Should I Henna?

So today at the mall (where I am working painting faces and such) this guy made an interesting proposition for me.
Long story short, he owns a bunch of stores in the mall and was looking for an artist for one of his upscale popular clothing stores.
He said he would five me a corner of the store (all with windows so the public would be able to see me), wouldn't charge me rent but would take a proceed of my profit.

Here is my question...

1. I am a fairly talented painter/artist, is Henna something that is easy to pick up?

2. What would be the things I need to get started doing Henna?

3. How much do you think my starting kit would end up costing me?


Last but not least, the guy did mention that if I only wanted to face paint that was fine, but he was really pushing the Henna. What do you guys think? Is it worth it?


PS you guys are so helpful, seriously. I have learned so much from lurking about
What would I ever do without you! <3

So i have been reading and so far it looks like i am going to need

henna powder
ingredients from the grocery to make the brew
oil
carrot bags
a 00 cake pipping tip
Aquarellable pencil
some carbon paper (for transfers)
glycerine based deodorant (for the transfers)

Is that it to get started?

What an awesome opportunity for you!!!

As for whether or not you should do it, I honestly can't say. I've been doing it for 18 years. Henna takes practice. The feel and lay of it is very different to brushes, so you will need to give yourself a learning curve. Holding the tip off the skin is a huge part of it, which when you aren't used to it can make the hand shake and can be a challenge for painters/sketchists to get used to.
Perhaps face paint while learning to henna? Paint jewelry or some really fancy designs that will fit the store target demographic but practice henna at home. That way you'll make money and establish yourself and you can bring in the henna when you're ready (introduce simple designs and upgrade as you progress- it's what I did.)

I can honestly say that I've never used carbon paper or done transfers.

My kit is:
Powder and recipe components. It takes awhile to formulate a recipe that you like and it's a personal thing for each artist. You will have to test out different ones and different consistencies to see what you like. I put mine up on one of the pages in this section of the forum. (I can find it for you if you like)- to start with one box and the recipe stuff this is about $15

I don't use cones, I use bottles and tips (found under applicators at www.hennacaravan.com). I like the varying tip sizes and the ability to change them rapidly which I've not found with cone use. Plus there is no rolling down like there is in a cone. You will have to try the different application methods to see which you prefer. My girls each like different bottles and we all have favorite tip sizes. Cones are easier on the hands because they require less pressure. The preferences are very personal. -To start this is about a $12 investment, depending on what you choose.

I have a water color pencil (which is what aquarabelle is, you can find water color pencils at any art store cheaper). I only use the pencil when I am doing a bracelet/anklet so that I can make sure that the line is even all the way around and connects without being wonky. I have a small tape measure that I wrap around the body part and then I trace it. That is the only time I use the pencil. - The tape measure was $1 at Joannes (it's a tiny retractable one) and the pencil was $3 for a pack of 8.

I also have safety pins, small ones. I find a lot of teens especially want henna on their upper arms or on their lower back so I pin up their shirts for them.- I bought a multi-pack of them at the dollar store.

You're looking at around a $35 investment.

Good luck and let us know how it goes for you! :-)

Have you thought about starting with FP until you can get some practice in henna? The guy might be surprised at how great the FP is while he's waiting.

A lot of henna artists are picking up paintbrushes and learning to face paint so why not the other way around? Doing face paint while you learn is a good idea. That way you can get an idea of his regular clients so you can practice the right patterns. If he mostly has middle eastern ladies you will want to practice hand designs that look dense but can be done price. If it is mostly young people of a variety of cultures you will want more tattoo like designs that are not as dense and they are usually willing to pay more for it. I hope that makes sense.

I would agree it all depends on your aptitude as to how fast you will pick it up. I spent over a year practicing before I did my first client. I think the thing that takes the longest to learn is line consistency and mixing paste. Sure it is relatively easy to mix paste but finding just the right consistency, powder and oil mix and how much of each ingredient and what variations for climate and such can be never ending factors.

The question of what tool to use to apply is another one. I use hand rolled cones because my wrists are week and I cannot use jbottles. I vary the line by the cut of the cone or pressure. I know people who love j bottles and others who love Kree cones which are pastry bags with tips taped on in a special way and others who love just pastry bags as they are like a cross between a jbottle and a cone.

You can generally get a large kit from any henna supplier. I like http://www.magicalmehendi.com/ they have a deluxe party kit that comes with
100 grams Indian henna powder
30 ml Cajeput essential oil
2 oz lemon fixative spray
4 cello cones
20 cello rectangles
4 carrot bag
6 small bands
2 glove
4 cotton swabs
1 Razzle Dazzle Romance glitter

Instructions
sample designs booklet
vinyl travel pouch

This is enough to practice with and do many clients the only thing you will need to buy is lemon juice and tape. You can make up the whole batch and keep it in smaller batches in your freezer so you do not have to thaw it all out when you need more. You will probably only want to take 2 or 3 cones at a time with you until you build up a client base.

My goodness! Getting into Henna is CHEAP!!! I dropped like $300 on my face painting kit and $30 for Henna. lol.............
I took your guys advice (btw thank you, you all are the best)
and am playing with the different applicators and recipes atm.

I'll post pics soon

Ok, trying to upload my first ever Henna job.....
Be nice....




it is hard to paint your foot!!!
Also, I know it is uneven.
I didn't know where to go past the first part and just kinda... ell you see

It can be hard to paint your foot. I think you did a good job for your first try. What tool did you use?

I like the first part, it looks lacey.
It looks like you used a larger tip. With a smaller tip you can get a finer detail and helps when doing closer "loops". I think for your first time out it's much better than many I've seen!

For ideas and even some free books (including "how to henna") check out www.hennapage.com There are so many resources on there your head will feel like going essplodey! Lots of really great info and inspiration on there.

Yaaaaaaay for you!!!! *shakes pom-poms*

So now, more importantly, how'd you like doing it compared to painting?

I think that was a great first shot! Don't give up! The free books at hennapage.com are a fantastic place to start and it really is amazing and one of the very best sources of information on the net!

Good luck and happy hennaing!!

I used a pipping bag with the #2 tip. I have the smaller one but, I don't know, I just grabbed that one.
I am kinda annoyed by the icing bag.. maybe I need more practice at it
Sometimes the henna would go in the wrong direction (up the bag.. grr) and it didn't offer the most comfortable of grips because of it.
I kept having to stop, twist the bag and kinda fold it into my hand.

I am going to try the smaller tip and see how it goes....
I have a feeling though that I am going to want to try a different way of getting the Henna on....

Have any of you tried painting it on?

Thinning it out and painting it on with a sharpend stick is very old school actually but in the day and age of the cone, this is pretty much only done in very rural areas of henna using countries. A piping bag with a tip is bound to get a very fat line and you may also have consistancy issues. Henna is actually harder than it looks and the biggest hurdle is learning dye release and how to get the mix right for your personal tastes. If you are using an icing bag and tip, you really really should be reading here - http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/index.html

I know the research is a pain, but if you want to be able to offer this service you really have to spend a bit of time. If you have to purchase some premade cones and paste until you get the hang of mixing your own (which really is a huge $$ saver and to have confidence in your art, abilities and knowledge base), the profit margin is still pretty high per design when it comes to henna even with purchasing pre-made. As you know with facepaint, tools are super important. You can get by with bad brushes and lousy paint, but the results shoot through the roof when you have the right materials. Please be aware of what is in your paste, most pre-made cones off the shelves at the ethnic stores can just about knock you out with the crud they put in them and don't get me started on what it can do to some peoples skin! LOL
To save you searching, I've collected what I think may be the most useful links for you just starting. I really encourage you to look further once you have more interest in 'digging around' for more info!

What is good henna and where do I get it?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/goodhenna.html

What do I put in the henna and how do I mix it?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/whatgoesin.html

How do I make sure my client gets good color?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/terp.html

Cone? How do I make a cone?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/applymylar.html

Video on how to roll a cone
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/conevideo/conevid1.html

I really want tiny lines...mine are too fat, how do I fix this?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/fllmylar.html

I hear about the dangers of 'black henna'...what's the deal?
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/how/blackhenna.html

Supplies are easy and hard. There are a gazillion great places and as many awful places. Unfortunately for retail, the internet is the wild west. Here are two great sources of product that are reliable and high quality. I know the owners personally and they really strive to the highest standard and are passionate about the art! That does not mean there are not other great suppliers out there, but I often get supplies from both of these places:
http://www.mehandi.com/shop/

http://www.hennacaravan.com/hennakits.html
You will also find more simple 'how to's' at Henna Caravan to expand your knowledge base and start your henna journey! Good luck and please feel free to ask any questions anytime!

I think it would be great for you to learn henna. However the biggest thing that pops up for me when I read your post is customers staining his upscale clothes with your products. This stuff won't come out(henna) and some face paint will stain clothes.

It sounds like a great opportunity, but you may want to be outside of the store. I can just envision someone with a brand new henna tat brushing up against a $100 blouse. Who is responsible for that? Hate to be a negative, but make sure you are covered.

-Metina

Metina has a good point. When I was using a pastry bag I had many of the same issues and I did not like how much paste you have to use at one time. Much more then I need for a few clients. Most of the people I know who you them would be using a .oo1 tip which are becoming really hard to find as royal icing is not as popular as it used to be.

Also the quality of the tip can be an issue as not all of them are perfectly shaped so that may be an issue too.

Exellent point...never thought much past the henna questions....didn't even register WHERE she was doing them. New cloths + henna, could = disaster.

Fantastic point, Metina.

If you are going to do this, make sure your insurance is in order- juuuust in case. ;-)

Personal taste/opinion, we all hate using cones in my business. Paint brushes actually waste more henna than you use and it's not as exact as the designs call for. Sticks are wonderful but can be time consuming when working in a booth.
I love the lay and specific control from the bottles, and especially the ability to adjust flow easily.
No matter what you choose, just keep practicing and you'll get there!