The ICNHA champions the use of natural henna. 

The certification is voluntary, peer reviewed and identifies the artist as knowledgeable in the use of safe, natural henna products and understanding of cultural uses of henna.

WHY:
Henna is a beautiful and safe art form, but when used improperly with the use of chemical dyes and questionable mixing procedures, it can be harmful and disfiguring. Our goal is to ensure your safety and the safety of the client through promoting the best and safest ways to employ your art form (from www.icnha.org)

There's a lot of mis-information about products that masquerade as 'henna'. It can be hard for the uninitiated to determine what is real henna - and what is a paste made with dangerous additives. 

This symbol assures the consumer that their artist uses only the safe, plant-based, natural henna.

It is worth noting that there are lots of artists (internationally and locally) that do not have the certification, but are ABSOLUTELY diligent, professional and safe in their henna practices.

For a list of Michigan-based artists who use only natural henna, visit www.313henna.com

sundresses + summer are made for henna

Special occasion, festival and full-on bridal-style designs take a extra time and care. These are best reserved for late evening appointments or for the day you can really take it easy (dedicate some time to binge watching a show or read a book). 

If you have a plan for a bit more than the usual amount of henna: like both sides of both hands, a shoulder piece, or legs... feel free to reach out. I can help you pick the best time to capture that peek color and reserve extra time for drying and wrapping.

The prettiest part of the picture isn't the henna

It's not the henna that is the prettiest part of this photo (though I DO think it's pretty!)... The humans I know in real life are constantly affirming the beauty in the world: kindness, generosity and creativity. 

photo: @mollygrunewaldphotography

Alchemy Slow Living Studios.
I really do believe that beautiful spaces are important to our mental health. And that outward breath when you enter the studio triggers a response for the body to begin to relax. Who couldn't use more 'relax'. 

The Alchemy Studio has been in this space for nearly 7 years and the space has evolved. Every year I have to move things around or tweak them a bit to make the space work for how Alchemy delivers service.

I have a lab work space behind that beautiful art and behind the photographer, there is a treatment room for facials...

If it's been awhile since you visited, or if you've never been, please visit soon.

​And if you were here recently, Welcome Back!

Beautiful photos, inspiring, upbeat, useful content... eye candy and recipes I've actually tried! These are the accounts I'm crushing on right now.

The Good Rug, based in Detroit, Annie travels to Morocco and Turkey to bring back wonderful rugs and textiles. She is crazy-passionate, super knowledgeable and fun to work alongside. @thegoodrugsouk has new rugs & pillows every Saturday. Plus, we are working on a cool event for spring you won't want to miss.

Social Influencer, web-designer and a super stylish woman, @iamcharlieg always catches my eye. The photos are beautiful, engaging and I'm super bummed I missed the photography workshop she just hosted - - and will be missing the Blogger Workshop. You could make it though! 

For food inspiration these days I look here first: The Minimalist Baker. I've tried a dozen recipes or so, and one family I know relies on this website practically daily. Mostly vegetarian, lots of vegan-ish and very few ingredients. 

Naturally, there couldn't be a 'crush' post without a henna artist.  I follow very few artists and right now I'm enjoying the eye candy and the travels of artist Bridgette Bartlett. Her handle is @maplemehndi 

Comparison may be the thief of joy, but if we aren't honest about our skills we cannot get better. We do have to reference those we esteem, look at our own past work and strive to improve.

We do not have to allow perfection to impede progress.

Professionalism requires practice.

a reminder. We are complex creatures, capable of nuances and grey areas. We are not either / or.
Found on Instagram, via @thisismeraki

Nature is amazing! Tapping into the beauty of plants allows us to create temporary body art: henna. 

There is a little molecule in the leaves and stems of the henna plant that can be harvested to create a stain. The stain is permanent on fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, wool and silk. But on the body the stain disappears as the skin sloughs and renews.

These are the same hands pictured with paste on, paste newly removed and the stain on the skin. The final photo is the mature stain at about day three. As time passes the stain will pixelate and fade away.

in the Alchemy Studio with Sandy from Dreaming in Henna

Build your henna skills in a small group with super personalized instruction. Our guest instructor, Sandy from Dreaming in Henna will guide you through basic exercises that improve your artistry and help you set a meaningful home practice.

Don't worry if your humpty bumps aren't perfect and you can't do straight lines - - that's what this workshop is for! Helping you along on your journey and enhancing your enjoyment of the henna folk art.

With plenty of time for questions, answers and practice in the quiet beauty of the Alchemy Studio.

Registration Required: TICKETS   MORE INFO

That gorgeous color doesn't happen by accident. But there are ways to prepare for your henna appointment a best-practices for henna aftercare.

Henna (mehndi) is a temporary form of body art with a rich history throughout the world. Henna is not just gaining popularity in the US, but globally. Naturally, I'm delighted and want to henna ALL the people - and I want the stain to be rich and long lasting.

In the Mid-west in the summer, it's super easy to get a good stain because the henna 'loves heat'. But in the winter, you have to work just a little bit harder to stay warm

It is important that your artist can make effective paste from natural ingredients, but the actual success of the stain is really up to you. Keep reading for best practices and prepping for your appointment...

Prepping for your appointment & best aftercare practices

Alchemy prepares fresh natural paste from the leaves of the henna plant. The paste is painted onto the skin, the lawsone molecule in the plant begins to stain the skin. To get the best possible, darkest, longest lasting stain, the success is up to you.to prepare

• It's a good idea to plan ahead so you won't need to shower after your henna is applied.
• Lotions and self-tanners will block your henna stain
• Please review the list of ingredients in Alchemy henna paste: adjustments can be made for sensitive skin & allergies.
• Location, location, location: plan your clothing: want a foot piece in winter - let's talk. Want a shoulder piece? wear a bandeau. Want something on your solar plexus? bandeau or bikini top. Something more exotic or unsure about how to plan for body pieces? Please leave a message when you schedule your appointment - and I'll call. I want your henna to be awesome.

aftercare

• The paste needs to be on the skin 4-6 hours 
• Henna LOVES heat. In cool / cold weather warm drinks, heating pads, electric blankets are all useful
• Flake or 'scrub' off the paste instead of washing it off.
• Avoiding water for 24-48 hours really does make a difference!
• "Sealing" or wrapping is effective. Sealant recipe below. Wrapping with a compression bandage, old sock, stripped cotton rags, and even TP are good. No plastic wrap: cling wraps trap moisture and cause lines to feather.

​
when you first take off the henna paste, your design will be orange (maybe a little disappointing)  - - but it will get darker in the next 24 hours