Clogging Question?

I have the worst time with clogging? I'm running the henna through pantyhose. I'm using the bottles & I do have the smallest tips. I thought maybe I needed a bigger tip, but I like the lines better from the smaller tip(more delicate). Any advice? I have a big event on the 3rd & my daughter's doing the henna. I don't want her all frustrated & loosing time/money from continual clogs.

Where do you buy your henna?

The stuff I buy is pre sifted. I've never had to sift and never had a problem with clogging. But then, I use cones so I don't know if that makes a difference.

I did my first henna tonight! They are silly for the for my girls. A skull and unicorn and I might show the stain if it is nice, but I LOVE it! I got to get some henna from Alicia!

I think I am feeling a henna contest coming. Who would participate?

-Metina

ME! ME! ME!

I'd love henna contests!

ME!!!! I got my henna a year ago off of Amazon(before I knew better). It is pure & that's all I made sure of. Where's the best place to get it? I love amerikan body arts oils & was thinking of getting henna from them(once I'm out of this stuff).

http://www.mehandi.com/

http://www.hennacaravan.com/hennakits.html

I mostly order from mehandi.com. My last order was the Purity henna......right before the Celebration henna came out. But that will be what I order next time.

How do you store your henna?? Dry and mixed......

I know this thread is old but an answer for any noobies lurking.. presifted jamila henna. When mixing the night before be sure to get rid of ALL lumps by mushing paste against the side of the bowl with a teaspoon. Ensure there is sugar in the mix and that it is a silky toothpaste consistency. Check for lumps in the morning before decanting into bottles (i put it in a ziplock sandwhich bag with a small hole in the corner which also gets rid of lumps and makes it easier to fill bottles). no 7 nibs are usually best. Also if you do get a clog take the top off and use a pin to push up through the nib so as not to push the lump back into the paste. hope that helps someone out there

Thanks, I was made that batch too thick, I think. I store my dry henna in the freezer till I use it. I store my henna in it's bottles in the freezer, so I can grab it & go.
I'm still pretty new to all the henna & am ok with it, but no expert.

I am a cone user and I find that it is easier on the hands and kinder to a less then perfect sift. If you are using a jaq bottle, some people also use Dextrose instead of sugar.

One of the very best henna's on the market is from Abid and Co. (Jamila Brand) but although I order directly from them in Pakistan, that is for large quantities. For a beginner artist, Dixie had the right idea. For the USA it's (in no particular order)
www.mehandi.com
www.hennacaravan.com
www.amerikanbodyart.com
and stick with the Jamila for one of the finest sifts but all of the above vendors sell BAQ quality so you will be good to go.

Remeber to keep your henna in the freezer or at least in a dark and cool place to ensure there is no deterioration. Henna left out or not stored properly will lose it's potency.

Yup! I keep mine in the freezer. I tried & tried & tried rolling the cones & could not do it. I went to a class at FABAIC & everything. I would much rather use a cone than the jaq bottle. I actually have my 17 yr old daughter do must of the henna. She's younger & is so much better than I am. I agree, it does make the hands hurt at a long gig.