Henna At Eid: Trending Designs, According To Celebrity Henna Artists

As Ramadan draws to a close, preparations for the Eid celebrations begin, including adorning your skin with intricate henna designs.

Henna at Eid is so popular, in fact, it's not unusual to see women queuing up at henna salons in bustling local hubs such as Southall in London or Longsight in Manchester to get the palms and backs of their hands decorated with this plant-based dye.

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“These gatherings offer a platform for bonding, exchanging advice and preserving cultural heritage across generations,” she says. "Beyond mere beautification, the application of henna facilitates emotional and social connections among women, celebrating their femininity and interconnectedness.

“In many cultures, henna ceremonies mark significant rites of passage for girls entering womanhood, including puberty, engagement and marriage,” she continues. "Such events create a nurturing environment where women can freely share experiences, offer guidance, and impart wisdom to the next generation.”

Made from the crushed leaves of the henna tree, which are mixed with water and essential oils to create a paste, henna dates back to ancient Egyptian times. But over time, the tradition became deep rooted in South Asian, North African and Middle Eastern cultures.

Today, henna has experienced some modern changes and the influence of social media, in particular, has allowed it to become much more diverse and experimental. Recently we saw henna being used backstage at London Fashion Week as a form of self-expression for South Asian Fashion brand Kazna.

Designs have also become more modern with animals, poetry, mandalas and even portraits appealing to a broader audience. Neha has even taken the art form beyond just the skin to fashion accessories.

"I wanted to see henna art become a part of streetwear and that's where the sneakers and jackets were born, reflecting a true mix of my identity being South Asian and raised in LA," she says.

Despite these changes, though, henna remains deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of Eid, where it is seen as an expression of joy, festivity and gratitude. It is also a reminder of the rich heritage and spiritual significance of the occasion, which marks the end of a month-long, dawn-to-sunset fast.

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Trending designs for Eid 2024

Adorning yourself with henna at Eid is believed to invite blessings and good fortune, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter. Designs for the day range from simple patterns to elaborate motifs, often incorporating symbols such as flowers, leaves and geometric shapes.

Henna artist Krunal Tailor, who recently worked with supermodel Neelam Gill, explains: “The most popular designs consist of iconography that denotes Eid, such as the crescent and stars, lanterns and floral imagery seen throughout various Islamic arts," he says, adding that while colours or patterns may change, these core elements remain constant.

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Typically, the crescent moon symbolises the beginning of the lunar month and the start of Eid; stars represent guidance; lanterns are symbolic of enlightenment and flowers symbolise beauty and growth.

"The motifs are stylistically applied on the hands in various formations such as a mandala, the shape of Mughal arches, or an organic flow to complement the hand,” explains Krunal.

"Currently, we are seeing a shift from elaborate ornate designs to more minimal understated ones that are easier to wear with younger generations wanting to showcase their culture and heritage with an air of modernity” he adds.

Meanwhile, Pavan Dhanjal, who launched a henna bar service in Selfridges in 2013, has noticed a trend for "finger designs – designs that look like rings, or chains, very delicate and light in jagua henna [a bluish-black shade]."

Courtesy of Pavan Dhanjal

How to make your henna last

No henna is complete if the colour isn’t rich and deep. “I recommend you start a routine to moisturise hands regularly at least a week before the henna application," says Pavan.
“On the day of application, ensure there is no oil or cream on the skin as this will act as a barrier to the colour.
“After application, once the henna has dried and crumbled off (don’t wash it off!) go back to the moisturising routine, but avoid oil,” she continues. "By keeping your hands hydrated with a light hand cream, you’ll ensure the henna lasts as long as it can.”