How to Set Yourself Apart from the Henna Crowd (with Neha Assar)

The Henna market is an oversaturated one! There are so many henna artists out there, that it's a little challenging sometimes to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Making yourself unique, original and authentic is crucial in differentiating yourself from the rest of the pack out there.

But it's easier said than done, isn't it?!

That's why I brought in the big guns!

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Neha Assar, a thriving artist specializing in bridal henna has been in the market for over 2 decades (that's more than 20 years!). From henna to running her own online shop of beautifully crafted products, Neha is also an in-demand artist who's been associated with the grammy's and other famous celebrities.

So I'm confident when I say, you better listen to this gal right here.

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Here are some of Neha's Top Recommendations:

1) BE INSPIRED BY ALL YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Neha admitted that she looks at the world with the lens of an artist. Be inspired by your environment and all your surroundings. The raindrops against your car window can be a henna pattern, the leaves in nature can inspire a design or layout. The idea is to train your brain to constantly and actively be inspired without limiting yourself to the typical henna designs you see everyday.

2) STOP COPYING OTHER ARTISTS

Nothing stomps your originality faster than constantly replicating other artist's work. The more you copy designs you find on Instagram or online, the easier it is to fall in the trap of just being a replication machine rather than being original and setting yourself apart from the crowd. Instead, try to force yourself to come up with your own designs without having to rely on another artist's work.

3) IF YOU HAVE TO REPLICATE, PUT YOUR OWN SPIN TO IT

For the total newbies out there who just feel backed against the wall in not knowing how to draw a design when you first pick up a cone, it's ok to copy from time to time - just as long as it's not a constant habit. But if you must replicate, then at least try to put your own spin to the design. Maybe add a new design element, or draw it upside down. Whatever that looks like, just always try to be original.

4) STOP FOLLOWING THE TRENDS

We're easy to be lost in the content we consume either through Instagram, Pinterest or just online in general. Neha advised to stop following the trends that are out there and be authentic in your own art. Don't blindly abide by them just because it's what's popular. A true artist comes up with their own flare, and if you're always riding on the new trend, it's hard to break out of it and come up with your own style.

5) JUST GET THINGS DONE

Always have a hustling attitude and get things done. If you have an idea, be active in pursuing it. Don't stick it on a shelf and think you'll get around to it eventually when "you're ready" or when "it's perfect". Get the ball rolling while an idea sparks because that's how you truly yourself apart from the rest.