New mini henna tutorials on Instagram

Today Instagram launched its new video feature. I've enjoyed watching the videos in my feed this morning and thought I should give it a try myself.

It's much harder than it looks and it took a total of 8 tries before I got it right. While holding my iPhone I pressed the record button, kept it focused, and with my other hand applied the design. These mini tutorials take some serious skill. 

The first two 15 second tutorials are a simple paisley and filling in the paisley with swirls. Such fun! I'll try to knock out other mini tutorials in the future. 

Follow me on Instagram @freehandmehndi 

Full length tutorials on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/freehandmehndi 

Wedding Party Princess

One of the benefits of being a henna artist are all the party invitations. At least once a month I go to a wedding or wedding party which means lots of dress up.

Tonight's look is light and almost neutral in the eye department. It's spring so I wanted it keep it light while adding an element of sparkle. 

For the eyes I used a medium brown on the lid, a slightly darker brown from the outer edge into the crease, and dabbed gold across the lid. Winged liquid liner in "perversion" by Urban Decay, and waterline lined in "zero" also by Urban Decay. As an after thought I put a little of that gold under my lash line as well. Lip is a golden brown color from a lip palette. 

The scarf is a pretty pink pashmina from Nepal and the necklace used as a headpiece is a piece of costume jewelry from a local boutique. 

More party looks to come. Thank you for stopping by and joining me for two post Tuesday. 

Please subscribe to me on http://www.youtube.com/freehandmehndi 

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My love for Ruby Woo

It wasn't until a year ago that I got into make up in a serious way. I liked the stuff but wasn't really sure what to do with half of it. In addition I bought everything frosty or shimmer and didn't know what looked good on me.

YouTube is a great resource for tutorials and product info so I started my research there. It's was on YouTube that I discovered my darling Ruby Woo. 

One shade of lipstick I saw on many skin tones that looked fantastic every time was Ruby Woo. Ruby Woo doesn't pull out my olive and blue undertones, making me look sick. It adds a bit of warmth to my face without being too loud or over the top. 

Truth be told I love Ruby Woo more than I like Riri Woo. Some complain about the texture of retro matte lipsticks but I like it. Having fuller lips I often shy away from bold colors but I discovered it was the shiny texture that I didn't like. A lip pencil was recommended to help with feathering but I decided to forego it, and haven't had any issues with feathering. I'm also careful to moisturize my lips before using retro mattes, otherwise I get this chapped lip caked look.  

I'm really loving MAC's retro mattes. What are your favorite shades?

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New video! Tribal Henna Design Tutorial

After posting pictures of this design on Instagram and Facebook I got a lot of interest in a video tutorial for this design. I have to apologize it's not my best work I was a little rushed for time. I'll make more time in my schedule for more filming and editing. It's great to be back on YouTube

Please subscribe to my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/freehandmehndi

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Stalk me on Instagram @freehandmehndi

14,000 YouTube subscribers? Giveaway?

I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would get to this number. I started the Free Hand Mehndi YouTube channel in February of 2008. It started off slow, my designs were awful, and I wasn't sure where I was going with it. 

This month I decided to return to YouTube after an almost 2 year hiatus. Videos are a form of therapy for me, and of course over the years my skill has improved. I'm thankful to all of you who subscribe to my channel, comment, rate, and encourage me. Without your support I wouldn't have the following I have. 

Today my YouTube channel sits at 13,866 subscribers. If by the end of July 2013 I hit 14,000 I do a special give away in August. I know this is totally possible. Thank you again subscribers for believing in me. 

Please share my channel with your friends and family. Pretty pretty please.

Faryal Makhdoom's Bridal Mehndi

Does her name not ring a bell? Ding ding! She's the wife of boxer Amir Khan. Until I saw their wedding album in the June 10th issue of Hello! magazine I'd never heard of either of them.

What a beautiful couple. Of course I had to thumb through the magazine to see all of lovely wedding pictures, and of course I was looking for pics of the mehndi. 

Her hands were simple mandalas with finger accents. The palms and feet were not shown. I'll soon post pictures of my attempt at Faryal's bridal mehndi but I thought I'd share a few bits of their special day. 

Congrats Amir and Faryal! 

A little under the weather

I've been feeling a little sluggish, a little bleh for the past few days. My blogging has suffered as a direct result but I'm on the mend. 

In an attempt to get healthier I've decided to walk more often. I take it very seriously and find myself walking for hours around the city. To make it fun I've been exploring the sights and sounds of Portland Oregon. 

Yesterday I headed out to the sauna and on my way home I bumped into Portland's very own mini White House. I didn't know we had one but apparently we do and it's pretty cool. 

I love historic homes and mansions. While visiting Louisiana several years ago I had a blast looking at all the sites and learning about their colorful history. In Portland many of these homes are privately owned and maintained so its best to keep a distance. I'd love to do a photo shoot here, something presidential and henna related hmmmm.

Oh, and I almost stepped on that slug too. Had to get down on the sidewalk to get that pic.