F.A.Q.
Everything you need to know before and after your appointment
before your appointment
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Please arrive with clean, dry skin. On the day of your appointment, avoid applying body lotion, oils or other rich skincare products to the area where the design will be placed, as they may affect how well the colour develops.
If you would like to remove hair from the area, it is best to do so the day before, giving your skin time to settle.
Do I need to choose a design in advance?
No. If you already have a specific idea or reference image, you are welcome to send it beforehand or bring it with you.
If you are not quite sure what you would like, that is absolutely fine too. We can discuss the placement, size and overall style together and develop the design from there.
Can you recreate a design from a reference image?
Yes. You are welcome to bring or send a reference image of a design you love.
Where necessary, I will adapt the composition, proportions and details to suit your hand or the area of the body where it will be placed. Every body is slightly different, and these small adjustments help the design sit naturally and look its best.
We can also change individual elements if you would like to make the design more personal.
How long does a private appointment take?
That depends mainly on the size and complexity of the design.
A small piece can be completed relatively quickly, while a larger, more intricate or bespoke design will naturally take longer. We will discuss the approximate time when arranging your appointment.
Should I choose henna or jagua?
It depends on the colour, placement and overall effect you would like.
Henna develops into warm reddish-brown tones, while jagua creates a deep blue to indigo stain with a more tattoo-like appearance.
If you are unsure, you do not need to decide beforehand. I can help you choose the material that best suits your idea.
HENNA
What colour will my henna be?
Natural henna develops into reddish-brown to chestnut tones.
Immediately after the paste is removed, the stain is usually light orange. It then gradually darkens over the following hours, typically reaching its mature colour within 24–48 hours.
Why isn’t my henna as dark as the photos straight away?
Henna needs time to develop.
The colour you see immediately after removing the paste is only the beginning. The dye released from the henna binds to keratin in the skin, and the stain gradually deepens over the following hours.
So a pale orange design immediately after paste removal is completely normal.
Where does henna develop the darkest colour?
Henna generally develops its deepest colour on the palms and soles.
On the backs of the hands, arms, shoulders, back and other areas of the body, the resulting stain is usually lighter.
How long does henna last?
Henna is generally visible for around one to two weeks, although this varies depending on the area of the body, your skin and aftercare.
It does not disappear all at once. The design gradually fades as the stained layers of skin naturally renew.
What is “black henna”?
Natural black henna does not exist.
Products sold as “black henna” are not the same as natural henna, which does not stain the skin black.
I do not use so-called black henna or pre-mixed henna pastes of unknown composition.
JAGUA
What colour is jagua?
Jagua develops into distinctive blue to deep indigo tones.
Depending on your skin and the area of the body, the finished stain can become very dark and may appear almost black in some places.
Why can I barely see my jagua after it has been removed?
This is completely normal.
The colour of jagua develops gradually. After removal, the design may initially be extremely faint or almost invisible, then begin to darken over the following hours.
You will usually see the mature indigo colour after approximately
24–48 hours.
Is jagua black henna?
No. They are entirely different.
Jagua is a naturally derived skin stain made from the fruit of Genipa americana and develops into blue to indigo tones. It is not henna and is not used to make natural henna black.
How long does jagua last?
Jagua is typically visible for around one to two weeks and gradually fades as the skin naturally renews.
Longevity varies between individuals and different areas of the body.
Where can jagua be applied?
Jagua can be used across many areas of the body and, unlike henna, can develop a strong colour beyond the hands and feet.
This makes it an exciting choice for designs on the arms, shoulders, back and other larger areas of the body.
Aftercare
HENNA
How to achieve a dark stain?
1. Leave the paste on
Whenever possible, leave the henna paste on for at least 4–6 hours, or longer if practical.
Giving the henna more time on the skin can help achieve a richer stain.
2. Do not wash the paste off with water
Once the paste has dried, gently crumble or scrape it away.
Try to avoid washing the area immediately afterwards.
3. Avoid water during the first few hours
Once the paste has been removed, give the colour time to continue developing. Avoid prolonged contact with water during the first few hours whenever possible.
4. Don’t worry about the orange colour
Fresh henna is usually light orange at first.
Over the following 24–48 hours, it gradually develops into a deeper reddish-brown or chestnut shade.
5. Be gentle with your design
Frequent washing, long baths, swimming, saunas, exfoliation and friction can all make the design fade more quickly.
jagua
Steps for a lasting effect.
1. Let the design dry completely
Avoid touching or rubbing freshly applied jagua until it has fully dried.
2. Follow the removal instructions you are given
Removal time can depend on the product and application. At your appointment, I will tell you exactly when and how to remove it.
3. Don’t worry if the design looks very faint afterwards
This is expected.
The stain develops over the following hours and typically reaches its deeper indigo colour within 24–48 hours.
4. Take care with skin-to-skin contact
During the early stages, residual jagua staining compounds may transfer to another area of skin under certain conditions. Follow the aftercare instructions you receive to help prevent unwanted transfer.
5. Be gentle with your skin
Frequent washing, friction, exfoliation and intensive skincare can make jagua fade more quickly.
safety
Can henna or jagua cause an allergic reaction?
Individual sensitivities and allergic reactions can occur even with naturally derived ingredients.
If you have sensitive skin, known allergies, or have previously experienced an unusual reaction to henna, jagua, hair dye, cosmetics or another body-art product, please let me know before your appointment.
What should I do if I experience irritation?
If you experience unusual burning, intense itching or significant discomfort during application, let me know immediately.
If a persistent or severe skin reaction develops afterwards, remove any remaining product and seek appropriate medical advice if necessary.
Events
What kind of events can I book henna or jagua for?
Henna and jagua can be booked for corporate events, festivals, cultural programmes, family days, weddings, private celebrations and many other types of events.
They are not limited to a particular age group or event style. The designs and presentation can be adapted to anything from a relaxed festival setting to an elegant corporate or private event.
Can you accommodate larger events?
Yes. Depending on the guest count, available time and the type of designs required, I can work with a coordinated team of henna artists to accommodate larger numbers of guests.
How many guests can be painted?
There is no single fixed number.
Capacity depends on the duration of the event, the number of artists and the size and complexity of the designs being offered.
When preparing a quote, I can recommend a setup that realistically fits your event and guest numbers.
What does the venue need to provide?
Exact requirements depend on the event, but we generally need suitable chairs, tables, good lighting and an easily accessible area where guests can comfortably sit for their designs.
We will confirm the practical details before the event.
Can we use a predefined selection of designs?
Yes. For larger events, a carefully selected and limited design menu can be particularly useful. It allows guests to choose quickly and helps us keep the service efficient and predictable throughout the event.
Can you attend with multiple artists?
Yes. For larger guest numbers or shorter time frames, I can arrange a team of artists.
WORKSHOPs & tuition
Do I need any previous experience?
Not necessarily.
I offer sessions for complete beginners as well as students who already have experience with henna and would like to develop their technique further.
The content and pace can be adapted to your existing skills and goals.
What do we learn in a workshop?
This depends on the format and length of the session.
Topics may include cone control, basic line work, building motifs, understanding pattern structure and creating simple compositions.
Longer or more advanced sessions can explore more complex design work and techniques.
Do you offer private tuition?
Yes. One-to-one tuition allows us to tailor the content, pace and exercises closely to your current level and the areas you would specifically like to develop.
Can I book a workshop for an event?
Yes. Henna workshops can be offered as part of cultural programmes, festivals, community events and other creative occasions.
Bookings & Contact
How can I book a private appointment?
Send me an email with a brief description of the design you have in mind, the area of the body, approximate size and your preferred date.
If you have reference images, feel free to include them.
How can I request a quote for an event?
Please include:
-
date
-
location
-
type of event
-
approximate guest count
-
available time
-
whether you are interested in henna, jagua or both
-
If you are unsure how many artists or what kind of design menu would work best, that is absolutely fine. I can recommend a suitable setup based on the details of your event.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?