Hi there! I’m Gillian, founder of Henna Pamoja! My journey with henna began in 2008 when I took a professional henna class in Kenya with an Indian heritage artist. I’m American by birth but grew up overseas, where local artists encouraged me to keep practicing. Since then, I’ve never stopped learning and growing in my art. After college in the U.S., I settled in Tennessee, where I now live with my husband, our son, and our Poodle. I never expected to become a henna artist, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love working with women during some of the most meaningful and transitional seasons of their lives, whether I’m creating henna for a bride, a soon-to-be mom’s baby bump, or celebratory henna for their family traditions. After more than 12 years of practice, I officially launched Henna Pamoja in 2021. Along the way, I also earned an International Certification for Natural Henna Arts (ICNHA).

I am deeply grateful for the women from Eastern and Southern Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East who have inspired and affirmed my journey. Their encouragement, along with guidance from fellow henna artists over the past 17 years, has shown me that henna is both a giving and unifying art. Looking back, I see how much I’ve grown as an artist, and I cherish the way henna connects me to my roots overseas, to friendships, to other cultures, and to countless creative moments. I plan to remain a lifelong student of this art and am thankful for the connections, community, and creativity it continues to bring!

Gold-colored decorative symmetrical pattern with teardrop shapes and dots, resembling an ornate floral or starburst design.
The logo for "Meet Gillian" features the word "MEET" in large uppercase brown letters and "Gillian" in cursive black script underneath.
A woman with red hair, glasses, and henna tattooed hand sitting in a gray armchair in a living room. She is smiling at the camera, wearing a white top, a dark jacket, and beige pants. The room has a patterned red and blue rug, a white fireplace with blue mantel, and bookshelf with decor items and books.
A woman with glasses and dark hair styled in a bun is decorating a person's hand with mehndi or henna at a table covered with a patterned cloth. A colorful, intricate textile hangs on the wall behind her.
A woman with glasses and dark hair styled in a bun is decorating a person's hand with mehndi or henna at a table covered with a patterned cloth. A colorful, intricate textile hangs on the wall behind her.
A girl with long dark hair and glasses resting her head on a tattooed arm.
A smiling young girl sitting inside a colorful playground structure at a desert location, with a woman standing outside and camels in the background.
Three young girls standing in front of a large wooden elephant statue with big white tusks, in a garden area with a brick wall and plants in the background.
Four young girls standing outdoors in a grassy area with zebras grazing in the background and mountains in the distance.

About My Henna artist partner

Depending on availability, I offer the option of adding a second henna artist for weddings and large events. My sister Natalie, who was trained by the same Indian heritage artist as I was, joins me to focus on bridesmaids and family designs. Together, we can also provide party designs for Sangeet celebrations and guest henna. If you’d like to include this option alongside your bridal henna, please reach out.

Book Us
A young woman with curly brown hair sitting on a gray armchair in a living room, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black t-shirt and beige striped pants, with beige slippers. The background includes a white bookshelf with decorative items, a white side table, and a fireplace with teal mantle and decorative objects on top.
Two women, one sitting on a teal couch and the other on a red bean bag, smiling and laughing together in a cozy living room with large windows and a patterned rug.

about my henna products

I never use chemical henna and always provide a full ingredient list for my paste. I source the powder I use directly from India, using bridal-quality, five-times-sifted Rajasthani henna to ensure smooth consistency, rich stains, and the ability to create fine, intricate designs.

For any service you choose, you’ll have the option of my natural henna paste, which gives a rich dark-brown stain. I also offer Jagua Gel, which creates a stain closer to black. Both are made with all-natural, organic ingredients and contain no harsh chemicals.

Henna Paste Ingredients

  • USDA-certified organic lavender/eucalyptus essential oil (Have allergies to lavender or eucalyptus? Please reach out! I’m happy to create a custom blend using an alternate oil).

  • Filtered water

  • Bridal-quality five-times-sifted all-natural Rajasthani henna powder

  • Organic lemon juice

  • Raw organic cane sugar

Jagua Gel Ingredients 

  • Jagua Powder (from the Jagua plant)

  • USDA-certified organic lavender essential oil

  • Filtered water

Culinary powders, a small wooden scoop with green spice, and a decorated pastry tube with white polka dots on a white surface.
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Bring Henna Pamoja home

Shop our natural powders and pastes.

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