Everything You Need to Know About Mendhi, Temporary Tattoos, and Other Temporary Body Art (Need to Know Library)

Discusses the spiritual aspects and practical applications of mehndi, the practice of painting designs on the body with henna, as well as some of the designs commonly used

With tattooing and body piercing entering the mainstream, it makes sense that less permanent forms of body adornment are also gaining popularity. This entry in the Need to Know Library series offers a basic introduction to the history and practice of mehndi--an multi-cultural tradition of drawing on the body with henna. The introductory chapters, discussing the cultural significance of mehndi, are extremely esoteric, making obscure connections between mehndi and menstrual cycles, for example. Better are the practical chapters that inform readers how to select, prepare, and apply the henna (the first suggestion is to find a trained henna artist), and offer suggested patterns for do-it-yourselfers. Weiss also includes a selection of resources. There's plenty of good information here, but unfortunately it's somewhat submerged in the author's unnecessary musings. Teens will keep this in circulation, but keep watch for something better on the subject. Gillian Engberg
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