Henna hustle: How some women turn their hobby into a thriving career 

SINGAPORE – When Madam Fauzella Sahabdin was waiting to switch roles in the civil service in 2014, she ended up switching careers instead.

Then 28, she was a new mother and looking to secure another means of income while waiting to start a new government posting.

She decided to post photos of her henna paintings – an activity she picked up at 14 – on Facebook, prompting interest from followers. 

She soon received about seven to eight requests each month for henna painting, mostly for occasions such as weddings. She started doing it twice a week, charging upwards of $350 for a full-arm bridal design. Each month, she earned the equivalent of her previous monthly salary.

When the advantages of her new gig – the convenience of working from home, greater earnings and more time with her family – became clear, she decided to become a full-time henna artist.

The mother of three boys said: “After making this my full-time job, I have more time with my family and more work-life balance.”

This is a similar refrain of 15 other henna artists The Straits Times spoke to – more than half of whom left previous day jobs to do henna painting full time.

Madam Fauzella, who also conducts classes on henna painting, had around four to five students a year at first when she started teaching in 2015. That number has since grown to over 40 a year, and most of them go on to do henna painting for a living.

Henna is traditionally used by the Malay and Indian communities during celebrations such as Hari Raya and Deepavali in parts of Asia including Singapore, India, Pakistan, as well as the Middle East.

Common designs range from a simple flower to intricate swirls of paisley patterns, dots and leaves, in the signature reddish-brown dye known as mehndi in some cultures.

In Singapore, while certification is not necessary, many aspiring henna artists attend classes to equip themselves for the job. A bridal henna course run by Madam Fauzella costs about $780 for 20 hours, while a basic course is priced at $400 for 10 hours.

Materials are cheap, with henna cones costing about $2.50 each, so entry barriers to the industry are relatively low.

But to drum up business, henna artists have to actively promote their work on social media and win over clients through word-of-mouth endorsement.

Ms Ida Laila Ibrahim, 27, who used to work part-time at Jurong Bird Park, opted to become a full-time henna artist in 2019.

“One of the biggest pros of this job is the convenience of working on my own schedule. It gives me more time to spend with my family and allows me to be present for my kids. This flexibility is something I didn’t have in my previous jobs,” said Ms Laila, who has two children and works with 12 to 15 clients monthly.

She said the income from her henna gigs is “fulfilling financial-wise”, adding that it enables her to contribute to her Central Provident Fund (CPF) voluntarily and have her own insurance plans for more financial security.

A check by ST showed that prices for henna art typically start at $150 for a simple design on a pair of hands, while more intricate patterns that reach up to the elbows can cost up to $550 when done by a professional.

Designs can also be drawn on feet and go up to the knees, costing upwards of $180.

Some henna artists prefer to keep it as a side hustle.

Madam Nur Ratna, a part-time henna artist since 2019, had her plan derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic when she wanted to go full time.

“Many of us didn’t know how long Covid-19 was going to last and how long the safe (distancing) measures were going to be around for,” the administrative assistant said.

The mother of four gets around eight clients a month now.

“It is tiring, having to do a full-time job in the day and then rushing to my henna appointments in the evenings. My weekends are also full and my time is limited with my family,” said the 34-year-old, whose children are aged between four and nine.

“But I do not think I will be resigning from my job anytime soon as I really value the CPF contribution and other bonuses.” 

Still, Madam Fauzella believes prospects in the industry look promising. She pointed out that this once-traditional activity is gaining popularity outside its usual circles.

Henna stalls or pop-up booths used to be seen only at Deepavali or Hari Raya fairs. But now, they also grace corporate events.

​Ms Syarifah Bee, 31, who has been a full-time henna artist since 2017, gets gigs from companies that want to include henna painting as an activity for team bonding or anniversary celebrations.

“At the end of the day, I’m proud that this is my job and I’m able to support myself for years now,” she added.