Bridal Makeup Colors
Light colors such as pastels reflect more light and hence enhance the volume of a person. Advisable for persons on the slimmer side.
Dark colors such as blacks and burgundy, by virtue of reflecting lesser light diminish the volume of the wearer and are advisable for persons on the stouter side.
Short persons should avoid wearing clothes with contrasting colors
Dark colors such as blacks and burgundy, by virtue of reflecting lesser light diminish the volume of the wearer and are advisable for persons on the stouter side.
Short persons should avoid wearing clothes with contrasting colors
Keep your hands soft for Bridal Makeup
To keep your hands soft apply our rich non greasy Hand Crème before going to bed, then put on a pair of white cotton gloves. While you sleep, the gloves will hold in body heat and help the hand crème penetrate. In the morning, you hands will feel softer and smoother. ( This trick works great on feet, too !)
Bridal Facial
Because skin tends to break out or look flushed after a facial, be sure to schedule your bridal facial at least one week before your wedding.
How to do Bridal Makeup
Choose bridal makeup that's on the understated side. Our best suggestion, select a professional makeup artist with experience in bridal photography.
Eyeliner Tips
Avoid heavy eyeliner for bridal makeup . It'll only make your eyes look smaller. Pass on false eyelashes, too. They can cast a shadow beneath the eyes. Instead, accent the outer corner of eyes with black or gray eyeliner.
Bridal Makeup Photos
For Perfect Bridal Makeup photos , apply foundation evenly. Use a long lasting matte finish and end with a dusting of pressed powder. Be sure to keep pressed powder handy for touch up; you don't want a shiny nose or forehead in your pictures! Remember to match powder to your foundation color. Be sure to blend it well along the jaw line.
Bridal Makeup Ideas
Bridal makeup should make you appear radiant and beautiful in your wedding photographs. Your wedding makeup will depend on many factors - where the wedding is to be held and time of the ceremony. Morning wedding makeup should be more natural as too much makeup would appear very jarring. Light colors go well for the mornings. If you are planning an evening wedding, your bridal makeup can extend to formal and darker colors. Do not opt for current makeup styles just to keep with the trend. Instead opt for a bridal makeup style that is more timeless and classic.
The makeup should make you appear healthy and not artificially overdone. Your face shape, structure and color along with the bridal dress and hairstyle need to be complemented to the bridal makeup. Start with your skin and eyebrows and nails. Eyebrows must be trimmed a couple of days prior to the wedding. Ensure that you follow a healthy skin care routine in the months leading to the wedding so that your skin glows.
Try out the beauty products in advance lest you develop an allergy to them. You can look for a wedding makeup professional by perusing the yellow pages or one recommended by a friend or colleague. Check out the portfolio of the makeup artist. Find out the make up brands being used. Look through fashion magazines and wedding makeup albums to select a style that would suit you best. Each culture and society has its traditional bridal dress and makeup style.
Brides should understand the difference between everyday makeup and the type of application that will enhance their beauty in wedding photos. For brides, the choice is simple -- learn the proper techniques from a makeup artist months before the wedding, or simply invest in a professional application on the day of the event.
For Perfect Photos For perfect photos , apply foundation evenly. Use a long lasting matte finish and end with a dusting of pressed powder. Be sure to keep pressed powder handy for touch up; you don't want a shiny nose or forehead in your pictures! Remember to match powder to your foundation color. Be sure to blend it well along the jaw line.
The makeup should make you appear healthy and not artificially overdone. Your face shape, structure and color along with the bridal dress and hairstyle need to be complemented to the bridal makeup. Start with your skin and eyebrows and nails. Eyebrows must be trimmed a couple of days prior to the wedding. Ensure that you follow a healthy skin care routine in the months leading to the wedding so that your skin glows.
Try out the beauty products in advance lest you develop an allergy to them. You can look for a wedding makeup professional by perusing the yellow pages or one recommended by a friend or colleague. Check out the portfolio of the makeup artist. Find out the make up brands being used. Look through fashion magazines and wedding makeup albums to select a style that would suit you best. Each culture and society has its traditional bridal dress and makeup style.
Brides should understand the difference between everyday makeup and the type of application that will enhance their beauty in wedding photos. For brides, the choice is simple -- learn the proper techniques from a makeup artist months before the wedding, or simply invest in a professional application on the day of the event.
For Perfect Photos For perfect photos , apply foundation evenly. Use a long lasting matte finish and end with a dusting of pressed powder. Be sure to keep pressed powder handy for touch up; you don't want a shiny nose or forehead in your pictures! Remember to match powder to your foundation color. Be sure to blend it well along the jaw line.
What is Bridal Makeup Tips
Every bride dreams of her wedding day and wants to be at her best appearance that day. Bridal make up is an important part of bridal dressing. Along with the shinning jewellery and a gorgeous wedding dress if the make up and the hair do is inappropriate then their beauty are also marred. So it's very important to know about the right kind of bridal make up that would suit the brides taste and skin tone.
Though Indian bridal make up is a bit gorgeous with red and gold hues predominating but the make up shouldn't be over the top and should naturally enhance the dewy radiance of the bride. Bridal make up can effective correct any imperfection or marks that the bride may have in her face. So over all bridal make up form and integral part of a brides repertoire.
Though Indian bridal make up is a bit gorgeous with red and gold hues predominating but the make up shouldn't be over the top and should naturally enhance the dewy radiance of the bride. Bridal make up can effective correct any imperfection or marks that the bride may have in her face. So over all bridal make up form and integral part of a brides repertoire.
Henna Body Painting
What is Henna Tattoos
The ancients of India knew a thing or two about body ornament. No dark and aggressive tattoos for them, thank you. Traditional Indian enhancement is based on pretty and voluptuous painted swirls on hands and feet, and today's trendies are jumping on the idea.
Henna, as the 5,000-year-old art of body painting is called, is gaining adherents from Hollywood to Parkville. Demi Moore, Mira Sorvino, Naomi Campbell, the artist formerly known as Prince and his consort Mayte have appeared at star galas with henna-painted body parts. At Usha Gupta's salon on Harford Road, the clientele is not as flashy, but enthusiastic.
Gupta, who was trained in the refinements of this ancient beauty service in India, has been a practitioner for 20 years. She has always had regular Indian clients, but recently the young and hip have started booking appointments for body paint.
'In India, mehndi is worn for celebrations and auspicious occasions such as weddings,'' says Gupta, ''but here the young people do it for fun.
On a recent morning at the salon, a gaggle of young women were waiting their turn to be painted. The painting medium is a henna paste that is squeezed onto the skin with an applicator that looks like a small pastry tube. The dark squiggles and scrolls are left on the skin to allow the design to set, usually overnight. When the dried paste is flaked away, it leaves a stained skin pattern of red tints that can range from orange to deep red.
The result looks like henna tattooing, but the experience is painless and pleasant and the effects temporary.
Danielle Finnerman, a sophomore at the Maryland Institute, was there for a floral garland to accent her navel - a special effect for a weekend at the ocean. ''I know a lot of people who are getting tattoos, but I think they'll regret it 15 years from now. I think about the work world years ahead, and with tattoos there is only so much slack I could expect, even as an artist,'' she says.
Henna Designs can be original or chosen from a book of ancient patterns. Young people seem to have an affinity for the old designs, says Gupta, but they are wearing them in untraditional ways. She has painted stomachs, backs, circlets around the neck, arm or ankle and even full scalp designs on shaved heads.
That's where the Western way with mehndi differs from its origins. Today's fashionables are after a look to flaunt; the Eastern way is based on ceremony and intimacy.
Henna paint is an herbal compound and there are no known reactions. Henna Painting can take as little as minutes for a small anklet pattern or up to hours for the full works on palms and feet.
The ancients of India knew a thing or two about body ornament. No dark and aggressive tattoos for them, thank you. Traditional Indian enhancement is based on pretty and voluptuous painted swirls on hands and feet, and today's trendies are jumping on the idea.
Henna, as the 5,000-year-old art of body painting is called, is gaining adherents from Hollywood to Parkville. Demi Moore, Mira Sorvino, Naomi Campbell, the artist formerly known as Prince and his consort Mayte have appeared at star galas with henna-painted body parts. At Usha Gupta's salon on Harford Road, the clientele is not as flashy, but enthusiastic.
Gupta, who was trained in the refinements of this ancient beauty service in India, has been a practitioner for 20 years. She has always had regular Indian clients, but recently the young and hip have started booking appointments for body paint.
'In India, mehndi is worn for celebrations and auspicious occasions such as weddings,'' says Gupta, ''but here the young people do it for fun.
On a recent morning at the salon, a gaggle of young women were waiting their turn to be painted. The painting medium is a henna paste that is squeezed onto the skin with an applicator that looks like a small pastry tube. The dark squiggles and scrolls are left on the skin to allow the design to set, usually overnight. When the dried paste is flaked away, it leaves a stained skin pattern of red tints that can range from orange to deep red.
The result looks like henna tattooing, but the experience is painless and pleasant and the effects temporary.
Danielle Finnerman, a sophomore at the Maryland Institute, was there for a floral garland to accent her navel - a special effect for a weekend at the ocean. ''I know a lot of people who are getting tattoos, but I think they'll regret it 15 years from now. I think about the work world years ahead, and with tattoos there is only so much slack I could expect, even as an artist,'' she says.
Henna Designs can be original or chosen from a book of ancient patterns. Young people seem to have an affinity for the old designs, says Gupta, but they are wearing them in untraditional ways. She has painted stomachs, backs, circlets around the neck, arm or ankle and even full scalp designs on shaved heads.
That's where the Western way with mehndi differs from its origins. Today's fashionables are after a look to flaunt; the Eastern way is based on ceremony and intimacy.
Henna paint is an herbal compound and there are no known reactions. Henna Painting can take as little as minutes for a small anklet pattern or up to hours for the full works on palms and feet.
Mehendi for Hair
Mixing henna powder for your hair is the same as it is when mixing for skin. Just as you need to leave the paste on your skin for hours you will also need to leave the paste (or mud) on your hair for hours.
Once you have applied the paste on your hair, wrap your scalp with clingfilm and put a warm hat or towel over your head. After 6 hours wash it out by wetting it thoroughly. Usually there is dried paste that comes out easier if you use some conditioner to loosen it up. After all the paste is rinsed out of your hair it doesn't feel soft and silky immediately. That seems to occur a few days later.Henna won't completely change the color of your hair. It will make it red but the color is more of a transparency over your hair.
Please stay away from these products and stick to pure henna. Allergic reactions to henna are very rare, it is safe to use and the result is beautiful. If you already have a black henna burn, please go to see a doctor as soon as possible to get treatment. If you are a henna artists, plase note that I shall not allow the commercial use of my designs for black henna users.
Once you have applied the paste on your hair, wrap your scalp with clingfilm and put a warm hat or towel over your head. After 6 hours wash it out by wetting it thoroughly. Usually there is dried paste that comes out easier if you use some conditioner to loosen it up. After all the paste is rinsed out of your hair it doesn't feel soft and silky immediately. That seems to occur a few days later.Henna won't completely change the color of your hair. It will make it red but the color is more of a transparency over your hair.
What is Henna
Black Henna
Black henna, a green powder that smells like frozen peas, is neither black nor henna. It is indigo, Indigofera tinctoria Mehendi, often referred to as henna tattoos, is done by applying a paste made of henna powder and lemon juice on skin. With the help of heat, moisture and time the paste leaves a reddish brown stain on skin, first light, then darkening during the next 24 hours. The method has been in use for hundreds of yearsBlack Henna Warnings
The henna powder is made by drying and grinding the leaves of a henna plant (lawsonia inermis). Pure, 100% henna always leaves a brown stain: the shade variates according to the quality of henna used, the ingridients of the paste and the methods used when applying, and sometimes the color can darken to almost black, but basically the colour is brown. All products claiming to be "Black Henna" have other ingridients than henna added in them. A chemical dye called henylenediamine, referred to as PPD, is often used to create a fast-taking, jetblack result. Unfortunately PPD is very harmful on skin, often causing a so-called chemical burn. This is much like a strong allergic reaction, many people get it and many don't, but I advice you not to take the risk. A black henna burn takes a long time to get better and often leaves a scar.Please stay away from these products and stick to pure henna. Allergic reactions to henna are very rare, it is safe to use and the result is beautiful. If you already have a black henna burn, please go to see a doctor as soon as possible to get treatment. If you are a henna artists, plase note that I shall not allow the commercial use of my designs for black henna users.
Red Henna
Red henna, a green powder that smells like hay, is Lawsonia inermis, commonly known as henna. The leaves of the henna plant have a red-orange dye molecule, Lawsone, a napthaquinone. Henna will stain your hair red-orange; but this stain is translucent and will combine with your natural color. Body art quality henna has a much higher dye content than the henna usually sold for hairNeutral Henna
Neutral henna, a green powder that smells like freshly cut grass, is neither henna nor neutral. It is Cassia obovata. Cassia obovata contains anthraquinones, particuarly Chrysophanic acid, a remarkable anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. Cassia obovata doesn't color hair. It will help damaged hair, make hair full, glossy, healthy.Mehendi Recipe | Mehndi Recipe
Selection of mehendi
Fresh Mehendi is always advisable to use for the cone, as it will give u good color without much efforts.If mehendi color is fedded, that means if it is more like a brownish then dark green.Filter this powder with a nylon clothe or even the tea striner will work. For 2 cones u will need 50grams of strained mehendi powder.
Add water
To get a good color and for a longer period,
Boil 1 cup of water, add ½ tea spoon of tea powder(Indian tea) Fresh Mehendi is always advisable to use for the cone, as it will give u good color without much efforts.If mehendi color is fedded, that means if it is more like a brownish then dark green.Filter this powder with a nylon clothe or even the tea striner will work. For 2 cones u will need 50grams of strained mehendi powder.
Add water
To get a good color and for a longer period,
Add ½ tea spoon sugar
Stir it and then filter.
Then add this water to the mehendi powder as required.
Also add 6-7 drops of eucalyptus oil.
The consistancy of this paste should be as thick as hurshes chocolate cerup. Stir it till u do not see any lumps(for 10-15 minutes) Put it in the cone when u need apply it on the hands. You can preserve this paste in the freeze but not the cone.
How to Apply Mehendi | How to Apply Henna
You can make your own powder by drying henna leaves in shade. It might take weeks for them to dry to a crisp and you need to grind them thoroughly. You may also buy henna powder from the market.
Take....
1. Henna powder sieved through a muslin cloth.
2. Well strained strong tea decoction.
3. Eucalyptus oil (few drops).
4. Strained lime juice.
5. Sugar (one table spoon).
Take the henna powder in a bowl, add the tea till it becomes a thick paste (similar to a dough). Add eucalyptus oil, sugar and lime juice and mix well to make it into a smooth and thin paste. Leave it covered over night or during the day if you prefer to apply in the night.
Take....
1. Henna powder sieved through a muslin cloth.
2. Well strained strong tea decoction.
3. Eucalyptus oil (few drops).
4. Strained lime juice.
5. Sugar (one table spoon).
Take the henna powder in a bowl, add the tea till it becomes a thick paste (similar to a dough). Add eucalyptus oil, sugar and lime juice and mix well to make it into a smooth and thin paste. Leave it covered over night or during the day if you prefer to apply in the night.
Make a cone....
Take a thick plastic cover or use any thick freezer bag - cut it into shape of rectange 7" X 4".Twist one corner of the cover to make a cone.
Tighten the tip to make tiny hole.
Hold the tip and fill the paste and tie the broader end tightly with a thread.
Let imagination fly...
Now have fun. What ever you draw is beautiful and is a master piece in its own.
Remember....
You should leave the mehendi to dry on your skin and keep it on for as long as possible (4 to 6 hours if possible - you may go to bed also with it). Scrape it after that. The color will become deeper if you leave it untouched by water for another 4 to 6 hours. A deep color may last upto two weeks. The coloration varies from person to person.
Mehendi Healing Properties
In various eastern parts, henna is thought to hold special medicinal or even magical properties. It is used to help heal skin diseases, prevent thinning hair, and cool the skin to reduce swelling in hot climates. It is made into a beverage to heal headaches and stomach pain. Newly purchased homes in Morocco often have their doors painted with henna to wish for prosperity and chase away evil. Henna is used as a protection against the "evil eye". The foreheads of bulls, milk cows, and horses are sometimes decorated with henna for their protection. Tombstones in graveyards are sometimes washed with henna to please the sprits.
Mehendi flowers produce perfume, and the Egyptians are believed to have made an oil and an ointment from them for increasing the suppleness of the limbs.
Mehendi has been used to treat a number of ailments due to a brown substance of a resinoid fracture found in it. This has chemical properties which characterize tannins, and is therefore named hennotannic acid. It has been used both internally and locally to treat conditions including leprosy, smallpox, cancer of the colon, headaches and blood loss - especially during childbirth. It can be used for skin conditions such as eczema. The plant can also treat muscle contraction and fungal and bacterial infections.
Mehendi flowers produce perfume, and the Egyptians are believed to have made an oil and an ointment from them for increasing the suppleness of the limbs.
Mehendi has been used to treat a number of ailments due to a brown substance of a resinoid fracture found in it. This has chemical properties which characterize tannins, and is therefore named hennotannic acid. It has been used both internally and locally to treat conditions including leprosy, smallpox, cancer of the colon, headaches and blood loss - especially during childbirth. It can be used for skin conditions such as eczema. The plant can also treat muscle contraction and fungal and bacterial infections.
Mehendi in the West/Mehendi Fashion
The introduction of Mehendi into Euro-American culture is a recent phenomenon. Today Mehendi, as trendy alternative to tattoos, is an in-thing in the West. Hollywood actors and celebrities have made this painless art of body painting famous. Actress Demi Moore, and 'No Doubt' crooner Gwen Stefani were among the first to sport Mehendi. Since then stars like Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell, Liv Tyler, Nell McAndrew, Mira Sorvino, Daryl Hannah, Angela Bassett, Laura Dern, Laurence Fishburne, and Kathleen Robertson have all tried Henna tattoos, the great Indian way. Glossies, like Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Wedding Bells, People and Cosmopolitan have spread the Mehendi trend even further.
Mehendi has broken free of the traditional wedding, Teej or Karva Chauth days and is being applied for a Valentine's Day bash, a formal party or even an evening at a disco. In its new avatar, mehndi has been elevated to the status of body art and a fashion accessory for the fashion-conscious youngsters
A famous singer with mehndi all over her body created quite a stir at last year's MTV awards function, bearing testimony to the fact that this art has moulded itself so perfectly according to the needs of changing times to become chic and fashionable rather than being drab .
Mehendi has broken free of the traditional wedding, Teej or Karva Chauth days and is being applied for a Valentine's Day bash, a formal party or even an evening at a disco. In its new avatar, mehndi has been elevated to the status of body art and a fashion accessory for the fashion-conscious youngsters
A famous singer with mehndi all over her body created quite a stir at last year's MTV awards function, bearing testimony to the fact that this art has moulded itself so perfectly according to the needs of changing times to become chic and fashionable rather than being drab .
Mehendi - The Mark of the Suhaagan
No Indian wedding is ever complete without the Mehendi. Whichever part of the country the bride may be from, her hands are adorned with the lovely red hue of the mehendi (mehndi).
Beauty parlours have special bridal mehendi packs - these days, the brides have a choice between the Indian mehendi (which covers pretty much most of the palm) and the Arabic mehendi (in which the pattern is drawn to one side of the hand). The cost of applying the mehendi / henna may vary from parlour to parlour.
Mehendi (Mehndi) is associated to lots of things - a good dark design is a sign of good luck for the marital couple. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names. Some examples of popular traditional images used in mehndi designs are the peacock, which is the national bird if India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk, which is a symbol of good luck.
From adorning brides' hands, to being used to make hip tattoos on arms and bellies, Mehendi / Mehndi or Henna has gone international. Once a typically Indian custom and an indispensable part of a brides makeup, Mehendi has gone cosmopolitan thanks to the attention it gets through stars like Madonna, No Doubt and Bjork.
Beauty parlours have special bridal mehendi packs - these days, the brides have a choice between the Indian mehendi (which covers pretty much most of the palm) and the Arabic mehendi (in which the pattern is drawn to one side of the hand). The cost of applying the mehendi / henna may vary from parlour to parlour.
Mehendi (Mehndi) is associated to lots of things - a good dark design is a sign of good luck for the marital couple. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names. Some examples of popular traditional images used in mehndi designs are the peacock, which is the national bird if India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk, which is a symbol of good luck.
From adorning brides' hands, to being used to make hip tattoos on arms and bellies, Mehendi / Mehndi or Henna has gone international. Once a typically Indian custom and an indispensable part of a brides makeup, Mehendi has gone cosmopolitan thanks to the attention it gets through stars like Madonna, No Doubt and Bjork.
Wedding Mehendi | Wedding Mehndi
The occasion of Mehendi / Mehndi is fun a filled ritual, which is celebrated mainly by the bride's family. Today in our Hindu culture weddings are no more a small affair with only get together of family members and friends. But it is celebrated in a much more larger canvas than earlier. It is a lavish and elaborate affair nowadays. So pre wedding functions are no more a private affair. It is celebrated with equal fun and enthusiasm as the main wedding.
Mehendi has great significance in all Eastern wedding traditions, and no wedding is complete without the decoration of the bride's hands and feet - in many cultures on both the front and back of the hands right up to the elbow, and on the bottom half of the legs. The Mehendi night is something like a hen night in the West, with all the bride's female friends and relatives getting together to celebrate. They spend the evening singing traditional Mehendi songs, which tell of he good luck and blessings that Mehendi will bring, and of its significance with different in-laws.
The Mehendi night is common in the Gulf regions of Saudi, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. Here, the celebration is generally held a few days prior to the wedding, and is strikingly similar to that of Indian culture. The bride has her hands and feet painted, and traditional songs are sung by the mothers and grandmothers, who tease her about her future. Mehndi also features in other Middle Eastern celebrations such as births and christenings. In Gujarat, Mehendi tattooing is part of the Adivasi women's wedding traditions. Leaves and flowers are used as templates around which complex designs are painted on the bride's face and arms.
The Mehendi ceremony is considered so sacred in some religions that unless the mother-in-law has applied the first dot of Mehendi to the bride's hand, the painting cannot go ahead. The Mehendi dot is considered to be a symbolic blessing, bestowal of which permits the new daughter-in-law to beautify herself for the groom.
Many brides believe that the deeper the color of the Mehendi, the deeper the love they will receive from their in-laws, in particular the mother-in-law, whose blessing is particularly important to an Asian bride. Hence she does whatever she can to ensure that the Mehendi stain is deep. A good deeply-coloured design is a sign of good luck for the marital couple. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the Mehendi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names.
A bride is not expected to perform any housework until her wedding Mehendi has faded. While much of the symbolism of Mehendi designs are being lost some examples remain. The peacock, which is the national bird of India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk, which is a symbol of good luck, are all popular images.
In some customs the bridegroom's hands are also decorated, and communities in Kashmir and Bangladesh have evolved particular men's designs. A current trend in the UK is for traditional patterns in the form of a ring or bracelet.
Mehendi has great significance in all Eastern wedding traditions, and no wedding is complete without the decoration of the bride's hands and feet - in many cultures on both the front and back of the hands right up to the elbow, and on the bottom half of the legs. The Mehendi night is something like a hen night in the West, with all the bride's female friends and relatives getting together to celebrate. They spend the evening singing traditional Mehendi songs, which tell of he good luck and blessings that Mehendi will bring, and of its significance with different in-laws.
The Mehendi night is common in the Gulf regions of Saudi, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE. Here, the celebration is generally held a few days prior to the wedding, and is strikingly similar to that of Indian culture. The bride has her hands and feet painted, and traditional songs are sung by the mothers and grandmothers, who tease her about her future. Mehndi also features in other Middle Eastern celebrations such as births and christenings. In Gujarat, Mehendi tattooing is part of the Adivasi women's wedding traditions. Leaves and flowers are used as templates around which complex designs are painted on the bride's face and arms.
The Mehendi ceremony is considered so sacred in some religions that unless the mother-in-law has applied the first dot of Mehendi to the bride's hand, the painting cannot go ahead. The Mehendi dot is considered to be a symbolic blessing, bestowal of which permits the new daughter-in-law to beautify herself for the groom.
Many brides believe that the deeper the color of the Mehendi, the deeper the love they will receive from their in-laws, in particular the mother-in-law, whose blessing is particularly important to an Asian bride. Hence she does whatever she can to ensure that the Mehendi stain is deep. A good deeply-coloured design is a sign of good luck for the marital couple. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the Mehendi design; and the wedding night cannot commence until the groom has found the names.
A bride is not expected to perform any housework until her wedding Mehendi has faded. While much of the symbolism of Mehendi designs are being lost some examples remain. The peacock, which is the national bird of India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk, which is a symbol of good luck, are all popular images.
In some customs the bridegroom's hands are also decorated, and communities in Kashmir and Bangladesh have evolved particular men's designs. A current trend in the UK is for traditional patterns in the form of a ring or bracelet.
Mehendi Designs | Henna Designs
Mehendi/Henna has moved out international. Once a typically Indian custom and a vital part of a bride's makeup, Mehendi has gone cosmopolitan. Thanks to the attention it gets through stars like Madonna, and other Hollywood & Bollywood / film artist.
With the passing of centuries, mehndi has gained in significance in cultures within the middle East, Asia and North Africa. All of these communities use mehndi (mehendi) for the same purpose: to decorate and beautify; however, each one has its own unique designs, inspired by indigenous fabrics, the local architecture and natural environment, and individual cultural experiences.
In south India, a circular pattern is drawn and filled in the center of the palm. Then a cap is formed on the fingers, as if they had been dipped in mehandi. This design is used by most Asian elders, as in the early days before cones (similar to icing bags) were available it was simple to apply. It is this design that is used by south Indian classical dancers.
In north Africa, very intricate designs are developed around peacock, butterfly and fish images, which are completed with finely detailed patterns. The effect is that of a lace glove, as great attention is given to filling in the gaps that surround the main motif. Religious symbols are incorporated, such as the 'doli', a form of hand-pulled carriage which was used to transport the bride from her home to her in-laws' house in the days before cars. The lotus is also popular. Many people confuse Pakistani with north Indian designs, because both are intricately applied to give a lacy glove-like effect.
In fact, however, Pakistani designs are a blend of the north Indian style and Arabic motifs - flowers, leaves and geometrical shapes. This choice of motif derives from religious teachings: Muslims must not pray with figurative representations on the body, and so do not employ designs depicting human faces, birds or animals. Arabic patterns are well spaced on the hand, and traditionally completed by dyeing the nails with mehndi to give a deep stain.
With the passing of centuries, mehndi has gained in significance in cultures within the middle East, Asia and North Africa. All of these communities use mehndi (mehendi) for the same purpose: to decorate and beautify; however, each one has its own unique designs, inspired by indigenous fabrics, the local architecture and natural environment, and individual cultural experiences.
In south India, a circular pattern is drawn and filled in the center of the palm. Then a cap is formed on the fingers, as if they had been dipped in mehandi. This design is used by most Asian elders, as in the early days before cones (similar to icing bags) were available it was simple to apply. It is this design that is used by south Indian classical dancers.
In north Africa, very intricate designs are developed around peacock, butterfly and fish images, which are completed with finely detailed patterns. The effect is that of a lace glove, as great attention is given to filling in the gaps that surround the main motif. Religious symbols are incorporated, such as the 'doli', a form of hand-pulled carriage which was used to transport the bride from her home to her in-laws' house in the days before cars. The lotus is also popular. Many people confuse Pakistani with north Indian designs, because both are intricately applied to give a lacy glove-like effect.
In fact, however, Pakistani designs are a blend of the north Indian style and Arabic motifs - flowers, leaves and geometrical shapes. This choice of motif derives from religious teachings: Muslims must not pray with figurative representations on the body, and so do not employ designs depicting human faces, birds or animals. Arabic patterns are well spaced on the hand, and traditionally completed by dyeing the nails with mehndi to give a deep stain.
Mehndi Culture | Henna Culture
Many celebrities have been seen wearing mehendi designs and general awareness of the art form has increased due to articles in national magazines, publications and television broadcasts. Traditionally, mehendi designing for any Indian bride is a must event of the Indian weddings.
Starting from Madonna till Britney spears, or let us say nearly every Western Female as well as male celebrities use this customary Indian art very frequently these days. From decorating brides' hands, to being used to make body tattoos on arms & bellies etc. Mehendi/Henna has moved out international. Once a typically Indian custom and a vital part of a bride's makeup, Mehendi has gone cosmopolitan. Thanks to the attention it gets through stars like Madonna, and other Hollywood & Bollywood / film artist
Starting from Madonna till Britney spears, or let us say nearly every Western Female as well as male celebrities use this customary Indian art very frequently these days. From decorating brides' hands, to being used to make body tattoos on arms & bellies etc. Mehendi/Henna has moved out international. Once a typically Indian custom and a vital part of a bride's makeup, Mehendi has gone cosmopolitan. Thanks to the attention it gets through stars like Madonna, and other Hollywood & Bollywood / film artist
Mehendi
Mehendi History | Mehendi History | History of Henna
What is Mehendi
The Mughals brought Mehendi to India as lately as the 12th century AD. As the use of Mehendi spread, its application methods and designs became more sophisticated.According to professional henna artist and researcher Catherine C Jones, the beautiful patterning prevalent in India today has emerged only in the 20th century. In 17th century India, the barber's wife was usually employed for applying henna on women. Most women from that time in India are depicted with their hands and feet hennaed, regardless of social class or marital status.
The art of Mehendi has existed for centuries. The exact place of its origin is difficult to track because of centuries of people in different cultures moving through the continents and taking their art forms with them and therefore sharing their art with everyone along the way.
Some historical evidence suggests that Mehendi started in India while others believe it was introduced to India during the twelfth century A.D. I personally feel that it would be hard to argue the fact that it appeared as an art form in Egypt first.
Proof has been found that henna(Mehendi) was used to stain the fingers and toes of Pharoahs prior to mummification over 5000 years ago when it was also used as a cosmetic and for it's healing power. The mummification process took 70 days and as the Egyptians were diligent in planning for their deaths and their rebirth in the afterlife, they became quite obsessed with the preservation process. The Egyptians believed that body art ensured their acceptance into the afterlife and therefore used tattooing and Mehendi to please the gods and guarantee a pleasant trip.
The henna used for mehndi comes from a bush called Lawsonia Inermis which is part of the loose strife family and is grown in the Sudan, Egypt, India, most of the North African counties, The Middle East and other hot and dry places. The bush is also grown in Florida and California for his ornamental appearance and often grows to be quite large, ranging from six to twenty feet in some cases. The lance- shaped leaves from the bush are harvested, dried and then crushed to make the henna powder. Henna is used for hair dye, as a skin conditioner and as a reliever for rashes. The art of Mehendi is referred to as henna, mehndi or mehandi depending on where you are and which name you feel came first (or are most comfortable using). No matter what you call it though -- the art form remains essentially the same as it was centuries ago. It is beautiful the way it stains the skin!
Henna designs have traditionally fallen into four different styles. The Middle Eastern style is mostly made up of floral patterns similar to the Arabic textiles, paintings and carvings and do not usually follow a destinctive pattern. The North African style generally follows the shape of the hands and feet using geometrical floral patterns. The Indian and Pakistani designs encompass more than just the feet and hands and generally extend further up the appendages to give the illusion of gloves and stockings which are made up of lines, paisley patterns and teardrops. Lastly, the Indonesian and Southern Asian styles were a mix of Middle Eastern and Indian designs using blocks of color on the very tips of their toes and fingers. All of these styles remain popular today but have also been joined in popularity by celtic designs and chinese symbols. The point once again is to have fun with designs and experiment with them until you find something that you feel really passionate about.
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