Featuring the work of Hollywood's top henna artist, Sumita Batra, The Art of Mehndi is the definitive guide to this ancient art. Mehndi, or the application of henna, is a beautiful and spiritual art form with roots in India, North Africa, and the Middle East. Many celebrities, including Madonna and Liv Tyler, have introduced mehndi into the world of Western fashion with the help of Ms. Batra. Painless and not permanent, mehndi is the natural way to tattoo. Ms. Batra has created forty original designs that display a unique blend of East and West, traditional and modern. In addition, she discusses how to make and apply the henna paste and starts with basic designs for the novice. Throughout The Art of Mehndi she provides extremely useful tips such as how to make the design last and how to make the stain darker. The book also explores the history of mehndi in various cultures. Beautifully illustrated, The Art of Mehndi will inspire those who have never used henna and will spark new ideas for those who have already practised the art.