In India, a bridal look is considered incomplete without dark-stained, intricate mehendi designs on hands and feet. According to this Indian tradition, applying mehendi protects the bride from negative energies, bringing her prosperity and good luck. But sitting for long hours till the mehendi dries completely can be exhausting. And some brides may not want the henna to last beyond the wedding festivities. For brides who want the mehendi look but don’t want to miss out on the fun while waiting for their mehendi to finish, here are a few easy mehendi substitutes that don’t take hours to set or weeks to take off.

Related: How To Get Rid Of Mehendi Fast: 7 Ways To Remove Peeling Mehendi Before Your Next Big Event

1. Press-on mehendi tattoos

These are readymade stickers featuring detailed henna designs that you can instantly stick on your hands and feet without the mess. The designs appear vibrant, look exactly like mehendi, and don’t take days to darken like wet henna. Unlike the traditional mehendi, which can sometimes smudge, spread unevenly or leave blotchy stains, press-on tattoos look perfect.

Note: Test on a small patch of skin to check for sensitivity. Avoid stretching or wetting the area immediately after application for best results.

2. Alta

Alta, a traditional red dye, is considered auspicious, especially for brides in West Bengal and Odisha. The bright red hues of this dye give an instant colour pay-off and go perfectly with bridal outfits. So, if you want an easy substitute to the classic mehendi that also adds a vintage charm to your bridal look, go for a beautiful alta design. You can take inspiration from Aditi Rao Hydari and Sonakshi Sinha’s minimalist alta designs that made their bridal looks stand out.

Note: Always choose a quality brand for alta and do a patch test first. Apply it patiently without smudging along the lines of the skin. 

Related: Dear Brides, Not Wearing Mehendi Isn’t Apshagun, You Can Opt For Alta Instead

3. Block mehendi

This is the quickest and easiest way to get mehendi on your hands and feet without hurting your back for long hours. Block mehendi uses pre-carved wooden or silicone blocks, which come with a brown-red dye. You can easily pick the block design you want and stamp it on the dye sponge. Then, stamp the coloured block on your palms to get the perfect mehendi design in minutes. The block mehendi stays for one to three weeks, depending on how frequently you expose your skin to water.

Note: Press the block on a small area of your skin to test for allergies and sensitivity. Use the blocks gently to avoid smudging. 

4. White or golden mehendi

Do you love the mehendi look but want a unique colour to suit your vibe? Try white or golden mehendi. Made from body-safe pastes, paints, and cosmetic-grade powders, these designs sit on your skin’s surface instead of staining your skin like traditional henna. You can easily peel off the paint after you’re done with the wedding festivities. The white and golden hues also add shimmer and glam to your bridal look.

Note: Do a patch test on your hand to check for skin sensitivity. Don’t forget to moisturise your hands and feet after you peel off the paint.

5. Mehendi stencils

If you don’t want to sit uncomfortably for hours to apply mehendi, use these stencils. You simply need to cut them into the given shapes. Then, stick the pieces on your hands and arms where you want the specific design. Peel off the transparent sticker and apply the henna paste all over the stickers pasted on your hands and feet. Wash your hands after an hour and peel off the golden sticker. You will get the perfect mehendi design with a good colour pay-off. Stencils are easy substitutes for the traditional mehendi process and avoids the possibility of smudging.

Note: Use good-quality henna and do a patch test on your skin.

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