life in henna
slow down
be connected
express yourself
experience art
celebrate every day
experience life in henna
henna is an ancient, spiritual art form used to decorate the skin for over 5000 years. the paste is made from the ground leaves of the lawsonia inermis plant. the stories surrounding henna span generations.
the process of receiving henna is an energy exchange- intimate, therapeutic, and meditative. the process of henna forces you to slow down, sit still, and be present. henna is also a joyful communal experience. henna connects people to each other and to the earth.
your skin becomes the canvas to express your mood, personality and style. henna is temporary, therefore can change and evolve with you. honor, embrace, and learn about its roots; and let every day be cause for celebration.
experience life in henna
henna made by hands for hands
ingredients: organic current crop triple-sifted body art quality rajasthani henna powder, demerara sugar, organic bulgarian lavender essential oil, filtered water
hand crafted with love to adorn your skin
a note about safety: henna is not recommended for individuals with G6PD deficiency. caution advised for those with hypersensitive skin-lavender oil is chosen as it carries the least risk of allergy or irritation and generally considered safe during pregnancy. as with any product, consult your doctor if you are pregnant. this henna paste is made from simple natural ingredients. if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or develop skin irritation, discontinue use.
the paste we use is 100% all natural — we never use “chemical cones”, which are dangerous to your health. always check ingredients when getting henna from other artists, and ask about where they source their henna. ingredients should never include preservatives, unrecognizable chemical names, or dyes. henna should always be hand made with simple, natural ingredients and stored in the freezer. never get “black henna”, which is a dangerous chemical that can cause serious, permanent harm. henna safely, friends!
jagua offerings
jagua made for hands by hands
for those that desire a darker stain, jagua offers a safe and non-toxic alternative. jagua is derived from the ripe fruit of the genipa americana tree, native to south america. it has been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes of the amazon jungle for skin ornamentation, sun protection, insect repellant and more. jagua gel is applied to the skin similarly to henna, but it stains a deep indigo blue-black color. it can also be mixed into henna paste to create “hengua” or “jenna". this stain color can range from burgundy to deep navy blue to black, depending on the percentage of jagua juice mixed and one’s own body chemistry. jagua, hengua, and henna can be combined in one design to create a multicolored effect.
our jagua juice and powder supplier works directly with small farms in south america to source their fruit. the ripe fruit is harvested, peeled, and juiced. we use the fresh juice to mix our jagua gel and hengua paste locally in marblehead, ma.
a note about safety: though jagua is 100% natural, 2% of the population may develop a rash up to 2 weeks after use. those with tropical fruit allergies are at higher risk. exposing your fresh jagua design to direct sunlight or excessive heat (blow drying the design, excessively hot baths or showers) can increase this risk of rash. this rash does not scar and will disappear in about a month. apply aloe vera or emollient creams if you develop a rash. if that is not helping, you could seek a mild corticosteroid cream over the counter or speak with your doctor for a stronger steroid cream. due to the higher risk of allergy, we require a patch test prior to adorning with jagua-derived products.
ingredients: organic genipa americana jagua fruit juice, organic bulgarian lavender essential oil, demerara sugar, xanthan gum.
jagua aftercare: let the fresh design dry - this can take 30 minutes to 1 hour. a fan can speed up dry time, but do not use a hair dryer (no heat!). leave the gel on for 1-2 hours and then wash off with soap and water. the design will be very faint at first but will darken over the next 48 hours.
hengua aftercare: treat your fresh hengua design as you would henna. let dry and seal the design. leave on for 6-8 hours (or overnight). scrape off the dried paste and avoid water for 24 hours. the design will darken over the next 48 hours.
a note about all products containing jagua: jagua is extremely potent and even if you cannot see it, it stains almost immediately. the dye can transfer from skin to fabric or other skin for up to two days. keep your design covered to prevent this.
aftercare matters
we use high-quality henna paste designed to achieve a rich, vibrant stain … but not without good aftercare:
consider design placement: the distal body parts stain the darkest (hands and feet), and the palms stain darker than the tops of the hand
use sealants to protect your paste once it dries—we recommend either using our rosewater sealant spray or covering the design with medical tape (which can be provided)
keep warm: warmer skin enhances the stain
leave the paste on for 6-8 hours or overnight—the longer the paste remains on the skin, the deeper the stain
scrape or flake the paste off—if any bits remain, you can loosen them with coconut oil
stay dry! avoid water exposure for 24-48 hours after paste removal
moisturize often with our organic aftercare revitalizing oil, or other natural oils such as coconut oil or olive oil
with good after care, your design can last 7-10 days
contact us
interested in how henna can enrich your life, express your style, slow you down, connect you to centuries of women who came before you? fill out your information here, and we look forward to connecting!