Henna art is an essential part of South Asian and Arab festivities. Earlier, its use was restricted to weddings and religious festivals. Today, it is viewed as one of the most prominent body art practices. People use it as temporary tattoos, pregnant ladies use it on their bellies, and it is also regarded as a great hair colorant.

All in all, the uses of henna have no boundaries. Today, henna typically comes in powder and cone form. We also have an extensive range of henna types and colors, from black henna to maroon to white henna as well. Not all hennas are created equal, as not all trends are worth jumping on!

Traditionally, henna body art was applied using tiny wooden sticks. Since then, we have come a long way forward. Now, instead of wooden sticks, we have henna cones. Henna cones have made the henna application process easy.

But, are these henna cones safe for you? We don’t quite know that. Store-bought henna cones are loaded with chemicals and can cause an extreme allergic reaction. As a result, most people experience redness, itching, and skin peeling. However, we cannot deny the convenience of henna cones. What is the alternative? You might ask.

Well, the best way is to create your own henna cones. It is easier than you think and completely safe.

Drawbacks of Using Commercial Henna Cones

Following are some of the major drawbacks of using commercial henna cones:

  • The results don’t last very long and start coming off within two days of henna application.
  • The tint can be patchy; it is usually darker around the joints and lighter elsewhere.
  • It can peel your skin when the henna starts to fade away.
  • Commercial henna can make your skin red, itchy, and sensitive to touch.
  • It smells pungent and might cause an allergic reaction in some people.
  • In worst cases, henna can also lead to skin burn.

Benefits of Creating Your Own Henna Cone

Here are the top benefits of using your own henna cone:

  • It is completely organic, and you know the ingredients that are in the cone.
  • You can create a fresh batch every time you want to play with henna.
  • It will not cause any allergic reaction and is completely safe to use.
  • Homemade henna cone gives off a much darker and even tint.
  • Using homemade henna cones will cause the tint to fade away evenly. So, no more patchy hands and feet.
  • Creating your own henna is very cheap as compared to store-bought henna.
  • Natural homemade henna has a soft earthy scent.

How to Create Your Own Henna Cones?

Here is a detailed guide on how to create your own henna cone:

Things You’ll Need:

  • A mixing bowl
  • A brush
  • Cellophane (cut in squares)
  • Scotch tape
  • Pin
  • Rubber band
  • Water
  • Essential oil of choice

Step By Step Instructions

Follow these instructions to create your very own henna cone:

Step 1: Add a few tablespoons of henna in a bowl with enough water to create a thick paste.

Step 2: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit on the counter overnight.

Step 3: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the henna mixture.

Step 4: Take one square-shaped cellophane sheet and make a cone out of it. At this point, one end of the cone will be closed, and the other end will be open.

Step 5: Start adding the henna mixture into the cone and tie the top with the help of a rubber band.

Step 6: Prick a pin to the narrower end. It will give you an opening for a henna application.

Step 7: Seal the top end with scotch tape to secure it and refrigerate it for one hour prior to using it.

What’s better? Home Made Cones of Store-Bought Ones?

With homemade cones, you know exactly what goes inside them? There are no harmful ingredients present in the cone.

On the other hand, Commercial henna cones contain unknown ingredients. Some of the brands might use high-quality ingredients, but most of them are simply packed away with chemicals and preservatives.

One clear giveaway is that if you start to achieve a super dark henna stain within a few hours, the chances are that there is something unnatural happening in your cone. Natural henna takes at least 24 to 48 hours to become reddish-brown. So, doing a patch test on even the ones that claim to be organic will reveal a lot about the quality.

If the henna from a patch test turns darker in a couple of hours, it is always a wise choice to dump it away and create your own cone.

We all know what chemicals smell like. You don’t have to be a scientist to know whether something smells like chemicals or not. Natural henna has a very pleasant earthy scent. On the other hand, chemicals and preservatives-packed henna have a strong, pungent smell that none of us like.

Another great way to determine whether the henna cone is natural or not is the lifespan of henna. Natural henna will not last more than three to five days when kept refrigerated. This is a sign that henna is free from any preservatives that can harm your skin.

On the other hand, commercial henna can last for months even when kept at room temperature. So, if your henna cone is lying around for some months and is completely fine, the quality of the product is something you need to think about.

Final Thoughts!

At the end of the day, it’s your body and your choice. You can use any henna of your choice (store bought one or a homemade one). We have discussed how you can create your own cone and pointed out the harms of using a store-bought one. If you still have any questions, concerns, or queries, list them down in the comments section below, and we will get back to you shortly.

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