Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 16/99) - It falls under the category of "body modification."

You may have seen the exotic Liv Tyler sporting the stuff in the pages of Vanity Fair last year. It's a super-star thing to do 'cause, let's face it, how many of us can lay about for hours luxuriating in the attentions of a Mehndhi devotee?

Well, here's your chance. At the Folk on the Rocks site at Long Lake, two cool Yk chicks are offering to Mehndhi you this weekend. While grooving to the tunes, why not have your body modified -- painlessly, temporarily, beautifully.

Mehndhi (a henna tattoo) is a traditional form of body decoration from India, Pakistan and Northern Africa. It's been around for 5,000 years or so. It was usually practised at celebratory events, such as weddings.

Of course, when offered the opportunity to be a guinea pig for Jamie Look and Kirsten Larsen, I jumped at the chance. I've had my body "modified" before, so what's a little henna?

In retrospect, it was quite the operation. I chose to have a free-hand design applied around my navel. Out came the mini-pastry tube, the thick, green, earthy-smelling henna

paste, a bowl of lemon juice, sugar and strange-smelling oil. Look out Liv Tyler!

The henna paste is the actual dye, the lemon juice makes the solution more acidic and effective, the sugar binds the henna to your skin so it doesn't fall off, the moisture of the lemon/sugar solution ensures that your skin will continue to take in the dye. The oil also helps with absorbtion.

The design I had on my belly was quite intricate, larger than the more traditional hand design, and slightly more inconvenient. Though some people warn that Mehndhi causes slight discomfort and itchiness, I didn't find this to be so at all. My biggest problem was finding the patience. There was no end to the waiting. Mind you, I can't sit still for five minutes.

The important thing to keep in mind is that without the patience, your Mehndhi will not be successful. The minimum wait is two hours, but the optimum wait is four to six. Essentially, the longer you wait, the darker the tattoo. Then, do not bathe for 12 to 24 hours. A Mehndhi tattoo will usually last for a couple of weeks.

You can have a tattoo applied anywhere you wish. The back of the hand is very popular, as is a bracelet around the upper arm and the area around the navel. The tattoo, depending on your skin, will range from light brown to dark brown.

The result is exotic, fun and attractive. Just the thing for a music festival.