Temporary Jagua Tattoo near ColumbiaImprint each other

Book a date for two · $50 See how it works
The word amor in fine script

No needles

Jagua is a fruit paste, painted onto the skin.

Swallowtail butterfly

Authentic look

Jagua sinks into the top layer of skin, so it looks far more like a real tattoo than a sticker does.

Initials A and J in fine script

Lasts up to two weeks

It fades gradually as your skin renews.

How it works

Print. Press. Trace.

  1. PrintChoose a design together, or submit your own.
  2. PressPress the stencil onto their skin and peel it back. The outline stays behind.
  3. TraceTrace it slowly in jagua gel. It starts faint and deepens to blue-black over 24–48 hours.
Jagua fruit photo: Cody H., CC BY 2.0, blurred
The studio

A private studio

Broadway & 125th St, by the 1 train. The exact address comes in your confirmation email.

The price

$50 per pair

For both of you. Pay at the session through Zelle.

The session

60 minutes

Bring your Columbia ID.

Booking

Pick a time for two.

You'll both get a confirmation email with the studio address and a calendar invite.

Day
Loading open times…
Time
Choose a day first.
The two of you

One of you needs a Columbia or Barnard email.

You
Your partner
Designs (optional)
You
Your partner

Pick a design

Frequently asked questions

More questions? Reply to your confirmation email and we'll get back to you.

Can I come alone?
Bring a friend! The workshop is built for two: you tattoo each other, so you'll need a partner to book.
What is jagua?
Jagua is a plant-based temporary tattoo ink made from the fruit of the Genipa americana tree, used for body art in the Amazon for centuries. It goes on as a gel, stains only the top layer of skin, and develops into a blue-black color that looks like a real tattoo, with no needles.
Where is the workshop?
In a private studio on Broadway near 125th Street in Upper Manhattan, a short walk from Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus and the 125 St station on the 1 train. The exact address is in your confirmation email.
Is it permanent?
No. Jagua sits in the top layer of skin and fades in about 1 to 2 weeks.
What color will it be?
Jagua goes on as a pale gel, so right after the session the design looks faint, with a light blue tint. Over the next 24 to 48 hours it darkens into a deep blue-black that looks like real ink. Give it a day before you judge it.
How long will it last?
Usually 1 to 2 weeks. A few things make a difference:
  • Placement: thin skin and high-friction spots that get sweaty or washed a lot, like hands, fingers and palms, fade faster, often within a week. Areas with thicker skin and less movement can last 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Skin type: drier skin tends to hold the stain longer. Oily skin or fast skin turnover fades it sooner.
  • Aftercare: keeping the skin moisturized with lotion or oil helps it last. Scrubbing, swimming and long hot baths fade it much faster.
We can't draw.
You don't need to. You trace a printed stencil. The wobbly lines are the best part.
Allergies?
Reactions are rare. If either of you has sensitive skin, tell us when you arrive and we'll do a small patch test first.
Can I remove it sooner?
Yes. Gently exfoliate the area with warm salt water or a body scrub. Be easy on your skin. It can take a few tries before the ink is completely gone.