Contents
Yes, the color of your brows really does matter.
Going gray is one thing. Trying to figure out what to do with your eyebrows is another story. The hair on your head will inevitably turn gray at some point (it’s part of the natural aging process), but once that happens, figuring out what color to fill your brows may take some trial and error. Because with a change in hair color comes a change in your brow pencils, pens, and tinted gels, too.
"Once you decide to let your hair grow out gray, you'll need to think about your eyebrows," says brow expert Robin Evans. "For some people, that means switching from a warm color palette to a cool one, which can be a little hard to get used to."
Meet the expert
- Carmindy is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Carmindy Beauty Cosmetics. Robin Evans is an eyebrow expert and the founder of LÉVANS Beauty. Stevie Christine is a brow artist based in Los Angeles.
A lot goes into embracing gray hair, and the same goes for how to make your eyebrows work with—not against—it. Although there's no need to let your eyebrows go gray, finding the right eyebrow color is key. Keep reading for the best recommendations straight from the experts.
Why You Can’t Neglect Your Eyebrows
Your eyebrows are typically not the same exact color as your hair—even more so once you go gray. That’s because the hair on your head and the hair in your eyebrows lose melanin at different rates, making the right color choice a delicate balance. Carmindy says that although gray hair is beautiful, it can wash out the face if the brows are not played up and defined. “The biggest problem most people deal with is not knowing which eyebrow color for gray hair to choose,” she adds. “You never want to match gray hair to gray eyebrows since gray brows don’t look great on the face.”
When your eyebrow hair takes a turn towards silvery, be it one or a few, Christine says one thing you want to avoid at all costs is pulling them out. "Gray eyebrow hairs are thicker and coarser, so they can leave holes in the brows." Instead, she recommends tinting them for a natural look.
Consider Your Skin Tone
When it comes to finding the right eyebrow color for gray hair, don't discount your skin's natural tones.
For Skin with Cool Undertones
According to Christine, skin with cool undertones shouldn’t go too ashy or too warm. “Instead, stick with more of a neutral shade. Going with too cool of a shade can leave the face with a gray or green cast.” Soft tones give a pretty, natural-looking brow.
For Skin with Warm Undertones
Warm undertones in the skin pair nicely with lighter shades like taupe, dark blonde, and rich browns. As Evans explains, they complement the skin's undertones because they are in the same warm family, which can range from peach to yellow and gold.
Go Back to Your Roots
Pull out old photos of your hair when it was at its peak natural color and pick an eyebrow color close to the darkest strands in the hair while considering your skin's current tone and coloration. "Choosing the right eyebrow color is imperative and depends largely on your hair and eye color and skin tone," says Christine. The general rule of thumb is to go one to two shades darker than your natural color if it works. "As we age, most of us need more warmth on the face. So, if you're going gray at an early age, a bit of warmth on the eyebrows will also help add more life to the face."
For Blondes
Some people with natural blonde hair find that their eyebrows have done a disappearing act once they go gray. However, a little extra color, be it with eyebrow makeup or a brow tint treatment, can stop lighter-toned brows from blending in too much with the face. Christine likes soft, medium blonde tones for natural blondes, which she says aren't too ashy, warm, or dark. "A softer eyebrow works best, although some natural blondes can pull off a darker, deeper eyebrow for more contrast."
For Brunettes
One of the easier eyebrow colors for gray hair to match up is naturally brown hair, regardless of how light or dark the tone is. “If you are a brunette, use a soft brown color for lighter brown hair or a dark brown one for darker brown or black hair,” recommends Carmindy. Natural brunettes can also pull off brown eyebrow pencils and powders with a hint of gray (avoid products with too many blue undertones in them), which will prevent the brows from appearing too dark.
For Redheads
“Redheads typically look best in auburn or reddish-brown tones when it comes to the brows,” shares Evans. “A true red eyebrow pencil or product is a little too matchy-matchy and can look artificial.” Medium brown colors also work.