Henna eyebrows vs. tinted eyebrows: What’s the difference?

If you haven’t heard of henna eyebrows before – or you have but you’re not quite sure what it means – don’t worry, you’re not alone!
 

Originating in Ancient Egypt, henna is an all-natural dye that has been used for body art and hair dye for thousands of years.

But when it comes to comparing henna eyebrows to a traditional eyebrow tint, how does it stack up? And which should you choose next time you need a brow glow-up?

1. What is eyebrow tinting?

For those who want to accentuate or darken their brow hair, a natural-looking semi-permanent eyebrow tint is often the go-to.

I want to point out that an eyebrow tint only tints your eyebrow hair. It might look like it’s stained the skin beneath, but that washes away quickly. This is probably the biggest difference between henna and brow tints (well, that, and longevity – more on this below).

How long does an eyebrow tint last?

An eyebrow tint hangs around for between 2-4 weeks, then you’ll need to visit your brow tech (hey! 👋) for another tinting session.

What’s the application process?

Using a chemical dye, your brows are painted with a colour mixed just for you. Depending on the look you’re going for (subtle or more intense), your brow technician will adjust your brow dye shade and the processing time accordingly.

It should take between 2-5 minutes for the tint to develop fully.

2. What are Henna eyebrows?

Just like regular brow tinting, henna dyes your eyebrows a semi-permanent colour. Henna is made from the dried leaves of the henna plant, making it a natural and safe alternative to the chemicals traditionally used in eyebrow tinting products.

So, if you’ve got sensitive skin or eyebrow dyes have irritated you in the past, I’d highly recommend giving henna a whirl.

Another difference between henna eyebrows and traditional eyebrow tinting is the look they give your brows. Henna dyes the eyebrow hairs, but also stains the skin underneath for up to two weeks. This results in a fuller, more defined look.

How long do henna eyebrows last?

Henna eyebrows usually last between 6-8 weeks (about twice as long as an eyebrow tint).

What’s the application process?

Henna eyebrows require more precision, and a few more steps, than a traditional eyebrow tint does.

 Step 1: Firstly, your brow technician will cleanse and remove any oils from your skin. This ensures they’ve got a clean canvas to work on.

Step 2: Next, your brow tech will apply a white paste that acts like a barrier around your eyebrows. This makes sure the henna doesn’t bleed and your results are looking sharp.

Step 3:  Henna time! Being super precise, the henna paste is pushed into the eyebrows and left to develop for 30-45 minutes.

3. Henna eyebrows vs. tinted eyebrows: Which one should you try?

If you have naturally fuller eyebrows but want to add a lil somethin’ somethin’ for more colour and depth, I would suggest getting your eyebrows tinted. A tint is always going to look more natural than a henna application (unless you’ve opted for a black dye and you’re a blonde!).

If you’ve got lighter coloured brows or require more shaping, henna brows are the way to go. Your henna brows will look more “filled in” at first, but soften to a powdery finish over time.

And actually – if you’re considering microblading, but you’re on the fence, I’d recommend trying henna first. You’ll be able to see what a darker, more defined brow might look like on you (and whether you wanna lock it in).

Ready for an eyebrow makeover? Book your next appointment online now.