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25 Henna Designs To Try If You're Looking For A Temporary (And Pain Free!) Alternative To A Traditional Tattoo

25 Best Henna Design Ideas To Try If You're Looking For A Temporary (And Pain Free!) Alternative To A Traditional Tattoo

Henna is a type of temporary tattoo made out of a shrub. The henna shrub is used to make perfume, dyes and even medical treatments.

In Indian culture, henna tattoos have symbolic meanings representing joy, beauty, spiritual connection and spiritual offering and are reserved for special occasions and rites of passage such as weddings.

The art of applying the henna to the body is called Mehndi.

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According to the Huffington Post, Indian henna tattoos feature more floral patterns whereas African tattoos use more geometric shapes and bolder lines. Regardless, the result is always stunning, no matter where the henna is applied to the body. Typically, henna is painted on the hands/arms and feet/legs, but it may appear anywhere.

Depending on your skin tone and the consistency of the henna stain on your skin, henna tattoos may last from one to three weeks. Today, virtually every culture and religion uses henna in its own way to express creativity, have some fun or fulfill a spiritual purpose. You may use henna on your skin for any reason, not just to commemorate special occasions or demonstrate your faith.

To find Mehndi artists near you that can create intricate and traditional henna designs, you should contact local spas, tattoos artists and other businesses that may be familiar with the henna process. Often, city and state fairs have booths in which you can get a henna tattoo, but the design options may be limited. Therefore, you are encouraged to find a professional Mehndi artist if you would like top-quality tattoos. However, you may purchase your own henna online, or at specialty stores to experiment with your own designs.

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Note: Some people may experience allergic reactions to henna products, so it is important to understand the risks involved with Mehndi before undergoing temporary tattooing.

Here are 25 amazing henna tattoos you'll want to get yourself.

1. When you want a basic hand design.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by hennafeaturestudio (@hennafeaturestudio) on Apr 17, 2019 at 9:05am PDT

2. When you want your feet to match the season.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sanaa Merchant, Bridal Henna (@sanaa_mehendi) on Apr 18, 2019 at 6:14pm PDT

3. When you just want a bracelet.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Cara Archer (@caracreative) on Apr 18, 2019 at 6:09pm PDT

4. When you're one with nature.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by @henna_viena on Apr 15, 2019 at 1:31am PDT

5. When your dreams are hard to catch.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mariam's Henna Art (@mariamss_henna_art) on Dec 31, 2017 at 6:47pm PST

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6. When you rock that traditional foot Mehndi.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rayna (@raynaart.co) on Mar 6, 2019 at 12:47pm PST

7. When you want a pop of color.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by RiiNov (@ryanovita_) on Mar 19, 2019 at 7:33am PDT

8. When you're feeling cute, get some pretty henna.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Pakistani Bride (@pakistanibride) on Sep 5, 2017 at 12:53pm PDT

9. When you're looking to get a large tattoo without the pain.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Victoria Shearer (@sunlithenna) on Dec 29, 2018 at 8:18pm PST

10. When your henna game is on point.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Susan Franklin (@hippiesistershenna) on Mar 13, 2019 at 11:49pm PDT

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11. When you like geometric henna shapes.

12. When you just want henna rings without the hassle.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Part-time Henna Artist (@inaibyfa) on Dec 23, 2015 at 3:14am PST

13. When you want to show some skin with some sexy henna designs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kayla Ortego (@kaylas_henna) on Sep 26, 2018 at 4:40pm PDT

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14. When you want more than lines and swirls in your henna tattoo.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shahina Creations (@shahinascreation) on Apr 15, 2019 at 7:33pm PDT

15. When you love the red henna look.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HENNA ARTIST KL - SELANGOR (@chikroshenna) on Nov 2, 2018 at 2:05am PDT

16. When you want your henna tattoo to tell a story.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Surayya Hassan (@henna_temple) on Mar 9, 2019 at 1:10pm PST

17. When you can't help but bedazzle your henna with diamonds and rhinestones.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Henna Artist KotaBharu (@kutyn_hennakelantan) on Feb 8, 2019 at 12:36am PST

18. When you need some sparkles in your life, get some rhinestones and white henna.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Makeup & Inai by Suzy (@oh_suzy22) on Oct 8, 2018 at 1:05am PDT

19. When you want an ultra-unique henna design.

20. When you're getting married.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@hennakuwaity) on Dec 21, 2018 at 2:39am PST

21. When you like optical illusions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Leah Reddell (@facefiesta) on Aug 24, 2018 at 7:51am PDT

22. When you want your kid to love henna, too.

23. When Mehndi makes flowers even more beautiful.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Henna Tattoo Switzerland (@hennatattoo_official) on Apr 17, 2019 at 4:22am PDT

24. When your henna looks like lace.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by White & Red & Natural Henna (@hennabelle) on Apr 29, 2018 at 6:47am PDT

25. When you want a 3D henna tattoo.

Meaghan Summers is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.