No one can deny that eyebrows are an essential feature of our faces. Our brows’ shape, size, color, and texture can be very different. This gives each face a unique personality. It’s not surprising that we spend so much effort perfecting our brows with various pencils and gels. Imagine waking up with perfectly shaped Instagram brows without lifting a single finger. Sounds too good to be true? Welcome to the world of eyebrow tinting.
The before and after pictures of this face-changing combo are stunning. This brow service can produce some fantastic results. However, a bad tint job is challenging to hide. What’s the best method to shape and tint them? Do we need to have our eyebrows done professionally, or can we do it ourselves? We’ve compiled everything you need about eyebrow tinting straight from the experts.
What is eyebrow tinting?
The technique of eyebrow tinting involves semi-permanently coloring brow hairs. It also leaves a color stain on the skin, which helps fill in the thinner spaces between the brows,” says Jesee McSpadden, a licensed esthetician who owns The Brow Lounge By Jesee. The tinting process is used to enhance and define your natural eyebrows. McSpadden says that the stain will last approximately one week while the color of the hair strands grows out in two to four weeks.
You can expect to spend anywhere between $7 and $30 per treatment depending on the salon, the esthetician, and their experience. Some charge as much as $65. Be sure to consider more than just price when researching salons. Finding a reputable, safe office with a licensed professional is essential. After all, this treatment involves using chemicals close to your eyes. DIYers can buy kits that tint eyebrows at home. The cost is about the same as an in-office treatment.
Eyebrow tinting has many benefits.
There are many reasons why you might try eyebrow tinting. If you want your brows fuller and to simplify your routine, this is a great option. If you are happy with the results, it may be easier to achieve the desired look.
- The brows look fuller
- Younger Appearance
- Defines eyebrow shape
- Darkens light brow hairs
- Results can last for up to one month
- No-pain eyebrow enhancement
- Smudge-proof
- Symmetrical eyebrows
McSpadden says that the most significant benefit of this method is that it reduces the time you spend in preparation for your morning. The face will appear more youthful with full, natural-looking eyebrows: “The thicker brow is. The younger you look, the better. Microblading your eyebrows can produce similar results but is more expensive and painful.
Benefit Cosmetics global Jared Bailey believes tinting to be a must if you are looking for fuller frames on your face. He says that every brow contains soft, fine vellus-like hairs that can instantly create a thicker and fuller brow when tinted. The brow tint can add depth and dimension, but it also lengthens the strands at the end of your brows, which are usually lighter and finer. The pigment gradually fades throughout 3 to 4 weeks. This means you won’t need to worry about messy growth-out periods like with hair dye.
McSpadden warns you to be prepared for some severe compliments on your brows. “One of my clients told me that after we tinted her brows, her girlfriends thought she had a facelift. It’s that good when done right!
How to Prepare Eyebrow Tinting
It’s vital to eliminate any allergies before scheduling an appointment. It is essential to rule out any allergies before booking an appointment. The skin around your eyebrows may be thin, making it more susceptible to infection and irritation. On top of this, many eyebrow and eyelash tints contain a common allergen called para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which can cause severe reactions.1 To be extra safe, doing a patch test with the dye is recommended to ensure you’re not allergic to any of the chemicals.
It’s essential to communicate with your provider what you are looking for. Consider how noticeable you want the result and what color you prefer. Bailey says that a slight tint can thicken thin or patchy brows. “For a natural look, choose a shade that matches the darkest color of your hair and apply it to the entire length. “This will give your brows an appearance of fullness,” he says. I’d take it one or two shades darker than your base hair tone for more definition. This is a great way to give any frame a little more vibrancy.
Be prepared to be a little stunned by the difference. McSpadden says the difference can be shocking if you start with sparse or blonde eyebrows. As long as the professional is experienced and you have communicated your desired look, this shock will fade. You may not see it, but you are different from yourself. Everyone else will notice your beautiful brows!
What to expect during an Eyebrow Tinting appointment
McSpadden says that you will be asked questions to determine if you are a suitable candidate for service. “Whenever you receive a service, you should expect to be asked questions to ensure your safety and customize the service for you.”
The process of tinting takes only 15 minutes. Your provider will first prep and cleanse the eyebrow area and then mix a unique shade. McSpadden: “We do our best to match colors as closely as possible.” “I have redhead clients, and I mix up to three colors to get a perfect match.
The dye will be applied to the brows for a few minutes. However, the time required depends on the desired result: longer for darker, more intense brows and shorter for lighter brows.
At-Home vs. In the Office
McSpadden recommends visiting a professional rather than trying to tint your eyebrows yourself. She explains, “We use higher-quality products and have experience matching hair colors. The precision you will receive is unmatched.” The last thing you’d want to do is an experiment at home and have brows that need to be lighter. It will take more than a month for them to return to their natural color. It is much harder to maintain a natural color and achieve the same level of definition as a professional.
McSpadden points out the most significant difference: “Above everything, we can fix any problems that may arise.” You won’t have to live with something that you don’t like. She recommends starting with a light color if you decide to give it a go. If your hair is medium brown, start with more golden brown. It is always better to have a color you can darken than one you need to bleach.
Bailey says that if you want to DIY, you should look for products made specifically for the eye and face area. We like BaeBrow’s PPD-free instant tint! ($25). Before applying the paint to the skin, apply a thin layer of Vaseline or night cream. Remove some dye before using it to ensure the color is not too intense.
Side effects and risks
Is eyebrow tinting a safe procedure? It could be more straightforward. It’s not risk-free to apply semi-permanent or permanent dye near the eyes. You should know that eyebrow and eyelash dyes are not FDA-approved. The practice is illegal in states such as California, where salons can only use FDA-approved products for eyebrow tinting. Despite this, eyebrow tinting remains popular in other states. Some states allow the practice as long as it isn’t permanent.
The tint ban may sound scary, but it is a precaution because the abovementioned allergic reactions can be more severe on this sensitive part of the face. McSpadden says that allergies can cause all kinds of side effects. If you are allergic to hair dye and receive this service, you may experience itching, redness, and, in extreme cases, even hair loss. Before beginning any service, inform your provider of any allergies. “If there are no allergies, you can go.”
