Henna artists say that word of mouth and the extended holiday period have kept bookings and enquiries coming in steadily, even several days after Eid Al Adha.
Henna artists in the UAE are experiencing strong demand even days after Eid Al Adha. While some attribute this to a longer-than-usual Eid break, others say word of mouth has played a key role in sustaining interest.
Dubai-based henna artist Fathima Afsal said she was fully booked on Friday and had several clients scheduled over the weekend. “In my experience, this is quite unusual,” she said. “Normally, most bookings and enquiries slow down or stop by the day before Eid, as clients prefer to get their henna done in advance. This year was different.”
She added that she saw a mixed group of clients this year. “While some of my regular clients were travelling during the holidays and did not get henna done, I continued to receive new enquiries even during the Eid holidays,” she said. “I believe the extended holiday period encouraged more social gatherings, visits, and celebrations, which contributed to the continued demand for henna services.”
This year, UAE residents enjoyed between six and nine days of holiday for Eid Al Adha. While public sector employees received a five-day break starting Monday, May 25, private sector employees were given a four-day holiday beginning Tuesday, May 26. For those with a Saturday–Sunday weekend, this effectively resulted in a six-day break.
Another artist, Hariya Shaikh, echoed the same sentiment, saying she is fully booked for a week after Eid. “There are many parties and gatherings where people have a henna corner for their guests,” she said. “This year, I have seen the trend sustain longer because of the extended Eid holidays, so I am still getting a lot of enquiries and bookings.”
Dubai resident Asiya Raheem said word of mouth has kept demand for her services steady through Friday and the weekend. “I got many enquiries on Eid day as well as during the Eid holidays,” she said. “When people see the henna designs and stains on their cousins, friends or family members, they contact me immediately asking for henna.”
Popular designs
Henna artists say design choices vary largely based on personal preference. “This Eid, I saw a huge demand for dome designs and Arabic florals,” Asiya said. “Usually, the kind of designs they like depends on the age and nationality of the client.”
Hariya said that this year, many clients have been requesting modern styles. “They like simple, clean and stylish designs that look good in photos and on social media,” she said. “The most popular designs are elegant and classy ones rather than traditional patterns.”
Fathima added that she observed several new trends this year. “I am getting a lot of queries for jagua,” she said. “I also saw many people asking for traditional designs and modern Arabic patterns. This marks a change from previous years, when clients mostly preferred only modern designs.”
