Making the Henna Cone.....

Subject: Making the Henna Cone..... 2008-07-07, 12:58

Making the Henna Cone.....
Preparing
the henna cone is an acquired skill that will become easier with
practice. If you are planning a henna party, make up a dozen cones
ahead of time and have them ready.

To make a henna cone, you will need:

(a) Quart-sized plastic zipper freezer bags, heavy-duty plastic freezer
bags, or plastic from upper heavy painter's drop Long-bladed scissors
cloth.q Transparent adhesive tape
(b) ong-bladed scissors
(c) Transparent adhesive tape
(d) Straight pins

Follow these steps for cutting and folding the cone:

1. Cut off the reclosable top of the freezer bag with scissors. Cut
along the side and bottom seams to separate the plastic into two
separate sheets. For other plastics, a comfortable cone size can be
from 4 inches by 5 inches (10cm by 12.5 cm) to 4 inches by 7 inches (10
cm by 17.5 cm).

2. Fold the
sheets in half. Holding the open edges with your thumb and index
finger, cut across the closed edge. You now have four plastic sheets.

3. Holding the two sheets lengthwise, place your middle finger on the
corner of the top one. Bring the opposite diagonal corner to meet the
corner you are holding. Wrap the plastic over and over around your
middle finger to create a cone.

4. Adapt the
size of the up opening and width of the cone by moving your middle
inside the plastic sheets. The up should be the tiny diameter of a
straight pin.

5.
Have several pieces of 1.5-inch (4cm) precut tape ready. Carefully tape
down the final plastic corner near the up. Run at least one strip of
tape vertically up the entire open seam. Tape as needed to seal the
open edges, but do not tape the ends shut. You cone will be about 6
inches (15 cm) long and have an opening that allows just a 2 - finger
space at the top.

6. Using a
small teaspoon, fill the henna cone two-thirds full. With the top still
open, shake the cone rapidly up and down until the henna mixture moves
down to within ¼ inch (6 mm) of the cone tip. Wipe off excess henna
near the top of the cone. Alternatively, you may place a heaping
tablespoon (15-plus ml) of henna paste in the middle of the plastic
sheets before you form them into a cone.

Fold down the wide end of the cone and use your thumbs and index
fingers to squeeze the henna into the tip. Twist the wide end and
secure it with a rubber band, or fold it down and secure with tape.
Tape shut any other loose edges. If the tip of the cone is too small
and paste is clogging the hole, use scissors to enlarge the opening, or
poke a straight pin into the opening to loosen the clog.

Applying the design

Have a paper towel handy to clear the tip of the cone from time to
time. Remember, the color and design will hold better if the paste is
allowed to remain on the skin for at least 1 to 3 hours.

1. Hold the cone between the thumb and your index finger about 1/4 inch
(6mm) from its tip. Touch the tip of the cone to the skin. Then lift up
to release the henna paste. Trace the outline of the design on the
skin, then fill in the details one section at a time.Lefties should
begin at the right side of the design and work towards left.

2.As you are working the pattern, keep it moist so that it doesn't peel
away. Use a cotton swab or a square to gently apply a lemon sugar
solution-3 teaspoon (15 ml) lemon juice mixed with mixed with one
teaspoon (5 mg) sugar- to the design. If you can, moisten the henna
design every 1/2 hour for three hours.

3. When you are ready to remove the paste, apply any oil - eucalyptus,
mustard, avocado, sesame, olive, almond-generously over the design.
Then use the edge of a butter knife, a credit card or your finger nails
to scrap off the hardened excess.

4. Avoid washing the area of henna design for several hours. After the
paste has been removed, smear the area with oil again. Each day apply
the body oil to the design; it will help the drawing last longer.Those
with darker skin tones might want to reapply the design on the
following day for a longer lasting pattern

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