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Closed for the 2006 season
FAQ and pricing info follow the form below.
FAQ:
How does it work?
Henna, unlike body paint, actually temporarily dyes the top layer of your skin. Ground leaves of the henna plant are mixed with liquid into a paste and applied to the skin using a squeeze bottle, a rolled cone, or a blunt object such as a toothpick. The paste is allowed to sit on the skin for a certain amount of time, then is scraped or washed off. Over a period of 24-72 hours the stain darkens to its full color.
Does it hurt?
If it hurts, you better let the artist know because there's a serious problem. There is no skin penetration in mehndi, therefore, no pain.
How long does it last?
It depends on where you get it. Henna takes best to areas of skin that are thick and calloused, like the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Thin-skinned or oily-skinned areas produce a lighter stain. The length of time your stain will show up depends on your own personal body chemistry. Dry skinned areas will fade the fastest because the henna stain is coming off with the dead skin. So the most definitive answer there is would be "a week to a month."
How much does it cost?
Priced per design:
Price is based on the size, detail, time, and location. A full traditional Indian hand with a great deal of detail will probably run you at least $35. Something that takes less than 5 minutes will be $5. Something simple but huge (a sun covering the entire back) will be quite a bit more, depending on how much henna is used. Generally my experience at public places like Calhoun Square and the Minneapolis Farmer's Market has shown that people like small designs in the $5 - $10 range.
Priced per hour:
Large or intricate designs are priced $10 per twenty minutes of work.
Parties (individuals do not pay for their henna):
3 - 10 people:
I usually charge $10 per person per hour plus a $5 trip fee if I'm driving more than 5 miles. My rates are flexible, however. For instance, if everyone at the party just wanted very small designs, I would charge accordingly. A gratuity of 15% will be added to parties of 6 people or more.
11 - 20 people:
$50 per hour plus a $10 trip fee if I'm driving more than 10 miles. A gratuity of 15% will be added.
More than 20 people:
$100 per hour plus a $10 trip fee if I'm driving more than 10 miles. A gratuity of 15% will be added.
Events (individuals pay for their henna):
$20 per hour plus a $10 trip fee if I'm driving more than 10 miles.
Non-profit Events:
Free, duh.
How long does it take?
Anywhere from 2 minutes to 5 hours to apply the design. After the paste is on I recommend leaving it on the skin for at least an hour or overnight if possible. For the darkest stain I recommend having the design wrapped.
Where can I get it?
Anywhere you want, baby. Private appointments are available for those who want it in areas that could land you an indecent exposure charge in public.
I have sensitive skin. Can I still use henna?
Yes. Very, very, very few people are sensitive to straight henna. I always have a sensitive skin blend of henna consisting of henna powder, lemon or lime, and water on hand for those who may have issues with the essential oils used in the normal blend.
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