Brite Henna Instant Mehendi Cone

[onela]

I wanted to experiment with Henna, and in an effort to keep everything in my Debbie-Downer of a city from closing (seriously the main drag in the downtown core has literally nothing but empty storefronts), decided to buy something that was already here instead of eBaying something from, well, wherever. At The Black Market, they had these Brite Instant Mehendi cones. At $2.50, I thought it was worth a shot. Anybody have any opinion on this product, or general advice before I start smearing a staining product all over my extremeties?

 

[maria_harlequin]

Eeeek...I've been working with henna for years and my advice for you is DO NOT use instant cones! You have no idea what the chemical compound is inside them and you don't know what icky nasties they put inside in order to make the henna darker and last longer. This may include PPD which is a black hair dye and a carcinogen - and it can end up in very nasty scars! Never, ever, used a pre-made cone. Make your own henna cones!

True henna will stop staining after a period of time after dye release once mixed with some sort of acidic liquid (lemon juice, tea...) and essential oils which is usually a few days depending on your weather. Pure 100% henna powder mixed in order to create a paste using the mentioned natural ingredients is totally safe...unlike pre-made cones which can be dangerous!

For more information, check out The Henna Page - The most complete henna information resource!

 

[onela]

Eeeek...I've been working with henna for years and my advice for you is DO NOT use instant cones! You have no idea what the chemical compound is inside them and you don't know what icky nasties they put inside in order to make the henna darker and last longer. This may include PPD which is a black hair dye and a carcinogen - and it can end up in very nasty scars! Never, ever, used a pre-made cone. Make your own henna cones!

True henna will stop staining after a period of time after dye release once mixed with some sort of acidic liquid (lemon juice, tea...) and essential oils which is usually a few days depending on your weather. Pure 100% henna powder mixed in order to create a paste using the mentioned natural ingredients is totally safe...unlike pre-made cones which can be dangerous!

For more information, check out The Henna Page - The most complete henna information resource!

Thanks for the head's up, this is actually what I thought somebody would say and why I haven't scribbled on myself with it yet. I've already got it at home, so what *could* I do with it?

 

[maria_harlequin]

Thanks for the head's up, this is actually what I thought somebody would say and why I haven't scribbled on myself with it yet. I've already got it at home, so what *could* I do with it?

You can use it to make a pretty design on a surface - henna will stain natural fabric and wood.

 

[onela]

Hmmmm, perhaps I'll practice some patterns on a fabric scrap In the meantime, any suggestions for a nice henna powder for a beginner that is appropriate for use on skin?

 

[maria_harlequin]

Hmmmm, perhaps I'll practice some patterns on a fabric scrap In the meantime, any suggestions for a nice henna powder for a beginner that is appropriate for use on skin?

If you live near an Indian community, you can pop by a store and see if they have henna. Check the box carefully and make sure it's not henna hair dye or anything like that but that it's pure henna powder. When you open it, the powder should be greenish brown and smells organic. Check the manufacturing date - good henna should be harvested the same year that you're buying.

There are also some reputable sellers online. Mehandi.com shop - Henna, Indigo and Harquus .... body art and hair care supplies that are hard to find! is good and I forgot but there's a herbal seller from the UK on eBay that has good henna as well...I've bought Indigo from her before.