No special occasion feels complete without mehndi, especially festivals dedicated to married women. The sight of deep, rich mehndi on hands, paired with its subtle fragrance, adds to the festive charm. Every woman loves that dark, beautiful stain of mehndi, and the good news is you can achieve it without any chemicals, simply by following easy home remedies. (News18 Hindi)
Start by cleaning your hands thoroughly before applying mehndi. Massage a little eucalyptus or henna oil, easily available in the market, on your hands. Keep the mehndi on for as long as possible, ideally at least five hours, before removing it. (News18 Hindi)
Once the mehndi begins to dry slightly, dab a mixture of lemon juice and sugar over it. This helps keep the paste in place and prevents it from flaking off too soon. (News18 Hindi)
When it’s time to remove the mehndi, avoid water at all costs, as it can reduce the chances of a deep stain. Instead, rub a little balm, Iodex, Vicks, or mustard oil into your palms. These products generate warmth, which naturally deepens the colour. Another traditional method is to let your mehndi-covered hands absorb clove smoke, a common wedding ritual to enhance colour. (News18 Hindi)
A surprising but effective trick is to rub lime over your palms after removing the mehndi, without using water. Also, always apply mehndi a day or two before the occasion, so the colour has time to fully develop. (News18 Hindi)
To lock in warmth, let the mehndi dry slightly, then wrap your hands in a blanket or sheet. If applying it at night, simply sleep with your hands covered to encourage a richer stain. (News18 Hindi)
Let mehndi dry naturally without using dryers or fans, and never wash it with water immediately. Instead, apply oil before gently scraping it off, and avoid water for at least half an hour afterwards. These simple steps will ensure your mehndi is dark, beautiful, and long-lasting. (News18 Hindi)
