I felt like giving up when I first started learning to become a henna artist.
My mistake?
Trying designs way above my skill level, without first learning simple henna designs!
The funny thing:
I’ve noticed many beginner henna enthusiasts do the exact same thing.
Listen up, Queens: There are plenty of simple, beginner-friendly designs to start with.
Learn these first.
Then mastering the advanced designs is so much easier.
That’s why I’ve rounded up easy, beginner-friendly henna patterns I’ve applied to hundreds of clients over the years—from modern floral motifs to ancient symbols of luck and protection.
Master these patterns, build your confidence, and you'll be slaying head-turning henna designs in no time!
Trust me, you got this.
Floral Flourishes
Ready to dip your fingers into some petal play?
Floral designs are a classic for a reason:
They're eye-catching, but extremely easy for beginners learning henna design.
Start with petals, vines, or leaves, and you're on your way!
Then you can get cheeky with it—add some swirls or polka dots to sass it up.
And remember, every flower is unique, just like you, so let those petals flaunt their individuality!
So, grab your henna cone! Let’s create your first simple floral henna design!
Follow the tutorial above for step-by-step instructions. Or carry on reading this guide below👇
Step 1:
Ensure that your hand is clean and dry.
Step 2:
Start with a cute little dot. Now, expand it into a small circle. Think of it as your power centre, the heart of your design!
Step 3:
Around this central circle, draw small circular petals. This gives the design some poise and symmetry.
Step 4:
Now, expand outwards with larger, thin petals.
Let them be uniform, radiating your boundless energy.
Step 5:
Now, draw two circles around the petals and gradually fill the space between the two circles with henna. Hold on, we’re not done yet!
Step 6:
Add a new layer of larger petals, each nestled between the second layer’s petals.
Step 7:
Then detail each petal with small dots or lines, and darken their outlines.
Step 8:
Finish off the design by drawing a curved line from the side of your pinky finger.
Let small leaf shapes branch off.
This not only represents new growth, new opportunities, but also the endless paths you carve out for yourself.
Step 9:
Easy peasy, right?
We knew you’d nail it!
Now, let your design dry fully. And when it darkens into a deep, rich shade, get ready to flaunt it girl!
Tribal Trend
With clean lines and geometric repetition, our next category, tribal designs are straightforward yet incredibly chic.
You can consider them as basic triangular shapes, points, and linear patterns.
So, grab your cone and let your inner queen roar cause we’re travelling back in time!
Step 1:
Draw a half triangle (excluding its base) from below the center of your wrist.
Continue to add evenly spaced dots on the two sides of the triangle you’ve just made.
Step 2:
Beginning at the wrist, create two parallel triangular-shaped dotted lines extending towards the center of your hand. (Think of the pyramid of Gaza🤪)
Feeling lost? Just tune in to our reference video for this design!
Step 3:
Now, below the first set of V shaped lines, draw another set.
Ensure these lines are parallel and aligned.
Step 4:
Add a third set of V shaped dotted lines below the second set.
Keep the spacing and alignment precise.
How about considering this to be your fortress of strength, growing darker with every layer!
Step 5:
No sweat! We told you right?
For this step between each V-shaped line, draw small arcs to connect the dots, creating a lace-like effect.
Step 6:
On either side of the central dotted line, draw small circles to create a floral pattern.
Now, add tiny dots around each circle of the floral pattern.
Doesn’t it remind you of graffitis from ancient times already?
Step 7:
On the ring finger, draw a small floral pattern with a circle in the centre. Add small dots and arcs around the circle to create petals and enhance the design.
Step 8:
Finally, add tiny dots around the primary designs to fill in empty spaces.
Phew! All set.
Now take a picture of your age-old yet so chic henna art and tag us @shebahenna for a shoutout on our official Instagram handle.
Traditional Treasures
Traditional henna designs are the ultimate cheat code for beginners!
Their structured and repetitive nature makes them a breeze to follow and replicate.
It's like having training wheels for your henna skills, perfect for nailing that symmetry, line work, and consistency—without breaking a sweat!
So, now that you know why traditional henna art designs are great for beginners, let’s break it down with an easy Mandala design. (FYI: traditional designs also include Indian, Pakistani, and Arabic henna design symbols)
Step 1:
Draw a small dot at the centre of your hand. This will be the starting point for the mandala-like design.
Step 2:
Draw a small circle around the central dot. Keep the circle thin and even.
Step 3:
Around the circle, draw small petal shapes, each one pointing outward.
Ensure the petals are evenly spaced and symmetrical.
Looking cute already, right?
Step 4:
Draw a second layer of slightly larger petals around the first layer.
Each petal should fit between two petals of the first layer.
Step 5:
Don’t stop, let’s add another layer of even larger petals, spaced between the petals of the second layer.
Let the petal be elongated and pointed outward.
Step 6:
Add small dots or lines within each petal for texture.
Now add another layer of large petals leaving out the spacing of one petal in between.
Step 7:
We’re almost there!
Next, form small leaf shapes rooting from the space that you left between each petal.
Step 8:
Draw a thicker line and below it to form semi-circular petals.
Below it design 5 sets of leaves or more if you dare!
Step 9:
On the ring finger, draw a horizontal band at the base.
Then add small arches above the band to create a decorative pattern.
Step 10:
Now, create another line above the thickened line you just made. Then form semi circular petals above it.
Step 11:
Repeat the same process on your pinky finger too.
And put down your cone now cause you're finally done!
We know we made you break a sweat! But look at this awesome Mandala you just created.
Worth your blood, sweat, and tears, hehe 😁.
Minimalist Marvels
Sometimes less is more, right?
Wrong!
Sometimes less is marvellous!
Minimalistic, simple designs take less time to complete and are easier to learn. That’s why they're amazing for beginner henna designers.
Simpler henna designs are easier to practice, and you can mix and match them however you want.
This helps you build that “muscle memory” for your henna skills and improves your eye for design.
Step 1:
Draw a horizontal line on your wrist.
Design uniform semi-circular patterns below this line, resembling petals.
Step 2:
Below the pattern, draw 2 circles at the centre and fill both of them with a dot respectively.
Continue to draw evenly-spaced dots on the line.
Step 3:
Draw another horizontal line above the already existing pattern and add dots to it as you’ve done for the previous line.
Step 4:
Draw yet another horizontal line and continue to make semi-circular petals as made in our first step.
Step 5:
At the centre of the line below, now create lines in descending height from the middle occupying only a half of it.
Next, add leaves at the tip of each line.
Step 6:
Tired already? Hah! You got this girl, keep going!
You can now add evenly spaced dots throughout the rest of this line.
Step 7:
Let’s do some action on our fingers now!
For starters, repeat step 1 on your ring finger.
Form a circle below it and decorate it with evenly spaced dots.
Step 8:
Repeat the same design by drawing another horizontal line with petals and a circle decorated with dots.
Draw 3 sets of leaves above this pattern.
Step 9:
On the middle finger draw yet another line.
Now, adorn with leaves on either side of the lines.
Hold up! Just one last step.
Step 10:
Draw a moon-shaped pattern at the centre but extend it up to the middle finger.
Lastly, enhance it with tiny dots.
And voila! You’re all ready to brag about your aesthetic henna art!
The process might look complicated but it’s easier with ShebaHenna holding your hand at every step through this video listed below.
[Internal: Image of a minimalist henna design, e.g. thin lines on fingers]
Celestial henna designs (with extra chic)
YAYY! You’ve made it to the last henna design on this blog!
Celestial designs are perfect for special occasions like Eid, Diwali, or just when you feel like channelling your inner Hermoine.
Stars, moons, and celestial bodies offer a whimsical and enchanting theme that's not only magical but also delightfully simple to execute.
These designs will allow you to dabble in creating sparkling constellations and dreamy nightscapes on your skin.
To me, they’re a reminder to reach for the stars in both sweet worlds of art & life itself 🫶.
So, without further ado, let’s break down this celestial henna design for you.
Step 1:
Outline the shape of a moon in its last stage (waning crescent) at the centre of your hand.
Step 2:
Draw a circle below the centre of the moon and add small petals along the outer curve of the crescent.
Now, add bold dots on top of the petals.
Step 3:
Continue to make similar smaller floral designs next to the central one.
Ensure these designs occupy the entire crescent.
Step 4:
On the inner side of the crescent, continue to make similar floral art two next to each other and one above them, at their centre.
Step 5:
From the tip of the crescent, draw a curved, dotted line that swirls towards the top of your hand, then loops down to the index finger.
Space the dots evenly to mimic a string of beads.
Step 6:
At the end of the beaded line on your index finger, draw a small teardrop shape.
Add a smaller teardrop above the crescent moon as part of the beaded design.
Step 7:
Make each dot in the beaded line slightly larger at the centre of the hand, and gradually smaller towards the edges.
Add tiny dots around the main dots to enhance the bead effect.
Step 8:
Draw another dotted line extending from the end of the first, curving down towards the ring finger. Keep the dots evenly spaced.
Step 9:
Draw small loops and dots around the index finger joint to create a ring effect. Ensure it connects smoothly with the main beaded line.
Step 10:
Add tiny dots along the side of the middle and ring fingers to continue the beaded design.
Follow the natural curve of the fingers.
Voila! You’ve made it!
Now pat yourself at the back and pose with your killer henna art!
Flaunt it to your family and friends who’ll soon want you to do the same for them! 😉
How to practise these henna designs
To help you with the drawing process, here’s a bit more guidance:
- Start Simple: Begin with small, simple shapes like tiny stars or crescent moons.
- Use Thin Lines: Utilise a fine-tipped henna cone to create clean, thin lines for a delicate effect.
- Build Up: Gradually add more elements around your main design to create a fuller, yet still minimalist, celestial scene.
- Practice on Paper: Sketch your designs on paper first to get comfortable with the shapes and patterns before applying the henna on your or someone else's skin.
About me:
Hey, I'm Aarifah Ali (Founder of ShebaHenna) 👋. I'm a passionate henna artist/Mehndi artist with over 10 years of experience providing head-turning henna tattoos!
Most of my customers know me for boutique, bridal henna and custom designs. So that's where my specialty in mehndi art services lies.
Although, I've been providing professional henna services for over a decade. And have done Eid henna, festive henna, and even non-traditional modern tattoos for light & dark skin tones.
My professional henna services are designed to adorn you with patterns that celebrate life’s special moments—whether you’re seeking the elegance of bridal mehndi, the festive flair of event designs, or a one-of-a-kind custom piece,
You’re just getting started girl!
Feel free to get creative mixing and matching elements across the beginner-friendly henna themes we’ve demoed in this blog.
We’re in this movement of empowering women across the world to express their stories through body art like henna.
ShebaHenna is here to hold your hand throughout your journey.
If you’d like to skip the entire process of learning henna from scratch, try out our henna stencils or henna tattoo stickers, or our organic henna kit.
And for premium henna cones across the UK, our unique "Sheba Formula'' will be your bff!
It ensures a rich stain in just 60 minutes, lasting twice as long as other brands.
You can easily combine it with our boutique stencil and henna kits for flawless body art tattoos that rival any tattoo parlour.