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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Did You Procrastinate? It's Not Too Late!



You DID procrastinate, didn't you?
That's ok, we've got your back!


All domestic orders between today and December 19 will be upgraded to expedited shipping for no extra charge.


We guarantee delivery before Christmas or we'll refund your shipping!

Being last minute doesn't mean you have to settle for boring cliche gifts like scented lotion baskets or hot chocolate gift boxes.

We've highlighted some extra popular gifts from Beachcombers. There is something for everyone from fake taper earrings to henna tattoo kits in every budget.

http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/Bindi-Body-Sticker-Jewels-s/69.htm


Be sure to take advantage of 25% off bindi body stickers for stocking stuffers. They make great festive handouts on Christmas day.

http://www.shopbeachcombers.com/Organic-Earrings-Fake-Tapers-s/83.htm
Buy one pair of our spectacular organic earrings and get one pair 50% off!

Spend over $50 and get FREE shipping too! Didn't I tell you we've got your back?

Happy Holidays!
Jody

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Huge Holiday Earring Sale

This is your chance to get our spectacular organic earrings for regularly pierced ears at a discount.

Buy one pair of earrings, get the second pair for 50% off!

Our hand carved earrings are made for us in Bali by our master carver Wayan. He is a real artist and I love wearing his work.

Though our earrings look like gauged or expander style earrings, they are all for normally pierced ears. Woop!

Combine with our great free shipping offers and our bindi sale for an even bigger value!

Shop Tribal Earrings Today!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Big Holiday Discounts: Bindi Body Stickers for Stocking Stuffers


A great discount on a great stocking stuffer!

TODAY, buy 5 bindi packs and get a 25% discount!

Bindi body stickers are also terrific for tucking into Christmas cards or holiday gift certificates. I like to have a few packs in my purse so I can give out bindi at Holiday gatherings. Everyone loves a little sparkly to wear for a night...especially little girls!

Buy Sparkly Bindi Body Stickers Here!

Have fun during this season of joy!
Jody

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Holiday Shipping Deadline Calender for Online Orders


It's not too late to get items for Christmas delivery.
If you have any questions about delivery, contact us via email or phone.


Guaranteed Christmas Delivery or your shipping refunded!*
Christmas
Shipping Schedule
Standard Shipping
(I'm in No Hurry)
Expedited Shipping
(Sooner Rather Than Later)
Express Shipping
(Needed It Yesterday!)
Domestic USA Thursday, Dec 18 Friday, Dec 19 Monday, Dec 22
International Monday, Dec 8 Friday, Dec 12 Tuesday, Dec 16

*Guaranteed delivery applies to domestic USA orders only. Cleared payment must be received by 1:00 EST on stated dates. Delivery confirmation and tracking included. Not responsible for unclaimed packages or packages awaiting pick-up at your local post office due to attempted delivery.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Best Henna Tattoo Kits for Gifts

Anyone Can Create Henna Tattoos!
Doing henna tattoos yourself is easy and fun! Mehndi or the art of henna has been practiced for thousands of years by people that were not formally trained. In fact, the vast majority of henna artists are self taught! Anyone can do henna!

Who Does Henna?

Everyone! Henna is done by women, of course, but also by men. Some of the best henna artists I know are men. I know henna artists of all ages, 9-81 and all cultures, American, Latin, Indian, Swiss, and German, among others.

This means henna makes a great gift for any interested in henna or anyone crafty!

What is the best henna tattoo kit for a gift?

When selecting a henna tattoo kit for a gift, there are multiple things to consider.

  1. Is the kit SAFE, body-art-quality henna?
    This is the most important part of buying henna. Only buy henna from a good reputable supplier that knows their stuff and stores their henna properly. Many times, things are called henna and sold as henna but are not henna at all or they may contain henna along with very dangerous chemicals.

    Do not buy a generic kit from Big Box stores. These are kits that contain very little henna, poor instructions, and stale henna product. Many also have chemical additives.

    Beachcombers Bazaar's henna products are always high quality, fresh, BAQ that are stored properly. Whatever henna kit you decide on from Beachcombers will be absolutely safe and high quality.
  2. Are there good instructions to do henna?
    Most henna products come with no instructions, poor instructions, or just plain wrong instructions. To have a good experience doing henna, especially for the first time, you need good clear instructions.

    All henna kits at Beachcombers come with a instructional and design booklet that contains everything you need to know about doing henna. These aren't translated instructions. The entire booklet and all the henna designs were created by me, Jody.

    We also offer our online free Henna Learning Center, packed with tons of great henna information. Most instructions can be printed to make it even more useful!
    The henna learning center contains henna instructions and information
    The Henna Learning Center is a FREE online Resource
  3. Is the henna kit a good value (do you get plenty of actual henna product)?
    Many henna kits give you fancy packaging, cotton balls and other useless "accessories", but little actual henna product.

    Beachcombers henna kits have tons of actual henna. This allows you to play around and make a mistake or two without wasting all your henna. I don't bother including things that you already have at home, so your money goes to quality henna product.
  4. What does the giftee want to accomplish using henna?
    Is this just for doing some henna tattoos once or twice? Will henna become an ongoing personal hobby? Do they want to eventually do henna on others for money?

    A smaller henna kit, such as our Fun & Easy Henna Kit, with ready-made henna is just fine for the newbie that just wants to do henna a couple of times. If someone wants to make henna an ongoing hobby or do henna on a professional level, a henna kit that includes powder henna or a combination of ready-made henna and powder henna is better.
  5. What is your budget?
    This is an important question too! Purchase the best henna kit in your budget from Beachcombers and know that you are getting a great value that includes high quality henna and high quality henna accessories.
     

The Best Henna Kits for Gifts


   Fun & Easy Henna Kit - $14.99
This is perfect for the henna newbie that is just doing henna for fun. At only $14.99 it's priced at a great level for gifts for teenagers. Give a teenager the Fun & Easy Henna kit, and you will have given the most exciting unique gift at the party!

   Essential Starter Kit - $24.99
Perfect for anyone that may make henna an ongoing hobby or want to do henna on a professional level. Mixing your own henna is one of the most important parts of learning about henna. Including 100 grams of henna and all the basic henna tools you need, this easy henna kit will let the giftee practice and play while learning the art of henna. No worries about running out of product soon, because you can get 100-300 henna designs from this henna kit!

Big Bad Henna Starter Kit - $42.99
Ahhh! This kit is just what is says it is...big and bad! It has both powder henna and ready-made henna along with even more henna accessories than the Essential Starter kit. It even has transfer paper for those that are worried they are not artistic enough to do henna. This is a high impact gift!

Questions? Contact me! I'm happy to help you decide what henna kit you need.

Henna On!
Jody

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Beachcombers One-Day Only Door Busters!

We are no Best Buy or Target, but we've got you covered for big discounts this holiday season!

Each day from Thanksgiving until Cyber Monday you can take advantage of huge discounts.


ONE DAY ONLY DOOR BUSTERS!!!
These deals can be combined with our Free Shipping specials and our other discounts and deals!

 

Thanksgiving
Nov 27
Black Friday
Nov 28
Small Business Sat
Nov 29
Sunday
Nov 30
Cyber Monday
Dec 1

 Inlay Bangle Stand

Buy One Get One
One for a Gift
One for You!

Bangle Gift Pack
5 Bangle Sets

49.95 - 19.99

Our Most Popular Earrings

29.99 - 19.99
Henna eBook
Gift Pack
26.97 - 9.99



Big Bad Henna Kit

42.99  - 29.99


Go to Beachcombers Bazaar and 

Click on "Deal Of the Day" to take advantage of these deals.

These great deals can be combined with our FREE shipping deals to save you even more money. Each deal is shown only on it's day with all details about the deal. There are no substitutions.

Peace to you during this CRAZY weekend!
Jody

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Pre-Holiday Sale: Save Money with Eclectic Gifts

Until November 26!

Thanksgiving is late this year and leaves only 3 weeks before Christmas. This means we need to get on the shopping ball!

I know that Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday typically has everyone tied up with the big stores and all those crazy sales, so I've decided to offer you a pre-sale to avoid the rush!

Today through November 26...

  • FREE shipping on domestic orders over $50!
  • FREE shipping to Military addresses
  • FREE shipping for Florida orders over $40
  • Buy 4 Glass Bangle Sets, Get 1 Free!
  • Select Highlighted Products
  • Extended Return Policy until January 31

Indian glass bangle holiday sale
Glass Bangle Sale

Shop Our Holiday Specials Page for Great Gift Ideas!


I've selected some of our most popular gifts to highlight including easy-to-use henna kits in every budget, some fantastic glass bangle specials, our most popular fake taper earrings, and stocking stuffer bindi body stickers.

Happy Holidays to YOU!
Jody

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Must Have Henna Tool! ORa Henna Specs LED Reading Glasses

Your henna world is about to be rocked!

You can never have too much light when doing delicate henna designs, yet it seems we are always in the darkest part of a booth or party doing henna on others. Though our event contracts specifically spell out the need for adequate lighting, we seldom get it.

These awesome reading glasses have two medium powered LED to help alleviate eye stain and headaches. Plus the lights aren't so bright that they will blind your clients when you look up...a plus I think! Turn off the light and they look like regular reading glasses.

Our awesome ORa Henna Specs are a 1.00 magnification so they give just a touch of magnification with medium strength LED lights. The best part? They are only $9.99!

How, I ask, did we as henna artists ever live without them?

Buy ORa Henna Spec LED Glasses Here

Friday, November 7, 2014

New Hand Rolled Cello Cones for Henna

Hand rolled cello cones for henna paste.

sharp point rolled henna cones for henna paste.
You asked for it and we have it! You've requested hand rolled cones that had cute prints on clear cellophane so that it makes it easier for you to fill your cones. Done!

Buy our new empty cello cones here!


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

How to Break-In Khussa Indian Shoes for Comfort and Fit

Pretty Comfy Beaded Khussa Indian Shoes
My Khussa Story
Let me tell you about my first experience with khussa Indian shoes. Asad's sister gave me a pair of the most gorgeous flat shoes I had ever seen. I was so excited! I put them on and was quite horrified at how uncomfortable they felt.

Not knowing much about the culture yet, I assumed they were for parties where you put them on as decoration as opposed to actually wearing them around.

One day, Asad's sister asked me about them as she'd never seen me wear the shoes. I confessed that they were so uncomfortable I couldn't stand to wear them. She laughed and said, "well you have to break them in silly!" Asad had not told me that! He didn't even know that they needed to be broken in.

Notice the shoe on the left is formed to the shape of the foot?
I learned that khussa shoes start off stiff and hard with no left and right foot. When you first put them on you often feel like you have them on the wrong foot. Awkward!!!

Once you break them in, they form to the shape of your feet giving you a custom right and left foot. Every time you wear khussa shoes, they get softer and more comfortable.

I have shoes that are so soft, I can fold them up and stick them in the back pocket of my jeans! REALLY!

So, How Do You Break In Indian Shoes?
This will sound odd, and it will feel a odd the first time you do it, but wet your feet and wear them around the house for a couple of hours. Occasionally re-wet your feet, if needed. If there are any spots that rub, put half of a cotton ball under a band aid and if stretch the leather in that spot so you don't get blisters the first time you wear them. Easy!

For extra break-in or a quick break in, you can wear them with damp socks for an hour or so.

Keep in mind, that once shoes are broken-in they can not be resold and can not be returned or exchanged. If you have questions about break in for Beachcombers khussa, send me an email or give me a call. I'm happy to help!

Welcome to the fabulous world of comfy khussa shoes!
Jody

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Online Shipping Times: What is a Realistic Shipping Time?

I was at dinner with a group of people the other day and we started talking about shopping online and about actual shipping times verses expected shipping times.

Color me an expert at shipping! I've run an eCommerce business full time since 2004 and a couple of years before that part time.

It started with a story from, we'll call him Bob, who placed an order from a major retailer on Saturday evening. He paid for overnight shipping and was furious when his order arrived on Tuesday. He had expected it on Sunday.

Understanding how shipping works will allow you to plan better when you shop online.

Think of the day you actually order as a pre-shipping day.
Your purchase will most likely be processed the next day, unless you placed your order very early in the day (normally noon of the shippers time zone). If you place your order on a Friday, assume it will not physically ship until Monday.

Here at Beachcombers, orders received before noon will ship the same day. This saves you one day of ship time!

The day of actual physical shipping (rather than the day the order is placed) is day zero (shipping day).

The day after the order has physically shipped is day one.

I'll give a couple of examples using the USPS...


Shipping Example #1

Order Placed 2:00pm Tuesday

Tuesday - Pre-Shipping Day
Wednesday - Actual Ship Day (Day Zero)
Thursday - Day One
Friday - Day Two
Saturday - Day Three
Sunday - Delivery Not Available
Monday - Day Four
Tuesday - Day Five

If you ordered overnight shipping (1 day) you should get your package on Thursday.
If you ordered 2 day shipping you should get your package on Friday.
Most domestic packages will arrive Friday, Saturday, or Monday depending on how far the order travels.


Shipping Example #2

Order Placed 3:30pm Friday

Friday - Pre-Shipping Day
Saturday - Pre-Shipping Day
Sunday - Pre-Shipping Day
Monday - Actual Ship Day (Day Zero)
Tuesday - Day One
Wednesday - Day Two
Thursday - Day Three
Friday - Day Four
Saturday - Day Five

If you ordered overnight shipping (1 day) you should get your package on Tuesday.
If you ordered 2 day shipping you should get your package on Wednesday.
Most domestic packages will arrive Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday depending on how far the order travels.


Shipping Example #3 (with EARLY order time)

Order Placed 9:30am Tuesday

Tuesday - Actual Ship Day (Day Zero)
Wednesday - Day One
Thursday - Day Two
Friday - Day Three
Saturday - Day Four
Sunday - Delivery Not Available
Monday - Day Five

If you ordered overnight shipping (1 day) you should get your package on Wednesday.
If you ordered 2 day shipping you should get your package on Thursday.
Most domestic packages will arrive Thursday, Friday, or Saturday depending on how far the order travels.


UPS and FedEx Shipping
Make note, if using UPS or FedEx, they do not offer weekend delivery (except with a very high extra charge), so Saturdays work like Sundays for both UPS and FedEx deliveries. Their expedited services offer the same basic delivery times (1 and 2 day), but standard ground shipping can be 5-10 days.

If you absolutely NEED something by a specific day or time I suggest sending and email or calling the business you are placing the order from to verify their shipping policies.

I hope you found this useful!
Jody

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Learn to Henna with Hands-on Workshops/Classes

Last chance to learn how to henna in 2014 with Beachcombers Henna University extension classes!  

Fall Quarter Henna U Extension Workshops

The Fall Henna U extension classes are scheduled and available for registration! This spring we are offering our basic henna class, Simply Henna 101, and a henna technique lab, Adding Texture to Henna Design with Shading and Two-Tone.

Both henna workshops are offered on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Beachcombers Bazaar in Orlando, FL.

Each henna class is limited to only 14 people, so get your ticket fast!

Simply Henna 101 is at 1:00-4:00.

Henna Texture Lab is at 5:00-6:30.


Simply Henna 101 Workshop:
The Science & Art of Mehndi

Henna Level: Beginner to Moderate
Only $40 and contains a complete henna kit with over $30 worth of product.

An in-depth introduction to the basics of henna tattoos. Both the science and the art of henna will give you everything you need to be comfortable doing henna. You will learn the science of henna and how to mix your own henna. We also cover the art of henna and spend nearly 2 hours doing hands-on practice.


Adding Texture with Shading and Two-Tone Lab:

Henna Level: All Levels
*If you are a beginner, you should take the Simply Henna 101 Workshop first. Basic henna information will NOT be taught. Only $20 and all supplies are included.

This class teaches various two tone and shading techniques in henna design. We will physically practice techniques and explore ways to add depth and texture to a henna design.

You can register for both henna workshops here.

Can't make it to this one? I do a set of henna classes once a quarter, so keep an eye out for henna classes in 2015.

I hope to see you there!
Jody

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Khussa Indian Shoes...Last Beaded Flats of the Year!

They are finally here! Our last order of khussa Indian shoes until 2015. If you need khussa for the holidays, fall weddings, or anytime before February 2015 (the hopefully date of arrival of the next shoe order) get them now while we have a full selection of sizes!

I love love love our new blue khussa shoes with purple sequins. Fantastic combination!
Pretty Bright Blue Beaded Flats

A close second is the dark red wine beaded flats. I think these would be perfect for a holiday party.
Dark Red Wine Beaded Flats

We also have a great olive green, teal, and of course silver and white flats.

Shop our New Khussa Indian Shoes Today!


I'll keep you updated on the next arrival of new khussa shoes.
Jody

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Foundation for Learning Henna Designs: Elemental Henna

Want to learn how to create henna designs?

I am here to help! All of our henna tattoo kits now come with a brand new instruction and design book called Elemental Henna.  this 40 page physical booklet is packed with clear instructions and fantastic henna designs.

Elemental Henna teaches the art of henna design by using the basic henna elements such as bumps, spirals, heart tops/bottoms, and zig zags. Designs are specifically made to focus on each basic element so you can get-to-know that henna element up-close and personal. Combining these easy-to-do henna elements is what creates beautiful henna designs.

All designs can be accomplished by the beginning henna artist and range from easy to moderately detailed. With over 90 henna designs to practice, Elemental Henna will help you build a solid artistic foundation.

Instruction include the basics of henna, henna safety, the science of henna, how to mix powder, storage and sealing, henna applicator bottles, festival tips, straining henna, and more!

This book comes standard with all our henna kits and can be purchased separately as well.

Elemental Henna is offered in eReader friendly eBook format too. The eBook allows you to use design pages in your personal Festival/Design Books or to use with transfer paper. It's also great to print out instructions on a flat sheet of paper.

The eBook version of Elemental Henna is available at a discount when you purchase any of our henna kits that come with the physical book. Add it to your henna kit for only .99!

Learn how to do henna easily!

Henna on!
Jody

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

New Henna Ingredients: New Henna Wrappers



We have settled on new henna wrappers for our ready made henna cones!

I like the thickness and the way our new henna paste cones are wrapped. They are easy on the hands to use, and they are strong.  I'm finding very little leakage, even when shipping frozen henna cones. WIN!

Currently the cones are in a bright pink wrapper with a picture of a women on them, but we are working on getting them printed specifically for us. Hopefully within a year we can have custom wrappers! For now I'm happy to use these generic wrappers.

We've also slightly changed our henna paste recipe. It's a bit more mild, but still leaves nice henna color.

Henna Paste Ingredients:

Pure Henna Powder

Mineral Water
Eucalyptus Oil
Clove Bud Oil
Xantham Gum (Sugar)


Changing from clove oil to clove bud oil is nice. Adding Xantham Gum as a sugar is also great. The henna paste is more flexible than ever!

In my testing, I'm getting good color and nice longevity. The xanthan gum also allows me to leave the paste on longer.

Though I'd love it if everyone mixed their own henna from our fresh henna powder, these are the next best thing!

Enjoy!
Jody


Friday, September 5, 2014

Bulk Henna Powder Discounts

Quality BAQ Henna Powder by Beachcombers

Discounts on henna? Yes, please!

We have updated our henna powder pricing to reflect larger discounts for bulk orders.

Discounts apply to both ORa henna (oranginc Rajasthani) and Jamila henna AND you can mix and match to get the discounts. Both henna powders are body art quality (BAQ) and professional grade.

All henna powder comes in 100 gram packs.

Henna Discounts

1-4 packs: $7.99
5-9 packs: $6.80
10-49 (1-4 Kilos): $5.99
50 or more (5+ Kilos): $4.99


No need to do anything special, as our system automatically will give you the discounts during checkout.

Henna on!
Jody

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

How To Create the Perfect Sangeet Henna Strip

The ubiquitous sangeet henna strip henna design is likely the most popular henna style around. You
Sangeet Strip Henna Design
know it...a combination of gorgeous paisleys and flowers starting at the wrist and going up one finger. They are so pretty and elegant, but how exactly do you create a sangeet strip?It's actually quite simple. The key is to keep it simple and use repeating henna elements.
  • Don't use too many different henna elements.
    Sangeet strips are rather small and if you use too many different elements they start to look cluttered. For example, if you are creating a strip that consists of flower-paisley, flower-paisley, flower-paisley, use one type of flower and only one or possibly two types of fillers for the paisleys.
  • Make use of vines as transitional elements.
    Use a vine to wrap around a paisley or flower so that the next element can be positioned anywhere along that vine. This can help keep a nice straight line for the henna strip.
  • Start big and get small.
    Don't make all the henna elements the same size. Start with the larger flowers or paisleys near the wrist where you have more room. As you get closer to the fingers, make every element a little smaller than the last.
  • Create small finishing details at the top and bottom of the henna strip.
    Starting the sangeet strip with a large flower and leave the bottom of the flower looking naked or unfinished. A swirl with a leaf or a couple of squiggly lines and a trail of dots may be all you need to create a "finished" look to your piece.
  • Add pretty henna finger accents.
    Adding small accents to the fingers will make a design look fuller. It's an easy way to add a lot of bang for a small amount of work. This is a must for the special Aunties at parties!
Changing up details of the same basic sangeet henna strip can create an entirely "new" henna piece! Try new fillers or different flower petals to make everyone's henna design unique and special.

The Marvelous Sangeet Strip eBook contains 27 different henna designs in the sangeet style. It includes both traditional and fun modern henna strips.

Henna On!
Jody

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The New Bling of Indian Bindi Jewelry


Large silver bindi with real jewelry accents
Bindi body stickers have come a long way baby! Far from the plain red or black dots of yore, Bollywood (and Hollywood) are helping push bindi in fresh new directions far outside the traditional bindi dot box.

Today you can find Indian bindi jewelry with real jewelry pieces dangling from the body sticker, and large bindi over 2 inches long! Tikka are no longer confined to actual jewelry pieces. You can now get tikka binidi that will stick to the face and part in the hair. Large bindi that are designed to be worn as arm bands are available too.

Indian bindi on metal jewelry base
Not only are the bindi themselves becoming more and more unique, but so is bindi placement. Small bindi stickers are often used as fake nose pins. Small bindi are also worn in groups at the corner of the eyes...super cute! Large bindi are fantastic when worn on the chest as a floating "necklace" or even on the hand. Today, you can even find bindi body stickers decorating the belly button.

Now that bindi jewelry have been embraced throughout the world by women, there is no limit what you can do with bindi!

However you decide to wear bindi, have FUN!
Jody

Friday, August 15, 2014

Black Henna Dangers: PPD and Hair Dye Allergy

Let's say this now, and you'll see it repeated OFTEN..."Henna is NOT black."

Real henna will ALWAYS be in the same color family of brown/red. It shows up differently on different parts of the body, and depends on a number of different factors as to the final color, but it is never black.

Real natural henna is safe. Black "henna" is NOT safe.

Real henna is not black.

Why is black "henna" dangerous?

Blisters caused by black "henna"
Black "henna" is henna mixed with chemicals that are NOT safe on or in the human body. Sometimes it contains no henna at all. Black "henna" is mixed with paraphenylenediamine or PPD. It often also contains ammonia, benzene, gasoline, turpentine, and/or kerosene, none of which should ever be put on the skin or in the body.

The big problem with "black henna" is that sometimes people don't have a physical reaction that you can see right away, and they therefore think it's safe to use. It's not. Ever.

The liver cannot process PPD as a toxin as it should. This means PPD does not leave your system, instead it slowly builds up over time and with every encounter. We encounter PPD more than we think, though not in the massive quantities found in "black henna". PPD and PPD-like-chemicals can be found in nearly ever hair dye, the ink in pens, and also in dyes for clothing.

Paraphenylenediamine was even named allergen of the year in 2006 by the ACDS.  

Just because you don't always see the horrible blisters and scaring that some people encounter with contact with PPD, does not mean PPD is not doing damage.

Every exposure to PPD puts you at substantially more risk. 
Doctors Warn of Black Henna Risk - Dubai - The National (an English newspaper in Dubai)
"Once the body's immune system has triggered an allergic reaction to PPD, such as after having a black henna tattoo, further exposure can be fatal.  'If you then dye your hair, it could cause an acute reaction, which can make you go into anaphylactic shock,' said Dr Fatma Mostafa, a skin specialist at Al Rustom Medical Centre in Dubai."

Have you ever read a home hair dye box? Do you recall all the warnings about not letting it touch the skin and about doing allergy tests every time you dye your hair? Those are all specifically for PPD. Paraphenylenediamine is legal to use in hair dye in quantities of 6% or less. This is legal in the USA, but in many European countries PPD has been banned as, even, hair dye. When used to make "black henna" PPD is normally in the range of 20-70%.

Take a moment to think about this. It is considered dangerous enough at 6% or less to not be allowed on the skin and to require all kinds of safety warnings, yet when used as "black henna" it's being applied in substantially larger concentrations and being applied directly on the skin where it sits for an hour or more.

You may have read about Pauley Perrette's (of NCSI) recent hair dye allergy? The reaction she had was to PPD in hair dye. Imagine if she were to have a "black henna" tattoo?

 

People that show allergic signs to PPD sometimes must avoid other chemicals that are similar and this can mean no black clothing, no sunblock, some medications, and more.

The UAE and other Middle Eastern countries have banned the use of PPD-laced henna and have started prosecuting violators. Why? The incredibly high rate of leukemia and other blood disorders and cancers in women caused by PPD.

Henna is NOT black! There is no such thing as black henna powder, a black henna stone, or any other natural black henna.

How do you know if the henna you are about to get is safe?

Ask Questions!

  1. What are the ingredients in this henna?
    The answer should be henna powder; a liquid such as water, lemon juice, or tea; and specific essential oils. Not all essential oils are safe for the skin, so the artist should tell which oils are in the henna (tea tree, lavender, cajeput, geranium, and sweet orange are all common and safe).
    If the artist does not know or is being shady or vague about the ingredients do not get henna from them. There  is no "secret ingredient" in henna. so if they are claiming something of the sort, avoid them.
  2. How long should I keep the henna on my skin?
    The answer should be as long as possible (I tell people "ideally 4 hours or more"). If the answer is an hour, there is something mixed in the henna that shouldn't be.
  3. How long will the henna last?
    The henna will always start off orange and take a couple days to come up to full color. Generally you will have good color 5-10 days and the henna will be completely gone in 1-3 weeks. If the artist claims the color will be dark right away, do NOT let them henna you. No henna is dark immediately upon paste removal. If they say the color will be dark 3-4 weeks, do NOT let them henna you.
Wet henna paste.

Use Your Senses (Eyes and Nose)!

  1. The paste should be a greenish or brownish color, not jet black or bluish. As henna paste dries it oxidizes and that looks black, but the wet paste should be greenish or brownish.
  2. Smell the henna. It should smell like whatever oils the artist said is mixed in the henna. It should not smell like chemicals or something you'd use to wash out paintbrushes.
  3. Look for any stains on the artist. Most of the time, a henna artist will have henna on them somewhere. Look for red/brown stains. Often their hands will have bits of red-brown or orange. If you see black, don't get henna from them.

Real henna is safe. Protect yourself by only using real natural henna!

Buy SAFE Natural Henna Kits Here


Henna On...Safely!
Jody

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Henna Design eBooks: How to Download and Save

Ordered henna design eBooks for inspiration? With over 20 henna design and educational eBooks to choose from I hope you found more than one! It's easy to access and download your henna eBooks at Beachcombers.

To Download Your eBooks At Checkout...

All eBooks require you to register for a Beachcombers account (enter a password during checkout). All eBooks paid by credit card are available via immediate download on the "Order Complete" screen.

If you got a free eBook or did not use a credit card to pay, you will NOT see the BLUE arrows. A link to download the eBooks will be emailed to you within ONE business day.

  1. Look for the moving BLUE arrow(s), and click on each link to download that eBook.


  2. Save the eBooks to your computer as in the sample below. If you lose your eBooks, you can access them directly through your Beachcombers account at any time.



To
Download Your eBooks from Your Beachcombers Account...
  1. Log in to your account using the email and password you selected.


  2. Click the "Review Orders/Track Packages" link.



  3. Click the "Download File(s)" link.



  4. Look for the moving BLUE arrow and click on the link.



  5. Save the eBooks to your computer as in the sample below. If you lose your eBooks, you can access them directly through your Beachcombers account at any time.


All that is left to do is enjoy your fabulous new henna eBooks!
Have fun!

Jody

Shop for Henna Design eBooks Here

 

 

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Bindi Meanings: Traditional and Modern

Simple Round Bindi

What do Bindi Mean?

Bindi have a rich history of symbolism and meanings in many different cultures. Bindi can have either cultural or religious significance, though sometimes they are just a fashion accessory.

Though most people think of bindi as the reusable body stickers commonly found today, bindi, which literally means "dot", were typically perfectly round dots of sindoor powder, kumkum (red turmeric) powder, or saffron powder applied by hand to the forehead.

Bindi are typically worn on the forehead in the space slightly above and between the eyes. This is also known as the sixth chakra or third eye and is the point one embraces while meditating. It is the space which holds wisdom and concentration. These beliefs makes wearing bindi very symbolic when worn on such a powerful energy area of the body.

Some cultures actually tattoo symbols (crescents being popular) on the forehead to bring blessing and luck, as well as to ward against the evil eye. These tattoos are also known as bindi.

Wearing bindi on the forehead is also thought to be a way to pay honor to ones intellect. Both women and men often wear bindi for this reason.

Women all over the world and of many different cultures embrace these meanings in bindi. Bindi and its symbolism are not limited to one culture or religion.

When my daughter was young, she had problems concentrating in school. We used bindi as a tool to help her focus. She did distinctly better on tests when she wore bindi than when she did not. The energy of the body is not to be discounted in its power!

For many Hindu women bindi simply means the marital status of a woman. Red means married and black means single.

Bindi as Fashion Jewelry

Today, rather than plain red or black dots, bindi body stickers come in a range of colors, sizes, and styles often adorned with real crystals and other decorations. For many Asian and Western women alike, bindi have become a fashion accessory. Just look at the fancy bindi worn on Bollywood stars, and the bling of fashion is unmistakable.

Bindi body stickers are not just worn on the forehead any more. You can find bindi worn at the corners of the eyes, around belly buttons, and worn as a "floating" necklace.

How you choose to wear bindi is up to you. Wear it with symbolism and meaning or wear it as a fashion accessory.

However you choose to wear bindi, enjoy it!
Jody



Wednesday, July 23, 2014

2014 Jamila Henna Powder Has Arrived!

2014 Jamila Henna BAQ Packaging
That's right! The new 2014 summer crop of BAQ Jamila henna is here!

We all love our BAQ Jamila henna and a new crop is an exciting thing for henna artists.

I have not done any physical testing yet but I'll tell you what I can thus far. It has a higher lawsone content than 2013, 2012, or 2011 Jamila henna.

The 2014 Jamila henna weighs in at 2.7% lawsone!


The henna is boxed in the familiar holographic BAQ henna box and is wrapped in clear plastic wrap.


There is a silver holographic sticker on the top of the box.
Holographic Sticker on Un-opened Jamila Box

The bottom of the henna box is stamped with...


Super Sift 
Summer Crop 2014 
JBAQ2014 07 09
MGF 07_14 EXP 07_17
Stamped Bottom of 2014 Jamila BAQ Henna

Inside is the familiar silver Mylar bag printed with "Premium Quality JAMILA Henna" in dark red.

Stamped on the silver bag, in black, will be...
JBAQ2014 07 09 MFG 07_14 EXP 07_17
Mylar Bag and Stamp for 2014 Jamila Henna

Now you know what to look for so you are getting REAL Jamila product and not a knock-off. I will follow up with tests results and my personal experience with the henna sometime next week!


So far, I'm hearing from customers, "great color", "creamy texture", and "works well with sugar".

If you want to try it now, you can buy the Jamila henna powder here or buy the Jamila henna and oil combo here.

See you soon!
Jody