STORY | stlhllc

THE STORY

Who am I?

Hi, I am Yolonda FitnahFree Harrington, an imaginative Henna/Mehndi artist who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art. I am self-taught mehndi artist with many years of experience. I travel to various locations within the United States. My work is often noted for my unique style, elegance, and technique. I have developed an innovative style that blends traditional and modern art of mehndi. I create customized design for a special occasion & express the vision of my clientele.

I work with children, adults, teens, moms and charities. I make natural products that not only make you even more beautiful but are also all natural. Creatively i make art pieces jewelry and decor. Everything I do either make you look good, smell good or feel good. I am a five senses artist.

I am a consumer but I am a mother first! My daughter has eczema. For a while I used to spend a considerable amount of money on keeping her skin soft and rash free. My husband suggested natural remedies to clear it up. I tried everything you can think of and finally found that simple and natural is way better. My grandmother saw the improvement of my daughter’s skin and the new glow in mine and told me I need to share what I make with everyone. So here I am...making things that were already pretty even prettier.

So weather its henna, imported and domestic fragrance oils, burning oils and incense, face, body & hair care, or something pretty, I make it and I do it . I just hope you will let me do it for you. Please consider me for your next event or purchase.
Henna Artist Yolonda Harrington been doing bridal mehndi since 2005 and is continuing to amaze customers everywhere. STL Henna makes everything beautiful.

What is Henna?

The Henna tradition is as old as 9000 years. It was used as cosmetics in ancient Egypt and is universally popular in society today. Unlike many other old customs and social practices, henna, has survived the turbulence of history. Ancient cultures like the ones in Middle East, India and Africa made a ritual out of Mehandi and have contributed to making it one of the most traditional forms of Body art.

In the Indian culture Mehandi is associated with marriages, pregnancies and every other joyous occasion. Women look forward to sitting down with a Mehandi artist and enjoying the wonderful royal experience of Henna decoration. Friends and relatives often gather around to enjoy this. The aroma of Mehandi oil and Henna itself is intoxicating; the mud smells very rich and earthy. In India there is a belief that Mehandi is very auspicious and young girls or married women ornate their hands and feet for good luck, purity and joy!!

It is believed that the practice of Mehandi started out as an answer to the need for 'Personal air-conditioning' in the warmer regions. When the desert people of the warm desert regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat became aware of Henna's cooling properties, they dipped their hands and feet in a mud or paste made with the crushed leaves of the plant. Even when the paste was scraped off, they noticed, as long as the color remained visible, their body temperatures stayed low. Eventually some women grew tired of bright red palms and got more creative in terms of the application of the henna starting with big dot like patterns and then eventually making more intricate designs, which still had the same cooling effect but was more pleasing to the eye. Initially a thin instrument made of silver or ivory then most commonly used for applying kohl or liners to the eyes, became the instrument of choice for Henna application, and it is still in use in some desert villages of India today. However today in India the mylar/plastic cones are the widely used for henna application. Most of these cones made in Mumba are made out of recycled plastic bags.

Here are some interesting scientific facts about Mehandi

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Family Name: Lythraceae
Botanical Name: Lawsonia Inermis
Common Name: Mehandi. Henna, Heena, Al-Khanna, Al-Mehandi, Jamaica Mignonette, Mehndi, Mendee, Egyptian Privet, Smooth Lawsonia.
Physical form: Mehandi is a small tree or large shrub, growing to six meters high. It has lateral branches with leaves that grow in pairs, two to four centimeters long.
Growth Factors: The Mehandi tree grows in areas where the climate is relatively hot and dry. The states where Mehandi grows extensively in India is Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and various parts of Africa.

The Mehandi leaves have a red-orange dye, lawsone, and the highest dye concentration is in the petiole (the central vein). Young leaves have the highest petiole dye content. These leaves contain "lawsonia", this substance provides the well-known conditioning and coloring properties associated with our Mehandi Powders.

Mehandi Powder colors the hair in two ways, by penetration and by staining. The penetration of lawsonia imparts both color and condition into the hair and it closes and strengthens the outer cuticle of the hair, thus giving the superb shine and conditioning effect, which is the unique feature of Mehandi. Thus Mehandi has been known for centuries for its superb hair conditioning and coloring properties, no other substance, whether natural or synthetic, will strengthen the hair and give it shine as effectively as MEHANDI.
Mehandi is equally popular for temporary tattoos due to it being organic,temporary and painfree with no known side effects!

Where are you?

I am located in Gary, IN, but I am a mobile artist. I travel to you if you need me to. Just call or text 314-685-7591 for details on travel costs and service fees.

When are you available?

I'm flexible. Locally, i need 24 hour advance notice...more than 2 hours away, I need 72 hours notice and deposit.

Why are you always smiling?

It's simple. I get to do what I love and support myself and my family while doing it. I get to make people feel good about themselves and make everythng I come in contact with look, smell and feel good. There is no better job than that. I Smile because I am happy to serve you.