craftgrrl | Body Art - Henna (Cross posted)

Alright, I'd like to share something with you all that is still on the artistic side, but more akin to body art. Just a way I express myself that is safe and all natural.

I have finished spotting myself and have a tad of henna left over. For those of you not familiar, henna is a natural based plant dye. Some cultures use it for body decoration, especially for weddings or certain rites of passage. In the United States it is also somewhat popular for dying hair.

Think of a time you might have eaten berries. Strawberries, blueberries, etc. Notice that the juices turned your skin colors? That's basically what henna does. The only difference is it lasts longer. It starts off as a soft orange and darkens to a chocolate-red/brown. Then it slowly fades over the course of about four weeks, depending on the condition of your skin and the area you apply it. Henna on the hands will fade faster because you constantly use your hands and wash them.

Anyway, on to the pictures! Keep in mind this is the paste you are seeing, hence the greenish color. I need to let it sit and set into my skin, and then it'll dry and flake off. When it does I'll be left with a soft orange hue that will slowly darken to a soft chocolate-red/brown. I'll take pics of that too!