Henna for Eyelashes and Eyebrows: A DIY Tutorial

Treating your brows and lashes with henna is a great way to naturally emphasize your beauty. Henna for the eyebrows and eyelashes is the perfect solution for busy people. Many people choose to do this to save time and simplify their makeup routine. And you can easily eliminate a step or two from your daily routine with DIY henna.

Most beauty salons offer henna treatments that you can book an appointment for—but you can also do it at home (and you’ll be surprised by how simple it is). With the help of our DIY guide, you’ll be able to get the salon look of bold brows and lashes, all from home.

What is henna?

Henna is a type of powder obtained from the dried and crushed leaves of the Lawsonia tree hailing from the hot climates of Asia, Africa, and Australia. The leaves of the plant contain a reddish-brown pigment, which is used as a dye for the hair and skin.

The coloring properties of henna have been used since ancient times when henna was used to dye hair, nails, and decorate the body. Today, this natural cosmetic is often used as an alternative to hair dyes saturated with chemical additives.

Because henna is a natural, plant-based substance, it doesn’t damage dyed hair and is much safer for those with allergies. Standard hair dyes contain harsh formulas with chemicals like ammonia, so they’re not recommended for the face. But henna is a safe substitute that won’t harm the hair or skin.

What to consider when shopping for henna?

In its pure form, henna will produce an orange-red result. But not to fear—this doesn’t mean you’ll end up with red brows and lashes. Henna is often mixed with other herbs like Cassia, Indigo, and Katam to give off copper, black, or brown tones.

When shopping for henna at your local beauty or drugstore, it’ll be worth taking a look at its composition. Make sure to only buy natural dyes without any chemical or artificial additives. These types of substances can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions when coming in contact with sensitive areas like the eyes and brows.

Henna is available in either a powder, gel, or cream formula. When using the powder version, it has to be mixed with hydrogen peroxide before use. So many people prefer to go for the cream or gel kind, since it’s easier to apply and is immediately ready for use.

Henna is long-lasting, but it isn’t permanent. For options with staying power, check out this blog.

DIY Henna prep

Before dyeing your brows or lashes at home, it’s always worth doing an allergy test to minimize the risk of irritation. At least 24 hours before going all out with the henna, apply a bit to a less visible patch of skin. For example, behind the ear or in the crook of the elbow—and observe if there’s any type of reaction. If after a day your skin hasn’t shown signs of any type of reaction, you have the green light to dye your brows and lashes!

Selecting the right product

The main thing to pay attention to once you’ve figured out which kind of formula you want to use, is choosing the right shade. If you want to keep the look as natural as possible, choose a color that best matches your hair color. Stay away from colors that are too dark. The effect can end up looking unnatural and exaggerated.

Application

It’s very important to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer when experimenting with DIY henna. Make sure to follow them step by step and understand that each supplier with require different preparations and application methods. Some preparations will have to be mixed, others come ready to apply. After doing any necessary prep work listed in the instructions, it’s almost time to apply it!

To protect your skin from discoloration, apply some petroleum jelly in the skin surrounding the brows and lashes. When working on the eyes, the lower lashes can additionally be protected with cotton pads. Then, using a toner, cleanse your brows and lashes to get rid of any remaining product.

Brows

When applying henna to the eyebrows, it’s best to use a thin brush. Start from the highest point of the eyebrow and work inwards, towards where the eyebrow is the thickest. Then, spread the henna along the entire length of the eyebrow, following its natural shape. Remember to spread the mixture gently to avoid dying the skin.

Apply the henna to one eyebrow and then to the other, getting them as symmetrical as possible. After the elapsed time listed in your instruction manual has passed, wipe it off with a moist cotton pad starting from the eyebrow that was painted first.

Lashes

When it comes to applying henna to the lashes, it’s similar to the brows. Except, you’ll need a clean and unused mascara wand. This will allow you to apply the henna mixture precisely and evenly to all the lashes. Thoroughly cover the lower lashes first, then do the upper ones. The best way of doing so is with your eyes closed—but for this you’ll need to ask another person for help.

How long will the effects of henna last?

Henna-dyed lashes and brows usually tend to keep their color for quite a while. You can expect your henna-dyed eyelashes to last about a month, and your eyebrows about 2 weeks. To keep your color fresh, it’s best to repeat the treatment as soon as you notice the hair is getting lighter. Since henna isn’t harmful to the hair, it can be safely used for regular maintenance.

Is henna safe to use?

Yes! Although henna is considered safe, like any other treatment, there are certain people it isn’t suitable for including:

–   Allergy to any ingredient in the cosmetic

–   Eye diseases (e.g., styes, inflammations, redness, conjunctivitis, skin infection, redness or swelling of the eyelids, abrasions, or damage to the epidermis around the eyebrows or eyes)

–   Brows that have just been waxed or threaded

Henna for the brows and lashes is the perfect way to emphasize the eye area, so it’s no wonder it’s been climbing the ranks of the most popular beauty treatments. The advantage of course is a natural effect that’s long-lasting, but also inexpensive to do yourself. With a little bit of practice, you’ll soon be an expert on DIY henna treatments. But if you want to leave it to the real pros, check out Booksy to schedule a henna brow or lash service in your area!