Where to get a henna tattoo?

Magee

Hello,

My husband and I will be travelling to India in two weeks, and while there I'd really like to get a henna tattoo. Are henna artists usually easy to find? We'll be in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Sawai Madhopur. Can anyone recommend the best place to find someone willing to "ink up" a Westerner? Also, can henna designs be applied to the top of the hand/wrist, rather than the palms? How long do they usually last?

A friend of mine is a tattoo artist just getting into henna tattoos, and she's very excited about what I might bring back/learn about it while there. (She's already warned me to stay away from the black henna.)

Any info would be appreciated.

Magee

paintedlotus

Hi Magee,

It shouldn't be hard to get henna done. Pretty much any beauty parlor (also called "beauty saloon") will have someone who does henna. The trick is to make sure they do a good job-- I'm a henna artist and therefore really picky about the quality of designs.

In South Delhi in particular there's a market-- I don't remember the name of it though, sorry-- with a line of about 10-15 artists sitting on the sidewalk whipping out henna. Some of them were doing a better job than others and NONE of the work in any of the portfolios belonged to them! Sadly this is common.

Henna can be applied pretty much anywhere on the body, but it stains hands and feet best. It's not a requirement to have it on your palms, most people get it there just because it stains quicker and darker due to more dry/dead skin.

If your friend wants to learn more about henna, there are far more informational sources than just getting some done in India. I recommend a trip over to http://www.hennatribe.com where there's a TON of information about everything you can imagine related to henna.

Good luck!

Magee

Thanks for the info, paintedlotus! I can hardly wait...

holikarang

hey hi great question! I'm also a henna fan and often apply mehndi myself! I would suggest to avoid those street artists who are totally copying designs, in India this makes the difference for mehndi, and go where local ladies get henna, not tourists only. Also watch them at work, if they are fastand the design is well done and fine, they are skilled.Another tip is, a good artist works with hand made cones with flowing henna, if they are using ready-made cones, they are improvised.

When I was in delhi I used to stay near the posh south extention shopping area and I noticed henna artists there were very good and totally worked free hand (ispiration/reference is something, copying is something else), most of their clients where locals. In part II I remember I got henna done free hand and it was a treat watching the artist work (and I'm also picky with henna designs, we henna lovers see so many designs that we can immediately spot the best ones among many).

Henna in beauty parlours is a little more expensive than on the streets. You can certainly get henna done on the back of your hands, it will just stain a little less than on the palms, also try to wear something with short sleeves when you have it applied and try to have it done when you know you can keep the paste on for a while, this way it will stain better.

Enjoy!!

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holikarang

jituyadav

You will easily find henna artist wherever you visit. But since you will be in India for just two weeks, I think you can only get it done once (sorry if I am wrong, no firsthand experience ).
In Delhi, I have seen henna artist in almost all major and minor markets. Hanuman Temple in Connaught place seems to be the most happening place to get henna done and there must be at least a hundred of them applying henna.

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I started with nothing and I still have most of it!

namaste_cat

I am a huge fan of henna too whether for hair or tattoos, love it! I grew up w/ it, and still do my own designs here for my daughter and her friends at slumber parties etc.
Agree w/ holikarang on her assessment. Those free hand artists are amazing!

There are henna artists are Dillihaat (the real one, not the knockoff rickshaw drivers try to take tourists to) who use the cones holikarang was referring to. The artistry is unbelievable especially at the remarkable speed at which they do it all.

Price will vary based on 1 hand vs both, whether feet are also included. Within limits, the longer you keep it on, the deeper the color. Sometimes I apply oil on it, as that also helps the color come out darker, and thus tattoo lasts longer.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

wonderwomanusa

In Delhi, in the Paharganj area (just behind New Delhi rail station) there are some people sitting on the street, doing henna designs on foreigners. I think they were at the second "chowk" (intersection) of the Main Bazaar, walking away from the station.

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The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

holikarang

If you don't mind about the quality of the design you can try any artist, but I remind you that henna stains and if you don't like the design you'll have to bring it around (in case you don't like it wash your skin right away several times).

Magee

WOW! I love this forum! Thanks everyone, for your detailed and insightful answers! I'm going to print them all out and go armed with the knowledge to get a truly beautiful mehndi/henna tattoo.

Iris G

I was put through the procedure that apparently makes henna stay longer on the skin.
A tawa is heated with some cloves roasting on it and than you have to hold your hands where the henna is applied over the heat. But my western mind tells me that this must be myth rather than a chemical process.

Has anyone experience with this - roasting of the skin.

holikarang

I have heard of this practice and heard it's not safe as it could intoxicate you, the heat itself -without anything else- does wonders with henna and actually the best way to have a great stain is to wrap the henna'd part in toilet paper and keep the paste on as long as possible. I sleep with paste on and wrap the design, I add the essential oil to my paste directly and don't put oil on my skin as it is a bit harsh on sensitive skin. Anyway I would not recommend to use the heated cloves...

nairpriya2004

there are so many ways to make the tattoo darker apply the simple lemon juice or have steam (no need to keep verry close to hot) the basic reqirement is that the hennapaste should not getdried. once it dried the peal of take place

welsh_exile

Hiya,

I had a wonderful henna tattoo done in the Main Bazaar in Delhi in a back street beauty palour. The woman who done it used foil to make a cone and drew it free hand and from imagination. The colour turned out wonderful, its still there after 6 days and cost INR 150. I am so pleased with it, I can't stop looking at it!!

One thing, however: I wear a watch all the time and it covered part of the tattoo causing it to fade quicker than the rest of it. Don't really know why it came as a surprise!! So if you do wear a watch, bracelet, ring etc, be mindful of this when having your gorgeous henna done :-)

Have a great time in India!!

Exiled

nairpriya2004

You can get henna tattoo done in almost every place Indian every street have beauty palours(ladies)the rates starts fro Rs 100 onwards to Rs5000-depend on the designs

If you want to try your own skill the mix is available in many of the cosmetic shops (where they sell the bangles and other makeup items) two cons are sufficient for a simple palm design