Henna or tint for your brows: which to choose and how long it lasts

Henna or tint is the most common question before a brow colouring appointment. Both change the colour of the hairs, but they behave differently on the skin and fade in different ways. In Tashkent, heat, hard water and dry air in the heating season also affect how long the colour stays. Here is a short guide to choosing.

How henna differs from tint

Tint mainly colours the hairs. The skin underneath may pick up a little colour, but that fades within a few days. The result looks natural: brows are more visible while the outline stays soft. There are many shades, so it is easy to match both fair and dark hair.

Henna colours both the hairs and the skin between them. The effect is like a light brow shadow: the brow looks fuller and gaps appear filled in. The henna palette is narrower, mostly browns of different depths, and the treatment itself usually takes longer.

How long the colour lasts

Timing depends on your skin type and aftercare, so treat these as ranges.

• Tint on the hairs. Three to four weeks on average; the colour is noticeably lighter by the end.
• Henna on the hairs. Usually four to six weeks, until the hairs renew.
• Henna on the skin. From two to ten days. It fades faster on oily skin and stays longer on dry skin.

For the first 24 hours after any colouring, it is best not to wet, steam or rub your brows. After that, simple habits keep the colour longer: wash without scrubs or acids around the brows and avoid removing make-up with oil directly over them.

Who each one suits

• Sparse brows or gaps. Henna visually fills the empty areas and gives a clear shape.
• Full brows that only need colour. Tint is enough: the result is neat, with no hard outline.
• Oily skin. Henna will not stay long on the skin, so paying extra for the shadow effect is not always worth it.
• Fair or grey hairs. With tint it is easier to hit the right shade and avoid a reddish tone.

Before your first colouring, and whenever the product changes, you need a patch test: a drop of the mixture is applied to the skin a day before the appointment. If the skin around your brows is irritated, flaky or inflamed, postpone the colouring and see a dermatologist.

What to keep in mind in Tashkent

• Heat and sweat. From May to September colour on the skin fades faster, especially after the gym or the pool. In summer it is more practical to rely on the colour of the hairs.
• Hard water. Frequent washing with tap water dries the skin and speeds up fading. Use a gentle cleanser and do not rub your brows with a towel.
• Heating season. Dry air causes flaking, and henna goes on patchy over such skin. Moisturise for a couple of days before your visit, but skip cream on the brows on the day itself.

If you are unsure, tell your brow artist what result you want and what your skin is like: at BOSCO they will suggest which colouring option suits you and match the shade to your hair. Current prices are on the brows and lashes page, and for a longer-lasting way to set and colour brows see our article on lash and brow lamination.