June Yang's finished work.[Photo by Cai Muyuan/ China Daily]

Amber Wu, a tattoo artist in Beijing, says some of her customers ask her about henna tattoos and whether she can do them.

"I think it has gained popularity as people start to see it more at pop-up fairs and art exhibitions. Chinese young people are always quick to grasp what is chic and are open to try new things."

Azam does her art on women and children only and says the business thrives through word-of-mouth on the internet. She meets customers in cafes and their homes, and her passion for the art as well as the flexible working hours give her great satisfaction, she says.