By Sakshi Singh

MEHENDI is the most essential accessory for an Indian bride. Indian customs, traditions and festivals are incomplete without the beautiful and fragrant henna designs on a woman's hands.

Prepared and applied right, mehendi will not only add to your bridal look, but will wow the man of your life and the guests.

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Mehendi trends

No Arabic patterns or westernised concepts for the dazzling dulhan of today; traditional mehendi designs have made a rocking comeback.

Talented celebrity mehendi artist Veena Nagda, who has applied beautiful mehendi designs on the hands of Bollywood superstars such as Karisma Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Rani Mukerjee and Priyanka Chopra, believes that anything funky in mehendi designs is in.

Veena says, "Traditional Indian designs, which involve a lot of fine work, are back. The floral designs with paisleys and intricate detail are doing the rounds."

Green mehendi with color stones seems to be the latest trend.

For the pre-wedding cocktail parties, designs matching to the colour of the outfits is also picking up in popularity, according to Veena.

Usha Shah is another mehendi artist for the Bollywood brigade whose mehendi designs can be seen on the hands on Konkona Sen Sharma and Rani Mukherjee in the movie Laagaa Chunari Mein Daag.

Usha says "Arabic mehendi, which was in some years ago, is certainly out, whereas roses and lotuses are now in fashion again."