4.2 Disposables and consumables

While we want to try and reuse what we can for environmental reasons, in the interest of hygiene, there are certain products that will have to be single-use. In this lesson, we will look at the full range of disposables and consumables that you will use on a daily basis as a brow artist.

Wax

By now, you know that there is strip wax and hot wax. Hot wax can come in many forms, such as pearls, discs and beads. Regardless of the original state, once melted in your wax pot, they will all have the same consistency (which is thicker than strip wax). Here are some examples:

Brow lamination kit

If you remember from the previous module, brow lamination required a perming solution and a setting solution. Some kits (like the one supplied in your training kit) also have keratin solutions or other brow nourishing solutions that are applied after the brow lamination process. Below are some examples of brow lamination kits:

Brow tint and developer

When tinting brows, you will always have your tint dye solution and a developer. There are loads of tint suppliers, and at a minimum, you should always have a light brown and a dark brown in your kit. Examples of brow tint kits are shown:

When buying brow tints, it is important to note that some stain the skin whereas others do not. If you are using a tint that doesn’t stain, you can apply it all over the brow area without any worries. For brow tints that do stain the skin, you need to apply the tint carefully, much like the process you would use with henna. If for some reason, you do stain the skin, you can use a tint remover to clean up any mistakes.

Tint remover

Tint remover does what the bottle says – it removes tint! Some of the more expensive tint removes can also remove henna errors, so double check on the product information sheet as to whether or not your tint remover can do both. Of course, the best way to avoid having to use tint remover is to do a neat job in the first place, but we are all human, and accidents do happen! Having a quality tint remover on hand will help to ensure your clients leave your treatment area satisfied.

Henna (kits)

Just like purchasing other products, when you purchase henna, do so from a reputable supplier. Surfing online or on amazon for some cheap henna will end up in a disaster. Given the semi-permanency of henna, you will want to ensure that the product does what it says! Here are some example henna kits:

Cotton tips

Cotton tips or Q-tips will literally be your best friend as a brow artist. These are an absolute must in your kit as they work like little magic erasers. If you make a mistake with tint, you can use some tint remover and a Q-tip to remove the dye and then bam – the mistake is gone!

Wax sticks

To apply wax to the areas you need, there are heaps of different tools you can use; some examples are below:

As you use different applicators, you will soon find out which ones you prefer. When applying wax to the brows, the process is the same for both wax types; it is just the removal of the strip or hot wax that differs. You never double dip wax sticks, so always make sure that you have plenty of them in stock.

Brow pencils

As you have already learned, there are lots of brow products you can use from pencils, powders, pomades and gels. When selecting your brow product colour, you will want to choose a shade that is close to the client’s natural hair colour. Brow colours will usually be called by hair colours such as blonde, auburn or ebony or in terms of shade (light, medium, dark). It is useful to have a range of brow products in your kit to ensure you have something suitable for all clients.

Brow soap

Brow soap is an excellent product to have when your clients want a brow lamination look, but without the chemicals! Having brow soap on hand can also help you to set brow hairs in place. There are a range of options available, and you have some in your kit that you can practice with.

Brow contour stick and powders

A brow contour stick is very useful to define and highlight your clients’ brows. A contour stick can help to achieve many functions such as deepening brow colour, creating more defined edges or highlighting the brow bone.

Pre- and after-wax solution

It is essential for you to have pre-wax and post-wax products in your kit. These will help to prepare your clients skin and soothe it after treatment. As you progress throughout your career, you will likely find your favourite products to use, and you can always ask your client what they think in terms of feel and smell.

Cotton rounds

Cotton rounds are a no brainer – they help you to remove makeup from the eye area, tint and brow lamination solutions. Lint-free cotton rounds tend to be better quality, but cheaper alternatives will work just as well!

Brush cleaner

If you apply light makeup to finish your services, you will be cleaning your brushes lots, and we mean lots! Getting a good quality brush cleaner will literally save you hours every week. You want a brush cleaner that does the job but is not too harsh on your brushes. You can get brush cleaners that are soaps, sprays, foams, and liquid.

Makeup remover

When booking appointments, you should always request that your clients arrive without makeup; however, this is not always possible. If your client has just come from work, they may have makeup on, so you should ensure that you have makeup remover in your kit just in case. There are lots of makeup removers on the market, and in your kit, you should ensure that you have regular eye makeup remover for standard makeup removal and oil-free eye makeup remover to easily remove any waterproof products your client may still be wearing.

Moisuriser

Moisturisers come in a range of formulas, and when you have mature clients or those with dry skin, then you should opt for thicker and richer formulations to give the skin an extra hydration boost! Moisturizing is an essential part of skin preparation, so always make sure you have a moisturiser for sensitive skin in your kit.

Cleanser

A common misconception when it comes to cleansers is micellar water. Many brow artists and makeup artists think that micellar is oil-free. However, some formulations actually contain oil, so if your client has oily skin, you’re best opting for a water-based cleanser.