Subscribe
AI generated summary, newsroom reviewed
If you've been scrolling through bridal Instagram feeds of late, chances are you've caught this pretty trend that resembles mehendi, but swaps the usual henna with a whole lot of bling! Those henna swirls, florals, paisleys and geometrics are now replaced with designs made with stones. That's right! Delicate kundan mehendi is a hot trend now and it's bringing a luxe dimension to bridal charm.
Likes its name, the trend sees traditional mehendi elevated with delicate details that mimic gemstones, settings and ornate bridal jewellery. The result? A sparkling, regal aesthetic that stays rooted in Indian wedding traditions, but also exudes a contemporary vibe—perfect for brides looking to make their mehendi moment a statement. And it takes away those hours of waiting that traditional mehendi entails.
Surbhi Doshi, founder of Pinksalt, who has been seeing a surge in demand for kundan mehendi, shares how to get the look and why it should be on your agenda this season.
Surbhi Doshi (SD): Kundan mehendi is essentially mehendi reimagined with jewellery inspired embellishments. Intricate mehendi patterns are enhanced with Kundan style stones, crystals, pearls or other carefully placed embellishments to create a three-dimensional, jewellery-like effect on the hands.
It has emerged from the larger evolution of bridal mehendi, where brides are increasingly looking for ways to make a traditional ritual feel more personal, fashion forward and coordinated with their overall bridal look. The growing popularity of bejewelled mehendi reflects this shift from mehendi being purely an art form to becoming an extension of bridal styling.
For us, Kundan Mehendi is about bringing together two quintessential Indian expressions of beauty mehendi and jewellery on one canvas.
(SD): Traditional stone or glitter mehendi generally uses embellishments as accents over a conventional mehendi design. Kundan mehendi takes the idea a step further by using the stones as an integral part of the design language.
The placement is more deliberate the stones can follow the geometry of a jaal, form the centre of a floral motif, create a jewellery inspired border or mimic elements from a bride's actual jewellery.
It is definitely an emerging trend, particularly among brides and bridesmaids who want something more contemporary and photograph friendly. In 2026, embellished mehendi is increasingly being seen as a way to add glamour without necessarily opting for extremely dense traditional mehendi.
(SD): The most versatile designs tend to be those that create the illusion of jewellery on the hand. Some favourites include:
Fine jaal patterns with strategically placed Kundan stones
Floral and lotus motifs
Mandalas with a statement stone at the centre
Peacock and paisley motifs
Bracelet or cuff inspired designs around the wrist
Ring and chain patterns extending across the fingers
Minimal linear designs with a few statement stones
Traditional motifs interpreted in a more contemporary, spaced-out way
We are also seeing a strong preference for negative space. Instead of covering the entire hand, brides often want one beautiful focal point with carefully placed embellishments.
(SD): It depends considerably on the design, coverage and number of stones. A minimal or contemporary design can take around 10 minutes per hand, while a more intricate bridal design can take considerably longer often 30 minutes per hand.
One of the biggest advantages is that the bride can achieve a highly embellished, glamorous look without necessarily spending the many hours associated with extremely intricate traditional bridal mehendi.
(SD): When done professionally, kundan mehendi can be very skin friendly. The important factor is the adhesive and the quality of the embellishments, rather than simply the stones themselves.
We recommend using a cosmetic/skin-safe adhesive specifically suitable for application on skin and avoiding household adhesives or instant glues altogether. For anyone with sensitive skin, a small patch test before the event is always advisable.
The stones are designed to sit on the surface of the skin rather than penetrate it, and the embellishment can be removed without damaging the underlying mehendi.
(SD): Removal should be gentle rather than forceful.
The embellishments can generally be loosened with oil or a suitable cosmetic adhesive remover, depending on the adhesive used. Once the adhesive softens, the stones can be gently lifted from the skin.
We always advise against picking, scraping or pulling the stones off aggressively, as that can irritate the skin. If the bride wants to preserve her mehendi underneath, gentle removal is particularly important.
(SD): Kundan works beautifully with motifs that naturally lend themselves to jewellery interpretation.
Florals, lotus, paisley, mandala, peacock, jaal, vines and geometric patterns are particularly effective. Jewellery-inspired motifs are also beautiful , think miniature chandbalis, necklaces, haath-phool patterns, bracelets and ring chains recreated through mehendi and stones.
The key is not to put a stone everywhere. The beauty lies in strategic placement. A few perfectly positioned stones can create much more impact than excessive embellishment.
(SD): Absolutely and this is one of the most exciting aspects of kundan mehendi. We can customise the colour, shape, size and placement of the embellishments to complement the bride's jewellery, outfit or wedding palette. For example, if the bride is wearing traditional kundan jewellery with green and ruby red accents, those colours can be subtly incorporated into the mehendi. For a pastel lehenga, softer pearls or clear crystals can create a delicate effect.
We can even take inspiration from a specific jewellery piece and translate its motif into the mehendi design. This makes the final look feel coordinated rather than accessorised.
(SD): Yes and surprisingly, this is where kundan mehendi can be most impactful.
A minimalist jewellery look doesn't mean the bride wants a minimalist overall appearance. The kundan look allows her to introduce a touch of grandeur specifically through her hands, without adding another heavy jewellery piece.
For example, a bride wearing a sleek choker, delicate earrings and minimal bangles can pair them with a fine Kundan jaal or a single statement motif on the hands. It creates contrast and makes the hands look beautifully styled without making the entire bridal look feel heavy.