How to Hold a Henna Cone: A Simple Beginner’s Guide

How to Hold a Henna Cone (Beginners Guide)

If you are new to henna, one of the first things people ask is “How do I hold the henna cone properly?”

The truth is - there is no single right or wrong way. Holding a henna cone is something you learn with time, practice, and a bit of patience.

This guide is here to help you get started in a simple, stress-free way.

Tip: Practising makes all the difference. You can download a free henna practice sheet at the end of this guide if you’d like something to practise on.

Start With the Right Henna Cone

Before we even talk about how to hold a henna cone, it’s important to mention the cone itself.

Try to use henna that has been purchased from a reliable source. Good quality henna makes a huge difference to how easily it flows and how confident you feel while applying it.

Many shop-bought cones can be quite large and stiff, which makes them harder to control — especially for beginners. Some people find that working with a smaller cone (around 10–12g) feels much more comfortable and gives better control. You can always ask your supplier if smaller cones are available.

A cone that feels right in your hand will make learning much easier.

There Is No “Correct” Way to Hold a Henna Cone

This is something I always like to remind people:

There is no perfect or correct way to hold a henna cone.

Everyone’s hands are different, so you will need to experiment and find what works for you.

A good place to start is by holding the cone like you would hold a pen. From there, you can adjust your grip, finger placement, and angle until it feels natural and comfortable.

Some artists hold the cone higher up, some closer to the tip - both are fine. The key is that your hand feels relaxed and steady.

Pressure Control Is Everything

Pressure is one of the most important parts of applying henna.

You want to be able to control how much henna comes out of the cone, and this comes with practice.

For straight lines:

Keep the pressure the same while moving your hand slowly. Consistent pressure = even lines.

For vines or leaves:

Start with light pressure, then gently add more pressure as you move along to create the shape you want. Slow, controlled movement makes a big difference here.

If you squeeze too hard, too much henna will come out. If you squeeze too lightly, the line may break. Don’t worry if it feels tricky at first — this is completely normal.

Go Slow and Stay Relaxed

Henna is not something you rush.

Slow movement gives you better control and cleaner designs.

Try to relax your hand, shoulders, and grip. If your hand feels tense, take a short break and start again. A relaxed hand creates smoother lines.

Practice Makes Progress (Not Perfection)

Practice is key when learning henna.

You can practice on:

Paper

Practice sheets

Plastic sheets or folders

But practicing on skin is the best way to learn. Skin behaves differently to paper, and it helps you understand pressure, flow, and movement better.

If you can, grab a willing family member or friend and practice on their hands whenever possible. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.

Remember - we are not chasing perfection. Every artist develops their own style over time.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to hold a henna cone takes time, and that’s okay.

Be patient with yourself, experiment, and enjoy the process.

With the right cone, steady pressure, and regular practice, everything starts to feel more natural. Henna is an art - and your journey with it is just as important as the final design.

Free Henna Practice Sheet

To help you practise grip and pressure, I’ve created a free beginner henna practice sheet that you can download and print at home. Scroll to the bottom of this page and sign up to receive your practice sheet and start building confidence at your own pace.

 

If you’d like more guided practice sheets and step-by-step help, you can also check out my Learn Henna eBook, created especially for beginners.