Slow Living with Natural Henna
In my previous blog post I talked about how pottery can help you slow down and appreciate small moments of everyday luxury. I also see henna as a mindful way to bring beauty into the every day.
Natural henna requires attention and care right from the beginning. The plants are grown and harvested on family farms, primarily in Morocco, Pakistan, and India. The shrubs are harvested by hand, leaves removed and ground into a powder, then sifted to remove debris and sticks, and packaged into vacuum-sealed bags for freshness.
Each henna artist has their own unique recipe and method for making their henna paste. It is very important to me to use quality ingredients and making my own paste from scratch is the best way to be involved in the process and know that what I am offering is 100% safe (see my post about natural henna safety here). Making henna paste is a unique blend of science + plant magic, and for me it’s another way to embody ‘slow living’.
studio stiina henna mixing supplies: notebook, pretty mug, henna powder, and my trusty red spatula
Having henna applied is a relaxing experience as you watch the artist create shapes + designs that compliment you. These quiet moments of connection + intuition are some of my favourite parts of the henna experience.
Once the henna is applied, the paste must stay in contact with the skin for 4-6 hours. This helps the lawsone molecule bond with the protein in your skin to create the beautiful mahogany stain. Henna helps you slow down because you need to be mindful of this time requirement and plan your day to be able to embrace the henna process.
a geometric henna design with the paste freshly applied and beginning to dry
After the paste is removed, the stain underneath is a light orange or brown colour. Over the next 48 hours, the stain will deepen and become a rich mahogany red. This is another way that natural henna teaches us patience and attention as we watch the design bloom and grow into the peak stain.
natural henna stain progression from fresh orange stain on day one, to deep mahogany red on day three
I love all the stages of henna, and of course the development of the light stain into the beautiful dark stain is a satisfying process. I also love the way natural henna looks as it begins to fade. I love watching the way it starts to crack along the lines of my skin and show interesting characteristics of fading where my skin is thinner or where I scrub more vigorously. A simple dot in the palm of my hand can fascinate me for weeks, as I catch a glimpse of it while I work or take a moment to look closely at it during my day.
Learning to appreciate the temporary nature of henna designs is one of the most captivating parts about the entire process: embracing the ephemeral.
a simple palm henna dot natural henna stain at ‘peak maturity’
a fading palm henna design, showing character along the cracks of my palm
Another part of the slow henna process for me was taking time to learn the history of the henna plant and the cultures that use it. Natural henna has a rich history in many parts of the world and it’s important to acknowledge the ways this art form has been expressed over the centuries, and remember that I am just one tiny part of this ephemeral art form.
I hope that you have the experience of receiving henna some day, whether it’s from me, another henna artist, a beginner just learning their craft, or just having fun with your friends and trying it on each other. This alchemy of henna plant magic is truly one of my favourite things.
Studio Stiina is available for henna appointments in Princeton, BC and in the summer you can find her henna booth at the Community Markets on Saturdays in the downtown square (across from the post office on Bridge Street).
