How To Get An Amazing Stain
Getting an awesome stain is 50% the quality of the product, and 50% the prep and aftercare.
We’ve got the product quality covered, so the rest is up to you!
How to Prep for best results from your henna/jagua designs
Our #1 most essential tip: make sure your skin is clean! Wash with soap & water, or wipe the skin down with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel before applying henna/jagua.
If you’re coming for an appointment:
If you exfoliate regularly, STOP exfoliating about 3 days before your appointment.
REMOVE HAIR if you’re comfortable with that, depending on where you want the designs done. Even little invisible hairs can prevent the henna/jagua from making full contact with your skin.
ARRANGE FOR HELP if you’re having your palms or feet done. You might need someone else to drive for you, help you to the restroom, get food etc.
AVOID LOTIONS/OILS the day you get your henna. These will interfere with the henna stain, sometimes even if you wash afterwards so it’s best to avoid them that day.
IF you spray tan, do this at least 24 hrs after the henna is applied. Keep in mind henna & spray tans don’t usually play well together and it’s going to make the henna appear lighter regardless.
DRESS in clothes that let you leave your skin uncovered for 6-12 hours. For example, if you want a shoulder piece wear a sleeveless/strapless top.
I love to get photos of the finished work, so keep that in mind if it helps you decide what to wear / nails done etc.
BRING an umbrella if there’s rain in the forecast. If it’s raining when you head back to your car, it will ruin the design.
BASIC AfterCARE
#1 - Apply Finishing Spray or cover with Mefix or Aftercare Wrap to hold the design in place for a few hours. The longer it’s on, the darker and longer-lasting the stain will be!
If you come for an appointment with me, I’ll always apply finishing Spray. Let me know ahead of time if you want to buy Mefix or Aftercare Wrap.
Jagua Aftercare
LEAVE THE JAGUA GEL ON for 2-8 hours, then wash off with soap and warm water.
DON’T try to bathe while the gel is still on your skin. It can rehydrate and smear or drip.
AVOID direct sun, very hot water (hot tubs, extra hot showers/baths) and harsh chemicals (i.e. cleansers, chlorine) for 24 hrs after removing the gel. Since it’s a tropical fruit, jagua can be a bit irritating and these things can enhance the irritation. Water is OK! Just not super hot.
COVER the area overnight the first 2 nights with a sock, long sleeves or similar. Jagua stains can transfer to other parts of your body, even after washing!! After the first couple of nights, you don’t have to worry about wrapping anymore.
Henna & Jagua-Henna Aftercare
STAY WARM while the paste is on. In colder months, that might mean sitting near a space heater or using a heating pad. It really matters!
LEAVE THE DRIED PASTE ON for 6-12 hours. You can sleep with it on overnight, too. If you do, wrap it in something breathable such as Mefix tape, aftercare wrap or even just toilet paper with a sock over it.
DON’T use Saran / cling wrap. While it does keep the paste protected and warm, it also encourages sweating which is definitely not what you want. Sweat = runny henna designs.
DON’T try to bathe while the gel is still on your skin. It can rehydrate and smear or drip.
AFTER 6-12 HRS, gently pick/scrape off. Do not use water to remove! You can rub a little vegetable oil into it and let sit a few minutes to soften. Then use a dry washcloth to remove.
AVOID WATER on the fresh stain for the first 24 hours after removing the paste.
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