What is Henna Brows & Why Should you Add it to your Service

Well-defined, properly maintained, and full brows are essential to enhance natural facial features and establish a more appealing appearance. In fact, most beauty experts are of the opinion that just having well-kept brows is enough to look more put-together, neat, and well-groomed.

Eyebrows can really change a person’s appearance by elevating their eyes and brightening up the face, and are therefore extremely important as far as aesthetics are concerned. It is no wonder then, that the beauty industry is teeming with all kinds of procedures that elevate the natural brows.

Amongst the plethora of brow dyeing and tinting options available, henna brow is an ancient method that continues to be a favorite amongst the beauty community.

What is Henna Brow?

Henna is a natural dye that has been used since the ancient Egyptian times to dye clothes, fabrics, nails, and hair, and as a semi-permanent tattoo for the skin. Now, henna eyebrows have also been added to the list of cosmetic or beautification procedures that henna is used for.

Henna Brow involves the use of a paste made with henna powder mixed with water, and other additives such as indigo, to achieve the desired color. The paste is then applied to the eyebrows to tint the hair and stain the skin beneath the brows. This is done to create the illusion of depth and fill any sparseness in the brow hair, making the eyebrows look dense and full.

The Henna Brow Process

The process begins with cleaning the area around the brows to get rid of any oil and dirt.

The client’s brows are then measured and shaped, and outlined to have a clear, defined guide of what area is to be stained.

Then, a barrier paste is applied around the outline to protect the area from being stained by the henna paste, giving the brows a sharp, defined appearance.

Once this is complete, the henna paste is applied to the client’s brows, and allowed to sit for some time, before being cleaned off.

Henna Brows vs Brow Tints

In addition to henna brows, brow tints have been another popular way for clients to get dense, defined, dark, and fuller brows that always look on point. Each procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages and depending on the specific client’s requirements, one may be more suitable than the other.

The main difference between henna brows and brow tints is that henna brows also stain the skin, whereas brow tints only dye the existing strands of hair in the natural eyebrows of the client.

Other differences include:

• Lasting time - henna brows last up to 6 weeks with proper aftercare, while tints last an average anywhere between 2-3 weeks on hair and only 1-3 days on skin.
• Appearance - henna eyebrows have a more dramatic appearance as they also stain the skin underneath the brow hair, while brow tints look relatively more natural as only the existing hair is stained
• Formulation - henna brows use a plant-based, completely natural mixture, and don’t irritate or dry the skin; meanwhile, brow tints can contain strong chemicals that can cause dryness and also damage sensitive skin
• Nourishment - henna contains antioxidants, proteins, and vitamin E which naturally nourishes and conditions the hair, and also promotes hair growth. On the other hand, brow tints require a separate conditioning treatment to be used on the brows
• Range of colors - henna brow colors are relatively limited as the dye can only be made in shades of black, brown, and the traditional red. However, brow tint has a much wider range of colors and can be made in grays, ash blondes, and all other kinds of blacks, browns, reds, and oranges, depending on the client’s needs.

Considering these factors, there is no one-size-fits-all for eyebrow dying.

Depending on the client’s expectations and the results that they desire, one dye method may be more suitable than the other.

A brow tint would be more appropriate for clients who want:

• A wide range of shades to choose from
• A more temporary treatment
• A natural effect
• Can be used after brow lamination

On the other hand, you should suggest a henna brow treatment for clients who expect:

• Fuller, denser brows that look more dramatic
• A nourishing tint that dyes the brows while also promoting hair health
• A natural, plant-based tint that reduces the risk of skin irritations or reactions

Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and there is no way of guaranteeing that one client will like a certain method just because it’s been popular with the rest of your clients.

For clients that seem unsure, you can suggest that they try both procedures to understand what they prefer, before settling on their staple dye method.

5 Reasons you Should Add Henna Brows to your List of Services

If you’re hesitant about expanding your services to include henna brows, we’ve got 5 reasons to convince you to do so:

1. The Perfect Match with Eyelash Extensions

Henna brows go perfectly with eyelash extensions, enhancing the eyes and making them pop, while also framing the face better for a perfectly balanced appearance.

If you add henna brows to your services, clients are sure to opt for it along with their eyelash extension procedures if you make the suggestion. In fact, you could even offer a package deal that is sure to incentivize even those clients who don’t usually dye their brows after an extension procedure.

2. Natural and Pain-free Procedure

Everyone loves a natural, plant-based procedure that makes them look amazing while surpassing the “no pain, no gain” stereotype that so many cosmetic procedures seem to entail. Henna brows are just that!

The henna paste is just a mix of henna powder and water, which will be appealing to all kinds of clients, especially those with sensitive skin who don’t usually opt for any procedures beyond threading their eyebrows. You can also promote it as a vegan, skin-friendly alternative to brow tints, for clients who don’t like to expose their skin to harsh chemicals.

The natural and pain-free aspect of henna brows is sure to win over even the most hesitant of clients.

3. Super Easy to Learn and Fast Application

Henna brows are great because they don’t involve a tough learning curve. You can pick up the basics very quickly and build your skills along the way.

Plus, the henna brow application process is also very quick, which means that you can drastically increase the number of clients you serve, as compared to brow tints.

From a business point of view, it’s definitely a worthy addition to your services.

4. Available in a Variety of Brow Shades

Henna’s traditional color can be easily altered with natural additives, such as indigo, to make a wide range of colors to suit a variety of brow shades.

You can get all kinds of blacks, browns, and traditional henna reds to suit the natural brows of all kinds of clients, making henna brows a very appealing and convenient option.

5. Long-lasting (But Not Forever)

The beauty of henna brows is that it is a win-win situation for both parties involved:

• Clients benefit from the fact that the tint lasts up to 6 weeks with proper care, giving them ample time between touch ups and re-dye sessions
• Aestheticians are at an advantage as clients are often extremely happy with the long-lasting effects of henna brows and willing to pay a premium for the same. Plus, henna brows don’t last forever, giving aestheticians the benefit of repeat clients.

A good cosmetics procedure is one that leaves the client and aesthetician satisfied, and henna brows help accomplish that. Clients consider them to be worthy investments, while aestheticians enjoy repeat clients and decent profits.

Henna Brow Aftercare

Informing your client of the proper aftercare required to maintain the henna brows for as long as possible is very important. It will help them make the most of their henna brows, thereby promoting customer satisfaction and improving their trust in your services.

Here’s everything you should tell your client for the first 24 hours and if possible, even 48 hours:

• Do not wet the brows
• Avoid facial steaming and saunas
• Avoid swimming in saltwater and chlorinated pools
• Reduce how much water you expose the brows to by taking shorter showers
• Reduce rigorous activities that cause sweating

Henna brow stays best on dry skin. That’s why you should follow these rules when using facial products:

• Do not use anti-aging products that promotes cell turnover which will cause the henna to fade faster
• Only use oil-free skincare and cosmetic products around the brow region
• Avoid bleaching agents and only use gentle cleansers
• Avoid using scrubs and exfoliants in the area around the brows
• Avoid using products directly on the brows
• Do not use micellar water around the brow areas
• Only use non-alcoholic products such as cleansers and toners
• Avoid using antibacterial soap

Clients will need to schedule henna brow touch ups often every 6-8 weeks, depending on their skin type.

They can’t do much to stop henna from naturally fading, but there are ways to ensure that they don’t accidentally expedite the process. With the right after-care, clients can make their henna brows last as long as possible.

How Long do Henna Brows Last?

Henna brows stain both the eyebrow hair and the skin under the eyebrows, and each holds the dye’s color for different periods.

Henna stains the skin under the brows for around 2 weeks, while the dye on the hair strands remains for up to 6 weeks.

This time frame varies from one client to another depending on their:

• Skin type - as henna tint fades faster from an oily complexion and remains on drier skin for much longer
• Skin health - conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, etc can cause henna to fade faster
• Skin’s exposure to cosmetic and skincare products containing oil, and harsh makeup removers

Generally, the henna tint’s longevity also depends on:

• How intense the henna dye was applied
• How strictly the client adhered to the aftercare instructions

How to Remove Henna Brows When It Went Wrong?

Every cosmetic procedure involves a risk. Mistakes can happen and something can go wrong. Whether you’ve had a bad day, or your client has come to you with a DIY henna brow emergency, knowing how to reduce the damage from a henna brow gone wrong is crucial.

Here are some ways you can reduce the damage and salvage your client’s eyebrows and customer satisfaction, in case things go wrong:

• Steam the brows as soon as possible - this is basically the opposite of aftercare for the henna brows, and can be extremely effective in making the dye fade
• Soak the brows in a mixture of water and salt - place a cotton pad soaked in the mixture over the brows and let it sit. The sodium chloride will purge the skin of the henna tint
• Use a henna brow remover - readymade brow removers can be highly effective in getting rid of henna brows gone wrong in no time at all
• Use rubbing alcohol or antibacterial soap on the brows - the alcohol will exfoliate the skin and help fade the henna. Just remember to moisturize the area afterwards
• Use an exfoliating scrub - this will help scrape the henna stains and is an easily available solution for dealing with a henna brow gone wrong
• Soak the brows with micellar water to lift the dye
• Apply facial bleach to the brows if the dye is too dark and needs to be lightened
• Use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to soak the brows and fade the dye
• Use makeup to make the outlines of the henna brow enater, if the problem is just a case of sloppily applied henna
• Apply a whitening toothpaste to the brows and allow it to dry, then scrape it off with a toothbrush - the whitening toothpaste will have a bleaching effect and lighten the brows
• Apply baby oil or conditioner to the brows and massage it in before rinsing off - these products will help fade the dye faster

Getting rid of badly done henna brows essentially involves doing the opposite of henna brow aftercare, thereby making the henna fade faster and reducing the effectiveness of the dye.

LLBA’s Choice: BrowXenna Collection

LLBA’s personal favorite is the BrowXenna Collection with 12 shades that suit all skin tones and hair colors, making it ideal for aestheticians looking to serve a diverse range of clients.

The formula is a specially designed mineral solution with the lowest concentration of PPD. It is ideal for eyebrow hair as it promotes hair regeneration by 60% and is completely vegan-friendly.

Made from a mixture of ground henna leaves, herbs, and natural compounds, BrowXenna offers long lasting results, with the added convenience of an applicator that is super easy to use.

So what are you waiting for, it’s time to get those henna brow appointments scheduled!