Everything You Need To Know Before Tinting Your Eyebrows

Looking to up your eyebrow game? Whether it’s tidying up the shape, adjusting the colour or making the hair look fuller, an eyebrow tint goes a long way. But, before grabbing the bleach and dye, there’s a few things you need to know. We’ve enlisted the insight of an industry expert to get you started on your brow journey.

Eyebrow Tinting 101

What Is Eyebrow Tint?

‘Eyebrow tint is a semi permanent colour applied to the eyebrows to make them look more defined,’ explains hair and makeup artist Poppy Tallulah. ‘The colour-matched tint can pick up tiny little hairs, which make the eyebrows appear fuller and sometimes darker.’

Since this is a colour-based procedure, the treatment usually includes some combination of hair dye. ‘Eyebrow tint typically contains ingredients like oxidative dyes, hydrogen peroxide, and conditioning agents to colour and enhance the appearance of the eyebrows,’ confirms Poppy. ‘This provides a long-lasting result.’

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What Happens During The Process?

Similar to dying your hair in the salon, the process is comprised of mixing a colour and applying it to the eyebrows in a seamless blend. ‘The eyebrow tint is mixed with a developer, then applied to the eyebrows,’ says Poppy. ‘The tint can be custom blended to create the perfect colour for the client, taking into consideration hair tone and facial features.

‘To achieve the perfect shape, I would advise a bespoke service like HD brows which also includes eyebrow shaping after the tint has been applied.’

Is There Any Downtime?

Since this isn’t an invasive procedure, you won’t need any downtime – just some time away from your face wash. ‘I’d recommend waiting 24 hours before washing your eyebrow area post-treatment,’ recommends Poppy.

Is Eyebrow Tinting Safe?

‘Eyebrow tinting is generally safe,’ reassures Poppy. She also says that precautions are taken ahead of any treatment to ensure the client’s safety. ‘Before eyebrow tinting a patch test needs to be done, usually at least 48 hours beforehand. This is done on the inside of the elbow. Any redness or irritation is a sign of an allergic reaction, and the treatment shouldn’t be carried out.’

How Long Does It Last?

This depends on you and your skincare routine, says Poppy. ‘Eyebrow tinting can last anywhere between two and five weeks, depending on the brand used,’ she highlights. ‘The tint will fade quicker if you’re using harsher products in your skincare routine around that area. For a longer lasting tint, it’s best to avoid that area where possible.’

Poppy suggests a similar for how often you should get topped up. ‘It is recommended to tint your brows every four to six weeks to maintain colour and shape,’ she says. ‘Over-tinting can damage your brows.’

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How Much Does A Professional Service Cost?

On average, a professional eyebrow tint will set you back around £15.

Can You Get Your Eyebrows Tinted Before An Event?

Something special coming up? If so, make sure to leave plenty of time beforehand to get your tint on. ‘If you are getting your eyebrows done ahead of a special occasion, I would not advise doing this the day before your event,’ warns Poppy. ‘Do it at least a few days before in case you have a reaction to the brow dye or you don’t like the end result.’

Can You Lighten Eyebrow Tint?

In short, yes. While most people prefer to define their brows with a darker shade, there are ways to lighten them too. ‘Eyebrows can be bleached using specialist eyebrow bleach and then tinted a lighter tone if you were trying to achieve a lighter toned eyebrow,’ says Poppy. ‘But I would not advise doing this at home!’

What If You Have Finer Hair?

Those who have naturally fine or light hair will also need to be careful. ‘If you have finer or lighter hair, it’s especially important to go to a professional, as you do not want your eyebrows to end up too dark,’ explains Poppy. ‘If you really want to use an at-home kit, and you have finer, or lighter hair, I’d advise leaving the product on for a small amount of time. This way, you can always add more later.’

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How To Tint Your Eyebrows At Home

And if you don’t fancy visiting a professional, there are ways to tint your eyebrows from the comfort of your own bathroom. ‘At home kits are available,’ says Poppy. ‘This can be used in between tinting appointments when the tint starts to fade.

‘I would advise protecting the area around the eyebrows with a barrier cream like Vaseline, so that the skin doesn’t tint around the brow,’ she advises. ‘Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adhere to the development times. Don’t use a normal hair dye as they are much harsher on the delicate skin around the eyes.’

How To Remove Eyebrow Tint

Thankfully, eyebrow tint is not permanent. It can be removed, either naturally or with product – although Poppy recommends seeing a professional for more immediate results. ‘Eyebrow tint can be removed using a tint remover or by fading naturally over time,’ she confirms. ‘It is always best to have it professionally removed to avoid skin irritation or mistakes at home.’

Featured image: Cris Trung, Unsplash