The
history of henna tattoo design spans many decades and cultures. From tiny
roses on shoulders to full body motifs, tattoos have made their way into the
mainstream as a modern genre of artistic expression. Henna body tattoo are a
safe and painless way of having favorite tattoos without the permanence and
the pain of a real tattoo. They can last anything from 2 - 4 weeks depending
on the skin type and how often the design is washed and scrubbed. Process
Once the henna paste has been applied it should be left to dry for as long as possible, then simply brushed off leaving an orange/yellow mark. The design takes about 12 hours to fully develop and becomes dark brown after this time.
Designs & Patterns
Henna tattoos traditionally fell into four distinctive styles. The Middle Eastern style consisted mostly of floral patterns inspired by Arabic carvings, paintings and textiles. This casual style did not usually follow a specific pattern. The North American style accentuated the shape of the feet and hands using geometric floral patterns.
The Indian and Pakistani designs extend beyond the hands and feet to create the illusion of gloves and stockings. These were made up of intricate, repetitive paisley patterns, lines, and teardrops. Finally, the Indonesian or Southeast Asian styles were a mix of Indian and Middle Eastern designs with blocks of color on the tips of fingers and toes.
