Mehndi can be used a cosmetic to dye the skin, hair and nails or it can be used for its healing and medicinal properties to cure skin disorders, hair thinning and providing resistance to the body from the tropical heat. It is also used to colour fabric and dye leather. On the skin, mehndi can be used as a decorative purpose. It is totally safe, natural and painless to use on the skin. The flowers from the henna plant are used to produce perfume.

Traditionally, mehndi was used by asian brides to symbolize love, happiness and prosperity for the couple. Nowadays, mehndi is not only used for weddings and religious occasions but also for trendy body art and tattoos around the naval, wrists, on the shoulders and anklets.

In eastern cultures mehndi is mainly used for brides as a wedding tradition. For many brides the application of bridal mehndi is when they begin to feel the wedding vibes. Mehndi nights are now becoming a popular event for celebrating the nights before the wedding. Various themes like Arabic and Indian are used to set the mehndi night with music and dance.