Believe it or not, before she was a nail tech, Ena Rodriguez was a tarot-reading gypsy at Universal Studios Orlando. That’s where she first came across the art of henna tattooing. “I was curious so I decided to find out more about it,” says Rodriguez. “In the process I absolutely fell in love with henna (or mehndi as it’s also known), it’s meaning, beauty, and art.” All her work is freehand, which means she doesn’t use stencils.

Now a new nail tech at working at Orlando’s Kokopelli's Salon and Spa, she’s finding out that nails and henna are remarkably complementary services. “Henna is used for celebrations and positive things — landmarks in people’s lives, like birthdays and weddings,” she says. “I absolutely love the one-on-one relationship with my customer and the opportunity to create a unique piece of art on someone's skin and know that the person is going to wear it.Through henna I have encountered wonderful and amazing people as well as their cultures!

“Now that I’m a nail tech, I am able to offer a complete package to my brides that includes hand and foot services along with their henna. It’s also a natural fit during the summer when sandals beg to be used. My goal, as my tag line reads, is ‘beauty at your hands and feet.’”

You can check out more of Ena’s beautiful henna work here. 

—Judy