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At a Glance
Eyebrow tinting uses a semi-permanent dye and volume oxidant, mixed in equal parts, to darken brow hairs and give them a fuller look - the full process takes about 20 minutes. Color typically lasts one to two weeks on the skin and longer on the hairs themselves. As a rule of thumb, choose a shade two to three shades lighter than your natural brow color for a natural look, or one to two shades darker for a bolder effect.
Eyebrow tinting or dyeing is used to shape the brow and give the brows the appearance of looking fuller. Coloring your eyebrows is ideal if you have pale-colored brows or a small window of time to get ready in the mornings. Once you dye your eyebrows, you don’t have to fuss over defining and filling in your brows during your makeup routine. Dyeing your eyebrows leaves your natural brows looking fuller and helps frame your face. The baby hairs in your eyebrows that usually go unnoticed are colored, making the overall look appear fuller.
Step One: Prep Your Brows
Comb through the hairs to ensure an even distribution of dye. Use a cotton swab with a dab of Vaseline or a tear-free conditioner around the outline of the brow to prevent staining the skin – this step is optional, since the dye will eventually rub off with soap, water, and face cleanser.
Step Two: Prepare the Color Mixture
Combine equal parts dye and volume oxidant, about one gram each.
Step Three: Apply the dye to each eyebrow using a brush.
You can also opt to use a clean paintbrush for precision or a disposable orangewood stick. Follow the shape of the eyebrow when applying the color. Apply the color on both sides of the hair.
Step Four: Leave the Mixture On
Leave the dye on for 10 minutes. Semi-permanent dye typically stays visible on the skin for one to two weeks and fades as skin cells renew; many people like this stained-skin effect since it adds extra depth to the brows. You can dye one eyebrow at a time or both at once.
Safety tip: Before your first at-home tint, do a small patch test on your skin at least 24 hours in advance to check for a reaction, and always avoid getting dye near your eyes.
Step Five: Remove the Tint
Using a damp towel or sponge, remove the tint using water and soap, being careful not to get the color in your eyes.
The result is fun and fiery, and the model perfectly achieved a flattering, pretty-in-pink look.
Want to learn brow and skincare techniques like this professionally?
Ogle School’s esthetics program covers brow tinting, shaping, and facial treatments as part of hands-on training.
The Benefits of DIY Eyebrow Dyeing:
- You can save the time it takes to make an appointment, drive to the salon, and get your eyebrows done by a specialist by doing it yourself.
- You can save anywhere from $15 to $30 on services.
- If you already have the supplies, you can tint yourself at your convenience.
For more tutorials and beauty tips from our estheticians and hairstylists, check out the Ogle School blog. If you’re searching for general information about our programs, visit our website. To schedule a tour, complete a short form online.
FAQ
Eyebrow tint typically lasts one to two weeks on the skin and up to several weeks on the brow hairs themselves, fading gradually as skin cells renew and hair grows out.
“Tinting” and “dyeing” generally refer to the same semi-permanent color process for eyebrows – the terms are often used interchangeably. Both use a similar dye-and-oxidant mixture and last about the same amount of time.
Yes. Since eyebrow dye is used close to the eyes and can cause an allergic reaction in some people, it’s best to do a small patch test on your skin at least 24 hours before your first at-home application.
Curious about a career in esthetics?
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