Combining Tattoos and Organic Leads To Unique Local Business

Lori Bessette is an artist. Your body, her canvas.

She founded Stained in 2009 after coming to a crossroads in her career. She wanted her work to express her creative side; an initial search into tattoo apprenticeship led to her discovery of henna art.

Immediately fascinated, she immersed herself in the techniques and culture of henna.

“I went crazy and just studied, studied studied,” Bessette said. “I wanted to know everything.”

For the first year, she did henna tattoos for free, she said, just to be able to do it.

Now, she travels nationwide teaching henna art techniques.

Bessette makes her own henna paste, something she said is both intimidating and frustrating to henna artists.

“The consistency has to be perfect or the design won’t work, or it may not stain at all,” she said.

Many artists use a commercial paste for that reason, but Bessette would rather know every ingredient she’s applying.

“Some hennas have a great reputation,” she said. Others are imported and contain chemicals to preserve them.

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Since the essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream, Bessette said it’s important to know what’s in the products, and how they react to certain medications.

“I have to make sure whatever you’re putting on your skin is helpful, not hurtful,” she said. “I’m really crazy about that.”

Most of the products she uses in her paste are certified organic, she said.

Henna tattoos have become popular for a variety of reasons.

“Some people see it as a healing treatment,” she said, similar to a relaxing spa experience.

Others, like the women who get henna for special occasions, and the musicians who get a henna design to draw attention to their hands while playing, want something to set them apart, Bessette said.

“Prom henna is a big thing now,” she said.

Bessette does a limited number of local festivals, concentrating on those that are eco-friendly, and she is available by appointment.

Prices start at $10, but a typical design ranges between $25 and $30. Some designs can go up to hundreds of dollars, depending on how intricate it is, she said.

A design lasts between one and three weeks, and can be done anywhere on the body. The stain will be darker on hands and feet.

“As you get farther away, it’s lighter and doesn’t last as long,” Bessette said.

Because she is an artist, Bessette is not limited to certain designs, she said. Though she does have a design book, most people come to her with an idea of what they want.

“I’m not limited to one style,” she said. 

For more information or to make an appointment, email lovetobestained@aol.com or visit the Stained website.

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