Henna has long been used as a form of adornment in the Eastern world. It is a plant-based dye which temporarily colours skin, hair and nails. The intricate art of henna design is over 5000 years old and is culturally as well as spiritually significant for many. It is often used by women to decorate their hands during religious festivals and weddings. I was fortunate enough to speak to Inaya Faheem who runs a small henna artistry business called ‘Mehndi By Inaya’ - ‘mehndi’ is the Urdu word for henna. 

She begins by telling me about her work. “I learnt how to do henna tattoos by myself and then around two years ago I decided to turn my passion into a business. I mostly get bookings for Eid and wedding parties.” When asked about her future plans she stated, “I would love to turn this into my full time work and I really want to build a repertoire as a bridal ‘mehndi’ artist. A Pakistani bride’s henna is very elaborate and large designs can take up to six hours but it’s always worth it because the results are so beautiful!” 

During the conversation, I also asked her about the process of applying henna. The dye typically comes in a cone, which the artist uses to control the design. Once the pattern is complete, it takes a while for the paste to dry and the longer it is kept on the skin, the darker the final stain will be. Inaya tells me that she uses “a sealant made from lemon juice and sugar which prevents the design from flaking too quickly.” A henna tattoo generally lasts between one and three weeks. 

We also spoke about the patterns themselves and what they symbolise. “The most popular design is flowers and they represent joy and beauty. I usually pair this with vines as they are a sign of strength and devotion. Another common style clients ask for is a circle in the centre of the hand. It’s a striking motif which signifies eternity and the fulfilment of destiny.” She shows me some of her past works and I am impressed by her amazing skills and seeing the progress she has made over time.