Choose Your Design

• 1). Note that traditional Indian henna motifs include flowers, such as lotuses and roses, fruits, such as mangoes and animals such as peacocks, scorpions and fish. Vines make an elegant visual statement, while mandalas make a good choice for beginning henna painters because these intricate designs are based on a simple series of circles.
  
  
• 2). Learn Arabic henna traditions. The Arabic world has its own henna traditions, which include repeating geometric patterns. Common motifs include diamonds, triangles and the hand-shaped khamsa, all of which are said to offer protection from the evil eye.
  
  
• 3). Consider other henna design options. Other, non-traditional options include tribal designs, Chinese characters, names and animal totems.
  
  

Prepare the Henna Paste

• 1). Put on a pair of latex gloves. Sift the henna powder through the fine mesh strainer into the ceramic or plastic bowl using your fingers or the back of the plastic spoon. This process removes larger bits of bark and breaks up clumps, which helps the henna paste go on smoothly.
  
  
• 2). Add sugar to the sifted henna powder, and stir to mix thoroughly.
  
  
• 3). Add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and enough strongly brewed black tea and lemon juice to create a paste with a consistency similar to cake frosting.
  
  
• 4). Stir the mixture thoroughly, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for at room temperature for 30 minutes to one hour.
  
  

Make and Fill the Henna Cone

• 1). Cut the 12-by-12-inch square of Mylar or cellophane along the diagonal, creating two triangles. Place one of these triangles in front of you so that the longer, flat side is vertical.
  
  
• 2). Place your index finger on the tip of the triangle opposite the longer, flat side and, using your opposite hand, roll the triangle up from the bottom. Secure the seam of the cone with a strip of tape.
  
  
• 3). Fill the cone with the henna paste using the plastic spoon. Once the cone is filled, fold over the opening and secure it closed with another strip of tape.
  
  
• 4). Snip the tip of the cone with your scissors. The smaller the opening, the finer the designs you can create.
  
  

Apply the Henna Tattoo

• 1). Clean your skin with soap and water to remove any oils that may be on your skin. Dry thoroughly.
  
  
• 2). Squeeze the top of the cone to extrude the henna paste onto your skin in the desired design. Apply the paste slowly, and use the toothpicks to scrape away mistakes.
  
  
• 3). Allow the paste to dry completely once the design has been applied. If desired, the dried paste can be refreshed by dabbing it with lemon juice and sugar, which will darken the design. Leave the dried henna paste on your skin for as long as possible, or for at least six hours.
  
  
• 4). Remove the rest of the dried paste using a cotton ball soaked in olive oil.
  
  
• 5). Refrain from washing the design in water for at least 12 hours. The design will darken to its deepest hue in one day.