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How to Make Mehndi Dark

Traditionally used to adorn the hands and feet of Indian brides, henna tattoos, also known as mehndi, have taken hold in the United States. Whether your henna tattoo is a tribal armband or an elaborate network of flowers and vines, you can help darken the dye somewhat. Mehndi interacts with body chemistry and will appear darker on some people than others, but you can try a few time-tested methods for keeping your henna vibrant longer.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 lemons
  • 1/4 tsp. sugar
  • Spray bottle
  • Toilet paper
  • Tape
  • Butter knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour the juice of two lemons into a spray bottle and add 1/2 tsp. of sugar. Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients. Spritz a light layer of lemon juice over the henna paste just after you apply it.

    • 2

      Leave the henna paste on your skin for at least six hours. You can leave it on overnight by wrapping it in toilet paper before you go to bed. Roll a few layers around your henna tattoo and tape them in place with a small piece of tape.

    • 3

      Keep your skin warm while the paste is on. Sit in the sun or a heated room or use a blow dryer on low heat.

    • 4

      Scrape henna paste off with the blunt edge of a butter knife. Do not use water to wash it off for the first 24 hours.

    • 5

      Set the mehndi design and help it appear darker by rubbing a light layer of coconut or olive oil into your skin.

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