Stained Fingers

Emalai and I got our nails done this week! We will be traveling to Spain for two weeks and we wanted our nails done before our trip. We decided to stain our nails with locally made hena. Now, this hena is different than the hena you can buy in supermarkets here or that Indian or Muslim ladies use. This hena is made by a Ugandan from some kind of berry and sold in the local markets. 

We had to apply the hena at night and sleep with our fingers wrapped. The hena has a peculiar smell because of how it's made. Emalai said she was smelling it in her dream! In the morning we washed off the remaining hena and were left with colored nails - and stained fingers. This is the second time I got my nails done with hena. Last time, the hena lasted four months! It is very common for girls around the village to color their toe nails and left hand with hena. 

The hena comes in a small ball the size of a penny. 

Our neighbor came over after supper to help us apply it and wrap our fingers. 

Fingers wrapped - time for bed! 

A couple days later, the hena on my skin is starting to peel off. This is how my fingers look currently. 

Pictures from last time I stained my nails. These pictures were taken about 2-4 weeks after the hena was applied. All the hena washes off the skin and you are left with beautiful reddish nails.