Henna brows are about to take the world by storm! If you haven’t heard of this treatment, stay tuned and read on for all of the details.
WHAT ARE HENNA BROWS?
Henna eyebrow tint uses natural dye from the henna plant to stain the skin under the brow hairs to create an illusion of depth and fullness, visually filling any sparseness. It also coats brow hairs with colour, rather than changing the natural brow hair colour from within like regular tints do. This gentle process makes henna brows well suited to sensitive skin, while the easy-to-control dye can match almost any skin tone and brow shape.
Henna brows have undeniably become one of the biggest trends in the beauty industry over the last few years. This semi-permanent eyebrow beauty treatment is perfect for today’s client – it’s natural, painless and long-lasting alternative to traditional tinting.
HOW LONG DO HENNA Brows LAST?
So Henna eyebrows can last from 2 – 4 weeks, though this does depend on skin type and how well the aftercare process is followed. Brow shades can be personalised by mixing dyes together and adjusting how long the henna is left on the brows for.
WHY SO HENNA?
So Henna has been formulated to be 100% vegan and free from ammonia, lead and oxidants. More importantly, So Henna also contains Lawsone dye (henna), which stimulates hair growth.
So Henna ingredients follow import regulations and contain a low PPD percentage.
Henna brows process
If you’ve ever had your brows tinted and waxed, then you’ll have an idea of how the process works. The first step for henna brows is all about cleansing and removing any oils from the skin. This is to ensure that your skin is super clean and ready for the henna.
After your eyebrows are clean, they are then measured and shaped which also allows you to have some input before the process goes ahead. The next step is crucial and can make or break your eyebrow shape. A white paste is applied around your eyebrows that acts as a barrier and is what gives you the sharp, defined lines of your new eyebrow shape.
After the paste has been applied, it’s time for the henna! This part of the process is delicate and very carefully applied. The henna has to be pushed onto the skin to ensure it sits in between the hairs to give you that fuller effect. Once it is evenly applied and super sharp, it will sit there for about 10 – 20 minutes. When it’s done developing, it is wiped away and your eyebrows are then waxed, threaded, or tweezed to complete a high definition effect.
What’s the difference between regular tint and henna brows?
Regular eyebrow tint will only tint the hairs and lasts anywhere from 2-4 weeks. It is great for those that are happy with their eyebrow shape and don’t require any other shaping.
Henna brows produce longer lasting results. Lasting up to 6 weeks on the hairs, it also tints the skin which is great if you would like a better shape to your brows. It fills in anywhere you have gaps.
Do I need a patch test?
Yes, absolutely! The patch test needs to be done at least 48 hours before treatment, but the good news is, it can be posted to your house so you can do it in the comfort of your own home.
If you’d like to know anything else about henna brows, get in touch or schedule a patch test and I’ll be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
GUIDE TO HENNA BROW
STEP 1: PRE-TREATMENT: CLEANSING & SCRUBBING
Using Foam Cleanser and a soft brush, spread the foam across the eyebrows and cleanse them gently, making sure there is no make-up on or around the brows. Wipe away the excess foam cleanser from the eyebrows with a damp cotton pad and pat dry with a tissue.
Using a gentle face scrub, remove the layer of dead skin (dry, white flakes) to prepare the skin for the tint. Remove leftover scrub with a wet cotton pad.
STEP 2: COLOUR SELECTION AND MIXING
Choose the ideal shade to suit your client – remember that you can mix shades to personalise the colour for each individual client. Once you have both agreed on a suitable shade, mix distilled water and So Henna powder in a 1:1 ratio. The amount of the powder depends on the shade you want to achieve – the more powder, the more intense the colour will be.
Mix it thoroughly to create an even consistency – the perfect ready-to-use henna brow consistency ranges from honey-like in texture to whipped cream.
A thicker consistency creates a darker look and longer lasting colour, whereas a thinner consistency looks lighter and may fade more quickly depending on the client’s skin type.
STEP 3: APPLICATION
Using So Henna angled brush number 3, apply a thick, even layer across the brows.Press/tap the henna tint into the eyebrow until all skin is covered, starting from the tale of the eyebrow. To achieve straight even lines, or correct small mistakes, use a cotton swab/correction stick.
STEP 4: DRYING
Fixing time is between 10-20 minutes from application depending on the desired staining results.
A light stain can be achieved within minutes, but the longer the paste is left on the skin, the darker and longer lasting the stain will be, therefore ensure you know exactly the look your client wishes to achieve and leave the tint to develop accordingly.
STEP 5: REMOVAL
Once the waiting time is up, remove the henna starting from the head of the eyebrow. You can remove henna eyebrow tint with a cotton pad soaked in water or So Henna oil. Remember to do it gently without rubbing the skin too much.
AFTERCARE
Now that the treatment is complete, give your client the following instructions to help maintain their beautiful new eyebrow look. For 24hrs after treatment, clients should be advised to avoid:
- Touching the area (as the pores are open and it may lead to infection)
- Using saunas, hot tubs or steam rooms
- Swimming, perfumed products, and sun beds
- Applying makeup to the area, as this may cause infection – to cover any redness as a result of hair removal, suggest mineral powder rather than heavy liquid concealers.
Being a brow artist is much more than just tinting and waxing eyebrows – providing a professional quality treatment is the key to a happy and returning client. We hope that with this quick “how to So Henna” guide you can create gorgeous long lasting brows.
Henna Brows the pros and cons?
Pros –
• Henna brows tint and stain the skin giving you a more fuller, 3D effect.
• It’s great for those that have sparse or over plucked brows
• Henna brows can encourage hair to grow back fuller in all the right places
• It contains less chemicals and harsh ingredients so is a great option for sensitive skin
• It will last on the hairs for up to 6 weeks which is almost twice as long as regular tint
• Henna can tint the skin anywhere from 2-10 days
• Henna takes beautifully to grey hairs
Cons –
• The oiler your skin, the less the skin stain will last
• You will need to clean around your brows. The more you can leave them alone and not touch them, the longer the skin stain will last.
• Henna will not last as long with any skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis.
• For best results, the more brow hair the better. People with very little brow hair would not see as long lasting results
I have gotten henna brows myself and I have combination skin. My forehead gets shiny but I wouldn’t say I’m oily. I’m on day 6 and the stain from the henna is still going strong!
FAQs
IS HENNA A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE?
The henna plant is native to the middle east and has been used since ancient times to dye the skin and hair. Although henna itself is a natural dye, many henna dyes on the market do include synthetic ingredients similar to those used in traditional eyebrow tints. This isn’t always clearly labelled on the packaging, meaning you’re not always getting what you pay for when you opt for a ‘natural’ alternative.
IS HENNA FREE FROM PPD?
Para-phenylenediamine, more commonly known as PPD, is used in hair and eyebrow dyes to colour the hair. Although many people can safely use these dyes, some people can experience allergic reactions to PPD.
Many people opt for henna as a PPD-free alternative, but it’s important to note that some henna dyes do actually contain PPD. Black henna is the term commonly used for henna that contains PPD or other members of the PPD family. Other members of the PPD family may have different names but will carry the same risks, so always be sure to be patch tested even if the tint is labelled as PPD-free.
Even if the product is labelled as natural, you should also check with your technician or the brand for clarification on the ingredients list if you have experienced a reaction to PPD.
WHICH IS SAFER: EYEBROW TINT OR HENNA?
As long as your technician has carried out a patch test and asked the correct questions to determine if you’re suitable for the treatment, both versions of eyebrow tinting are perfectly safe.
It is worth noting that traditional eyebrow tints are regulated by EU law, meaning that the levels of synthetic dyeing agents used are controlled and kept at safe levels. However, some black henna products that claim to be ‘PPD-free’ pose a risk of not being controlled and could potentially increase the risk of a reaction.
CAN I HAVE A REACTION TO HENNA BROW DYE?
If you opt for PPD-free henna, there is still a chance of a reaction due to lawsone, the orange-red pigment found in the leaves of the henna plant. As with any dye treatment, your technician should offer a patch test to ensure the treatment is safe to go ahead.
IS HENNA SUITABLE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO TINT?
If you’ve experienced a reaction to PPD, you’ll need to make sure you are choosing a PPD-free henna and you’d also need to have a patch test prior to the treatment. If your patch test is clear, then you’re good to go ahead.
Henna can achieve some fantastic results, however there are a lot of misconceptions that it’s a totally risk-free treatment. Your technician will be able to advise if henna is suitable for you.