What Is Hengua?
Hengua is a mix of natural henna and jagua, offering beautiful shades that range from warm brown to nearly black. It’s ideal if you’re looking for something darker than henna but softer than full jagua.
I mix my hengua paste in a 50/50 ratio, half henna paste and half jagua gel, to create a rich, brown stain that works well on many skin tones.
The result is less reddish than henna and slightly lighter than jagua, with a smooth consistency that’s easy to work with.
Like all my pastes, this blend is made fresh and with care, using natural, skin-safe ingredients only.
Storage & Use
Just like henna and jagua: Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 6 months. Let it come to room temperature before use. You can refreeze any leftover paste.
If the cone leaks, just tape around the hole.
Caring for Your Hengua: Simple Tips for a Beautiful Stain
My pastes are made with natural, skin-safe ingredients, but if you have sensitive skin or allergies, I recommend doing a small patch test 24 hours before applying a full design, just to be sure your skin agrees with it.
For the best stain results, I usually recommend that clients gently exfoliate and moisturize their skin with natural oils or creams for a couple of days before the application, this helps create a smooth, well-hydrated surface that absorbs the dye more evenly.
Hengua aftercare is the same as with henna:
1. Once the hengua paste has dried, usually after 10–15 minutes, I usually cover it. If the hengua is on my hands, I gently wear breathable fabric gloves. If it’s on another part of the body, I wear a tight but breathable cloth, something I don’t mind getting stained. This helps keep the paste in place and warm, which really improves the stain.
Some people also spray a lemon and sugar mix, or just lemon juice, to keep the paste moist for longer. I’ve tried that, but on my skin it doesn’t make much difference. That said, I know women for whom the lemon spray really helps deepen the color, so it’s worth trying both approaches to see what works best for your skin. Another option is to use surgical tape or breathable medical wrap to hold the paste in place, especially overnight.
2. Keep It On As Long As You Can: Leave the paste on for at least 2 hours, but ideally 6–8 hours or overnight. The longer it stays, the better the stain. Try to stay warm (henna loves heat!) you can gently steam (not wet with water, though) the area or just wrap up warmly. I often tuck my hands under a blanket to keep them cozy.
3. Don’t Wash It Off: When you're ready to remove the paste, don’t use water! Gently scrape it off with oil, I use hempseed oil, but any other good quality oil will do. You can also scrape it dry with a spoon, a butter knife, or your nails. This helps protect the stain and gives it a chance to deepen.
4. Be Patient, The Color Develops Over Time: Right after removing the paste, your hengua will look light orange. Don’t worry! Over the next 24–48 hours, the color will gradually darken to a rich reddish-brown.
5. Avoid Water: To protect it, avoid water for the first day if you can. Before showering or washing your hands, apply a thin layer of natural oil (like coconut, argan, or shea butter) over the design to create a barrier.
6. Make It Last: Hengua on the hands typically lasts about 7–10 days, depending on your skin and lifestyle. Frequent washing, swimming, or exfoliating can cause it to fade faster. To help it last longer, wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning, and apply a natural oil to keep the skin hydrated and protect the design.
