You’ve invested time and money into getting the perfect mendhi design done on your hands and feet. The worst thing that could happen after all that effort is when you wash it off, you’re left with nothing but a faint outline.
Avoid this nasty surprise by following our simple do’s and don’ts
DO wash your hands and feet before application and ensure that they are free of potions and lotions.
DO use a lemon and sugar mixture when you have completed the design. The recipe is:
2 oz. of lemon juice,
3-4 tablespoons of sugar
6 oz. of warm water to dissolve the sugar, shake well
Apply gently with a cotton bud, this will help keep it moist, so it can settle better. However don’t over do it as you don’t want it to start running! If you are scared of ruining the design then you can also spray the mixture on your hands or feet.
DO leave the mendhi on for a long as you can. Rushing to take it off will be a complete waste of your time, as the longer it has to develop the darker it will be. If you must leave it on for a minimum amount of time, do so for at least 6 hours.
DON’T be impatient. When the time comes to remove it, don’t rush to rinse your hands. Instead use a butter knife and gentle scrape off the mendhi. Clean up the residue with olive oil.
DON’T panic if it doesn’t immediately look very dark after you’ve taken it off. The colour will usually deepen by itself over the next 24 hours.
DON’T rush to have a shower or wash the dishes, as its best to avoid wetting the area for a minimum of half a day. Again this will help darken the mendhi.
DO apply a layer of olive oil when you eventually have a shower, it will create a protective seal over the mendhi. Let it soak in for a bit. Add another application of oil after your bath.
DON’T use any harsh chemicals, soaps or liquids such as washing up soap, as they will strip the mendhi away. If in doubt wear gloves! And if you’re a keen swimmer, it might be wise to stay away from chlorine as well. Obvious we know, but it’s easy to follow routine and forget.
