Art of Henna: Lehi Designs

by Ted Scheffler

Nupur Shah, AKA Nancy, is the talented artist-owner of Lehi Designs - Art of Henna. What is henna? According to Shah, “Henna is a small flowering shrub that has many uses. The fragrant flowers are used to create perfume, and the leaves are dried and then turned into a fine powder that’s used for dyeing clothes, hair and temporarily dyeing the skin - hence, henna tattooing.” She adds, “The plant has even been known to treat skin conditions. It is also known to have a cooling property that helps calm and relax the one who applies henna.”

How long does a henna tattoo last? Shah says, “This depends on a few factors like skin type, lifestyle and body part, but generally speaking, the stain will last somewhere between one and three weeks.” So, even if you wind up with a henna tattoo that you grow tired of, it’s impermanent.

Shah says that “Henna has always been a passion of mine, but it was only until I got into high school that I started sharing my art with the world!” She’s now been a professional henna artist for the past 20 years and says, “I do all kinds of designs, from traditional/Indian bridal pieces to more modern day contemporary works. From belly henna, to back pieces, to hand designs, I can do it all.”

More recently, Shah started designing henna candles, saying, “Soon, the artist within me wanted to think and work outside the box and I started making personalized/custom henna candles. Actual henna designs are handcrafted onto candles, which makes one of the most unique additions to your home decor,office ambiance, and also makes great gifts, party favors, etc. ”

Check out Lehi Designs - Art of Henna at this month’s Made in Utah Festival, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.