[BarbM]

I boil 1/4 of a cup of water, then add 1/8 cup of henna to the hot water and stir with a plastic spoon (should be the consistancy of tomato soup or a little thicker), then pour into a small plastic container....let it cool before applying with a small foam painting brush. I use newspaper to cover my work space because henna stains. I leave the henna on until it dries, maybe 15 minutes. Then, I wash it off with cool water. Leave the prepared henna in the refrigerator for up to a week. The unused dry henna in the box should be stored in the freezer.
Good luck!