If you’ve ever asked your therapist “what’s the difference between henna and tinting?”, you’re not the only one. They both promise fuller, more defined brows. They cost roughly the same time in the chair. But the results — and how long they last — are not the same thing.
We offer both at our Westfield North Lakes locations, and clients ask us this question every week. Here’s how to decide which one suits your brows, your budget, and your look.
What Is Eyebrow Tinting?
Eyebrow tinting uses a semi-permanent vegetable dye to colour the hair only. Your therapist mixes the shade to match — or slightly deepen — your natural brow colour, brushes it through, and washes it off after 5–10 minutes.
The whole appointment takes around 15 minutes, and the result lasts 2 to 3 weeks depending on your skincare routine and how oily your skin runs.
It’s the right choice for clients who already have decent brow density and just want sharper definition. The dye coats every hair, including the fine, blonde ones you didn’t know you had.
- Eyebrow Tint — $21
- Brow Shape + Tint — $44
- Brow & Lash Tint combo — $40
What Is Eyebrow Henna?
Brow henna is a plant-based dye that does something tinting doesn’t: it stains both the hair and the skin underneath.
That skin stain is the secret sauce. It fills in patchy areas, creates a soft shadow behind your hair, and gives your brow a fuller, more sculpted look — closer to what makeup achieves, but without the daily effort.
The application takes a little longer (around 25–30 minutes), and the result splits into two timelines:
- On the hair — 3 to 4 weeks
- On the skin — 7 to 14 days, fading gradually
Pricing at both locations:
- Brow Henna — $45
- Brow Shape + Henna — $60
- Full Face Threading + Henna — $100
The Key Differences at a Glance
| Tint | Henna | |
|---|---|---|
| What it colours | Hair only | Hair + skin |
| Treatment time | ~15 min | ~25–30 min |
| Lasts (hair) | 2–3 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
| Lasts (skin) | N/A | 7–14 days |
| Look | Subtle, natural | Defined, sculpted |
| Best for | Full brows | Sparse / patchy |
| Starting price | $21 | $45 |
So Which One Should You Choose?
Pick tinting if:
- Your natural brows are already full and just need definition
- You want a softer, more natural finish
- You prefer a lower-cost option you can refresh every few weeks
- You like a clean hair-only colour
Pick henna if:
- You have sparse, patchy or over-plucked areas you want to camouflage
- You want a fuller, drawn-on look without filling them in daily
- You don’t mind the skin tint fading before the hair stain does
- You like the option of pairing it with a brow shape for a complete reset
One more thing worth knowing: both services suit most skin types, but if you have very sensitive or reactive skin, mention it at the start of your appointment. We do a patch test on request for first-time henna clients.
Aftercare — Same Rules for Both
To get the longest wear out of either service:
- Avoid water, steam and cleansers on the brow area for the first 24 hours
- Skip swimming pools, saunas and intense workouts in that same window
- Lay off exfoliants and acids near the brows — they’ll lift colour fast
- Use a gentle cleanser and don’t rub when towel-drying
A small dab of brow oil or balm a few days in helps the colour stay vivid for longer.
Book at Iconic, Westfield North Lakes
We offer both henna and tinting at both our locations:
- Iconic Brow N Lash — the kiosk near Myer. Ideal for a quick brow refresh while you’re at Westfield.
- Iconic Brow Wax N Beauty — the full salon near Big W, if you want to pair your brows with waxing or a facial.
Still not sure which one is right? Ask your therapist when you arrive. We’ll look at your natural density, talk through the look you’re after, and recommend honestly — sometimes tint is genuinely the better fit, sometimes henna is, and occasionally we’ll suggest alternating through the year.
Book Brow N Lash — kiosk | Book Brow Wax N Beauty — salon
Related reading: Eyebrow Threading vs Waxing — Which Is Better for You?