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So, you get your hair colored—but what about your brows? Part of achieving a natural-looking hair transformation is ensuring that your arches match your roots but so often, folks forget to tack on a brow tinting service at their salon appointment. The good news? You can tint your brows at home. As with any DIY hair transformation, eyebrow tinting at home requires close attention to detail, but so long as you’re willing to put in the prep work and follow the directions of the kit you choose, your arches will be looking better than ever in no time. Ahead, find tips and tricks from brow pros for a flawless brow-tinting sesh.
Meet the expert
- Jamie Conner is a Senior Field Trainer at European Wax Center. Autumn Estelle is a licensed cosmetologist and US National Artist for Benefit’s National Brow & Beauty Authority. Meri Desevic is a brow specialist at Jerome Lordet Salon.
What is eyebrow tinting?
“Eyebrow tinting is a cosmetic process where a semi-permanent dye is applied to the eyebrows to deliver a fuller, bolder brow look,” says Jamie Conner, Senior Field Trainer at European Wax Center. “Guests choose this service to create a fuller, more polished appearance that frames the face beautifully.”
Generally speaking, brow tints come in the form of gels or mix-up kits à la DIY hair dye. Of course, some people simply apply their go-to at-home hair dye to their brows, let it process for a much shorter time, and call it a day. Though many brow pros advise against this, as it’s easy to overprocess such fine hairs.
The Benefits
- Fuller-looking browsEnhanced shape and definitionShortens daily makeup applicationProvides lasting results
Struggling to grow back your brows after over-plucking? Tired of constantly penciling them in? Simply hoping to create a cohesive facial aesthetic? Brow tinting can help! “Brow tinting is a great way to define, and in some cases, thicken the look of your brows,” says Benefit National Brow & Beauty Authority artist, Autumn Estelle. “It’s like waking up with makeup!”
According to Estelle, brow tinting is most beneficial for folks with fine hair or sparse brows. “Lots of people have fine hair throughout their brow that can lack the color of thicker, coarser hair,” she explains. “Adding a quick wash of tint throughout the brow will make those hairs more pronounced and give your brow a fuller look for weeks at a time.”
And since the results last for weeks on end, Conner points out that brow tints are a fantastic option for folks looking to streamline their morning makeup routines. “Tinting reduces the need for daily makeup application, making it easier to maintain a groomed look,” she explains.
How to tint your brows at home.
Precautions and Prep
We’d be remiss to not emphasize what all of the brow experts we spoke with agree on: Brow tinting is best left up to the pros.
“It's always best to go to a professional, especially if you're tinting your brows for the first time,” says Jerome Lordet Salon brow specialist Meri Desevic. “If you are going to do them at home, though, patch test the inside of your wrist as a rule of thumb before anything goes on your face, just to ensure you don't have any sort of skin reaction.
Pick Your Shade
In an ideal world, you’d be able to pick a DIY brow tinting kit in a color to precisely match your hair. In reality, many reputable at-home brow tint kits only come in blonde and brown options. That’s another reason why the brow experts we spoke with suggest booking an appointment for a professional tint. Nevertheless, if you’re dead set on doing it yourself, Desevic says to choose your color with care.
“Depending on your ideal results, you can go anywhere from a shade or so darker than the base tone of your hair—this will add natural-looking definition,” she says. “If you really want to define, you can match it to the darkest tone in your hair to add drama and definition within your natural range. Professionals will often mix two or even three shades to [achieve the perfect match.]”
Craving a bit more guidance? Find your perfect brow tint color, below.
- Blondes: “Blondes always belong on the lighter shades in the brow color wheels,” Estelle says. “Choose between a warm or cool blonde shade and pick the tone that mirrors your hair. Warm blondes have more golden undertones, while cools tend to be platinum blondes.”Brunettes: “For brunettes, always look for a true match or one to two shades deeper than your hair color,” Estelle says.Dark Brown and Black Hair: “People with deep brown to black hair rarely want to use a true match because they’re afraid of going too dark,” Estelle says. “Opt for a shade or two lighter and always make sure to match the undertones as well.”Redheads: “For redheads, reach for a brow tint that matches your natural hair color, or opt for an auburn shade that meets your warm or cool undertones,” Estelle says.
Apply the Product
Eyebrow tint should be applied solely to your brow hairs. To avoid accidentally staining or irritating your skin, apply a thin layer of Vaseline around the edges of your arches to serve as a dye barrier. From there, follow the directions included in your brow tinting kit.
Maintaining the Tint
Once your brow tint has processed, Estelle says that you can expect results to last anywhere from four to six weeks. “To make the tint last longer, avoid using oil-based products on the brows as they can break down the tint quicker,” she reveals. Other than that, you’ll just want to be gentle on them overall. This means not harsh picking or rubbing.
The Most Common Brow Tinting Mistakes
Color Matching Challenges
It’s great to be able to tint your brows at home but if you pick the wrong shade it can turn into quite the beauty woe. “Many people struggle with choosing the right shade, often selecting one that’s too dark or doesn’t complement their natural brow tone,” Conner warns, again emphasizing her recommendation of visiting an esthetician instead. “EWC specialists expertly blend four universal shades to match guests’ unique coloring, ensuring a natural look that enhances features.”
Uneven Application
Just as DIY hair dying can look patchy, so can at-home brow tinting. “DIY brow tinting often leads to patchy results due to inconsistent application or overly thick layering,” Conner warns. “The use of precision tools and techniques is needed to ensure tint is applied evenly.”
Timing Issues
Timing is everything when it comes to brow tinting. “Timing is crucial with tinting, as leaving tint on too long or too short affects the final result,” Conner says.
Safety Concerns
Applying brow tint to yourself—especially the first time—can feel like quite the learning curve. During that process, it’s common to accidentally get tint too close to the eyes, Conner says. “Applying dye near your eyes can be risky, and it’s common for DIYers to accidentally get tint in their eyes or skin,” she explains. “EWC has strict safety protocols in place to ensure the product stays on the brows without risking skin irritation or eye exposure.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does at-home brow tinting last?
Eyebrow tinting at home lasts up to four weeks. According to Conner, DIY brow tints tend to last around two weeks while professional tints last around four weeks.
Is tinting your own eyebrows easy?
It’s not rocket science but it does require patience and attention to detail. “Tinting your own brows may seem easy, however, there are many things that can go wrong which is why we always recommend leaving it up to the professionals,” Estelle exclaims.
Can you tint your brows at home without a specific brow kit?
Yes—but you shouldn’t. “While it’s possible, it’s not recommended,” Conner says. “Using alternative products can lead to inconsistent color, skin irritation, or faster fading.” If you do choose to use a hair dye on your brows, Desevic emphasizes the importance of patch testing. “Make sure you're using a dye that's safe for the face,” she adds.