Good news! You no longer have to travel to India or Pakistan for authentic – and temporary – henna tattoos! Henna artist Rachel Biel Taibi of Rayela Art comes right to your house, office or other gathering spot to pretty up your hands and feet.
Henna dye comes from a fine powder extracted from henna leaves mixed with oil and tea. Rachel uses a pastry bag to squeeze the dye onto your skin into beautiful designs as simple or as intricate as you'd like.
The henna, which initially looks and feels like chocolate frosting, dries fairly quickly. When it begins to crack, Rachel applies a sugar and lemon mixture to “fix” the dye. She recommends leaving the dye on for at least four hours before scraping it off. And then, ta-dah, you'll unveil your beautiful, henna-colored masterpiece.
Henna History from Rachel’s Web Site Henna is an ancient art form used to celebrate weddings and festive holidays. In India, for example, women traditionally gather the night before weddings to decorate each other’s hands and feet. The bride receives intricate designs up to her elbows and knees. Indian folklore says that brides with deep, red color will truly love their husbands and have a nice relationship with their in-laws. They're also exempt from housework while the color lasts. Hum, maybe someone could start that tradition here? |
And here’s the beauty of the whole thing. The tattoo lasts 10 days to two weeks. That’s just enough time to enjoy it before it fades away – and then you can get another one. Imagine! Body art with no regrets. If only you'd known that before tattooing Tweetie Bird on your behind back in college.
Rachel learned to do henna while living in Chicago 10 years ago. She practiced on paper, fruit and friends until she felt confident enough to go public. Since then, she has decorated many hundreds of hands and feet.
“I like the decorative elements of turning skin into a canvas, but without the permanence or pain of tattoos or piercings,” Rachel says. “And, I enjoy translating designs on to a new form. Each person’s hand or foot is different, and designs take on new shapes with the curves, wrinkles, bumps and color of that person.”
Henna art most definitely adds to party fun. In fact, Rachel henna-ed four of us during Gals Night In just the other evening. Throw in some wine and girl-talk, and a henna party ranks right up there with shopping!
Along with individual and group appointments, Rachel also does wedding receptions and baby showers, store and art gallery openings and just about any other occasion where folks come together for a good time.
For more info or to set up an appointment, email Rachel at rayelasales@comcast.net or visit her Web site!
