How to Make a Natural Henna Paste

Henna paste is a mix of ground, dried henna leaves and a mild acid such as strong tea or lemon juice. The two ingredients are mixed into a paste, which can then be applied to skin or hair in order to create a semi-permanent stain. Often, tea tree or lavender oil is added to increase the staining property of the paste. Henna may be purchased online or in a local Indian or Middle Eastern shop, and can be stored for years.
 

Things You'll Need :
Ground henna
Lemon juice or strongly brewed tea
Lavender or tea tree oil (optional)
Stockings or fine cheesecloth
Plastic container
Rubber band
Bowl
Plastic spoon
Plastic wrap
Syringe, applicator cone or plastic baggie
 

Instructions :
Sift your henna. Place the stocking or cheesecloth over the plastic container and secure with the rubber band. Pour the henna powder into the stocking or cheesecloth to sift out any large chunks. Discard the henna that remains in the sifting cloth.


Place the henna powder in the bowl and add the lemon juice or tea a little at a time, mixing until a paste consistency is achieved. Different hennas will absorb different amounts of liquid, so there is no exact measurement--it just takes some trial and error. You can add a drop of tea tree oil or lavender oil at this stage.


Rest the henna by covering the bowl with plastic wrap and pressing out the air to create a seal. The henna must oxidize in order to release the dye. When the dye has been released, the top layer of henna will turn brown--you can examine this by moving the top layer of henna paste and comparing it to what is underneath. The henna on the bottom will be green, and the top layer will be brown.

Place the henna paste in an applicator syringe, plastic applicator cone or plastic baggie (pierce a hole in the corner to create an applicator).


Source : http://www.ehow.com



Ground henna

 
 








Lemon juice or strongly brewed tea

 
 

Lavender or tea tree oil (optional)

 
 







Plastic wrap

 
 








Syringe, applicator cone or plastic baggie

Henna paste , made from henna powder

Henna paste ready to used