Mehndi Design 2018: Easy Henna Designs
Mehndi, traditionally referred to as henna, is a classic ritual art that has remained evolving through time, as ancient traditions become intermixed with modern trends. Easy henna designs are perfect for the summer of 2018. Regardless if you’re a beginner at henna art, or you consider yourself a master, there is something in the designs for you.
The History of Mehndi
The origins of henna lie with the ancient Egyptians, where it was used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. It then spread to India and the Middle East, then to Africa. Each culture adapted the patterns and styles to its own cultural context, such as the decorative ‘big-day henna’ in the Middle East, where henna is applied the night before a wedding. Modern mehndi, therefore, bears a wealth of cultural history.
Ancient Roots
They used henna to keep cool in hot climates and for its lucky, protective qualities. In particular, it was used on hands and feet most) by women adorning themselves with logical geometric patterns at weddings and other festivals.
Modern Adaptations
Reaching transcultural dimensions in nowadays, mehndi has become one of the classic forms of decoration of human bodies. It definitely contributes to making everyone beautiful and is also associated with a celebration. Modern mehndi is filled with both traditional decorations and contemporary elements, all of which could have attracted people of all ages.
Why Choose Easy Henna Designs?
Easy henna designs were much in vogue in the year 2018 because beginners love them, they can be done quickly, are versatile and can be adapted to any occasion in your life. It is all about simplicity and beauty of this designs.
Accessibility for Beginners
Beginners are advised to try the easy henna designs. They need less skill and time. Failure might happen and skinned areas might result, but this is not an issue for those who are trying mehndi for the first time. However, even a simple design will become attractive enough with hours of practice.
Quick Application
I believe in the saying ‘Time is money’. As time is lacking in this fast-paced world, easy henna designs are designed such way to apply quickly; it may be on a sudden event or any impromptu party. Nevertheless, it is not less attractive than the other complex patterns.
Versatility
Easy henna designs can be applied to any type of occasion you desire. You can use them to make your look more special for festivals, weddings, or even for weekend outings. These designs are easy to make and give you room to show off your creativity.
Popular Easy Henna Designs in 2018
Easy Henna Designs 2018, A lot of different design ideas emerged in 2018, but they have two things in common for sure: they are easy and have an outline which makes them cool.
Another year is gone, however we are already looking forward to the new one. Slowly but steady some new design ideas are emerging. Let’s aim a little in the direction of 2018 and present you some easy henna designs for 2018.
There are so many ideas competing with each other. From totally minimalistic designs with no brake whatsoever to intensely extravagant motifs, there is something for all tastes. Enjoy!
Floral Patterns
Floral patterns are classic and sophisticated. Again like last year, floral designs characterized by flowers, leaves, and vines are still people’s favourite for its simplicity, elegance and naturalness.
Geometric Shapes
If you like geometric shapes, you’ll love the latest modern mehndi designs. Small basic shapes like squares, triangles and circles come together to form beautiful patterns, these can be an awesome way to express modern stylishness. These designs are bold and beautiful for those who want to make a statement.
Mandala Designs
Mandala, a Sanskrit term which means ‘circle’, are also known as the ‘yellow dot’ designs. Mandala designs are complex and detailed, but since 2018, a simpler version that still abides to the circular form has become popular. Mandala is a harmonious and balanced shape which symbolises togetherness and the unification of thoughts. They organise our mind and promote a focused concentration directed towards one point.
Paisley Motifs
Paisley motifs are a favourite staple in mehndi design: the teardrop shape is a universal symbol of longevity and immortality but its versatility means it also lends itself to more complex patterns. Paisleys were a big trend in 2018, albeit in simplified forms, allowing tradition to meet easy DIY application.
Step-by-Step Guide to Easy Henna Designs
If you fancy impressing your friends over a girl’s night by learning how to produce beautiful designs – go for it! It can be done and be done quite well at that – with a few simple steps and a bit of practice. Read the guide below and get cracking!
1. Wash the area thoroughly and dry it before applying henna.
2 Once the area is dry, create the outline of the design you wish to create and use a pencil.
3 Using a cone (you can enhance the tip by rubbing it on a sunblock box), extract the henna from the henna extract kit and fill the cone.
4 Make your way to the part of the body or area where you wish to undertake the design. Hold the cone with your dominant hand.
5 Now this is the tricky part – all the tension should be in your hand, and your arm should be loose as a goose! Point the cone directly at the surface. Point-and-shoot!
6 Draw a line from the beginning and keep pulling to gradually cover the area or design. Try not to overshoot the designated area as it can be a pain to clean out.
7 Continue drawing in vertical lines until you reach towards the end of the design. Avoid drawing horizontal lines as they tend to cause ‘bleeding’.
8 Now, let the magic happen! Leave the design on for as long as you wish and move on to some pop music.
9 When you are satisfied, gently scrub off the work.
10 You can leave the design on for two to eight hours based on your preference – simply ensure it does not become too dry. Letting it dry out will change the color.
11 Lighten up! The darker the design, the longer the bath has been taken to let it dry out.
1. Preparation
Make sure you have your henna paste, cones or bottles to apply it with, tissues and a henna design reference before you start. Clean your skin and dry it down so the design can stick better and go for longer.
2. Basic Techniques
Simple line work, dots and curves are a good place to start. Draw these on a piece of paper and then do it on the skin. All henna designs are based on just these three elements.
3. Simple Patterns
Start first with simple patterns such as flowers or geometrical forms, making lines with light pressure for thin lines, and heavy pressure for thick lines. Practice makes perfect.
4. Building Complexity
When you are comfortable, try to combine patterns together. For example, combinate flowers with leaves into a vine, or combinate geometric shapes into a more complex pattern.
5. Finishing Touches
Once the design is completed, allow the henna to set for a few hours. The longer you leave it, the darker the stain will be. Make sure you do not wash the region for at least 24 hours to get the perfect look. Dried henna can be complemented with a lemon sugar syrup to enhance the colour.
Tips for Long-Lasting Henna
To ensure your henna design lasts longer and looks vibrant, follow these tips:
Quality Henna Paste
Use the best paste you can find. Henna, when fresh and natural, makes the best colour and henna mixed with chemicals – found in henna mousse, in for example, Robertet pots, and other cosmetic products – causes irritation to the skin and does not stain as well.
Proper Aftercare
Make sure to avoid touching the applied henna with water for the first 24 hours post application and to keep the henna moist with regular applications of natural oils (coconut or olive, for instance).
Avoid Heat and Sweat
If you sweat too much or the temperature gets too warm, the stain can disappear. Sweat a lot or live in a particularly hot area and you may wish to consider a darker shade of henna.
Cultural Significance of Mehndi
Mehndi is not only a design on your skin. It is an art with cultural, symbolic and communal significance. Learning about this may deepen your understanding and enjoyment of a beautiful ritual.
Weddings
Among many cultures, mehndi is central to a wedding’s festivities. The bride’s hands and feet are ceremoniously decorated with complex patterns of mehndi for beauty, joy and spiritual rebirth. These henna parties—usually held the evening before the wedding—are opportunities for merriment, music, dancing and laughter.
Festivals
What about other festivals like Diwali, which is a Hindu festival of lights, Eid and Karva Chauth? Mehndi is applied during these times to spread good luck and prosperity.
Rituals and Traditions
Henna is used to mark many different occasions and events in some cultures, particularly because it represents protection and wards off evil. The designs used with henna are not only beautiful, but are also meant to serve a religious purpose.
Henna in Modern Fashion
Today, henna is a regular feature of the catwalk and celebrity circuit, its fashionability affirming the age-old prestige of the henna art form.
Celebrity Influence
These have also revealed henna designs on red carpets and social media, which has led to trends and fashions. Their popularity has also made henna a fashionable item as people have been influenced to try them.
Fusion with Western Styles
Henna has further crossed cultures with the Western world by entering fashion circles through music festivals such as Coachella and fashion shows like the London Fashion Week. This is how we’ve seen the birth of so many cool and inventive designs that were never created before and are now favoured by all kinds of people.
Temporary Tattoos
For people who want to use the look to experiment – or for those hair chameleons constantly looking for a change, or for those who want to go out for a night and look wild, but still fall asleep with rational hair – henna is a great, paint-design-for-a-night-on-the-town-and-fade-it-back-to-normal, no-pressure, ‘I’m-not-ready-to-commit’ blanket.
DIY Henna: Making Your Own Paste
To gain control over what is going onto your body at the root of the matter, it is also incredibly rewarding to learn how to make your own henna paste. All the natural ingredients come together under one roof and for a fraction of the cost. Here’s how to make it.
Ingredients
Henna powder
Lemon juice
Essential oils (like lavender or tea tree oil)
Sugar
Water
Instructions
Sna Powder: First, sift the henna powder to get rid of lumps.
Mix With Lemon Juice: Using a big mixing bowl, add lemon juice little by little to the henna powder, mixing it well and thoroughly throughout. Your henna paste should be smooth and thick.
3. Add Essential Oils for Fragrance and Colour Add a few colours of essential oils to the mix. You should notice the colour changing and a lovely subtle fragrance will develop.
Addpping the sweetness with a bit of sugar makes the paste stick better to your skin.
Stand it up: Stand the dye pot on end.Now it’s ready for the wool. Let it Rest: Leave it be for 24 hours. The longer it rests, the better the dye will release, resulting in a deeper shade. Stand it up: Stand the dye pot on end. Now it’s ready for the wool.
Add water after 24 hours to attain proper consistency until thoroughly mixed. (The consistency should be paste-like and not runny)
Apply and Enjoy: Fill an application cone or bottle with the paste, and let’s go!
Conclusion
Everything about Mehndi design in 2018 was a gorgeous symbiosis of old and new, as easy henna designs made it possible for those who had never picked up a cone to play in the medium. No matter the artist’s skill level, there are ideal designs to suit and inspire.
Henna is much more than just a beauty treatment; it’s a form of cultural expression and an opportunity for celebration and self-expression. Enjoy the art form, experiment on your hand or someone else’s, and share your feelings through your designs. Your ideas will soon transform into beautiful henna tattoos.