Have a Party . . . A Henna Party

Recently, we did a Q&A with Beth Hendrickson of New World Henna! Beth is very talented ICNHA.org certified natural henna/mehndi artist. She is available for all occasions including bridal, pregnant bellies, parties, fairs, festivals and individual appointments. She also makes her very own paste fresh and all of her work is freehand. So next time you are thinking of throwing a party, but are looking to do something fun and unique, have a Henna Party!

To find out more about how to have a Henna Party and what all is involved, check out our Q&A with Beth! You can also visit her Facebook page to see beautiful images of her work, as well as her website: newworldhenna.com

{photo by McLellan Style}

What makes a Henna Party different from any other party?

Henna parties are special because it is a chance for you and your friends to do something very unique- it’s not every party that you get the opportunity to get “tatted up” as they say. Of course, henna body art isn’t the same thing as a real tattoo, but it’s a fun way adorn yourself for a couple of weeks at least.

How does the henna application process happen at a Henna Party?

I pass around copies of the design book to let the guests choose a design. I explain that the henna goes onto the skin in paste form and that it takes 30 minutes to dry but must be left on for anywhere from 4-16 hours in order to get a nice dark mahogany stain. I explain that it is okay for the paste to begin falling off on its own before the 4 hours is up and that after the 4 hours is up, they can scrape the rest of the paste off or rinse it with lemon or lime juice to get the remaining paste off. I am sure to tell them that the stain starts off a light color and gets dark by day 3 and then fades from that point over the next 2-3 weeks. Then I start on my first client and continue until everyone who wants a henna design gets one.

What occasions are most popular for Henna parties?

Birthday parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions, sorority parties and bachelorette parties are very popular, but I have also done baby showers (momma’s belly can get hennaed too!), fun parties, sales parties, grand opening parties and just plain ole party parties. I can do henna parties for pretty much any age group, however I prefer not to henna children who are 6 years old or under because their skin is so delicate and may not be able to hand the pure essential oils in the paste, such as tea tree, eucalyptis, etc.

Are there a certain number of guests that’s best for this kind of party? For example, does it work better to have a small or large group?

Really any size group is fine; however with smaller parties we can accommodate larger, more detailed designs. But obviously, if there are upwards of 100 guests or more, I bring more artists with me and we have an assortment of smaller designs to choose from to make sure we can service everyone who wants a henna design. We can usually accommodate any size party.

What are the rates like for a Henna party?

I charge $80 per hour, per artist. I also round down to the nearest 15 minute mark (so the rate is essentially $20 per every quarter of an hour). So for example, if finish with the last client at 1 hr and 55 minutes after I started, I would charge$140. If the party was large, say around 100 guests, and I had brought an additional artist, it would be doubled- $280 total.

How long should the Henna last after the party?

The henna stain starts off a light orange or light brown color and darkens to a deep brown or mahogany color on the 3^rd day, then gradually fades over the following 2-3 weeks. It’s usually completely faded by the end of week 3.

What type of clothing would you suggest the guests wear?

It depends on where on your body you want the body art to go. The henna paste will need dry for about 30-45 minutes and will need to be exposed for at least 4 hours, so you will want to dress accordingly depending on where on your body you are getting the design. For hands and arms, wear a short sleeve shirt or a long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up. If you want it on say your upper back, a tank top or a tube top would be great. If on your legs or feet, shorts or rolled up pants and flip-flops or flats are great. I try to steer folks away from getting henna on any bendy parts of the body, like the wrist or neck, because it is too difficult to move around normally without smudging the henna paste and ruining the design while it is trying to dry.

What are some other fun ways to make a Henna party festive?

A great way to make a henna party fun is to have an Indian or Moroccan themed party. You can serve ethnic food, wear ethnic clothing, and play ethnic music. I even worked a Moroccan themed baby shower once that had a belly dancer hired to teach a little belly dance class to the ladies. I got in on the belly-dancing action as well and it was so much fun. Alcoholic beverages at a henna party can be a tiny bit tricky though. You want to make sure that you get your henna done well before you start drinking so that it has time to dry- at least a good 45 minutes just to make sure. I’ve noticed a direct correlation between the number of drinks people have had and the number of henna designs that get smudged and have to be redone. It can be a challenge to say the least.

Tell us a little bit about a Henna party you have done and what made it so fun?

My absolute favorite henna party was at my very first Indian “mehendi party”. “Mehendi” or “mehndi” is the Indian term for henna. Indian weddings have several events spread over 3-4 days and it is typical to have a mehendi party for the family and guests on the day before the actual wedding ceremony. Typically the bride has already been adorned the day previous and gets to enjoy the party as well. During my first mehendi party for my first Indian bride ever, I was working fast and furiously, trying to make sure that I could service everyone. Then all of the sudden, a famous and poignant Bollywood song about a bride getting her mehndi came on over the PA system and everyone broke out into what seemed like a synchronized Bollywood dance- everyone young and old began dancing and singing together in their brightly colored sarees and sherwanis- it was just fantastic. Plus it made me feel a little special since I was the one doing the mehndi for everyone. I think I cried just a tiny little bit because it was so beautiful.

Fall Make-up Tips & Q&A with Make Me Up by Danielle

What girl, especially a Bride, doesn’t like to know about the latest makeup trends and tips? Well look no further! We recently had the pleasure of getting some great makeup tips for Fall with makeup artist Danielle Lee from Birmingham, Alabama! So whether you are getting married, going to be in a wedding, attending a special event or just want to know about gorgeous Fall makeup, this post should be quite helpful!

Q: What is the over all look Fall Brides are going for this year?

A: I would have to say that pinks, plums ,coppers, and golds are what I have been doing and are hot trends for Brides this Fall. Fall brides are wearing eyeshadow shades from violet to tawney/brown to a soft gray and the most delicate of pinks. The overall look is flawless, elegant, and dramatic.

Q: What colors are most popular for the eyes this Fall?
A: The eyes have it this Fall 2010!! Center stage: Matte pinks, Metallic grays, golds, deep plums, metallic coppers, and any chocolate shades are hot for Fall. If you want a huge selection and variety I would hit Sephora and if you are on a tight budget, I would check out your local CVS as many times you can find some pretty pigmented colors. Loreal has a very nice selection of colors for Fall worth checking out! Once you get everything or preferably before you get a thing- Call or message me to come shop with you for a small price, I will get you set for Fall and be your shopping buddy for a few hours!

Q:How bout the lips?
A: Never doubt the power of the pout! Lips this fall are bold, seductive, and matte. The pinks always take the cake for fall, but this year red will give pink a run for the money. Think, a matte vintage red like the red lips you see on the televison series, “Mad Men.” The top go-to colors to create that oh so gorgeous fall look are Reds, Pinks, and Plums. Red lips can be tricky, and you need to really find the right shade to compliment your gorgeous complexions. My suggestion here is to ask for advice and help when you need it. I am happy to help and give advice. Remember when you do bold lips, go soft on the eyes and you will be good to go.

Q: Do the colors you use depend on the time of day the bride is getting married? For instance, if she is having an evening wedding, do you go a little darker with colors?

A: In my eyes, the colors I use do depend on the time of the wedding. If it is a day wedding we may not want to do that bold, smokey eye and sultry red lip. I would say opt for a soft, fresh look. Day makeup should always be different than evening makeup. With that said, you can still wear red lips during the day just balance it out with a nude eye. If you do a smokey-eye be sure to keep the lips soft and natural. Think about when you go to a 7pm wedding, it is much more formal, right? It is the same with makeup. The saying, ” It’s like night and day,” applies here. Bolder looks for evening, Softer looks for day.

Q: If the bridesmaid dresses are Plum, what colors would you use for their eyes and lips?

A: I love the Plums! When I have bridesmaids in Plum dresses my favorite colors to use for their eyes and lips are ultra feminine. For the eyes, I like to start with a soft, light allover color. Next, I would use a tawny/brown in the crease, followed by an extra pop of color in the side “V” of the eye! I would put a soft pink here. I love doing a dark amethyst/plum liquid or powdered eyeliner for the eyeliner bit. I use Trish McEvoy brushes for all my clients eyeshadow needs and let me say that brushes do make a huge difference in makeup application. I would finish this look off with a waterproof black/brown mascara and touch up the brows. For the pout, I love using a mulberry/plum shade to a rose shade especially during this Season. I always fill in with a liner so when your lipstick fades you have some color still there. Also, I recommend investing in Trish McEvoy flawless lip (around $25), it keeps the lipstick on for hours upon hours. Don’t forget to gloss, blot, and you are ready to celebrate those good times!!

Q: It seems that this Fall, jewel tones are in. Would you say these colors work for most skin tones as well?
A: Jewel tones are in this Fall and the plus side of this is that everyone can wear jewel tones. Of course, different colors will look better on one person than the next, so experiment and try different colors and purchase only what looks good on you and compliments your complexion. I don’t recommend purchasing just to purchase. Although, I know sometimes it is unavoidable. As a devout shopper, it is tough to walk away when we love something even though it may not look the best on us who cares we have to have it and voila the purchase is made. These are the items that are used rarely, so really think before you purchase and try on many shades and get opinions, it will only help you in the long run. When we look beautiful we feel beautiful and we feel beautiful we look beautiful. If you want to go for the ruby,emerald,amethyst, or gold- I say go for it! Jewels are not just for us to accessorize with anymore. They are for our lips,eyes,and more as Matthew Mcconaguh says in How to lose a guy in 10 days, ” Every lady needs a little frosting.” Yes, frosted shades are a huge trend for Fall 2010.

Q: What would you tell a Bride who wants her makeup done for her Fall wedding, but is a bit afraid of color?
A: I would listen to the Bride and ask her to bring me magazine images and any images she has to show me what looks she likes. I always do a Bridal Consultation with clients first before the wedding so we get everything down pat before the Big day. I would tell the Bride that I am here for here and want her to be comfortable with her look and with that said I would also advise doing a bit more color because we need everything to show up in pictures, but keep the bride comfortable also. I want the bride to love her makeup though, and I never finish with a client until she really just loves her makeup look. I love the look clients give me when they are truly very happy and pleased. That is why I do makeup! I love helping people and seeing those happy looks!

If you are looking for a fabulous makeup artist for your wedding or next event, contact Danielle Lee. You can visit her website at makemeupbydanielle.com or call her at 334.233.2016. You can also visit her Facebook Page HERE!

Q&A: The Art of Henna and How Brides Are Using It Today

Henna is a modern trend that is seen more and more today by brides and ladies who are just wanting to do something unique and beautiful. Whether it is your wedding day or a fun party for just the girls, Beth Hendrickson of New World Henna is the expert when it comes to the history and application of Henna! Beth answered some questions to explain more about the art of Henna and what it is exactly.

Q. What is Henna?

A. Henna is known to most people as very popular hair dye but is also used for a form of temporary body art in which the skin is decorated with elaborate designs, typically done freehand. The henna paste is applied directly on the skin and leaves behind a stain that starts out orange and then in 2-3 days darkens to a beautiful mahogany/cherry brown color. It lasts about 2-3 weeks after that.

Q. What is it made of?

A. Henna powder/paste is made from the leaves of the henna plant which grows in hot arid regions, such as the Middle East, the Mediterranean, South Asia and North Africa.

Q. How long have you been a Henna artist?

A. I bought my first henna kit about 3 years ago and I was immediately passionate about it. It was about 6 months after that that I did my first festival event and I was hooked. I love meeting nice people and talking to them and drawing on them and I love it when they smile when I’m done- best feeling ever. For the last year and a half or so, I’ve added bridal work to my repertoire.

Q. How is Henna used for weddings?

A. In Arabic countries and in India, henna is used to decorate the bride’s arms, hands, legs and feet. In India, henna is referred to as “mehendi’ and is a must-have for the wedding. And Indian bride without her mehendi is like an American bride without her bouquet. The family and friends also get hennaed, but they get smaller designs. The rule is that you can’t get anything more intricate than the bride.

Q. How does a Bride go about selecting the type of Henna design that she wants?

A. The bride can pick from design books provided by the artist. The Internet also makes it very easy for brides to find designs on their own. They can either go to my site (www.newworldhenna.com) to pick a design or just browse the Internet for other artists’ designs. I usually try to customize the design for each bride to make it unique for them. Arabic brides usually go for elegant floral design that trail up the arms and legs. Indian brides, however like very intricate and dense designs that cover the arms and feet like a glove or boot. And they usually want to add elephants, peacocks, Ganesha or even a cute little bride and groom. Those are more time-consuming but they are fun to do. I’ve had several American brides get henna done for their wedding as well, usually opting for something very light and delicate.

Q. What is the process of applying Henna on a Bride for her wedding day?

A. I have the bride wash and pat dry her hands and feet. Then I begin applying the designs with the henna paste, starting with the legs and feet and them moving up to the arms and hands. The paste will dry as we go along so once I am done with the application, I go back and begin applying stretchy, breathable medical tape directly on top of the dried paste. She will sleep with the tape on overnight and then remove the tape and paste in the morning.

Q. How long does it take?

A. Depending on how much coverage the bride wants and the artistic difficulty involved in the specific elements that she requests, the full Indian bridals can take anywhere from 2-8 hours, including food breaks, chatting, stretching breaks and aftercare.

Q. How long does it last?

A. The henna stain lasts about 2-3 weeks. Usually by week 3, all of the stained layers of skin have exfoliated away. It is said that the darker a bride’s henna stain, the more her mother-in-law loves her. Also, the bride is not supposed to do any housework until it is completely faded.

Q. What is “black” henna and why is it bad?

A. Some artists, usually in touristy beach destinations, will try to sell you “black henna” tattoos. This stuff is terrible- it contains black hair dye which has PPD (P-Phenylenediamine) in it and can cause a severe chemical burn on your skin, leaving you scarred for life. Stay far far away from this false henna.

Q. Do you do Henna parties?

A. I do henna parties for any occasion- birthdays, bachelorette parties, wedding parties, baby showers, you name it. I’ve even done a Morocan themed baby shower complete with henna tattoos and a belly dance class for all of the guests! I also do henna on pregnant bellies. It’s something special and different that a mom can do for her prenatal photos. I just love working with those nice, big canvases!

Q. Why do you love the art of Henna and why do you think we are seeing it more and more today?

A. The thing that attracts me personally to henna is the fact that it is done freehand and that it is such a temporal art form. Because of it’s fleeting and temporary nature, it reminds us to enjoy the beauty that going on right now and to live in the moment. It’s actually kind of a bittersweet thing, because you know the design will fade away eventually. But then again, it lends itself to the ideas of renewal and rebirth, because you can get another beautiful design a few weeks later. I think that attracts other people to henna as well. Sometimes people don’t want to make that commitment to a real tattoo, but they still want to decorate their body. Another thing that I love about doing henna is that I really enjoy the intense mental challenge of doing those intricate 8 hour bridal sessions and then seeing the finished product.

Beth herself, at work applying Henna to a Bride.

To book an appointment or get prices, contact Beth from New World Henna. You can visit her web-site at newworldhenna.com or e-mail her at gwenlock@gmail.com. You can also check her out on Facebook and see more images of her talented work!

*Photos Provided by McLellan Style