The Art of Beautification

The use of body art for beautification has been used over the ages. The use of body art has been depicted across time and geographic locations. Used in different forms, the purpose remained the same – enhancing the look.

In India and the Middle East the use of henna as a form of body art has references that date back many centuries. Henna was crushed and made into a paste and using intricate designs patterned across the hands and feet. The henna was then left to dry for several hours before being carefully washed off. The colour that the henna left behind stayed for several days before it started to wear off.

The use of henna today remains almost the same. It is used most often during religious functions, and weddings. Today, however, the use of henna is not confined to merely the hands and the feet. Henna is also popularly worn on the shoulder, around the arm and ankle. Another modification is the use of instant henna. A mixture made using a dye is used along with ready moulds to decorate the body. This relieves the person of having to sit with the henna on the hands for hours before it is washed off. It also fades much faster. Some people do not like the idea of having to deal with fading henna on the body. It doesn’t appeal much to some. For such people, instant henna is a hit. It is also available with some colour options as well. Whatever the type of henna used, the fad has caught on globally. The fascination for henna is not confined merely to the East.

Tattooing is also a form of body art hugely popular.  In the earlier times, it was a practice to have the body tattooed with religious symbols. Later came the notion that the real macho man wore tattoos. Men who liked to make a statement began to sport them. Today it is more a fashion statement. Worn on different parts of the body like the arm, the neck, the leg and even the small of the back, there are a range of patterns and colours that are available while tattooing the body. The more original the tattoo, the larger the style statement. The tattoo is now even a way that people show their love for one another. Tattooing the lovers name or picture on the body is another form of tattooing.

No matter what you resort to, henna or tattooing, think well about whether it’s worth the pain. Of sitting for hours waiting for something that is not even permanent to dry up, or of numbing pain for a design you are not sure you want forever. Beauty always comes at a price.