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Karva Chauth, Diwali, Eid and the November-to-February wedding season keep good mehndi artists booked solid. If you can draw neat, confident designs, it can become a rewarding side business.
Practise and build a portfolio
Practise on paper, then on friends and family. Photograph every design in good daylight. A portfolio of 20 to 30 clean photos is enough to start taking paid work. Separate simple, party and bridal designs.
Use safe, natural henna
Use natural henna and make or buy fresh cones. Avoid “black henna”, which can contain PPD, a chemical that causes serious skin reactions. Ask clients about allergies, and do a patch test for anyone unsure.
- Natural henna cones
- Mehndi design practice books
- Mehndi oil for a deeper stain.
Pricing
- Simple hand designs: a fixed price per hand.
- Party and festival designs: per hand, by coverage.
- Bridal work: a package price, with a deposit to book the date.
- Group bookings at homes or events: a minimum charge plus travel.
Getting bookings
- Instagram reels of your work being applied.
- A Google Business Profile as a mehndi artist.
- Stalls at society Diwali melas and school fairs.
- Partnering with bridal make-up artists and wedding planners.
Run it professionally
Confirm bookings in writing on WhatsApp, take deposits for weddings, keep to time, and carry a clean kit with spare cones and tissues.
This guide is part of our holiday series. For the bigger picture, read 15 Offline Holiday Side Gigs.
