Fresh natural henna paste in cones — ready to use straight away

With henna, the most important thing for me is to know what I am putting on the skin.

That is why I make my henna paste myself from fresh, high-quality henna powder and pay attention to the whole process — from choosing the powder and mixing the paste to letting it mature, storing it and filling the cones.

Now you can also buy my fresh natural henna paste in ready-to-use cones, so you can start drawing with henna at home straight away.

What henna do I use?

To make the henna paste I use Devi BAQ henna powder, sifted five times.

BAQ stands for Body Art Quality — henna suitable for body art. The very finely sifted powder helps make an even, smoothly flowing paste that works for simple shapes as well as very fine lines and details.

I order the henna powder and the henna-safe essential oils used in the paste from Hennaserai.ee.

It matters to me to use ingredients whose origin and purpose I know.

I make the paste myself

I make every batch of henna paste myself.

I use high-quality henna powder, fresh lemon juice and essential oils suitable for henna paste. The paste needs time so that the natural dye in the henna can be properly released.

That means good henna paste can’t be made in a hurry.

After mixing I let the henna mature slowly and keep an eye on the paste’s consistency and the release of the dye. Only when the paste is ready to use do I fill the henna cones.

So you get a cone that, once it has reached the right temperature, you can pick up and start drawing with straight away.

Why do I prefer fresh henna paste?

With fresh paste I know exactly:

• which henna powder was used;

• how the paste was made;

• which ingredients were added;

• when the paste was ready;

• how it has been stored.

That is what matters to me about natural henna —  a simple, transparent composition and careful preparation.

I don’t use so-called black henna or ready-made pastes of unknown composition.

Natural henna is not black

Natural henna comes from the Lawsonia inermis plant, and its colour develops on the skin gradually.

After the paste is removed, the colour may at first be a light orange. Over the following hours the tone deepens steadily and usually reaches a brownish to reddish-brown colour.

So it’s best not to judge a fresh henna design right after the paste comes off.

Henna needs time.

This slow development of colour is one of the reasons I love natural henna so much.

How is natural henna different from “black henna”?

Natural henna doesn’t give the skin an instant black result.

Products sold as “black henna” may contain substances that should not be in natural henna paste.

I prefer to work with the real henna plant and let its natural colour develop in its own time.

My aim is not the fastest or an artificially dark result, but well-made natural henna paste and a beautiful natural tone.

A ready-made henna cone makes it easy

If you make henna paste yourself, you have to think about mixing the powder, getting the consistency right, the release of the dye and using the paste at the right time.

With a ready-made cone, I have already done that work for you.

That means you can focus on the most enjoyable part —  drawing and creating patterns.

A cone of fresh henna paste is great for:

• practising henna at home;

• making patterns on your own hand or foot;

• a henna evening with friends;

• learning the art of henna;

• practising further what you learned in my workshop;

• a birthday or another special occasion.

If you are just starting out with henna, I can also give you tips on how to use the cone and how to get more even lines.

How should henna paste be stored?

Fresh henna paste is a natural product, so it is important to store it correctly.

If you plan to use the paste within a few days, you can keep it in the fridge.

For longer storage I recommend freezingthe henna cone.

It’s best to take out of the freezer only as much paste as you need at the time. That way you don’t have to thaw and refreeze the same cone again and again.

Before use, let the cone thaw slowly, and always check how the paste flows before you start drawing.

How to get a darker henna colour?

Even the best henna paste needs time and the right aftercare.

For a good result, leave the paste on the skin as long as possible — 4–6 hours.

After the paste is removed, the colour keeps developing for several more hours.

The final tone depends on, among other things:

• the area of the body;

• the properties of the skin;

• how long the paste stayed on the skin;

• the temperature of the skin;

• aftercare.

On the palms and soles, for example, henna usually turns darker than on areas where the skin is thinner.

Natural doesn’t mean a reaction is impossible

Although I use natural henna and carefully chosen ingredients, it is worth remembering that natural plants and essential oils can also cause irritation or an allergic reaction on sensitive skin.

If you know you are sensitive to an essential oil or have very sensitive skin, please let me know before ordering.

It matters to me that the experience with henna is not only beautiful but also well considered.

Where can you get fresh henna paste?

I make the paste fresh, so I recommend letting me know in advance.

That way I can time making the paste as close as possible to the moment you receive it.

By arrangement, henna cones can be collected:

at Viimsi Huvikeskus — usually on Fridays or Saturdays.

in Haabersti — on weekdays by prior arrangement.

If you need a larger amount, for example for a birthday, an event or a henna evening together, it is worth letting me know a little earlier.

Henna is a slow art

One thing henna teaches me again and again is patience.

The henna plant is grown, its leaves are dried and ground into powder. The paste has to be mixed and left to mature. A pattern is born line by line, and even after the paste is removed the colour continues its journey.

Yvine Design’s fresh henna paste is made from high-quality BAQ henna, carefully chosen ingredients and the time that natural henna needs.

All you have to do is pick up the cone and start creating.