Henna and Makeup

Hina is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration, most popular in South Asia, the Middle East and North America. It is typically employed for celebrations and special occasions, particularly weddings. Henna designs are usually drawn on the hands and feet. The leaves of the henna plant contain a red-orange dye molecule, lawsone, which has an affinity for bonding with protein, and has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk, and wool. Henna leaves are usually dried and ground into a powder, which is mixed into a paste and applied using a variety of techniques. The henna pasted is usually left on the skin for eight hours; after it is removed, the pattern continues to darken for approximately three days.

Heena decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called "henna tattoos." Heena, as a temporary, pain-free body decoration alternative to tattooing, is worn as a fashion accessory by both men and women. A number of Western musicians and Hollywood personalities have been seen sporting heena patterns. Today, henna is also used as commercial cosmetic hair dye with different coloring.