Rooted in Culture: How Sanna Adams Blends Heritage, Art, and Psychology

Hood meets Sanna Adams, who explores her Scottish and South Asian roots through business and psychology.

While I was born in the suburbs of Glasgow, childhood holidays in the United Arab Emirates frequently transported me to another world. The smell of spices in the souks, the captivating sounds, and the vibrant culture felt like home. Yet, what stayed with me most was the ritual of visiting henna salons—women-only spaces where artists created intricate designs using cones of lavender-scented henna paste. Henna became my introduction to the beauty world, a practice with natural origins and ancient roots. It was far more than body art; it was a form of expression, a cultural tradition, and an experience of self-care.

After returning to Edinburgh in 2015 to pursue a psychology degree, I started practising designs on myself, attempting to replicate the beautiful work of the artists I admired. By 2021, I had launched an Instagram account to document my progress, and by 2023, I was sharing not only my henna work but also pieces of my culture and daily life in Edinburgh.

Traditionally, henna is made by blending the henna plant, essential oils, sugar, and water, and is applied by South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cultures during weddings and festivals. Over the years, I—and many others—have come to passionately love wearing and incorporating henna into everyday style. Personally, I enjoy embracing tartan, South Asian embroidery, and henna in my daily outfits, reflecting the beautiful blend of cultures that shape my identity.

On the surface, psychology and henna might seem like unrelated fields, but they complement each other beautifully. Psychology, particularly as I’ve pursued my doctorate, is intense and challenging, often requiring me to engage deeply with human emotions and experiences. Henna offers me a creative and meditative escape. In the quiet moments spent creating art, I find calm and stillness. It’s a practice that grounds me, much like mindfulness, allowing me to step away from the pressures of work.

Interestingly, my cultural exploration through henna enriches my psychology studies, particularly in understanding identity and how cultural heritage shapes an individual. The sense of community fostered in both practices helps me connect with others, whether through therapeutic conversations or artistic expression.

Turning my love for henna into a business was never a planned venture, but it evolved naturally as I shared my designs on social media. People loved the bold, dark stains of my henna, and I quickly realised there was a gap in the market for high-quality, culturally connected products that encourage creative exploration. In response, I founded Mahsā, a business that offers natural henna cones, stencils, home accessories, and carefully curated lifestyle products that reflect both my South Asian heritage and Scottish roots.

Balancing a career in psychology with running a small business and creating content, while maintaining a personal life, can be challenging. For me, organisation is key, and I’ve learned to be flexible. I don’t have to give equal attention to all my passions all the time. Setting boundaries and knowing when to take a break have been essential to avoiding burnout.

As for external pressures, I’ve learned not to measure my success against conventional timelines. The more people I meet, the more I realise that there’s no one way to live a fulfilled life. For me, success is finding joy in what I do and maintaining balance, whether it be in the creative, professional, or personal parts of life.

Follow Sanna at @sannashenna and @mahsastories