I want to get one but...
-Where?
-How much?
-How long do they last?
-Special care instructions?
-Options?
-Any one have pictures of their's?
-Do they block sun? (I got a temp tattoo on my last trip and had a weird tanline after it came off)
THANKS!
Where?- The Morocco Pavillion. On the lagoon side of the pavillion, there's a small..almost tent...type structure. You'll find the henna artist there. I'm 99% sure there is NOT always someone there, but most of the day.
How much?- It depends on the design you pick. There's a book of the designs there, and you can pick out of that. The prices vary based on size and complexity of the design.
How long do they last?- Again, it depends. The thicker the skin, the deeper the stain penetrates therefore the longer it will last. Typically you can get anywhere from 2-3 weeks out of one, but they do fade as time goes on.
Special care instructions- Leave the paste on as long as possible, the longer you can tolerate it, the deeper the stain. Try not to exfoliate the area because it will fade faster. Moisturizer on it before taking a shower or having your hands in water will help it last a bit longer, but don't bother buying the "balm" they sell, it's not worth it.
Henna is something of an catch all term now. Henna is a plant that will produce a red to brown stain on the skin. If you've ever watched I Love Lucy and heard them talk about a henna rinse, henna was used as a hair tint and would make the hair red. Most people refer to henna now as the designs themselves, it is also called Mendhi (I believe that's the hindu/indian name but don't quote me on that). Different countries have different design elements, some are blockier than others, but what you'll find at Epcot is pretty dainty and what most people think of when they're considering getting a henna tattoo. Tattoo is a misnomer with henna, as tattoos penetrate and deposit ink into the lower layers of skin while henna mearly stains the upper layers of the skin. It is a natural product, not ink, but depending on what it's mixed with, on people with sensitive skin it can provoke a reaction. Natural henna paste will be brown, NEVER GET A BLACK HENNA TATTOO. Black henna is mixed with nasty nasty things and people have had severe reactions to them.
Before you get your henna tattoo, you should make sure your skin is clean. The artist may wipe your skin with lemon juice, this is to clean and prep your skin for the paste. They will apply the paste in the design you want. They will tell you to be careful of the paste until it dries. Some places will dab sugar water onto the slightly dried paste and then spread cotton over it to sort of seal it down and protect it, but I've never had that at Disney, they usually just send you on your way. The longer you leave the paste on, the deeper the stain will be. When you do take the paste off (try for at least 4 hours after application for a good stain) your design will be orange. Don't fret, it will darker once it's exposed to the air. Time, how the paste is mixed, and the crop of the henna plant itself will determine how dark it can turn, but typically you will end up with anything from a deep reddish color to coffee brown. Try to pick a place on your body that doesn't rub against clothes too much because your clothes will slough off the skin faster thus making your henna tattoo last less time. It also doesn't fade like clothes would from washing them too much or something left in the sun. What's happening is your skin is naturally shedding its upmost layers and the stained skin cells are shedding as well. Historically, at least in India, henna is applied for special occasions, particularly weddings. You most often see it on the hands and feet, and the designs can be very elaborate. My understanding is once the henna is applied to a bride, it signals the point when the bride is not meant to do any more work for the wedding, and sometimes the artist will hide the name of the groom within the design.
