About the artist... Honilynn Hendricks
Hello and welcome! My interest in the art of henna began in 2006 through my involvement in the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA). (You can view my blog on henna in the SCA here.) Since then my involvement in and passion for the art form has grown as I have researched the history of henna, taught henna classes for children, teens, and adults, and done henna for parties, private appointments, fundraisers, and numerous street fairs.
In my "other life" I am the Prekindergarten director at a private preschool in Troy, an amateur belly dancer, and I live with my husband and 2 cats in Berkley.
In my "other life" I am the Prekindergarten director at a private preschool in Troy, an amateur belly dancer, and I live with my husband and 2 cats in Berkley.
About henna...
Henna is a natural plant dye (Lawsone) derived from the leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermise). Henna powder is made from the dried and crushed leaves of the henna plant. Henna powder, in its pure and natural form, is a bright or deep green, khaki or brown.Mixing the henna powder with water or other ingredients creates a paste that can stain natural fibers including wood, silk and wool, human hair, nails, and of course, skin. After the paste is applied, the dye molecules attach to the keratin in skin (or other fibers). When the paste is removed the stain oxidizes, much as some fruit turns brown when cut and exposed to air. The stain produced by natural henna ranges in color from pale orange to red, chocolate brown, black cherry and near black color. Contrary to the popular belief, pure black color is not produced by natural henna powder. Henna is never black! So called “black henna” contains para-phenlendiamine- a chemical hair dye. Applying PPD, or any other caustic chemical to skin can cause severe allergic reactions, blistering, permanent scarring and possible future health complications.
Gilded Lotus Henna is proud to serve the communities of Oakland County and southeast Michigan, including Berkley, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Birmingham, Troy, Southfield, Oak Park, Lathrup Village, Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale… and the entire Metro Detroit area.