- The current fashion for henna painting in the West is part of a growing fascination with all things Eastern, from styles of dress to holistic therapies.


Madonna, Demi Moore and Liv Tyler were some of the first stars to appear in public adorned with henna tattoos. Soon after, top fashion designers were decorating their models with body art, and henna painting has rapidly filtered down from the catwalks to the city street. Chain stores and highstreet outlets are now stocking henna-painting kits that are easy to use and suitable for all ages. Painless and temporary the henna color lasts for up to three weeks -- henna painting is the perfect way of creating a new look without the dramatic consequences of a permanent tattoo.


This attractive how-to guide contains twenty-five striking contemporary designs from top body artists that can be easily recreated at home. With detailed step-by-step instructions, Sabine Kuhne shows how to work effectively with henna powder, using stencils or painting freehand, and looks at more contemporary alternatives to henna such as eyeliner pens, face paints and tattoo ink. She also explores the meanings attached to the many religious signs and symbols which recur in traditional body painting.


Beautifully illustrated throughout with duotone photographs, this is a stylish introduction to the art of henna painting.