Anyway, it is a good time to address some old questions. I received some emailed after I posted these pictures last year -- about the "color" on my hands.
Thats Mehendi. A beautiful way of decorating your hands and feet. One needs tons of creativity and a steady hand. For best results, ie, for a rich, dark-brownish maroon color:
1. Get it done about two days before your event (I could do it only a day before). The color deepens over time.
2. Once dried, with cotton balls, periodically dab a concoction of lemon juice and sugar. Also, heat your hands over a low-flame lit stove top. Its all about the color, baby!
2. Leave on the henna overnight. Longer the better.
3. Have no contact with water during this time. Or any liquid. If you have to, once the henna has dried, tie plastic bags around your hands and feet. Yes, I know. Taking a shower this way is tricky, but there are crazier lengths people go in the name of beauty. Or obsession.
4. Some people suggest that once the henna has dried, to tie plastic bags around your hands and feet (that is, when you are not in the shower or brushing your teeth). You DO NOT want to do that. This leads to sticky wet hands...and you do not want any contact with sweat (aka water!). When you go to bed that night, the dried henna is going to flake off and make a mess on your sheets. So spread out an old sheet you are ready to give up on.
5. Next morning, rub off the henna. Vola. Stare at your artwork. It is only going to get better. Dont get alarmed if the color on your feet, back of your hands, and arms turn out lighter than the palms of your hands. Thats normal.
Of course, I am sure there are a thousand more tips out there. Please feel free to add in the comments section.
My talented cousins-in-law were the artists. I wanted a super intricate, Indian-style design (I think broadly, there are two styles--Arabic and Indian. Of course, there are further divisions in terms of region, etc). These are pictures during and right after the Mehendi was applied. When it is wet, it looks like "gunk". Suketu thought it was the final result, and kinda freaked out. The next day, he was happily taken aback.
26 comments:
That looks like a crazy amount of work! So intricate and detailed! Your cousins are amazing.
So cool! Your hands look awesome!
gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I've always wanted to have my full hands done, but only experimented with my ankles a few years back.
Really beautiful designs! In addition to skill, it must also take a good deal of patience - for both the artist and the recipient :)
I really love the photo taken from above. You all look so focused.
This makes me wish I'd gotten to have at least ONE girl cousin - sigh!
Beautiful! Thanks for your kind comments on my daughter's shrug. She loves it. I am soooo close to finishing her shawl and I'm so excited!
That mehendi looks gorgeous, the design is so intricate!! Lovely!
Gorgeous Mehendi! Bet that makes any girl feel like a princess -- all that waiting upon :)
Hope the weather clears up, so we can see pictures of your lovely craft work!
Oh its so beautiful! I love mehndi. Whenever I go to India I get it done :) But my designs are not as intricate as yours! And my colour usually starts fading off after the 3rd day :( You've given lovely tips for longlasting colour. Maybe I'll try next time :)
I remember sitting for hours, perfectly still, having mehndhi put on my hands. The designs were always intricate and beautiful!! :) You've brought abck some lovely memories.. thanks! :)
so beautiful.
your beautiful blog is quite nice. I'm awarding you (probably another) Bella. Thank you!
this is gorgeous, but i want to see some darn yarny photos! give the people what they want! yarny photos! photos of yarn, my lovely little friend!! miss you tons!!!!!! love you! amy
One of my fourth grade students decided to do her research paper on mehendi after the art teacher introduced my class to it. She loves using my set of fine tip permanent markers and drawing mehendi-like designs on art paper. :)
Beautiful...my sister has it done whenever she can...usually during the street fair season here in Seattle. But hers never looked as good as yours.
We had a slumber party a friend's place once and I decided to brighten it up by applying mehendi for them... we had lots of fun and designs came out very well. But unfortunately the mehendi cone was too old and the lack of color was disappointing to all of us. But we enjoyed nevertheless :) Next time I resolve to make my own mehendi cone :)
Amazing! And so beautiful and intricate...
oh so pretty and intricate! what an awesome job they did!
These designs are amazing!
Oh...that's beautiful !!
Is something like the Henna here.
Oh, I love it! So beautiful. My DIL had a similar thing done while she was in Africa recently and I just fell in love with it when she got home. It looks amazing!
I just love Mehndi designs. I esp. love the fact that when they have put the mehndi, you can be pampered like crazy esp. since you can't do any work or touch anything that time! So so beautiful Rima...you look every bit the blushing bride! :)
Oh my gosh I love Mendhi... once I daydreamed about having something like it tattooed on my shoulder and around the back of my neck. I chickened out but I so appreciate the beauty of this art.
Just discovered your blog, a friend linked to your Bombay Love pattern (adorable). It's funny, I'm sitting here with my hair full of henna paste! I've been using henna to cover gray hair earned in graduate school. I simply love the smell...a side bonus! Lovely blog =)
Wow, gorgeous but high maintenance, huh? Sounds like a small lifestyle change to protect the precious artwork. Looks lovely, though.
That's beautiful. What detail!
wonderful art & designs
it is so beautiful on you !
my in-laws live in Morrocco and this is usually where I have "henna" (they call it). i enjoy it so much, that I even have a real tattoo made on my foot in the henna color.
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