By Emalie Vera
The ancient art of Henna recently drew a small but engaged crowd to a workshop offered by the Rye Recreation Department.
Margie Nugent, owner of Making Faces Parties Inc., led the event, which featured icing cookies in Henna patterns and actual Henna designs on the skin. Nugent offered lessons on the history of the cultural practice and explained the biology of the dye and the henna-making process.
Originally a jewelry designer in the city, Nugent was interested in culture and women’s history and became a certified natural henna artist. For the last 16 years she has practiced the art and had created her own homemade recipes and designs.
Imported from India, the henna powder she uses is made up of henna leaves that are dried and ground. The powder is later turned into an earthy greenish-brown paste when mixed with an acid like lemon juice and natural oils. Natural henna only comes in shades of browns and greens.
The first henna was originally done in Egypt about 6,000 years ago, not in India as many believe, Nugent said. The dye was primarily used in hot climates like that in the Middle East, and applied to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet so that its cooling properties could regulate body temperature.
Different styles from the Middle East and Africa come from textiles and interior designs like tiles. Designs of mangos and paisleys reflect Asian culture, in which they are associated with fertility and good luck. In Morocco, henna has been used as a preparation ritual before big events like weddings. Families will have henna done on their babies’ ankles and feet as a form of spiritual protection.
Henna stains the top layer of the skin and is an exfoliant. Instead of fading, it loses pigment as the skin naturally sheds. Two hours after application, the stain is orange and it then transitions to brown. The henna cannot be washed for 24 hours, because the water can change the Ph level and stop the dye process. And for the stain to last, one should regularly moisturize the area, Nugent said. How henna turns out is unique to each person since body temperature and melanin play an important role. Warmer temperatures and more melanin will cause the henna to appear darker.
After learning about the history and biology of henna, participants practiced their own skills with icing in a henna cone and cookies. Nugent guided them through a simple flower design, and taught tips and tricks to get smooth lines and curves. Afterward, Nugent created a custom design for each participant, and painted it on their hands. Participant Radhika Alosi said she learned a lot from the evening, but the most surprising thing was that “henna is from Egypt and not India. Being Indian I assumed it was from India.”
