Henna has been used as a dye for centuries because of its health benefits and natural origin. Made from the dried leaves of the henna plant, the henna dye has been used to dye skin, fabrics, and even hair. While most commonly known for intricate skin tattoos that wash down after a couple of weeks, henna can also be used effectively as a way to dye eyebrows and eyelashes. Henna makes the colour of the hair more vibrant and deep, allowing women to forget about using mascara and other makeup products.

What is henna dye made from?

The process of making henna dye is actually very simple and straightforward. First, the leaves of the henna plant are dried and crushed into a powder. Next, the powder is mixed with water to create a lasting dye. The mixture needs to rest around two days before use. Such henna dye has been traditionally used by eastern civilisations for centuries to create intricate patterns on the skin, dye clothes, and colourise hair. Nowadays, more and more stylists and beauticians perform henna tinting of the eyelashes and eyebrows - a treatment that effectively highlights the eyes without being invasive.

While traditional henna comes in the form of a powder, gel henna offered by Noble Lashes is much easier to use. Gel henna is comfortable to apply by even beginner stylists, and even amateurs should not have any problems with applying it at home. Moreover, the use of gel henna does not have any age restrictions and can be used by minors with parental consent. When done by a professional stylist who can pick the right colour for the client, the treatment can effectively improve the look of the eyelashes and eyebrows and give them a more vibrant colour.

The benefits of gel henna

All women can benefit from gel henna treatment. The treatment effectively deepens the natural colour of the eyelashes and eyebrows. Usually, the chosen dye is a couple of shades darker than the natural eyelashes or eyebrows. Henna tinting can be especially beneficial to women who cannot enjoy other eyelash and eyebrow treatments for health reasons. While eyelash extensions are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available on the market, many women’s natural eyelashes are too fragile and short to support the extra weight.

Eyelash and eyebrow tinting is the perfect alternative for women with health contraindications for other cosmetic treatments. The treatment does not attach anything to the eyelashes or eyebrows and is fully non-invasive. While permanent makeup and eyebrow microblading is known to produce similar effects, its effects can stay visible for over a year which can be scary for some clients. Instead of getting permanent makeup, recommend your clients a treatment of gel henna tinting, which can give them a gorgeous look for a slightly shorter period of time.

How to properly choose gel henna?

When choosing gel henna, you should always compare the shade with your client’s natural eyelashes or eyebrows. In general, you want a dye that is a couple of shades darker than your client’s lashes or eyebrows. Choosing a different colour of a dye can create undesirable effects and it is recommended to instead choose a colour that is similar to your client’s natural one. Do not pick a colour that is too dark, or else the effects may turn out too over the top. Similarly, choosing a shade that is too light might produce results that are underwhelming.

Gel henna offered by Noble Lashes is a high-quality product that is safe to use and should not cause any skin irritation. However, some clients may still have an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients of the dye. In order to prevent allergic reactions during the treatment, it is recommended to perform a skin test at least two days prior to the treatment. If the skin test results in redness and itching, the dye should not be used on that client. While henna tinting is easy and can be performed by amateurs, it is always better to let a professional stylist handle it.

What is the difference between gel henna and powder henna?

When choosing the type of henna for your clients, you should first consider their needs. While powder henna is generally more powerful than gel henna and creates a more vibrant effect, not everyone needs such strong results from such a treatment. Women with thin eyebrows or eyelashes that are not very visible can benefit the most from powder henna. However, women who already have visible eyelashes and eyebrows and need only a little bit of an extra flair can benefit more from gel henna. 

Both gel henna and powder henna need to be mixed with an activator before use. In the case of gel henna, a liquid oxidant is most often used. However, oxidants cream is also available.  At Noble Lashes, you will find a wide variety of henna dyes of all types, in a range of different colours. In addition to henna powders and henna gels, you can find a selection of professional brushes for henna application, as well as full kits that contain everything an aspiring stylist needs to start providing their clients with tinting treatments.