Sometimes, the difference between feeling satisfied with your beauty look and feeling like it’s a little off can come down to the smallest of details. Although we all know the difference that well-shaped, carefully groomed brows can make, the impact your brow shade can have on a finished look is perhaps less obvious.
If you don’t want to commit to something as involved as microblading, but you want a longer-term alternative to pencils, pomades and tinted gels, it might be worth investigating a simple eyebrow tint. Best of all, it is very low commitment, which means you can have it done while continuing to use the rest of your eyebrow arsenal, including the best eyebrow growth serums and more. Occasionally forgotten about, this eye-opening treatment can have transformative effects.
What is eyebrow tinting?
The process involves semi-permanent dye being applied to the fine eyebrow hairs. This can help to shape, define and darken your natural eyebrows to give the illusion of thicker, fuller and more groomed brows. Unlike temporary solutions like pencils and more permanent ones like microblading (where colour is deposited onto the skin underneath the brows to give the appearance of more hairs), eyebrow tinting will only dye the existing hairs. Most professional treatments will aim to match the dye to your own natural colour, although some may recommend going slightly darker depending on what suits your face and your features best. The type of dye used will depend on where you go or what at-home product you use, but the treatment typically involves a semi-permanent vegetable dye or henna, made from dried leaves of the henna shrub.
Can everyone tint their eyebrows?
Although there are fewer contraindications than with microblading or other more permanent brow treatments, you should still exercise caution by doing a patch test before you tint your brows. This is to ensure you’re not allergic to any element of the dye, which could cause a reaction including redness, swelling or itchiness. “It works extremely well for those with pale brows or those who want to match their brow colour to their hair colour,” says Vanita Parti, founder of Blink Brow Bar London. “It can also work well for those with dark brows to even them out and cover greys. Always go for a shade that best matches your natural brow colour or slightly darker to enhance.” It’s also worth knowing that grey or white hair can be more resistant to colour absorption and so the process may be a little longer.
How long does the process take?
Whether you choose to have your brows tinted in a salon or at home, you should do a patch test at least 48 hours before you apply any colour to avoid any adverse allergic reactions to the dye. In a salon, your visit will probably take longer to allow for a consultation with your therapist, but the treatment itself typically takes just five to 10 minutes. If your hair is fairly thick and coarse, the dye will need to sit for longer and the same goes if you are trying to achieve a darker finish rather than a light one.
How do at-home brow tints differ from professional ones?
Essentially, the treatment is the same wherever you get it done, but if it’s your first time tinting your brows, you may prefer a professional to do it. “An at-home dye kit is ideal for [when you are] between treatments or when travelling,” says Parti, making the DIY route a good option if you want to maintain the colour without the commitment of salon appointments every four to six weeks. One caveat if you are doing your own tint: always make sure you buy a kit that’s especially designed for use on your brows. Using hair dye as a quick fix could have disastrous consequences, as most hair dye solutions contain chemicals like ammonia, which can be damaging to the eyes and cause irritation.
How much upkeep is required with eyebrow tinting?
Aftercare guidelines tell you not to wash your brows for 12 hours after a tint to ensure the dye has a chance to bed in, but once that’s up, you can continue your regular routine as normal. To avoid the colour fading faster than it should, avoid overuse of anything too stripping, like retinoids or exfoliators around your brows. To help keep the dye locked in for as long as possible, condition your brows regularly with a gentle oil.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
Olaplex BrowBond Building Serum
