Mehendi tips for darker and long-lasting stain

Girls, at least once in their lifetime, wished their mehendi was darker. Who doesn't want a deep red-brown, long-lasting mehendi stain? Well, you aren't alone. But sometimes, no matter how much effort you put in, you get that not-so-appealing orangish shade that fades quickly. Getting a perfect mehendi shade isn't just about luck or being equivalent to your partner's love, and with a few hacks before, during, and after applying henna, you can pull off your preferred colour. Since Eid is around the corner and girls like to adorn their hands with different henna patterns, let's learn how to make your mehendi pop.

All right, so first, you must prep your hands (or feet or wherever you're applying mehendi). Start by washing your hands properly with soap and water, and, if possible, exfoliate with a good exfoliator (an uneven paste of sugar and lemon mix can be a nice-to-have option) to remove dead skin cells as well as oils that work as barrier henna as it will be unable to soak it properly. Then, soak your hands in lukewarm water for 5-20 minutes to soften your skin, which helps mehendi colours to sink in deeper. Pat dry your hand and avoid using no moisturizer or creams, as henna works best on dry skin. It's advisable to use a tiny drop of Eucalyptus or clove oil for an extra boost. And remember to drink an adequate portion of water as hydrated skin takes colour better!

Now that your hands are prepared to put in the mehendi, it is time. Always go for fresh, organic mehendi instead of chemical-infused ones. Chemical ones may give that darker colour but are harmful to your skin as they fade within two to three days. Many organic henna sellers these days show their henna-making procedures, so go for the ones that use lemon juice, tea liquor and sugar in their henna paste. Once the henna is applied, let it completely dry on your skin without a hairdryer or fan. This may take 4-6 hours, but be patient; the longer mehendi stays on your hand, the darker the stain will be. Leaving it overnight would be a nice option unless you are a messy sleeper. Once the mehendi starts drying, mix lemon juice and sugar on your henna with cotton balls to lock in the moisture and stain more smoothly. Not too much; otherwise, it will get messy. Leave that for 15-20 minutes. Keep your hands stable; much movement can cause the paste to crack and flake off prematurely. Avoid washing the henna with water. Rather, use a spoon or fingertips. It sounds a bit weird, but it's advisable not to use soap in the first 24 hours of applying henna. Keep your hands warm and away from water as much as possible. Don't worry if the stain looks orangish at first; the colour will develop in the next 24-48 hours.

Remember, heat is your friend when it comes to mehendi. Heat a few cloves on a flat pan and let the smoke waft on your henna design. Be careful not to burn yourself. Rub mustard oil, coconut oil, Vicks, or tiger balm after removing henna to intensify the stain, or you can simply rub your palms together to generate heat. Some say having iron-rich foods or drinking tea or coffee before applying henna boosts colour intensification. Give that caffeine a try.

So, you are all equipped with hacks to have a nice dark brown mehendi stain. A beautiful stain is all about some preparation before, a little bit of patience, and some aftercare. Follow these tips during this "Chand-Raat" to have a beautiful, rich, and darker stain that will make everyone ask your secret or secretly envy you, thinking, "Who is loving her so much?"

The writer can be found at rahmanmegh1234@gmail.com