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Henna Aftercare Instructions

A little care in the first two days is the difference between a pale orange stain and a deep, rich brown one.

Henna paste is made out of leaves from the plant Lawsonia inermis. The leaves are left to dry, then ground into a powder. Essential oils and lemon juice are added to the powder, and placed into a cellophane cone. We mix our own henna so there are no chemicals or preservatives in it. We use only organic henna, and it’s completely safe for skin.

  1. Let the paste dry

    The henna paste takes about 15 to 20 minutes to dry. Henna stains instantly, so be very careful not to smudge it!

  2. Leave the paste on

    When the paste is dry it will crumble and slowly peel away. Leave the paste on as long as possible, at least 2 to 4 hours. The longer the paste is on, the darker the stain will get.

  3. Peel, don't wash

    After 2 hours (or longer) gently peel away any remaining paste. It is better to avoid water for the first 12 hours, but not completely necessary.

  4. Moisturise after 24 hours

    After 24 hours, apply olive oil, coconut oil or any natural moisturiser. That will help prevent skin exfoliation and prolong the life of your henna.

  5. Protect the stain

    Avoid chlorine, soap and detergents. Chapstick is great to protect your henna from them if needed.

  6. Let it darken

    Henna takes 24 to 48 hours to darken, since it needs to oxidise with the air. The stain will initially have a bright orange colour, gradually darkening to a beautiful deep brown work of art.

Enjoy your henna!

Why some stains come out darker than others

Henna stains the top layer of skin, so the thicker that layer is, the darker the result. Palms and the soles of the feet go almost black-brown. The back of the hand and the wrist stain a deep reddish brown. Arms, shoulders, the back and the belly stain lighter and fade sooner. That is normal, and no reflection of the paste.

Heat helps, water hurts, and time does most of the work. If you want the best possible colour for a wedding or a photo shoot, have your henna applied two days beforehand rather than the night before.