Tint Eyebrows at Home With These Tips From Experts

Eyebrows have had their moment time and time again in the beauty world. From skinny to fluffy to laminated, we’ve all dabbled in some type of shapeshifting in hopes of making our arches look better than ever. But especially for those who have gotten fed up with waxing, threading, and filling them in, it’s hard not to be intrigued by eyebrow tinting.

Eyebrow tinting eliminates the woes that come along with having to fill them in daily with a pomade or pencil, ensuring your brows are always on point. The process can save you time and money, and, best of all, you can easily do it in the comfort of your own home.

Since we’re all about finding quick hacks that help you look and feel your best, we spoke with experts to learn all about eyebrow tint and how to get the best possible result if you’re going to DIY. Ahead, find a step-by-step guide on the home brow tint process.

Experts Featured in This Article

Stanley Nolan is a cosmetologist and educational specialist with Ogle School.

Sylvia Brownlee is a licensed aesthetician and beauty educator.

Joey Healy is a celebrity brow artist and founder of Joey Healy Brows.

What Is Eyebrow Tint?

Eyebrow tinting is a temporary stain of the brow hairs that can last four to six weeks. “This is a great solution for someone wanting definition and depth to their brows, creating that ‘no-makeup’ makeup look,” cosmetologist Stanley Nolan tells PS.

The purpose is to enhance the color, shape, and definition of the brows. “It’s an amazing beauty treatment that eliminates one step from your makeup routine, making getting ready that much easier,” licensed aesthetician Sylvia Brownlee says.

Home Eyebrow Tint vs. Professional

Getting your eyebrows professionally tinted looks a little different than doing it yourself at home. During a salon appointment, they may likely create a custom shade for your brow hairs, using products that are available for pros only. But the cost is also higher, ranging anywhere from $20 to $185 depending on the salon you go to, according to our experts.

For those who prefer to DIY, brow tints (or beard dye, more on that in a moment) are available online and at drugstores, typically costing less than $40. (However, you’ll have a more limited selection of colors to choose from.) You’ll be able to tweak the end result and effect based on how long you leave the dye on for, and the process is fairly simple and straightforward. To that point…

How to Tint Eyebrows At Home

Step 1: Find the Right Product

Before we get into how to tint brows at home, you need to gather your products. There are plenty of home eyebrow tint kits online. Celebrity brow artist Joey Healy recommends using the RefectoCil Cream Hair Tinting Kit ($38) when dyeing your brows since it comes with everything you need. As far as color goes, take a look at your brows and decide if you want to go lighter or darker (both of which will yield a more dramatic result) or stay close to your existing color for a more natural effect. When in doubt, opt for a hue that’s just ever-so-slightly lighter than your natural shade, Healy suggests. Follow the package directions for mixing the color.

A lot of people also reach for Just For Men Mustache and Beard Dye ($11). This is a long-time brow tinting hack because of how easy the application is, Healy says, who says you can use the beard color on the box as a guide. Our experts also recommend the Godfroy Hair Color Tint Kit ($25), which is simple to use and provides lasting results.

Step 2: Prep the Brow Area

Before dyeing your eyebrows, you should make sure your brows are shaped to your liking, since the tint is going to enhance that shape, Brownless notes. You’ll also want to ensure the area around your eyebrow area is nice and clean; Nolan advises a thorough face washing as a prep step. You want your brows to be clean, dry, and free of any sunscreen or skincare products before tinting, Healy adds. In related news, avoid spray tanning prior to tinting; the dye can interact with the spray tan and end up creating a greenish tint, Healy cautions.

Step 3: Apply the Tint

Start by applying the tint throughout the whole brow. Healy recommends grabbing a mascara spoolie to ensure complete coverage. FYI, you’ll want to use enough to cover your brows, but not so much that the dye looks caked on. Dip the spoolie into the tint and apply, then add more if needed. You can also use the end of a brow brush or the end of an old brow pencil to work the product into the roots of the hairs.

Step 4: Clean the Edges

Next, use a cotton swab to clean up the perimeter around the brow hairs to avoid skin staining. “Some people use Vaseline as a barrier cream around the brow, but you don’t really need to do it if you are neat about your application,” Healy points out.

Step 5: Check Your Progress

Healy suggests wiping the dye off with a damp cotton ball after two or three minutes so that you can see how the color is processing; you can always reapply if needed. “I’d rather tint in two or three rounds than apply too much at once,” Healy says, adding that you can also spot treat areas that could use a little more dye, such as the very tip of the tails of your brows, using an angled or eyeliner brush.

Check the instructions of your particular product for the recommended processing time, but keep in mind that you may also need to leave the tint on longer if you’re trying to cover gray hair. “It’s more resistant to color than brown or blonde hair,” Healy notes. Again, when in doubt, wipe the dye off, check the color, and then reapply as needed.

Step 6: Remove The Dye

Once you’ve reached your desired end results, remove all of the dye with a damp cotton ball. Finish by washing your face to make sure there’s no leftover product, using a bit of your facial cleanser on your pinky and sudsing it into the brows, says Healy.

How To Care For Your Brows Post-Tint

“The best thing is that there really is no aftercare,” says Healy. “Once they’re tinted, they’re tinted, which is great.” However, it’s best to try and avoid excessively sweating right after tinting, as this could impact the longevity of the color, he notes. (A brow tint should last about three to four weeks.) Nolan adds that it’s also a good idea to not use a ton of makeup, cleanser, or rub your brows for 24 hours after the initial application as well. But, overall, “Brow tinting is similar to hair coloring. You’re good to go with little to no maintenance, making it an easy and efficient process,” she adds.

Not totally sold on tinting your brows quite yet? You can get a sense as to what it might look like by using a tinted brow gel.

Sydney Wingfield has been a freelance writer in the beauty and wellness space for six years. She has written for Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Glamour, and other publications and loves to cover all things skin care, makeup, and hair.