- Sift your mendhi powder (if you have a sift). This helps but is not always necessary
- Use bottled or distilled water if possible (tap water contains chlorine)
- Boil black tea (2 bags) for at least 15 minutes - this will be added to the henna powder
- After 15 minutes add two teaspoons of instant coffee - let stand for 5 minutes then mix
- Now you will mix your henna powder with your tea / coffee water
- Use 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice per 1 tablespoon of henna powder when mixing
- Use the tea / coffee water for the rest of the mix
- Mix the henna powder to a consistency of toothpaste (just thick enough so it will not run but not so thick as to not penetrate your skin)
- Only mix what you think you will need (i.e. one hand requires about 1 tablespoon)

- Do all of your mixing in a non staining bowl (or bowl that you dont mind getting stained) and once you have mixed your henna leave it covered with Saran Wrap for two hours.
- If you can, try to keep the mixture warm in the bowl for the whole two hours. A good way to do this is to use a bigger bowl and place a couple of inches of hot water in it and then place the smaller bowl, containing the henna, inside the bigger bowl so that the hot water keeps the henna bowl warm.
- After a minimum of two hours and before use add a few drops of the mehndi oil to your mixed henna paste (mix in well) for a dark long lasting mehndi stain

** Tip: Traditional to the United Arab Emirates use the boiled juice of dried limes. Cut 3 or 4 limes into slices and let dry on a baking sheet. Boil the dried limes in water until the water turns red and use instead of the lemon juice. This will darken your henna designs dramatically!

- Henna stains the top layer of your skin so it is important to prepare the skin properly
- Wash application area well with soap and warm water and dry thoroughly
- Swab the application area with rubbing alcohol or rose water if available
- Wipe the application area with diluted Eucalyptus oil - this opens the skins pores
- Keep your hands as warm as possible

- Traditionally a stick is used to apply mehndi and now many use an application tube- we suggest a toothpick as the best tool!
- Apply enough mendhi so that there is some depth to your lines, your mix should be as described above, and not just a thin application
- It is recommended that you have a henna design or picture available while you are applying the mendhi so that you have a pattern to follow
- Let your design dry for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes without stressing the area too much with bending or use (i.e. if you applied it to your hand do not make a fist...)
- At this time mix a small amount of lemon juice and sugar and apply to the area with a cotton ball to set
- Let stand as long as you can - some people will leave it overnight for the best effect!

Have fun and Good luck!