What is the Difference Between Brow Dye, Tint and Henna?

Written by: Bella Beauty

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Time to read: 4 min

What is the difference between brow dye, tint and henna?

Ahhhh the age-old question… What is the difference between Brow Dye, Tint and Henna? They effectively all do the same thing… right? Well yes and no.

Brow Dye vs Henna vs Tint

Let me break it down for you:

Tint

Brow tints are generally used to provide a more natural-looking result, making them a good choice for those who want to try out a new eyebrow colour without a long-term commitment.

  • Last for up to 5 days on the skin
  • Lasts for about 4-6 weeks on the hair
  • Provides a softer more natural result 
  • It can be used on brows and lashes
  • Easier application - generally one layer
  • More forgiving for beginner artists

Brow Dye

On the other hand, eyebrow dye or hybrid dye is a more intense and longer-lasting colouring treatment than tints.

  • Last for up to 7-10 days on the skin
  • Typically lasts for 6-8 weeks on the hair
  • Provides a bolder, longer-lasting stain
  • Unlike henna and tint, dyes such as Bronsun and Noemi don't wash out of the hair as they permanently colour the hair until it naturally grows out.
  • Classic tint simply covers the outer layer of the hair follicle, but hybrids go the extra mile by penetrating the entire follicle, delivering more prolonged and resilient results.
  • Used for those clients that prefer a fuller and filled-in look
  • Typically in a cream or gel formula
  • It can be used on brows and lashes
  • Can require multiple layering during the application
  • Might require a little more practice as the colour is fast-acting

Henna

Like dye, Henna penetrates the follicle and stains the skin. This makes it last longer on the brows than tinting does but henna is more likely to wash out than permanent dyes.

  • Henna skin stains typically lasts 7-10 days
  • Typically lasts for 6 weeks on the hair
  • Provides a bolder, longer-lasting stain
  • Henna pigment can not be used during lamination treatments which has led to a decline in its popularity.
  • Used for those clients that prefer a bold and filled-in look
  • Often has a more liquid/watery texture which requires precision

Key Differences 🔑

  • Henna pigments can’t be used during lamination treatments whereas tints and dyes can.
  • A general rule of thumb is if a client wants a more natural result go with tint, if they want a bolder, longer-lasting result use dye or henna.
  • Each has a slightly different application method and texture.
  • Dyes will often last longest on the hair, then henna, then tints.

How do I know which is right for my client?

Overall, tint, dye and henna are all used to enhance the colour of the eyebrows. However, determining which one is best suited for your client’s needs is up to you. So make sure you are listening to your clients and their needs!


When in doubt, our go-to is Noemi Hybrid Dye. Noemi is our go-to for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are 9 beautiful colours in the Noemi Hybrid Dye range, meaning you can create a variety of shades and perfectly customise those to your client’s needs! Noemi also has a clear colour corrector which you can mix with the dye to help you customise the intensity of the stain. Plus, the dye contains nourishing ingredients that will help strengthen, protect and stimulate hair growth, which is great, especially after lamination. So it’s safe to say they Noemi has got our back for most clients' needs, making life a whole lot easier! 💁‍♀️✨

FAQ's

How long does hybrid dye last?

Brow Dye typically lasts up to 7-10 days on the skin and 6-8 weeks on the hair.

What is the difference between Henna pigment and Henna extract?

Basic Differences:

💖 Henna pigment contains pigment and has hair care benefits

💖 Henna Extract has no pigment and is used for it's hair care benefits


KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HENNA PIGMENT AND EXTRACT FOR BROW ARTISTS:

🚫Henna Pigment can NOT be used in combination with lamination.

✅Henna Extract CAN be used in combination with lamination.


While many brow artists continue to rely on henna dye for achieving intense and long-lasting brows, the surge in popularity of eyebrow laminations has prompted a shift towards hybrid dyes. Brands like Noemi offer a compelling alternative, harnessing the advantages of henna extract while maintaining compatibility with lamination products.

How do I achieve the perfect brow stain?

Achieving the perfect brow stain is very dependent on the brow artist, the client's skin/hair type and the desired result, but here are our best tips to create the crispiest brow stain imaginable:


💖 Do your research - Read the manual for your chosen product and invest in educating yourself about the product for the best results.

💖 Prep the brows - using a brow shampoo/cleanser and primer will remove any dirt, makeup or dead skin cells, whilst helping to prep the brows for the dye application, laying the groundwork for a longer lasting skin stain 💫

💖 To layer or not to layer - Find out if the product works better with layering (like Bronsun) or one even layer (like Noemi) as this can drastically change the result.

💖 Follow the recommended ratio - Mix tint/dye in the recommended ratio with the developer (usually 50/50)

💖 Darker = longer lasting - As a general rule of thumb, the darker the colour is the longer lasting the skin stain will be.

💖 Stamp 👏it 👏in 👏- Apply the product by stamping it into the brows with a good quality brush or tint stick.

💖 Have a play - don't get discouraged if the tint/dye doesn't look great on the first try! Keep trialling and testing until you get the hang of the colours and processing times. Trying something new can be a little frustrating at times but it can also be really fun and exciting, so keep at it!


Using these tips should get you a crispy even skin stain! But if you’re still stuck, we have heaps more tips and info on a wide range of brands in our Training section as well as on our Instagram, so check that out!

What is Hybrid Dye?

Hybrid brow dye earns its name by combining the colour intensity of henna with the user-friendly application and quick results typically associated with a tint. Additionally, hybrid dye colours both the skin and hair, creating a tattoo-like appearance that lasts for a few days after application and gradually transitions to a more natural look.