What Is Eyebrow Tinting? Our Best Brow Guide
Defining the natural shape of your eyebrows with a brow pencil is a normal part of most makeup routines. But if you’ve ever colored one brow darker than the other or accidentally flattened your arch and wondered, “Shouldn’t this be easier?” you aren’t alone.
Whether you want to simplify your routine or create a more defined brow, eyebrow tinting can get you the look you want with ease.
Below, we break down what you can expect when getting your eyebrows tinted, including the average cost and when you’ll need touch-ups. We’ll also take you through how to get in touch with a brow artist in your area to get the process started.
What is eyebrow tinting?
Eyebrow tinting is the process of applying dye to the eyebrow hairs to temporarily darken or lighten them. This service also enhances your brows’ natural arch.
The types of dyes often used for professional tinting include vegetable dyes and henna brow products, though the dye your stylist selects for you will depend on your skin tone, allergies, and desired result.
How long does tinting take?
When you get your eyebrows tinted, you can expect the service to take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. This ensures your stylist has enough time to create your perfect shade, apply the dye, and let it set to achieve the desired effect.
If you add on other services, such as eyebrow threading or brow lamination, however, your appointment will likely take longer as these services won’t be completed at the same time. Additional services can also add to your cost. For example, brow lamination prices can range between $35 and $130 on their own, and eyebrow threading costs are about $20 on average.
If you’re bundling a brow wax or threading service with your tint, make sure your brow artist removes hair after the brow tint. If done before, this can greatly increase your risk of infection and irritation.
How does eyebrow tinting work?
Eyebrow tinting works by dyeing both your main eyebrow hairs, as well as the smaller hairs around your brow to change its shape and length.
During your appointment, you and your technician will discuss what look you want and they’ll create the dye to match your desired outcome.
- To prepare for the service, your brows will be cleaned to remove any makeup or bacteria.
- Your technician will apply Vaseline or a similar product to the skin around your brow to prevent staining.
- Your technician will apply the dye to your brows using a small comb or brush to create your desired shape.
- The dye will be left on for several minutes, then wiped away to reveal a fuller-looking brow.
Eyebrow tinting vs. microblading
While both tinting and microblading services can leave you with more defined, fuller-looking brows, there are key differences between the two that are important to understand before booking an appointment.
Eyebrow tinting:
- Best for people who have light-colored brow hair
- Dyes your actual brow hairs
- Painless procedure unless there’s an allergic reaction
- Lasts three to eight weeks
- Costs an average of $34
Microblading:
- Best for people with little to no brow hair
- Needles deposit ink into the skin under brows
- Procedure can be painful for some
- Lasts 13 to 18 months before fading
- Costs an average of $316
Due to how it’s applied, microblading can be a bit painful (you’re basically getting a tattoo on your face) and will need touch-ups every year or so to keep the same shape. However, the effects last longer than tinting, so it can be a good option for those who don’t have a lot of natural eyebrow hair to work with.
Keep in mind that microblading requires more skill, so make sure you are working with an experienced technician if undergoing this treatment. You should also factor in costs. For example, microblading costs an average of $316, but can go up to $540 in some areas. If you’re looking for a more permanent service, eyebrow tattoo prices range from $300 to $500.
How much is eyebrow tinting?
You should expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $80 for an eyebrow tinting treatment. The actual cost will vary depending on who you go to for your service or if you do it at home. While a higher price doesn’t always mean safer service, experienced technicians will typically charge a bit more because they likely have a good reputation and a long list of clients.
According to our internal data:
- A brow tint is least expensive in Kansas, where the average cost is $10.
- A brow tint is most expensive in Pennsylvania, where the average cost is $79.
- Nationwide, the average brow tint cost is $34.
To ensure you work with an experienced technician, it’s important to conduct your own research to see the work they’ve done and the general satisfaction level of their previous clients. Since the service involves chemicals near sensitive areas of the face, researching the products they use is a good idea as well.
How long does eyebrow tinting last?
Eyebrow tinting typically lasts between three and eight weeks, depending on the type of dye used and how you care for your brows post-appointment.
To keep your brows looking their best, try not to touch or wash them for 12 to 24 hours after your appointment. Keeping the area away from the sun, chlorine, salt water, and sweat for the same time frame will also prevent irritation and help your color last longer.
However, your tint will fade over time, so make sure to schedule touch-up appointments every few weeks to maintain your desired color.
What are the benefits of eyebrow tinting?
Benefits of eyebrow tinting include a more defined brow, semi-permanent results, and minimal upkeep required between appointments. The service is also relatively inexpensive and pain-free, making it a great option for those on a budget or sensitive to pain or needles. Let’s highlight some of the main benefits of getting your eyebrows tinted:
- Time-saving: The dye only takes a few minutes to set and you can resume normal activity in 24 hours.
- Customizable: Eyebrow tinting is completely customizable, meaning you can get the exact color you’d like — bring your esthetician plenty of inspiration pictures to get your desired look.
- Long-lasting: Your tint will typically last over a month depending on how you care for your brows.
- Pain-free: Since tinting only uses dye, it’s a pain-free way to enhance your brows compared to other methods.
- Inexpensive: Even on the higher end of the spectrum, eyebrow tinting is much less expensive than many other eyebrow and permanent makeup treatments.
How can I prepare for my eyebrow tinting appointment?
Prepping for your eyebrow tinting appointment is relatively simple. Before arriving at the salon, make sure your brows are clean from any makeup, sweat, or beauty products. Avoid plucking your brows for at least a week before your appointment, as your technician will dye the fine hairs around your brow to create your new shape.
When you arrive for your appointment, let your stylist know if you have any allergies or sensitivities so that they can tailor the treatment to your individual needs.
Inform your stylist if you’re using skin care with active ingredients such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). These products can increase skin sensitivity, so your esthetician might recommend a different type of dye.
You should also spend a few minutes before the service discussing what look you want, providing pictures if possible to ensure you’re on the same page.
How can I take care of my tinted eyebrows?
For 24 hours after your brow tint, you should keep your brows completely dry. This means you should avoid washing your face, applying any skincare products to your brows, or working out.
After that, you can wash your brows with a gentle cleanser when you wash your face. You’ll also want to moisturize your brows to keep them looking vibrant and shiny. Talk to your brow artists for their recommendations to keep your tint looking its best. Excessive exposure to the sun or submerging your brows can make the tint fade faster.
Does eyebrow tinting work for everyone?
Eyebrow tinting will typically work on all hair colors and skin tones. However, If you have gray or white hair, you may find it more difficult to get the color you want. To help the process go smoothly, make sure to go to an esthetician with experience tinting hair similar to yours.
If you have sensitive skin, thinning hair, or any other medical conditions, exercise caution when undergoing any beauty treatment. Other things to take into account include the medicines you’re taking and any allergies. Before scheduling an appointment, chat with your physician to ensure this service is safe for you.
Is eyebrow tinting safe?
Eyebrow tinting is a safe service offered at salons across the country. But in order to minimize risks, you should research, look at reviews, and get recommendations from those who’ve had their eyebrows tinted before. This will help point you in the right direction of a brow artist who can deliver the results you want.
While there aren’t any eyebrow or eyelash dyes currently approved by the FDA, there are still a variety of options on the market to choose from. No matter if you go with a vegetable dye, henna, or an at-home kit, make sure to do a spot test before starting your treatment to ensure you aren’t allergic to any ingredients in the dye.
To conduct a spot test, also called a patch test, your esthetician will place a bit of dye along your jawline. If you have any reaction within 48 hours, you shouldn’t get your brows tinted. The skin around your eyes is thinner, so any potential reaction will be worse there.
Once you’ve completed your treatment, there may be slight discoloration in the skin around your eyebrows, but that will fade over the next few days. Other than that, most people don’t experience any side effects from getting their eyebrows tinted.
Can I use regular hair dye at home?
If you’re used to shaping your eyebrows at home, you may be considering adding eyebrow tinting to your DIY routine. If you decide to tint your own eyebrows at home, it’s best to use specific eyebrow tint kits rather than regular hair dye. These kits have dye specially formulated for this sensitive area, and they also give you smaller tools to make the application process easier.
While you should always visit a professional for your first eyebrow tint, doing touch-ups at home can be an inexpensive way to extend the life of your salon treatment. Just make sure to ask your stylist for their recommendations on what at-home kits and colors to try out.
If you’re not using the same dye to do your touch-ups at home, be sure to do a patch test before trying out any new brands or formulations. When in doubt, book a professional brow artist to take care of your brows safely.
If you’re looking to trim down the amount of time it takes to get ready in the morning, eyebrow tinting can be a great solution. Brow tints aren’t permanent like brow tattoos, but can still help define your brow shape. With fuller brows and more time on your hands, there’s nothing you can’t handle. To get the best results possible, make sure to do your research and chat with an esthetician in your area for guidance.
