Eyebrows and Henna: A Historical Look at Natural Brow Tinting

Eyebrow henna is not new. Its use dates back centuries in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cultures, where women applied henna to tint and shape brows for ceremonial and everyday beauty.

The practice involves a semi-permanent dye derived from the dried leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant. When mixed with water or oils, the paste stains both skin and hair, creating a fuller, defined brow look that lasts one to two weeks. Public records covering this story are gathered in Henna Brows Explained: What they are, who they're for, & why they matt …

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unverified About Henna Brows

It is well established that natural henna paste produces a reddish-brown stain. The greenish-brown powder oxidizes upon contact with air, deepening to its characteristic hue.

What is less certain is the exact timeline of henna’s adoption for eyebrows specifically. While henna has been used for hair and skin decoration since at least the Bronze Age, the focused use on brows as a standalone beauty treatment appears to have gained prominence in the 20th century. Some sources suggest it was a common practice in ancient Egypt, but direct archaeological evidence for brow-only application remains sparse.

Another disputed area involves the safety of commercial henna products. Pure henna is generally safe, but many pre-mixed pastes labeled as “henna” contain additives. The most concerning is para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical found in black henna that can cause severe allergic reactions, blistering, and permanent scarring. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a specific warning against black henna use for this reason.