The Henna Community has been abuzz for a month since Beyoncé debuted her Bollywood-styled self in Coldplay's Hymn for the Weekend video. I spent ages trying to get a good look at the artistry in the video, but we never got a good look at her henna. Well, this week Queen Bey posted her mehndi on Instagram, and we all finally got a good look at the simple mandalas and palm designs featured in the video.

And what's better, the artist herself shared the inside scoop!

Sumita Batra has been a blessing to the henna community, helping catapult mehndi into the mainstream back in the mid-90s. She was known for her exquisite bindi work, and only practiced mehndi on the side of her beauty business. When she had the opportunity to work with Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Sumita didn't think much about how her artwork would affect thousands of artists in the world. She was just creating a beautiful look for her client, and we all benefitted from the explosion in popularity in henna because of her enthusiasm.

When Sumita was brought on to the Beyoncé shoot, she suggested adding natural henna paste and letting the fresh stain show through the shoot. Of course, a Bollywood star isn't complete without her mehndi, so we were thrilled to see the whole package. Sumita directed the styling for the mehndi, and her associate Prabhuti Patel brought the vision to life. After nearly 30 years in the beauty industry and developing carpel tunnel syndrome, Sumita works in collaboration with her team at Ziba Beauty, teaching the next generations of beauty professionals.

In fact, it was a teaching opportunity that brought Henna Caravan and Ziba Beauty together in the fall of 2014. Carissa McQueen, along with Neeta Sharma, was asked to travel with Sumita Batra to Cambodia, where we taught henna and threading to 40 women. In conjunction with Shinta Mani Foundation and Senhoa, the week long course helped to provide a safe and reliable industry for young women, many of whom came from very challenging backgrounds or were survivors of trafficking.

This entire experience embodies what we love most about henna. Henna brings women together, provides safe and fulfilling job opportunities from the farmer to the artist, and helps create more beauty in the world.

Cheers to Beyoncé, Sumita, Prabhuti, and all the women who help bring the world together through a shared love of beautiful henna art.

Pure henna over salt'n'pepper grey

Last year when I posted our Henna over Grey tutorial, I completely forgot to include pictures. I was scrolling through some photos and came across these three from a dear friend in Australia. She dyed her hair using only pure henna, and documented the result. If pure henna is too "bright" for you, try adding a bit of indigo, or doing a 2-step process to get darker color. I love this color on her, though, and love the natural highlights her grey streaks create!

Elizabeth's Before:

Immediately after application:

And 48 Hours after application!

Henna permanently dyes the hair follicle, so after you reach your desired depth of color, you can do easy keep up with your roots! Tone down the reds with amla, mix with cassia for more strawberry hues, or use indigo to get a range of browns and even black.


To see some of Elizabeth's henna work, visit her facebook page Henna Oasis. She is located on the Gold Coast.

For video tutorials of how to apply henna to hair, visit HennaCaravanTV  or click the links in the side bar.

The Great Henna Swap!

With all the stress of impending festival season (for us, it starts this weekend!), grad nights, after prom lock ins, and the general hubbub of spring, its easy to forget what brings us back to the office every day. The hours grow longer, the paste slings faster, and we hardly have a moment to stop and breathe. This April isn't any different. But a funny thing is happening over the next few weeks that we have termed "The Great Henna Swap".

"What is this amazing event?" you may ask! "How do I become a part of it?" Well, its pretty easy since it has happened completely by accident! Check it out.

Wendy is in Ohio to visit Catherine for a project. Flavia is on her way to Hawaii for vacation, and is making a local delivery while out there. Joey is coming out to California to help Henna Caravan while we're down a man (then 2!). Carissa is flying out to New Orleans to meet with Wendy to henna the heck out of Jazz Fest. Then, to top it all off, Chris is coming to California to lend a hand at Strawberry.

And thus! The Great Henna Swap is born. Join us!

Maybe one of your henna friends needs help at an upcoming festival or just a baby sitter for the weekend of their sister's wedding. Whatever it is, we are part of such an amazingly tight knit community, there are dozens of people able and willing to help. You don't have to fly cross country to lend a hand. Have a mini get together with artists in your area. Find an event that you'd normally be overwhelmed by and make a go of it with your new found team. Set up a Google+ party and video chat over tea, showing off your latest henna crafts!

The point is, its easy to let the frustrations of the busy season mount until all you can think about is "Why oh why do I even bother with henna?" Then you see something like this- friends jetsetting around to help friends- and you remember that the community makes it worth it. YOU make it worth it. At the end of the day that is what matters most. Working together for mutual success, because we're all a team, all one big crazy henna family.

The Great Henna Swap may not be all that exciting, but it is pretty cool. Or at least, that's what we think.

Cheers!

My Fair Wedding- Henna Caravan Appearance!

There are literally hundreds of ways to incorporate special personal touches into your wedding. When Jessica got married, we created an homage to car culture by fashioning the bouttonnière into the Ford V8 engine logo. Former Henna Caravan artist Stacey was married last month and we hand-glittered her shoes with her favorite color aqua- a particularly fun project since her main job as HC staff was choosing, ordering, and handling all our glitter needs! Another friend paid homage to his Irish ancestry by incorporating his family motto "Non Sibi" ("Not for Himself") into his vows.

Honoring your family traditions is one of the best ways to give personal color to your wedding and make it extra meaningful. Henna is one of those traditions that can really make your wedding stand out. Cultures across North Africa, the Middle East, and throughout the Indian subcontinent use henna to celebrate auspicious occasions. These traditions are beautiful and meaningful, but aren't always suited to the aesthetics of a modern American Wedding. Don't be afraid to think of new ways to add henna to your wedding as an homage to your family history, without being overwhelmed by it.

Traditional Indian mehndi for Brides will cover much of a Bride's visible hands and feet. Oftentimes the henna will extend from the fingertips to the biceps in intricate lace-like designs. This type of mehndi will take many hours to apply, and during that time the bride must stay inactive. There is much symbolism associated with Mehndi, as well. The red color of the stain is auspicious and brings good luck. In some areas, brides are not to do any house work while their henna designs are still visible. Other cultures believe the longer a stain lasts the more your new inlaws and mother in law with love you! Certain symbols like peacocks represent love and fetility, and sun-motifs represent rebirth and your new life as a married woman.

You can add glitter to your henna stain for glitz and glam!

If you intend on wearing a white Western style wedding dress, but want to involve henna in your wedding, we suggest very simple designs with your favorite wedding motifs. This March, Henna Caravan was featured on David Tutera's My Fair Wedding to help create a wonderful Asian Fusion wedding for Bride Lauren. Check out this clip to see Carissa in action, and be sure to watch My Fair Wedding to see what other surprises are in store!

http://www.wetv.com/my-fair-wedding/videos/my-fair-wedding-bollywood-asian-flare

 Carissa applying glitter adhesive to a Bridesmaid

Jessica working on a Bridesmaid

Finishing touches for the bridal party!

same sex marriage, gay marriage, henna

we are pleased to be able to offer henna for same sex marriage, or gay marriage.

We have a talented staff and love to be involved in traditional henna , along with meaningful rites of passage.

We can accommodate any size group from one to 1,000 with our talented henna artists.

With friends and family helping to celebrate a union, henna is the perfect way to compliment your special day.

Henna Caravan - Henna Artists for your event and Supplies

Henna

Henna Caravan workshop  is an immersion workshop for henna enthusiasts from beginner to master artist.

 For the henna classes we will provide: henna, meals, classes and workshops, craft classes, craft supplies, and  3 days of fun in Southern California.

see here for more info.Henna Caravan Forums / Henna Caravan R&R and elephant bar