I'm not sure that words can describe just how much I love Mehndi, or Henna as it's also known. It was all so different when I was a youngster, and I think there were three main reasons for that: 1.) Everybody had their Mehndi done, and I was a bit of a rebel, 2.) The scent of it just made me gag and 3.) Those round discs on the palm. If you're Asian, you'll know exactly what I mean. If you're not, basically it was the 'in' thing back then, to force your children to have a big circular splodge of henna slopped on to their palms. It was horrific, truly.
But time does funny things to people, and I have to say I've really began to appreciate it over the past couple of years. It's a part of my culture, not a huge part, more like a comfy sofa in the lounge of India's cultural heritage, but it's always there, and actually it can look outrageously amazing. As I've grown older, the scent of it doesn't seem bother me any more, and thinking about it, a big splodge of henna on the palm is pretty retro.
I guess it helps that I have a talented sister to do my henna, she's a henna artist, doing bridal henna for err... brides and also henna parties. I think if she hadn't taught herself how to do it so well, I probably wouldn't be all that fussed, but as it is, as soon as I get back home to see the family, I lay out my hands and instruct her:
"Paint me up!! Paint me up gooooooooood!!!"
Me, on the other hand, I don't quite have the touch when it comes to drawing pretty patterns like my sister does, and I don't live close by so I do what everyone else like me should. I cheat. A couple of years ago I did a Beginners Guide to Henna post, using stencils to adorn my hands and arms. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that nothing's changed - I still do it! But now, I've started to use my crafty little stencils for other things....
I get my stencils from eBay (where else!) for about a fiver, you get several sheets in a pack with all manner of different designs. The way they work is simple, but at times fiddly - all you do is peel off the design you want, stick it to the body part you want to embellish and away you go! If you're careful enough, and cheap enough (like me), you can even re-use them!
I've always had this thing about tattoos, maybe even facial tattoos,where I like the idea and the look of some but on the other hand, I lack the commitment to actually go through with it. What if I don't like it in a few years time? What if it goes all saggy when I start to age? What if it doesn't go with my wardrobe? So last time I was using the stencils on my hands, I had one of those lightbulb moments and thought:
"What if I use them on my FACE? With EYELINER!"
Obviously using actual henna on the face would be pretty silly, god only knows how long that would take to wash off - and if you messed it up there would be literally nowhere to hide. So eyeliner presented a pressure-free, washable alternative that would give results fairly similar to those seen from my old friends at Face Lace.
So how did I do this? Simple, four (with a fifth optional) steps!
- Pick your design
- Stick on face
- Pick a flat eyeshadow brush and fill in the gaps with your favourite gel liner (Illamasqua's Precision Gel Liner in Infiinty in my case - as per usual!)
- Peel off stickers
- Admire your face in the mirror for hours (optional)
As a final touch I sprayed hairpray on to my face - no joke - to ensure the eyeliner didn't take a little wander down my face. As you can probably imagine, removing my makeup that night was an absolute joy(!)
Speaking of makeup - here's what I used to create the rest of the look:
FACE
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Barcelona (it's beginning to grow on me..)
CHEEKS
NARS Blush in Deep Throat
EYEBROWS
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown
EYES
Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette (stains like a bitch)
Illamasqua Precision Ink in Scribe
Illamasqua Precision Gel Liner in Infinity
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Perversion
Bourjois 1 Seconde Mascara in Black
LIPS
Barry M Lip Liner in Fuschia
Lime Crime Velvetine in RAVE (LOVE LOVE LOVE)
I hope you've enjoyed reading this post and it inspires you to try something new or get yourself some Henna stencils. Anyone can do it - even me!
10 comments
How creative! Keep it up lovely <3 Looks amazin' <3
ReplyDeletezaras-bowsandpearls.blogspot.co.uk
Love this!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen these before! So awesome lovely xx
ReplyDeleteOmg love it! What a fusion of beauty and culture and edginess all in one.
ReplyDeleteLooks fab!
http://clairelouise.net
xxx
Perfect Wednesday night pick me up read! Xx
ReplyDeleteChloe Love Story Perfume Review
I love unconventional ways to way Henna. This looks incredible on you. Thank you for sharing. xxxx
ReplyDeleteYour eyebrows are amazing! I wish I was that creative!
ReplyDeleteLove this design!
ReplyDeleteAnika | anikamay.co.uk
I love this. Your eyes btw look amazing! xx
ReplyDeleteThis. Is. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
Ellie,xx
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