Simple Tips To Darken Mehndi And Make It Long-Lasting

Henna or mehendi has been used as a dye to color the skin, hair, and clothes for centuries. It is used for body art in Arabia (the Arabian peninsula), ancient Persia (modern Iran) and Mesopotamia (parts of present-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey), Tunisia,  Africa, and India and is a part of Hindu and Islamic cultures. Also, henna or mehndi is a part of wedding rituals and is said to bring prosperity to newlyweds. It is believed that the darker the stain, the deeper the bond. That is one reason brides are keener to get a brilliant and dark mehndi stain. If you want to know the tips to make your mehndi dark and long-lasting, this article explains how you can do that. So keep reading to know the dos and don’ts of applying mehndi.

Why Does Mehendi Turn Black?

Initially, after application, the mehndi color appears light. But it darkens as you leave it on for a longer time. It is because of the pigment called lawsone. It bonds with the skin cells, collagenⁱ  , and keratinⁱ  (in nails and hair) to give a dark brown-black color.

There are three types of henna:

• Red Henna: It gives an orangish-brown and reddish-brown tint to the skin.
• Neutral Henna: It does not have any color.
• Black Henna: It dyes the skin black.

Black henna combines regular henna and PPD or para-phenylenediamine, a type of coal-tar dye. It is often mixed with henna for temporary black body art tattoos and skin painting. PPD is a contact allergen, and hence, it is advised to avoid using black henna. Some readymade store-bought henna packs may contain ingredients like indigo and lime to darken the mehendi shade and make it last longer. You may try the following ways to darken mehendi so it lasts longer.

How To Darken Mehndi

1. Time: Leave the henna on your skin for a longer time. This helps it turn darker.

2. Use Heat: Applying heat can darken the mehndi. Use a blow dryer to heat the henna on your skin. However, make sure to maintain a safe distance and avoid exposing your skin to the heat for a long time.
3. Use A Cling Wrap: Wrapping the area with a cling wrap traps the heat to intensify the color (6).

4. Use Alkaline Ingredients: Mixing henna with alkaline or acidic ingredients can darken its color. Therefore, you can mix henna with pure lemon juice and apply to your skin to turn it darker.

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Alternatively, you can also soak cotton balls in the lemon juice and sugar mix and gently dab them on the dry mehendi on hand to darken the color.

5. Spices: Adding chili powder and mustard oil to henna gives it a darker shade. However, be careful of the amount of chili powder as excess powder may burn your skin. Add about a teaspoon of chili powder and a tablespoon or two mustard oil to henna.

6. Essential Oils: Adding essential oils like lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, or clove oil can darken henna. You can also mix Mahalabiya oil (an essential oil with a pine oil base) to darken henna. Essential oils contain monoterpenes, a group of alcohols often used to darken henna.
7. Coffee: Coffee naturally gives off a brownish tint. Adding coffee to your henna mix can enhance its darkness.
8. Beetroot: Beetroot juice is used as a natural dye in cosmetics. It gives a deep pinkish-purple stain. You can add beetroot juice or beetroot powder to henna to enhance the color.
9. Black Tea: Black tea contains tannin concentrates that can darken henna. Therefore, brew some tea leaves with water, add the decoction to henna, and mix.

You may use these ingredients to darken the mehendi mixture before application. However, if you are purchasing mehendi from the market, look for the following ingredients: 

1. Ammonia: Store-bought henna packets often contain ammonia as it darkens the pigmentation. Check the ingredients list before buying.
2. Sodium Methylparaben: Look for mehendi that contains sodium methylparaben. This compound darkens the mehendi stain.

However, ammonia and sodium methylparabenⁱ  may damage the skin. It is best to stick to natural options and avoid these chemicals.

Here are some pointers to help you enhance the color and longevity of mehndi.

Dos And Don’ts To Make Mehndi Last Longer

Dos

• Leave the mehendi on for about 2-6 hours to get an intense color.
• Once you wash off the henna, dip your hands in cold water for two minutes. Cold water closes the skin pores and may seal the color for a longer time.
• Massage the dried henna on your hands with oil and let it soak. This gives deep and strong color.
• Cover the area of application when going out in the sun. Sun exposure may lighten the mehendi.

Donts

• Avoid moisture exposure, and keep the henna on your hands or other body parts dry for as long as you can. This helps enhance its color.
• Do not wash the henna off your hands with soap, as it may fade the mehndi. Use cold water to remove henna.
• Avoid using a hair dryer on a high heat setting to dry the mehndi. Use it on a low setting and keep it at a safe distance from your hands or feet. Also, holding the hair dryer too close to the area of application may cause color bleeding.
• Do not shave the area of application as it might scrape the top layer of the skin and affect the mehndi design.
• Do not apply skin-lightening products like skin bleach on the areas of application. Because, this may fade the mehndi.

Follow these tips to make your mehndi last longer. We have answered a few doubts that you may have in the following sections. Check them out.

How Long Should You Keep Mehndi On Your Hands?

Keep the mehndi for at least 2-6 hours. The longer you leave the henna on your skin, the stronger the color gets. Some women leave it overnight to obtain a dark shade of mehndi. However, be careful not to keep the mehndi for too long as it might turn black.

Related: 75+ Stunning Finger Mehndi Designs

Does Vaseline Make Mehndi Darker?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Vaseline might strengthen the color of mehndi. It traps the moisture and is water-resistant. As a result, it keeps the henna intact, allowing the color to seep into the skin. This may make the color last longer.

Does Coconut Oil Darken Mehndi?

Women traditionally use coconut oil to darken their mehndi design. It coats the application area and prevents moisture exposure, keeping the mehndi intact as it oxidizes. This helps intensify the color and make it last longer.

Infographic: Top 5 Natural Remedies To Darken Your Mehndi Design

Women feel the need to darken their mehendi design to make it bold and beautiful and so that it stays for a long time. It enhances the look of the OOTD in any event and the pictures turn out to be so good! We’ve picked the best remedies to darken mehendi from the elaborate list above. All of these ingredients can be found right in your kitchen and are easy to use.

Check out the infographic below to know the top 5 natural ingredients to darken your mehendi designs.

Finally, mehndi or henna is a part of many cultures. In most traditions, the application of mehndi on a newlywed’s hands is a must. However, its beauty becomes manifold if it turns darker. So, many people often ask how to make mehndi darker. You can follow a few tips, like leaving it for a longer time, applying heat, using a cling wrap, and using the essential oils, coffee, beetroot, black tea, and charcoal powder to make it darker. Therefore, to make it stay longer, avoid skin bleaching and washing henna with soap.

Also Read : 150+ Simple and Easy Mehndi Designs for All Occasions