"I am a firm believer that henna is for everyone."
From intricate bridal designs to contemporary fusion patterns, talented henna artists are transforming Instagram into a gallery of mesmerising mehndi art.
Henna is a red-brown dye that is prepared from the dried powdered leaves of the henna tree and then made into a paste.
Henna has been used in ancient Egypt, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk and wool.
The ancient art of henna has evolved from traditional wedding ceremonies into a vibrant form of self-expression, with social media platforms like Instagram showcasing talent from around the world.
As modern mehndi continues to blend cultural heritage with creativity, artists are pushing boundaries and inspiring others with their unique styles.
In this curated list, DESIblitz spotlights five exceptional artists to follow on Instagram.
Sanna Adams (@sannashenna)
Sanna Adams is an influencer on Instagram with over 7k followers, sharing her Scottish and South Asian life, home, culture, and art.
In an interview with Hood Magazine, Sanna said:
“Over the years, I—and many others—have come to passionately love wearing and incorporating henna into everyday style.
“Personally, I enjoy embracing tartan, South Asian embroidery, and henna in my daily outfits, reflecting the beautiful blend of cultures that shape my identity.”
Sanna creates gorgeous designs, from traditional floral henna patterns to intricate pieces influenced by artists like @HeleenaTheodore.
She also founded her own brand, @mahsastories, which offers mehndi cones, stencils, candles, stationery, aftercare oils, art prints, and a step-by-step guidebook.
You can find her shop here.
Divya Patel (@hennabydivya)
Divya Patel is a professional henna artist with over 310k followers on Instagram.
Divya’s versatility and expertise in both traditional and modern design styles have been leveraged to create breathtaking designs.
What started as a hobby at a very young age has blossomed into a full-time passion for Divya.
Divya explains her passion for henna on her website:
“The art of henna has been a passion for me since I was very young. I started doodling with a henna cone when I was only ten years old.
“For me, it was quite natural, and as a little girl growing up in India, I had the best practical experience.
“From weddings to festivals, parties, and casual applications, I saw and learned the use of henna firsthand multiple times.
“My art gained people’s attention, and I got invited by people to create designs for them for events. With time, I thought about the need to advance the whole experience from just a hobby into a part-time business.
“Believe me, I never really thought this would end up being a profession, but as it is, I am absolutely in love with it.
“I am fully committed to rolling out custom and creative designs for all uses, with a particular focus on brides and weddings.”
Krunal Tailor (@krunaltailorhennaartist)
Krunal Tailor is a male henna artist based in London, UK, with over 85k followers on Instagram.
Krunal is a talented artist who creates extremely detailed henna designs, including micro-portraits.
Krunal explains how his love for henna bloomed on his website:
“Hooked on shows such as LA Ink, I was fascinated by body art and how you could express yourself through your body.
“At age 11, I discovered this loophole by picking up a cone and being able to give myself tattoos without the wrath of my parents.
“Since then, the art form has stuck, never leaving my side.”
“Over the years, my art has been an amalgamation of various influences, culture, history, and the world around me.
“I approach henna with an open mind, and eagerness to continually learn and advance my craft. Doing so has allowed me to develop my own distinctive style through my journey.
“As a male henna artist based in London, I am a firm believer that henna is for everyone, regardless of gender, culture, or background.
“I create artwork for a range of clients and for many different events throughout my services: bridal, private, and corporate.”
Ambreen Wahid (@girly.henna)
With over 1 million followers on Instagram, Ambreen Wahid is a unique henna artist to look out for.
Based in the UAE, Ambreen creates beautiful, delicate floral henna designs, demonstrating her incredible ability.
Her go-to patterns include roses, sunflowers, palm trees, butterflies, moons, and most recently, ribbons.
A unique feature of Ambreen’s henna style is her use of negative space.
Ambreen embraces the negative space on her clients, embodying the idea that ‘less is more.’
She also incorporates calligraphy into her designs, usually in Arabic, to honour Arab culture and personalise each piece for her clients.
Gopi Henna (@gopihenna)
Gopi Henna is a San Diego-based henna artist who makes her own henna and jagua paste.
Jagua paste is a natural dye derived from the unripe fruit of the Genipa Americana tree, a tropical fruit native to South America.
It’s used to create temporary tattoos, body art, and as an alternative to henna.
Gopi Henna specialises in bridal henna, creating unique designs for each client and incorporating personal elements into the artwork.
She also has an online store offering products including henna cones, jagua products, screen-printed hoodies, hand-bleached hoodies, temporary tattoos, custom art, and stickers.
In addition, Gopi Henna runs a blog that provides advice on starting a successful mehndi business.
You can find her links here.
These five talented artists showcase the incredible diversity and evolution of henna artistry in the digital age.
Through their Instagram platforms, they not only preserve the cultural significance of mehndi but also inspire a new generation of artists to explore innovative techniques.
From fusion designs that blend traditional elements with modern aesthetics to groundbreaking patterns that challenge conventional approaches, these artists prove that henna’s artistic possibilities are limitless.
Their dedication to their craft, combined with their willingness to share their journey and techniques with followers, ensures that this art form continues to thrive and evolve in the contemporary world.
Remember to follow these talented artists for daily doses of inspiration and to witness the beautiful transformation of mehndi art in real-time.
Their work serves as a reminder that henna is more than just temporary body art – it’s a living, breathing tradition that connects past, present, and future.
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