Part 2
7. Let the paste sit in a warm place, around 75 ° - 85° Fahrenheit, for 12 hours.
This allows the dye to be drawn out of the henna leaves so it will stain your skin deeply and as strong as possible.
You are waiting for the dye to be released from the henna leaves. If you mix henna in a clear container it's easy to see if the dye is releasing. This is an easy way to insure your henna is fresh and has good dye content.
8. After letting the henna mature for the night, it is now ready to be used.
Check and adjust your consistency.
(TIP) It is good to add a little bit more lemon or lime juice to your mixture. Every one likes it differently so find what you like. Add juice slow so you don’t make your mixture too thin. Add lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon at a time, mixing completely between each addition, until you reach the desired creamy consistency. Right after you are finished using the henna paste freeze immediately. It should last up to 6 months in the freezer. Allow 1hr for defrosting time.
9. How to prepare your lemon sugar water:
Put 1.5 teaspoons of sugar and then ½ teaspoon of lime juice into a small bowl and heat till sugar becomes melted. (5-10 seconds)
Place liquid into a small spray bottle or in a small bowl and us cotton swabs to apply the mixture.
Sugar helps the paste stick to the skin by drawing moisture into the paste and prevents cracking and drying out of the paste. It also encourages the henna to keep releasing dye on the skin.
When your paste is the consistency that you want fill your applicators and have fun!!!
Determining exact amounts of lemon juice or lime juice that is required for henna paste is very difficult since the henna plants are grown in many different countries of the world. Depending on the weather, location, and time of year that the leaves are harvested the recipe will need varying amounts of lemon juice or lime juice. The paste should be smooth and creamy, similar to yogurt. If too much lemon juice is added the paste will be runny and your designs will bleed together. If the paste is too thick it will be difficult to squeeze the paste out of the applicator.
This allows the dye to be drawn out of the henna leaves so it will stain your skin deeply and as strong as possible.
You are waiting for the dye to be released from the henna leaves. If you mix henna in a clear container it's easy to see if the dye is releasing. This is an easy way to insure your henna is fresh and has good dye content.
8. After letting the henna mature for the night, it is now ready to be used.
Check and adjust your consistency.
(TIP) It is good to add a little bit more lemon or lime juice to your mixture. Every one likes it differently so find what you like. Add juice slow so you don’t make your mixture too thin. Add lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon at a time, mixing completely between each addition, until you reach the desired creamy consistency. Right after you are finished using the henna paste freeze immediately. It should last up to 6 months in the freezer. Allow 1hr for defrosting time.
9. How to prepare your lemon sugar water:
Put 1.5 teaspoons of sugar and then ½ teaspoon of lime juice into a small bowl and heat till sugar becomes melted. (5-10 seconds)
Place liquid into a small spray bottle or in a small bowl and us cotton swabs to apply the mixture.
Sugar helps the paste stick to the skin by drawing moisture into the paste and prevents cracking and drying out of the paste. It also encourages the henna to keep releasing dye on the skin.
When your paste is the consistency that you want fill your applicators and have fun!!!
Determining exact amounts of lemon juice or lime juice that is required for henna paste is very difficult since the henna plants are grown in many different countries of the world. Depending on the weather, location, and time of year that the leaves are harvested the recipe will need varying amounts of lemon juice or lime juice. The paste should be smooth and creamy, similar to yogurt. If too much lemon juice is added the paste will be runny and your designs will bleed together. If the paste is too thick it will be difficult to squeeze the paste out of the applicator.
