plastic wrap over the henna and let it sit until either later that day or even the next day.  I mix it up again and my henna is ready to use!

• This is a good point for your to strain your henna if you like.
• Put your henna in individual sized cones and then freeze them.  Anytime you need fresh henna, you are an hour-of-thawing away from fresh individual sized cones!

2. What Part of the Body You Henna
Henna takes best on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.  The further away from the feet and hands you get, the lighter the stain.  The thinner the skin, the few layers of skin cells there are for the henna to stain.

That's ok, you can still do henna on the back or even the face, just know that it will be lighter and not last as long.

3. The Skin Itself
Henna takes best to clean dry skin.  Lotions, sunblock, or even water will be a barrier between the henna and the skin.  Self tanner can be exceptionally difficult for henna to bond with.  The more base (opposite of acidic) your skin is the darker your henna stain.

4. How Long You Leave the Moist Henna in Contact with the Skin
The longer you leave the wet henna paste in contact with the skin, the darker and longer lasting the color.  Ideally I like to see people shoot for 4-6 hours.  Overnight is even better!

Use a sealer such as a lemon sugar sealer.  This will help you develop a nice crust on top of the henna while keeping the underside (that's in contact with your skin) of the henna moist.

5. How Warm You are with the Paste on the Skin
The warmer your skin the darker your henna stain.  I have low blood pressure and I'm always cold.  It's much harder for me to get good henna color than it is for most people.  Don't crank your air conditioning, and try to keep your body temperature up.  Sit in the sun, have a glass of wine or hot tea, wrap up in a blanket if you are like me, lol!

The best thing you can do to keep the henna area warm is to seal and wrap your henna design.  Dab on a lemon sugar solution to the henna as soon as it's dry enough to touch.  Wrap the design in plenty of toilet paper to absorb sweat and then wrap Saran Wrap around the toilet paper.  This can yield crazy-good color!

6. How You Remove the Henna Paste
Don't use water to remove the henna from your skin.  Either gently scrape it off with your fingers or a spatula or use a little olive oil or mehndi oil to remove the henna paste.  Avoid water on the henna for the rest of the day if possible.

7. How Well You Care For the Henna Tattoo
Henna is a permanent stain.  It doesn't fade away, your skin cells exfoliate off.  Anything you do to avoid exfoliating the skin where your henna is will help your henna last longer.  Avoid water, cleaners, and anything else that may exfoliate the skin as much as possible (within good hygiene limits).

BTW, remember your henna will start off light, but will come up to full color over a couple of days.  Be patient!





Wet henna paste still on skin.
The longer you leave the moist henna in contact with your skin the better and longer lasting your color.  Keep the skin warm in that area to draw out as much dye in the henna as possible.







Henna stain the morning after paste removal.
Henna starts off light (sometimes REALLY light) but cures in your skin over a couple of days to come up to full color.









Henna stain 36 hours after henna paste removal.
Remember, henna is a permanent stain.  It's doesn't fade away, your skin cells exfoliate off.  ANYTHING you do that is exfoliating (swimming, facial cleaners, cleaning chemicals, rubbing clothing or shoes, will fade your henna design.


 

Download & print this article from our FREE Helpful Henna Downloads page.

Hope this helps!

7/20/10  How to Roll a Mylar Cone by Bajidoo

I've had some folks interested in rolling their own Mylar cones for applying henna paste. 
The lovely and talented Brenda of Bajidoo has this wonderful video of rolling Mylar henna cones that I'd like to share with you.

How to Roll a Mylar Henna Cone by Bajidoo

Be sure to check out all of the Bajidoo henna videos.  She has some wonderful henna design videos along with how-to henna videos.

Enjoy!

7/15/10  Getting Ideas for Henna Designs

So you have your henna, but now you don't know what designs to henna?  No problem!  Henna is all about building your henna vocabulary so that you can free-hand henna easily, straight from your heart (or head as the case may be).

It helps to start by imitating different designs you encounter. 
You can find design ideas everywhere!

• The Henna Design Gallery section of this website has HUNDREDS of henna design pictures!  Copy away!  Get inspired!
• Our FaceBook Page has a ton of henna design pictures too.  While on FaceBook make friends with other henna artists.
• Purchase henna design books.  Currently we stock the Beachcombers henna design book, but there are others out there.  Look around and find them.
• Check out Google Images for ideas.  Looking for a butterfly?  Google butterfly
  and take a look at the images.  You'll get a ton of ideas this way!
• Get inspired by everyday items around you.  Jewelry, bedding, clothing, candle holders...you get the idea.
  
  * Keep in mind if you are using another artist's work you need to give them credit.  If you want to post, print, or otherwise publish work from another henna artist, you need to get permission from that henna artist.

With some practice you will find that you start pairing henna elements on your own.  Before long you will have developed your own unique henna style!

Remember to take pictures of your work when you can.  You'll be able to see how much better you are getting and you'll remember different designs you've done in the past.

Building your henna vocabulary is a huge help if you like to do one-of-a-kind henna or if you like to connect with the energies people project.

6/10/10 Preventing Henna Clogs in Applicator Bottles and Tips

There are a number of things you can do to avoid the dreaded clogged henna applicator tips.

Staining Henna Paste
Staining your henna is the biggest thing you can do to prevent clumps and henna debris from clogging your applicator tips.  Here are instructions for how to strain your henna.  straining is done after your henna is completely mixed and dye release has occurred.  It's the last thing you do before putting your henna in applicators.

Sifting Henna Powder
You can also sift your henna powder, which is done before you mix the powder into a paste.  I HATE sifting henna, and if you are going to strain your henna paste, there is no need to sift the henna powder.   

Use Jamila Henna Powder
When I use standard henna powder I always strain my henna.  When I use Jamila henna powder I stain about half the time.  The Jamila henna is so fine and well sifted that straining isn't required.  I still do it sometimes because if makes it so easy to get into my carrot bag and let's me feel like I'm doing all I can do, lol!  Honestly, I don't see any difference when I do strain it, so don't feel you must strain Jamila henna.

Professional Moroccan Applicator Tips
Using the polished stainless steel Moroccan applicator tips helps prevent clogs as well.  Unlike Jaq tips and standard Moroccan tips (the ones with the plastic base), they are polished on the inside.  Makes your henna flow beautifully...like butta!

Avoid Letting Henna Dry
Don't allow any henna to dry up in your applicator bottles or your tips.  ANY dried henna in either tips or bottle will definitely give you problems with clogging.  If you do let henna dry in your tips or bottles, clean them COMPLETELY.

Mixing Clump-Free Henna
There are some things you can do when mixing your henna to help prevent henna clogs.  Add sugar and/or oil to your henna.  When you add sugar or oil, watch closely what happens to the texture of your henna.  You will see the henna smooth before your very eyes!

Try mixing your henna a little looser or thinner than normal.  The thicker your henna the more likely you are to get clogs.  Be sure it's still a usable consistency that you enjoy working with.

Use Larger Size Henna Applicator Tips
Finally, you can use a larger applicator tip and still get fine lines.  If you use a larger tip, you can control the thickness of your line by adjusting the speed that you draw the line.  The faster you go the thinner the line!  Try it!

So there ya go!  Jody's anti-clog tricks for today!
Happy Hennaing!

2/5/09 Top 5 Henna For Charity Tips
I've been doing quite a bit of feel-good charity henna lately.  For the Christmas holiday we did "Henna for Food" as part of a local food drive.  Since the disaster in Haiti, I've done 2 "Henna for Haiti" events and included henna gift certificates in silent auctions.  It's a great way to earn money for charity events and has the added bonus of directing positive energy into the world!

I want to encourage more henna artists to donate their time and art for good causes, so I'm sharing some tips to make your event successful!

1. Spell Out Your Terms Clearly
   If you require 5 food items to be donated to the food drive for each henna tattoo, be clear about that.  Will you accept money instead?  What constitutes food items?
   Decide if you want random donations, a specific amount to be donated (I found $10 is a great donation amount), or if you want to charge as you normally do and donated the proceeds.
2. Be clear on how much of the donation goes to the cause.
   I typically donate 100% of all money to the cause, but you can donate a percentage or you can hold back enough to cover your expenses.  Do what is comfortable for you.
3. Let customers know what to expect.
   Unless you want to do bridal henna for $10, let people know what they can expect.  Say a small or medium sized design or a selection of designs from your henna book.
4. As always, let customers know how to care for their henna tattoo & the ingredients in your henna mix.
   Feel free to print up these aftercare instructions to hand out.
5. Have Fun!
   This is for a good cause!  This is the energy that henna is all about!

Henna for a cause!  It's good for the cause, it's good for you, it's good for the world we inhabit!

10/1/09 What Kind of Henna Applicator Bottle is Right for Me?
Henna applicator bottles are normally the easiest way to apply henna, especially for someone new.  Beachcombers offers a fantastic selection of soft squeeze bottles and applicator tips that are interchangeable.

We have our soft squeeze bottles specially made for us in both 1/2 ounce and 1 ounce bottle sizes, so they are soft and can be used with either Moroccan tips or Jaq tips (both tips require a coupler to work with the bottles). 

Read about the differences in the applicator bottles here.

9/10/09 Henna Instructional Design CD eBook
Brenda of Bajidoo art has a wonderful new henna book out, "Henna Self Taught"!  It can be found online from $22-$35.  Lucky for us, Brenda has also made it available on CD as an e book for much much less and it includes much more!

The CD book takes intricate-looking henna designs and breaks them down into easy how-to's making it easy for even the novice to create a impressive henna tattoo in just a few minutes.

This book takes a no nonsense step by step approach to henna design, with loads of photos along the way. The reader is taken from curiosity straight to the "doing phase." The tattoo process is segmented into a few simple steps and "viola!" A beautiful professional looking henna tattoo is the result.

CD Includes:

• Complete Self Taught eBook
  PLUS...
• Printable Henna Designs
• 2 Henna How-To Videos
• Henna Design Gallery
• Brenda's Online Portfolio

It's perfect for someone new to henna, but it's also useful for more experienced henna artists. 

Buy the "Henna Self Taught" eBook Here

8/20/09 Advice For Henna Newbies
New to henna?  Get started here!
Advice for henna newbies!

Welcome to the world of mehndi otherwise know as henna temporary tattoos!  Henna is a wonderful thing, and I bet you have some questions.  I want to make your transition from henna beginner to henna artist easy.  This site has about everything you need to know about henna.

Henna is infused with positive healing energies and, if you allow yourself to connect with those energies, you will feel a distinct uplift in your mood when you are working with henna or when you have henna on your skin.

I find many people new to henna get overwhelmed with the possibilities.  Henna is like cooking.  You always continue to learn and improve.  It can be easy or it can be complicated depending on what you are looking to accomplish.  You can make a great cake from a box mix easily right?  You can take that same cake mix and make some adjustments to suit your personal tastes and get an even better tasting cake.  It's also possible to make a spectacular tiered wedding cake from scratch. 

The key with henna is to not be afraid to try new things!  Relax and have fun with it!

Follow these reading suggestions to give yourself a good foundation.

• Read about the different kinds of henna
• Read the henna safety page
• Read the "Color and Longevity" henna article
• Read the "How To" henna page

Now GET STARTED!  Happy hennaing!

6/17/09 Summer Time Henna... SAFETY!
Summer time means henna at the beach and on vacation.  Fun stuff!

This a reminder about henna safety.  Henna is not black!  Black "henna" is dangerous and illegal.  Even so, I see people doing black "henna" at the beach every single year. 

Protect yourself.  If you want a henna tattoo, ask the henna artist the following questions...

• What color will my henna tattoo be and how long will it last?
  If the answer is black and more than 3 days, the henna contains PPD.  Do NOT allow that henna to be applied to you or someone you care about.
• May I see a list of ingredients in your henna?
  Check for any chemicals or any other ingredients that you may trigger an allergy.  Mixing henna is not a secret.  Any good henna artist will be willing to tell you what is in their henna paste.
• How long will the henna need to stay on my skin?
  Natural henna needs time to produce good color.  If the answer is less than a couple of hours, there is likely something else mixed in with their henna.

To learn more about henna safety and black henna see our Henna Safety page here.

Have fun this summer, get plenty of henna, but do it safely!

4/15/09 Helping Pre-Mixed Henna
Ahhhh...Sping time!  Spring break vacationers and henna!  Now is the time that we can start really showing off some henna. 

Many people are introduced to henna the first time now and get hooked, of course!  These new henna artist often start with pre-mixed henna, but them decide to move to mixing their own henna to achieve more control and darker longer lasting stains.

I am never one to waste henna, so if you are at that point, DON'T toss your pre-mixed henna!  You can improve your premixed henna paste with a couple of easy steps...

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 4 or 5 parts henna to 1 part table sugar. Add some lemon juice if it's a bit thick, but not enough to make the paste too thin. As an option you can also add a drop or two of henna oil, lavender oil, or tea tree oil.  Mix WELL. Mix REALLY 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!

This is a great transition from using pre-mixed henna to mixing your own henna from henna powder.  It gives you a clear idea of what kind of texture and thickness you are looking for.

Henna On!!!!!

02/20/09 Henna Mixing Video!
Yeaaaaa!!!!  One of our local Orlando henna artists, Brenda of Bajidoo Art, has created a FANTASTIC "how to mix henna" video!

Henna Mixing Video Part 1


Henna Mixing Video Part 2

Brenda uses Jamila powder henna (Body Art Quality) and tea tree oil.  We have a discounted package price for Jamila henna, tea tree oil, and lavender oil.

...and, yes, we carry an exclusive line of Brenda's hand painted Bajidoo henna painted wood bangle bracelets.  Currently they are available at our store in College Park Orlando.

Added Content 6/17/09:
We hare happy to now offer hand painted Bajidoo bangles on our website!

02/10/09 Valentine Henna Tattoo
OK, OK, this is not a henna tip or a mehndi trick!  I really wanted to share this anyway! 

I was delighted to have fellow Orlando henna artist, Ena, of The Henna Studio, at Beachcombers Bazaar today to apply some henna to a client.  It was a lovely medallion on the left foot. 

That's not what I wanted to share with you.  I have henna on my right hand!  That's correct, I have henna on the hand that I use to create henna.  We henna artists always seem to end up with a naked hand, unless you are lucky enough to be ambidextrous.

Ena thrilled me with a quick Valentine henna design!  I admit, she had something similar on her hand, and I thought it was lovely so I asked for that particular design.

It seems we'll be seeing quite a bit more of Ena around Beachcombers Bazaar, as I've asked her to be available for henna by appointment on Saturdays, starting in March.
Here's to more Orlando henna!

01/09/09 How to Make Gilding Paste for Henna Tattoos
Making Gilding Paste to accent your henna tattoos is easy!  Simply mix extra hard hold hair gel with loose colored powders (mineral pigments or mica powders). 

Loose Colored Powders
I've used all kinds of expensive loose powders, but I've found the best to be Eyegasms colored powders (available online at Eyegasms.net or at Beachcombers Bazaar store in Orlando Florida).  They have intense color and they already have plenty of sparkle.  At 9.95 a pot, they are a bargain!  If you'd like extra sparkle, you can mix in additional glitter.  Be sure to use ultra fine cosmetic grade glitter so that it is safe for the eyes.

Hard Hold Gel Base
For the gel base of the gilding paste, choose a super hard hold hair gel.  The harder hold the better.  You want to select a gel that can hold up a crazy spiked Mohawk hairstyle and is hard to wash out.  Water resistant gels will be the best.  To test if the gel will be hard hold enough, hold the bottle upside down.  Ideally, you want to see little or no movement of the bubbles inside the gel.  I've heard of people using medical glue, and mixtures of hair gel and Elmer's glue as well, so feel free to experiment with different gel bases.

Depending on the gel you use, your gilding paste can last anywhere from 1-4 days, though soap and water will remove it at any time you wish.  The brand of hair gel will also determine drying time.  I have found that the longer it takes to dry, the longer the gilding paste will stay on the skin.

Applying Gliding Gel
You can apply gliding paste with a brush, fill a mylar cone henna-style, or use henna applicator bottles to apply your gilding gel.  The thicker the gel goes on the longer it will take to dry, but you can speed up drying time with a hair dryer.

Gliding paste can be used with henna while the paste is still on the skin or after the henna paste is removed and the henna tattoo stain remains.  Of course, it can also be used alone without any henna at all!

Gliding paste is fun and easy...give it a try!

12/17/2008 Now Offering Jamila Body Art Quality Henna Powder
That's right, due to popular request, we now carry Jamila body art henna powder!

Jamila henna powder is the preferred henna of professional henna artists and we've been getting requests for it. You know us...we are all about requests! I can't accommodate every request, but I do what I can.

We currently have the latest body art quality Jamila henna (the highest available quality) Summer Crop 2008 in 100 gram packages. As always, we store our henna properly cooled and protected from moisture and heat, so that you get the freshest possible henna for mehndi body art.

Comparing our standard henna powder and the Jamila henna powder...

Jamila Henna Powder
Jamila powder henna is the preferred henna for professional mehndi artists. It leaves great color and is packaged properly from the manufacturer giving it a very long shelf life (summer 2008 crop has an expiration date of May 2011). It is also the finest sifted powder available. For the most part, you won't need to sift or strain your henna if you are using Jamila henna powder.  As with all our henna products, Jamila henna is all natural with no added chemicals.

Jamila henna powder is well suited to professional henna artists that use a larger amount of henna. It is vacuum sealed in an opaque mylar 100 gram bag inside the box.  It's not as convenient as the small 20 gram bags our standard henna comes packaged in. I also find that the henna dye takes more time to release with the Jamila powder henna, and Jamila henna seems more sensitive to temperature variances. I suggest letting the henna sit overnight after mixing and if it's cold (less than 70 degrees in your house), let it sit at least 24 hours or use the warming technique below.

Jamila henna is well suited to the more advanced henna mixes and can yield some amazingly dark color.  The pictures you see on the web of henna that is nearly black...those likely used Jamila henna, an advanced henna recipe mix, and used a wrap and sealer to get super dark mehndi color.

Standard Henna Powder
Our standard henna powder is a bit more forgiving and releases dye quicker. If you are doing henna just for fun and on a small number of people, the 20 gram bags can't be beat for convenience. It is also packaged properly in opaque mylar bags and can be stored for 2-3 years (if stored properly). Our standard powder henna can yield some fantastic results as you've seen on this site, but overall the Jamila henna is capable of darker color.

12/10/2008 Cleaning Henna Applicator Bottles and Applicator Tips
Your henna applicator bottles and tips can last for a long time with proper care, especially the stainless steel tips.  Care is the same for Jaq bottles & tips and Moroccan bottles & tips.

Avoid allowing henna to dry in your applicator tips.  If you can't clean your tips right away, put them in a cup of clean water until you can clean them properly. 

• Heat a small pot of water on the stove until it is hot, but you can still touch the water with your fingers. 
• While the water is warming, squeeze out any excess henna from your bottles and rinse the plastic squeeze bottles completely. 
• Place your applicator tips in the water (and the squeeze bottles if rinsing them did not remove all the henna) in the hot water and allow to soak for about 10 minutes or so.
• Remove your tips (one-at-a-time) from the pot of hot water and hold them under running water while using a straight pin to clean any bit of henna on the inside of the tips.  Dot this with each tip until it is completely clean and you can see all the way through the tip and water runs freely through the tip.
• Let air dry completely before putting away.  Do not put your tips or bottles away wet.

11/23/2008 Henna Energy by Mariko
Mariko Adams is a professional henna artist right here in Orlando.  She is one of the best henna artists I've ever encountered and has wonderful understanding of the art of henna. 

Sometimes you will find your henna is not as dark as another time you used the same henna (especially this time of the year when the temperature starts dropping).  Mariko had some wonderful thoughts in this.

"I ask myself some questions if I am not getting the henna color I am used to getting.

- When I was mixing the henna, did I put my positive energy intention good enough? (I also put energy stone on the henna while setting 12 hours)
- Am I using my henna for the right purpose-which is right feeling? right time?

Henna is absolutely the energy from the person I do henna on. I believe henna art is energy from of person's inner beauty.  I feel I am chanting while doing henna with person and bring their energy through the henna design.  When I do henna I really try not to think anything. When I think or talk henna design stops and hard to draw.  When I'm doing henna I totally feel person's energy and if that person is nervous I feel nervous and if that person is happy I feel great also. With many people it takes about 5 minutes to feel comfortable while drawing design and after that the design just flows out.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful henna energy in this world!!!
Grateful thankful...
Love&Peace always, Mariko"

I feel she is absolutely right.  Positive energy is an important henna component.  My own attitude seems to have a direct connection with how my henna stain turns out.  I also find henna is a great way to make you feel better when you are feeling down.

Lose yourself in a henna design and not only does it make you feel better while doing the henna, but you have a beautiful lasting talisman of luck and protection.

11/17/2008 Henna & Temperature
This time of year I start getting emails from henna artists that are not getting as good of color as they typically do.  Henna can be picky about temperature and winter is a different set of challenges than summer. 

In summer, we have to be careful that we don't "cook" our henna.  We have to keep it out of sunlight and not let it get too warm.  When mixing henna powder in the summer, dye release is often much quicker (often a just a few hours will yield good dye release).  Keep in mind if you have your air cranked (even to less than 75 degrees or so) it will take your henna longer to release the dye.  This also means that the henna paste can lose it's dying abilities quickly, so you need to keep your ready-to-use henna cool.

In the winter (even here in Florida) we have to be more patient with our henna.  The same henna that would obtain full dye release in a few hours can take a full day or more in a cooler environment.  I find that if my house is less than 70 degrees I need to let my henna powder mix sit 24 hours or more.  I do this in stages.  I mix my powder with my liquid (lemon, tea mix, or whatever I am using that day) and let it sit overnight.  The next day, either in the morning or before work, I add sugar, essential oils, and any additional liquid if needed.  I let that sit again overnight and the next day, I put the henna in applicators and cones for freezing.  Sometimes I don't freeze the cones until the next day.

I am always cold, so I have to work extra hard to get a good stain in the winter.  I get all my supplies together along with a candle, blanket, and cup of hot tea or glass of wine.   I do my henna while I am all wrapped up in my blanket and seal it with lemon sugar.  When my hands (or feet) get cold, I hold them over the candle.

This winter, keep temperature in mind while mixing and applying your henna.  Remember, body temperature is nearly 99 degrees.  Even 70 degrees is a significant difference in temperature.  Stay Warm!

Added content:  11/24/2008
Michael, of Clearwater Florida, is a henna artist that was having trouble with color and emailed for help.  I wanted to post his follow-up email because it has a great idea for helping your henna when the temperature starts dropping.

Just wanted to give you some quick feedback. I tried your suggestion with leaving my henna out longer. In fact, I thought of an easy trick that might help others in the future...

I have this thing called a "ThermiPaq"... basically it's a sand bag that you use for sore muscles and you can heat in the microwave or put in the freezer. I heated mine up for about 1.5 minutes and put that in the bottom of a cooler. I then covered it with a small towel and then laid my bottles of henna on top. This way, the henna was gently heated overnight even though the house was cold.

I did that for 2 nights and the henna started turning a dark green/brownish color. I tried it after that and it works wonderfully now. Just wanted to let you know that my problem definitely was the cold temperature in the house and needing to keep the henna warmed up overnight.

Thanks again!

Thank you, Michael, for sharing a tip that will help many-a-cold-henna-artist through the tough winter season!  Just be careful that you don't use so much heat that you "cook" your henna!

10/10/2008 Henna Storage
Ever wonder how the heck to keep you henna and accessories when it's not being used? 

For henna accessories such as applicator bottles, pins, glitter, and the like, I use a fishing tackle box.  The dividers make perfect little compartments to store my applicator tips and bottles.

For mixed henna paste, I simply use a small Corning Ware container with a lid to store premixed paste in the refrigerator.  When I freeze henna, I first put the henna in empty applicator cones, so that I can thaw only as much henna as I need at a time.  I apply a label to the cone with the date and ingredients, then tape over the label.  I wrap the cones in a paper towel and put them in a Ziploc freezer bag.

When I need to bring henna out for an event, I simply grab my tackle box and a soft lunch box where I place my henna paste.  The lunch box leaves plenty of space for a couple of wash cloths and a bottle of witch hazel for cleaning skin.  It has a flat outside pocket where I keep my aftercare instructions.

So what's your henna set up?

6/23/2008 First Time Henna!

Kayla did her very first henna design using powder henna and on the back (one of the most difficult places to stain)!  It turned out beautifully!  She used Beachcombers powder henna and used the Tea Henna Mix Jr henna recipe below.

Kayla has been chosen as the current Henna Design Of the Moment winner, as well.  Great work, Kayla!

 

6/20/2008 Relax, Henna Is Fun!

Don't get too caught up in getting your henna perfect, especially if you are new to henna.  Henna is like cooking.  Two people can make the same recipe, but have different results.

Relax when you are mixing henna and don't worry about getting anything exact.  My Great-Grandmother (from Italy) takes four days to make her marinara sauce.  I take about an hour, lol!  My sauce isn't as good as her sauce, but it's still delicious and much less stressful on a Tuesday night.  Your henna mix doesn't have to be an intense-hard-core mixture every time you mix henna.  Try some super easy mixes sometimes.  You can get decent color by mixing your henna powder with lemon juice and letting it sit for 4-6 hours.

The Beachcombers Favorite henna recipe is always a consistent easy recipe for great color.

The same goes for drawing your actual design.  If things aren't going well, wipe it off with water and start again.  You would be surprised at how nice a design will look once the henna paste is removed and the color has come up.

My point is, get in there and start doing some henna!  Remember the worst that can happen is your color doesn't get as dark as it could get, or you end up with a not-so-hot design.  So what?  Try it again!  Have FUN!

5/15/2008 New Henna Mixes!

I am LOVING this new henna mix so I want to share it with you!  I'm going to use a sample timeline to give you a realistic idea of the timeframe.   There is plenty of room for changing the instructions. They don't need to be followed to the letter.

Jody's Fabulous 4 Day Tea Henna Mix!
This one is a bit complicated and long to make, but I'm getting some amazing color with it.

Monday - Make lemon tea mixture
On the stove I heat lemon juice (about 2 or 3 cups, but the amount will vary greatly depending on the tea you use), loose Indian Black tea (about 3 or 4 heaping table spoons, but again depends), whole black cloves, cardamom seeds, and one cinnamon stick.  Feel free to toss in whatever other ingredients you want to try out.  I like to try something a little different each time I mix my henna.

I heat that to a low simmer for about 1/2 hour, then I reduce the heat to low so it's hot but not bubbling at all.  I leave it like that for another couple of hours then remove it from the burner and leave to sit overnight. If it cooks down too much during the heating process, add more lemon juice or water at any time.

Tuesday - First step of mixing henna
I strain the tea mixture (I actually use the same nylon that I use for straining my henna). I typically start with two 20 gram packages of henna which will make about 4 cones. Mix in the tea mixture just like you always do, keeping the paste thicker than you need. Apply plastic wrap over the henna so that the wrap is actually touching the henna and put the henna inside a kitchen cabinet (or any dark place that doesn't get too hot or too cold).

Take any left over tea mix and freeze it in an ice cube tray to make it easier to make your next henna mix. Once my lemon tea mix is frozen, I put the cubes in a ziplock bag labeled with the date and ingredients of that particular mix. 

Wednesday - Adding oils/sugar
Stir your henna mix and add sugar (2 or 3 teaspoons). Add your oil. I've been loving tea tree and lavender lately.  I typically use about 10 or more drops of oil for 2 bags (40 grams) of henna powder.  Add additional lemon juice if you need to further thin the henna. Put plastic wrap back on henna and put it back inside a kitchen cabinet (or any dark place that doesn't get too hot or too cold).

Thursday - Ready to use
Strain your henna, add it to an applicator, and you are ready to go!  I use the carrot bag from straining the henna paste to put the henna in cones to freeze.  Two 20 gram bags of henna will make about 4 henna cones.  I label the henna cones with the date and ingredients before freezing. It takes about 2 hours for one cone to thaw.

Keep any unused henna refrigerated for up to a week.  For longer storage put it in an airtight container and freeze it.


Tea Henna Mix Jr.
Similar mix but much quicker...

Monday - Make the same lemon tea mixture from the above 4 Day Tea recipe (use whatever you want, it doesn't have to be those exact ingredients). Simmer the tea for an hour or so (add more liquid when needed) and set aside to cool. Once cool, strain the tea and mix your henna, just like the Tuesday instructions above.

Tuesday - Use the Wednesday instructions above and add your sugar and oils. If you do this in the morning, you can use the henna in the evening, otherwise let it sit until Wednesday.

Keep any unused henna refrigerated for up to a week.  For longer storage put it in an airtight container and freeze it.

Hope these new henna mixes do well for you!  Email me with your mixes and I'll post them!

5/02/2008 Lavender & Tea Tree Oil Available

I have recommended adding tea tree and lavender oil to your henna mix for a long time.  I've been hearing from customers that they have a tough time finding high quality oils and when they do, they often have to pay high shipping costs.  Alright, you got it!  I've found a great supplier of high quality Australian tea tree oil and a very high quality French lavender oil and am offering it to you!

Now you can get your essential oils for henna when you get your Beachcombers! henna powder and you can add it to any order for no additional shipping costs.

Each bottle is 5 mL and is dark glass, so they will store well for up to three years.  Five mL is about 60 drops of oil.  Each 20 gram bag of henna needs about 2-5 drops of oil, but you can add more or less depending on your tastes.  The oil is 100% pure uncut, so a little goes a long way.

BTW, we are also offering a new Henna Straining Kit so that you can strain your henna.  We found that people were having issues getting all the different components of the kit without spending excessive money so we put a kit together for you.  It contains nylon stockings, extra strong carrot bags, a spatula, and instructions of course.

I hope offering these oils and the straining kit is a convenience for you!  Continue to let us know what your needs are and we'll stock what we can. 

5/01/2008 Henna Really is a Natural Sun Block

You may have heard me mention that henna is a natural sun block in the past.  Well, here is proof! 

If you look closely at the foot on the left, you can see the reverse of the henna pattern that was on the skin before a couple of days vacationing at the beach.  The henna stain was barely visible when the wearer went on vacation to the beach.  The henna was done by Courtney, and she was kind enough to send pictures of the ultra cool sunblock results. 

Thanks again, Courtney!

4/29/2008 Henna Travel Tips

Last week we went to a eCommerce Business Summit in New Orleans, LA.  Aside from the fact that the summit itself was a wealth of information, allowing us to continue to improve your shopping experience with Beachcombers! Bazaar, I also did some henna testing!

We drove from Orlando FL to New Orleans in an old Miata with no air conditioning.  This means my henna was in a hot car for more than 10 hours!  I always tell people to put their henna in a cooler when doing henna outdoors to keep it fresh, but I purposely did not do that with my henna.  I never dreamed that the henna would still leave color after that kind of abuse, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that after 10 hours of driving in the trunk of a car in Florida, and another 24 hours of sitting in a hotel room, the henna still left color!  It wasn't great color, but it was acceptable color. 

< The picture to the left is of the henna the day after it was done.  The color changed from orange to a darker brown the next day, but I don't have pictures of that day.  The skin was not cleaned before I did the henna, but I was able to use a lemon sugar sealer.  Certainly NOT the best conditions to do henna, lol!

The heat did cause the henna to separate, and luckily I had a toothpick long enough to properly mix the henna in the applicator bottle.

I was reminded of how important it is to completely clean applicator bottle tips.  I thought I may be able to get away with using a straight pin to clean my stainless steel applicator tips without water, but I started getting clogs as the fresh henna mixed with the dried henna that was clinging to the inside of the tips.  I used hot water from the hotel tap and a straight pin to properly clean my henna tips and the clogs stopped.

Many thanks to my two guinea pigs...
Clarissa of TattooApparel.com and Andy of Debnroo.com.

4/17/2008 Henna Tattoo Tips

Vitamin E Oil
Courtney (Orlando henna artist) has been using Vitamin E Oil to keep her henna design moisturized.  We have likely learned by now that henna likes nice dry skin to develop color, but once your tattoo is set, if you don't keep the henna tattoo moisturized, the skin cells exfoliate quicker, thus fading your tattoo.

Henna Notebook
I always encourage people to keep a henna notebook.  I use mine to...

• Keep detailed notes on every batch of henna I make.  You'd be surprised how quickly you forget exactly what was in that last batch of henna that left really great color.
• Write down new henna mix ingredients you'd like to try out.
• Doodle henna designs and try out new designs.  My henna notebook is my little brainstorm area.
• Sometimes, people want a specific design hennaed on them.  I let them draw it out in my henna notebook.  I'll also pre-draw out a design for a customer if they are a little unsure of what they want.  This gets them excited about their henna tattoo!

I found some great notebooks for henna at Michael's Crafts for only $.50 in their clearance section!  They are 8.5" x 5.25", spiral bound, and have a great paisley floral design.  The notebooks are lined so it can help when drawing out a symmetrical design for the first time.  They also had matching note cards and Post Its.

Tea Tree Oil & Lavender Oil
These are my two favorite terping oils for henna and I suggest them often.  Apparently they are not always easy to find, so we've decided to start stocking them for you!  Keep your eyes out for us to add high quality tea tree and lavender oils to our site.  If you have not already signed up for the Preferred Clients list, I encourage you to do so, in order to get an email when they are available.

3/30/2008 Henna Tips From Beachcombers! Henna Workshop Participants
First, thank you all for coming to the workshop!  It was a great success and I had more fun that I thought possible while "teaching", lol!  I promised to create this follow-up info so that you'd have access to some of the things that came up in class, so here it is.


[ Colored Self Adhesive Wraps
SureFlexx Self-Adhesive Elastic Bandage

Courtney showed us a fantastic product to use for wrapping your henna, a self-adhesive elastic bandage called SureFlexx.  It's a great way to wrap your henna without looking like your broke something, lol!  It comes in a great selection of colors and is found at feed stores.  Apparently it is used for horses.  I found some online sources for it, Provico, and ValleyVet.  I have not ordered from them, I just did a Google search to find them.

Courtney found a local supplier here in Orlando that sells SureFlexx for $2.25 each or if you buy 4 or more rolls the price is then $2.00 each.

We briefly talked about decorating your henna with glitter paste and gilding paste.  I talked about using eye shadows and theater powder make-up to make your own gilding paste.   You just mix the powder with hair glue or very thick hard hold hair gel.  The gel should be thick enough that when turned upside down a slow bubble will work itself back up.  It should not be "pourable" gel.

Eyegasams Gilding Powder
Susan makes the very best gilding powder (Eyegasams) I've found and at a much better price than theater makeup.  Each pot of powder is only $7.50 each!  She is working on getting a website up soon, but you can contact her via email here.  If you dance at the YOU Center with Lacey, Susan always brings her powders to class so you can arrange to purchase them there.

If you are interested in loose glitter to sprinkle over your henna, I've found that extra fine scrap booking glitter work really well.  Don't use craft glitter that is made of metal because if it gets in your eye it can actually cut your eye.  The scrap book brand Stampendous has non-metal glitter.  I've bought this brand at Michaels Craft Store in the past, but the last time I was there I didn't see it.  I've emailed the company to ask where else we can get their glitter.

From Courtney...

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