Over the past decade, the beauty community has made some major strides to make our lives a little easier. Think microblading, lash extensions, permanent eyeliner, and now, eyebrow tinting! Although there are a ton of brow products on the market, eyebrow tinting is the perfect solution if you’re looking for enhanced, defined brows without having to do any of the work!

What is eyebrow tinting?

Eyebrow tinting is a process where semi-permanent dye is applied onto your eyebrows to boost and define the natural shape of your brows. The key word there is boost. Eyebrow tinting won’t fill in any gaps or sparse areas of your brows like microblading would. The goal of an eyebrow tint really is to enhance the natural shape of your brows by defining each hair.

Eyebrow tinting can either be done by a professional or at home. If you’re getting your eyebrow tint professionally done, your technician will be able to mix colors together to achieve the perfect color for your brows. If you opt to do it yourself, just be super careful that you choose a color that’s close to your natural eyebrow shade and that you don’t let the product sit for too long.

How long does eyebrow tinting last?

Typically, eyebrow tinting last for about four to six weeks. The great thing about eyebrow tinting is that the dye slowly fades out during that time, so you won’t have to worry about any weird streaks or patches.

To extend the life of your eyebrow tint, make sure to keep your brows totally dry for 12 hours after your appointment. This includes showering, sweating, washing your face, and even getting caught in the rain. You also should avoid oil-based cleanser and makeup removers as it will cause the dye to fade faster.

How much does it cost?

The average price for eyebrow tinting ranges between $20-$30 if you were to go to a professional. At-home kits typically will run you anywhere from $10-$20. If you choose to go to a salon, make sure you’re seeing a licensed professional. As with all beauty services, you want to ensure they know what they’re doing and are keeping a clean space.

Is eyebrow tinting safe?

Because dye is being applied around the eye area, there are definitely some risks when it comes to eyebrow tinting. While a majority of people don’t see any side effects, eyebrow tinting can result in allergic reactions or irritation. The skin around the eyes is more sensitive than other parts of the body. This makes the area more prone to adverse reactions. To avoid any possible irritation, do a patch test with the dye to ensure you’re not allergic or sensitive to it.

The dye used in eyebrow tinting also isn’t approved by the FDA (and professional eyebrow tinting is actually banned in California). Just make sure to ask your technician a bunch of questions about the dye they use before the service. Vegetable-based and natural dyes are what they should be using and if anything sounds off or they can’t answer your questions, it’s probably best to go somewhere else for your service.

How long does eyebrow tinting take?

The average eyebrow tinting appointment takes about 15 minutes but should take longer if you’re doing it yourself at home. After all, the professionals have done this countless times…you haven’t.

Is eyebrow tinting for me?

Eyebrow tinting works for literally everyone, yes really! No matter your skin tone, skin type, or eyebrow hair color, eyebrow tinting is an option for you. The only time it gets a bit tricky is if you have white or gray hair. Gray hair is more resistant to dye so just be sure to go to a seasoned professional if you’re rocking silver locks!

What should I expect during an appointment?

If it’s your first time going to a professional for an eyebrow tinting service, here’s what to expect.

Just like with any other semi-permanent/permanent beauty service, you’ll want to consult with your technician before the appointment starts. That way you’ll be able to show them exactly the look you’re trying to achieve. You can also bring inspiration pics that way your technician can visualize how full you want your brows to look.

After your consultation, your technician will clean your brows and apply petroleum jelly on the skin around your brows to prevent staining. First, the dye is applied in the direction of how your hairs naturally grow and then a second layer is applied in the opposite direction. The dye is then left on for a few minutes (just like you would leave regular hair dye on) and afterwards, any excess is wiped away. It’s totally normal for the skin to by dyed underneath your brows. That will naturally wash away in one to two days.

After the service, you need to wait at least 12 hours before getting your brows wet. You will instantly see results as the color will be darkest when you leave the salon and slowly fade as time goes on. To keep your brows looking fresh, you should plan on going into the salon for touch-up appointments every four to six weeks. You may also have to switch up your skincare routine to remove ingredients such as retinols. This will help prevent further irritation to the delicate skin around your eyes.

At-home eyebrow tinting products

Want to try eyebrow tinting at home instead? Here are some awesome products to help you achieve the full, natural looking brows of your dreams from the comfort of your own home!

Just make sure that if you’re tinting your brows at home, you choose a color that’s close to your natural shade and that you take your time with the application. If you’re nervous about tinting at home, leave it to the professionals! It doesn’t cost much more, and you’re guaranteed an outcome that you’re happy with.