Re: help needed with paste consistency
Posted by kenzi on January 03, 2000 at 23:39:13:
In Reply to: help needed with paste consistency posted by Debbie on December 28, 1999 at 19:51:04:
I also use the bottle and metal tips for henna so I know what you are
experiencing.
Four suggestions for clog-free henna experiences:
1. always soak your tips right after you do henna. I usually just
plop them in a bowl of warm water and then take them out the next
morning. I don't clean them or scrub them, just soak them. If I
forget to soak them them I have to scrub them.
2. sift your henna....you henna powder should be the consistency of
cake flour or talcum powder. If it is not you should sift. Save
yourself the effort and the dust and get a brand that doesn't require
sifting. That way you use all the henna you paid for.
3. use a mortar and pestle to mix your paste. You won't be grinding
it but the weight of the pestle (or is it the mortar) will flatten
out those clumps of henna that form when the henna is mixed with the
liquid (like lumps of flour in gravy). When i mix my paste I add a
little of the liquid and mix it with the powder until it is
completely mixed in. Then I add some more liquid, mix it in entirely
so it is completely incorporated. Keep doing this until you get to
the ideal consistency. Many lumps are caused by mixing in too much
liquid at a time.
4. use a twist-tie (from the grocery store) with the paper/plastic
peeled off to get rid of clogs while working. Or just blow into the
bottle through the applicator thereby blowing the clog back into the
paste....it will come back eventually but it's a quick bandaid.
Happy hennaing.