| Temporary henna tattoos have become quite the | | | | foremost advantage of using Henna is that the |
| rage in recent times. However, henna has been | | | | colour is temporary and fades away quickly. So |
| around for a long time and has been used by | | | | for people who hate the thought of having |
| Indian and African women for its colouring and | | | | tattoos that require piercing of the skin and are |
| nourishing properties. In fact, the beginnings of the | | | | most often permanent, henna offers an |
| use of henna can be traced back thousands of | | | | attractive and easy opportunity. Henna tattoos |
| years to ancient Egypt. It is only over the past | | | | are not only temporary tattoos, but can be |
| decade or so that temporary tattoos have | | | | applied quickly and in various designs. Henna has |
| emerged as the hottest accessory in the West. | | | | been an inexpensive way of adding to one's |
| The absence of chemicals and temporary colour | | | | beauty. It allows people to add exotic designs on |
| are the main advantages of a henna tattoo. | | | | their body at very little cost. Henna has been |
| Egyptian roots of the Henna TattooThe Henna | | | | known to have medicinal qualities as well. In |
| plant traces its roots to Egypt, from where it | | | | Ayurvedic therapy, Henna is used as an |
| was brought as a gift for the Queen Mumtaz in | | | | anti-irritant and antiseptic for various skin allergies, |
| India. The Mughals then encouraged the usage of | | | | heat rashes and to cool the body during hot |
| henna as a beauty product and a decorative | | | | summers. Due to its cooling properties, Henna is |
| application on the skin, especially at the time of | | | | used in lotions and ointments for application on |
| weddings. The history of the henna tattoo dates | | | | skin inflammations and even burns. Henna is also |
| back nearly 5,000 years, when the Egyptians | | | | known to be a deodorant. |
| used them on their hands, hair and nails. Even the | | | | Henna tattoos and varied designs Different kinds |
| fingers and toes of Pharaohs were stained with | | | | of henna tattoo designs are in vogue in countries |
| henna before mummification. Henna is also | | | | such as Morocco, India and the Middle East. While |
| believed to be a symbol of good luck and is | | | | African designs are generally geometric in nature, |
| applied before any auspicious event in various | | | | Indian designs are more floral and ornate. Celtic |
| countries, such as India, Turkey, Iraq and Saudi | | | | designs are based on intricate pictures and animal |
| Arabia. | | | | designs and give a mysterious look. Even Chinese |
| Henna tattoo and its advantages | | | | and Japanese designs have become popular for |
| This tall shrub like plant grows in hot and humid | | | | the application of temporary tattoos. These |
| climates and is generally found in Egypt, India, | | | | designs can be traced on or copied very easily |
| Africa and the Middle Eastern countries. The | | | | with Henna Pens. It is as easy as drawing on |
| leaves of the Henna plant are ground into a | | | | paper. Several other henna based cosmetic |
| powder, which is then made into a paste that | | | | products, such as eyeliners and lipsticks, are also |
| colours the skin in a rich shade of mahogany. The | | | | available. |