Brows are big business and have fast become one of the most requested services in salons.
“Brow treatments are in demand more than ever, not least because of the advancements in the industry,” says Orlagh O’Reilly, educator with Suzanne Egan Academy in Dublin. “From henna brows and hybrid laminations, to precision tinting and semi-permanent solutions, there is a wide variety of options for clients now, which can be tailored to suit every individual.”
A well-constructed brow can provide great definition, enhancement and frame the face, but it goes further than that, according to Salon System educator Lisa Stone. “It can actually change the face shape, or make eyes look younger and lifted,” she says. “Brow treatments can also add volume, fill in gaps and even cover scar tissue, making clients more confident and increasing their self-esteem.”
Many brow services can be done almost anywhere, and since they don’t require a huge investment when you’re starting out, they are a great way to add income to your salon business. You do, however, need to invest the time in perfecting your brow artistry skills.
“Gone are the days of a 10-minute tint and shape as brows have developed into a much more premium treatment that has very high standards,” says O’Reilly. “But once you are properly trained, they can be a lot more cost effective than most other treatments.”
Brow shaping
If you want to get into brows, the experts suggest starting with the basics. While simple, these treatments can still have a huge effect on your client’s overall look.
“You can transform a client’s face and create balance through brow-shaping with mapping, which ensures that you have measured and considered eye shape and face shape prior to the treatment,” says O’Reilly. “By perfecting this skill, you have a really solid foundation and can go on to develop more brow skills.”
“Up to 50% of clients who get beauty treatments will get their brows done,” says HD Brows founder Karen Betts. “Even a simple shaping can make a huge difference to a client’s face and confidence. It’s surprising what waxing or threading can create, even if the brows are fine or fluffy. There is always something you can do to tidy them up. When combined with tinting, you can create a brilliant shape. This is how we normally start clients on their brow journey.”
Tinting
Brow tinting involves colouring the eyebrows with a semi-permanent dye to enhance their appearance, and is often the next stage of brow enhancement. Tint stains the hair and the skin to give definition and shape, while filling in any gaps or sparse areas to make the brows look denser.
“Brow tinting is a popular treatment to darken hair or harmonise brow hair colour by custom colour-mixing to work with skin tone, fashion and trends,” says Stone. “Brows can also be lightened to create sunkissed tones or darkened for a stronger and vibrant colour.”
“Tinting is growing in popularity and is another area where there have been many advancements,” says O'Reilly. “For example, airbrushing and hybrid tinting have been popular this year. As brow artists become more informed and educated, they are using social media to pass on their knowledge to clients and other therapists about the great products that are available.”
Tinting is usually carried out around every four to six weeks, with a brow wax or threading afterwards to give sharp shapes and perfect lines – a great add-on to rebook your regular clients in for When choosing a tint to provide and train in, consider your brand and ethos. “With the demand for the make-up look, we are seeing many different types of tinting systems in the industry that give fabulous results,” says Stone. “Some use PPD and peroxide, while some are henna formulations. There are now alternative tints that are free from chemicals.”
When choosing a tint to provide and train in, consider your brand and ethos. “With the demand for the make-up look, we are seeing many different types of tinting systems in the industry that give fabulous results,” says Stone. “Some use PPD and peroxide, while some are henna formulations. There are now alternative tints that are free from chemicals.”
Brow treatments can also add volume, fill in gaps and even cover scar tissue, making clients more confident and increasing their self-esteem
Brow lamination
Lamination is another popular treatment. “Even with thin brows, you can get them looking fuller by combining lamination and tinting,” notes Betts.
Lamination is a two-step process that essentially perms the hairs, allowing them to be tamed and brushed and set into that trending fluffy look. The treatment takes around 15 minutes. “It does take a little longer because we are lifting the brows and setting them into a different structure, but there are bigger opportunities involved, so anybody trained in brows should add lamination to their menu because so many clients are asking for it,” adds Betts.
“Lamination is extremely profitable, especially when carried out with a lash lift,” says Stone. “This treatment gives a strong, on-trend brushed-up look that we see on catwalks, magazine covers and social media. Don’t be put off if that’s not your clients’ thing, because brow lamination can also just tame unruly brows, giving a sleek, classic look. It can restructure the hairs to sit and cover gaps and create depth and volume to a thinning brow.”
“Lamination is suitable for almost every client now,” says O'Reilly. “They can go for a soft laminated look, where the brows are simply sitting flat. For this treatment, you either don’t do any post-lamination tinting, or you do minimal tinting in order to keep the soft look. For an even softer appearance, there’s a baby lamination option. This is where we only laminate the brow bulb, which is the front section of the brow. The choices for clients are endless.”
“You do have to really understand what you are using and get your timings right,” warns Betts. “Overprocessing can lead to the hairs becoming frazzled and snapping.”
Invest to be the best
Offering these services can be a great way to boost profits, but investing in training is imperative to keep you at the top of your game, and up to date with the latest trends and techniques to keep your clients coming back.
“When looking for a training provider, check that they are fully accredited and that you can obtain insurance,” advises Stone.
“Make sure that you continue to upskill to ensure that your clients are getting the best treatments possible and you are aware of all the latest innovations in the brow industry,” says O’Reilly. “Doing courses can also give you the confidence boost you need to perform treatments to the highest standard.”
“You will never be successful if you don’t take training seriously,” adds Betts. “The brow artists who do the best work have a real love for the craft and for helping clients.”
If you are serious about a career in brows, the opportunities are almost countless. “You can work as a mobile brow tech or rent space in a salon or franchise brow bar,” says Stone. “You can even set up a brow empire all of your own to work around your life and schedule.”
This article was published in the September/October 2024 issue of PB/HJ Ireland.
