I began painting henna tattoo designs in 1997. In 2001, I became a stay at home mom and started doing henna as a professional freelance artist to bring in supplementary income, set my own hours, yet remain home with my kids.

Since then, I have published two illustrated henna books, appeared at local renaissance fairs around the state, lectured for the public libraries, taught private workshops, as well as appeared at various public events for the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque the Magazine, the Corrales Lavender Faire, and many more.

Henna cost (determined by estimated time to complete design) + travel fee (for at-home appointments or on-location events) = Your total cost

I charge $50 an hour for henna tattoo work, and your costs will be determined by the size and complexity of the henna design you choose -- typically $10-$40.

Bridal lacework, a more intricate henna form, starts at $40 per palm or foot. Pregnant bellies average $50.

Henna parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, baby and wedding showers are $50 an hour, with a maximum $25 travel fee to destinations.

Corporate events, or large events with 50+ in attendance, are $85.00 an hour. For events lasting two or more hours, all travel fees in the Albuquerque area only are waived.

As a freelance artist, I do not own a brick and mortar salon. Instead, I keep my costs low and meet with my clients directly for their henna appointments and special events.

For home appointments and events, a travel fee is added to the overall cost of your henna appointment. I live in Tijeras, NM (Albuquerque's East Mountains) and my travel fees are based off the distance I need to travel to make it to you.

For Albuquerque appointments and events… NE Heights = $10 travel fee UNM/Midtown/North and South Valley = $15 Rio Rancho/Corrales/Westside = $20

For Santa Fe appointments and events… $25 travel fee

For those who wish to avoid the travel fee, I am happy to find a location that we can meet at in Albuquerque to paint you at. I have often met with clients at Flying Star locations, as well as public libraries with study rooms. Please remember to wear clothing that leaves the area to be painted comfortably exposed, and bring a driver if you are having your hands and/or feet done.

Appointments are available for weekday evenings, and weekends (day or evening). Please send an email with the day and time requested, and be certain to include your name and phone number as a contact. You will receive a confirmation response by email and/or phone within 2 business days. All appointments must be booked at least 48 hours, or more, in advance.

Henna (lawsonia inermis) is a plant with an organic plant dye that colors the upper epidermal layer of the skin when applied as a paste. The finished design is cinnamon brown to mahogany in color, and lasts approximately 7-14 days. It disappears as the skin exfoliates. The Hindi word "mehndi" translates as "henna."

As an artist who cares deeply for preserving the true practice of henna, I only use 100% natural henna.

Click here and you'll find out!

For a safe, but far more temporary black body art, I offer Temptu designs. Temptu is a body paint that was developed for stage to create a design with the look of a real tattoo, and be smudge and water resistant. Temptu lasts approximately 2-3 days, and application costs are the same as henna.

Henna has been used for temporary body art for hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years by dozens of religions in over 60 countries around the world. Today, the ancient practice of painting henna has continued to inspire new audiences into creating their own wearable modern art.

Henna is a temporary design, lasting 7-14 days on average. There are no needles used in henna application, and henna paste does not penetrate the skin to enter the bloodstream. Technically speaking, henna is not a tattoo, as the word refers to the act of the needle rapidly penetrating the skin. Henna is applied as a paint, but many people use the term “tattoo” to refer to any type of body art, whether temporary or permanent, painted or inked.

My paste is made from ground henna leaves (Jamila brand), lemon juice, sugar and cajeput oil, along with perfume oils if requested in advance.

Before your appointment, be sure the area you intend to paint is clean, free from oils and sunscreen, and can remain exposed and undisturbed after the paste is applied. Plan on wearing your paste for a minimum of four hours (however, I recommend 8 hours). The longer the paste is worn, the darker and longer-lasting your stain will be. Ace bandage wraps work wonderfully for protecting henna paste during daytime or overnight wear.

To remove your henna, gently flake it off the skin. Your design will be an orange-red color that darkens dramatically over the first 48 hours after paste removal, due to the process of oxidation, the same as when an apple browns when exposed to air.

Try to keep the newly hennaed area dry for the first 6 hours after you remove the paste. If necessary, apply a thin coat of Vaseline to the area to protect it from necessary water exposure during that time frame, or during any swimming or hot tubbing while you are wearing your design.