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Mehendi, also known as henna, holds a significant place in Indian culture, particularly in the context of wedding rituals. Symbolizing fertility, beauty, love, and prosperity, this intricate art form is more than just a bridal accessory—it is a tradition deeply embedded in the fabric of Indian customs. From adorning the bride’s hands and feet with elaborate designs to being a symbol of auspiciousness and good fortune, mehendi plays a pivotal role in Indian weddings. However, one of the most common aspirations among brides is to achieve a deep, dark color from their mehendi, which adds to the allure of their bridal look. This article aims to provide a detailed guide on how to effectively darken your bridal mehendi. Additionally, we’ll explore the essential dos and don’ts that every bride-to-be should bear in mind when it comes to this significant aspect of Indian weddings. Whether you’re seeking tips for a darker mehendi or looking to understand the cultural nuances surrounding bridal mehndi, this article has got you covered
Before hiring a mehndi artist, get design quotes from multiple mehndi artists in your city!
1. The Significance of Mehendi in Indian Culture
Mehendi is not just a form of body art in Indian culture; it holds a deeper meaning, especially in the context of weddings. It is considered a symbol of love and union, and its rich, dark colour is often associated with the depth of love and affection a bride will receive from her husband and her in-laws. Apart from these emotional and symbolic values, mehendi is also well-known for its medicinal properties. It has a cooling effect that helps to alleviate stress and tension related to the wedding preparations.
2. Pre-Mehendi Preparations
Before you sit to apply mehendi, it’s crucial to prepare your hands properly. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap. This process aids in removing the oils and dirt from your skin, ensuring that the mehendi gets fully absorbed into the skin.
Do’s:
- Wash hands with soap
- Dry hands completely using a towel
Don’ts:
- Avoid using any moisturizer or cold cream after washing your hands as it can hinder the absorption of mehendi into the skin
3. Application of Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil can play a significant role in darkening the colour of your mehendi. After washing your hands, apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil on your palms. The oil should be well absorbed into the skin before you start with the mehendi application.
Before hiring a mehndi artist, get design quotes from multiple mehndi artists in your city!
4. Patience is Key: Let the Mehendi Dry Naturally
Once you have applied the mehendi, let it dry naturally. Avoid using a blow dryer or fan to speed up the drying process as it may end up smudging the design. Also, the longer the mehendi stays on your skin, the darker its colour will be. Hence, patience is key here.
5. Lemon and Sugar Mixture
After your mehendi has dried completely, apply a mixture of lemon and sugar on it. The sugar keeps the mehendi in contact with the skin for deeper penetration, while the lemon juice acts as a catalyst for dye release. Apply this mixture using a cotton ball without overdoing it as it might make your hands sticky.
6. Clove Smoke Trick
Another effective method to darken your mehendi is by using clove smoke. Heat a few cloves in an iron pan and let your hands absorb the smoke produced from the heated cloves. Do this until your hands start to feel a warm sensation. Repeat this activity 2-3 times to see effective results.
7. Application of Balms
After the mehendi has dried and you have scraped it off, apply a generous amount of Vicks or Tiger balm over your hands. The heat produced from these balms enhances the colour of the mehendi, giving it a darker shade.
Before hiring a mehndi artist, get design quotes from multiple mehndi artists in your city!
8. Use of Mustard or Pickle Oil
Apart from balms, you can also apply mustard oil or pickle oil to darken your mehendi. These oils are known to boost the colour of the mehendi, ensuring a richer and deeper colour.
9. Wrapping Your Hands
Once the mehendi has dried completely, you can wrap your hands with a medical-grade paper tape or any bandage. This trick ensures that your mehendi design stays intact and delivers a better stain.
10. Avoid Contact with Water
After applying mehendi, try to avoid washing your hands as much as possible. Water can wash away the top layer of the mehendi and prevent the colour from penetrating deeper into the skin. Hence, it’s advisable to refrain from any activities involving water for at least 24 hours post the mehendi application.
11. Be Mindful of Beauty Treatments
Any beauty treatments such as waxing, pedicure, and manicure should be scheduled either before the mehendi application or a few days after it. These treatments can exfoliate the skin, removing the top layer of the mehendi and thus, lightening its colour.
12. Timely Application of Mehendi
Lastly, the timing of the mehendi application also matters. Ideally, mehendi should be applied 1-2 days before the wedding. This is because mehendi tends to deliver its darkest colour a few days after the application. Hence, applying it well in advance will ensure that you have the perfect dark colour on your wedding day.
Bridal Mehndi Dos
1. Schedule your Mehndi Application a Day Before Your Ceremony
To ensure you fully enjoy your mehndi ceremony, plan to have your mehndi applied a day before the festivities or on the morning of the event. It will allow you to participate in the fun without having to worry about sitting in one place for hours. This strategy ensures that you can join your family and friends in the celebrations and create unforgettable memories.
2. Prepare Everything in Advance
Ensure you have everything you need, well in advance, to avoid any last-minute hiccups. Have two pillows ready to rest your arms during the mehndi application. Other essentials include a lemon and sugar mixture, cotton, eucalyptus oil, old cloth, and newspapers, among other things.
3. Complete Manicure and Pedicure in Advance
The less you soak your hands and feet in water after applying mehndi, the darker the stain will be. Therefore, it’s best to schedule your manicure and pedicure sessions at least 2-3 days before your mehndi ceremony.
4. Research and Save Your Preferred Mehndi Designs
Just like your wedding outfit, you should give due consideration to your mehndi design. Look through popular mehndi artists’ Instagram accounts, save your favorite designs, and ask your mehndi artist to replicate them.
5. Discuss Charges with Your Mehndi Artist in Advance
Avoid unexpected costs by clarifying your mehndi artist’s fees in advance. Discuss their rates, including any additional charges for extra motifs or caricatures, to prevent surprises.
6. Dress Comfortably
Choose comfortable clothing, like shorts and a tank top or a sleeveless dress, that won’t restrict your movement. Ensure your outfit is breathable as you may have to sit for several hours during the mehndi application.
7. Allow Your Mehndi to Dry Naturally
While sitting under the sun or using a hairdryer can quicken the drying process, it’s best to let your mehndi dry naturally. This process helps to get a darker stain.
Bridal Mehndi Don’ts
1. Avoid Moisturizing Your Hands Before Mehndi Application
Applying moisturizer or cream before applying mehndi can prevent the henna from staining your skin properly. Avoid using any such products to get a rich, dark stain.
2. Avoid Crowded Areas During Mehndi Application
While you’re getting your mehndi applied, try to avoid crowded places. Too many people around can lead to confusion and even accidental smudging of your mehndi design.
3. Don’t Keep Your Hair Open
To prevent your hair from messing up your mehndi design, tie it up or secure it in a bun. This small step can save your design from potential ruin.
4. Limit Your Water Intake
Since you won’t be able to frequently visit the restroom once the mehndi application begins, avoid drinking too much water. Sip only when necessary to avoid discomfort.
5. Don’t Schedule Other Functions on Your Mehndi Day
The mehndi application process can be long and exhausting. Therefore, it’s best not to schedule any other ceremonies or functions on the same day.
6. Don’t Forget to Capture Your Mehndi Moments
Your mehndi application is a significant event that you’ll want to remember. Ensure you capture these moments in photographs. Try different poses and props to create a memorable photoshoot.
In conclusion, achieving a dark mehendi colour requires a combination of proper preparation, careful application, and mindful aftercare. By following these tips, you can ensure a rich and dark colour for your bridal mehendi, adding to the beauty and charm of your special day.
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Before hiring a mehndi artist, get design quotes from multiple mehndi artists in your city!
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