What to Know About At-Home Brow Tinting

Polished brows are the foundation of any great beauty look. Whether you’re wearing makeup or sporting a clean, minimal look, your brows add structure and shape, helping to frame your facial features. And like all things beauty, trends evolve. What’s currently in the spotlight are bold, dark arches, many of which are achieved with semi-permanent brow dyeing.

Brow tinting isn’t new, but it’s becoming increasingly popular thanks to at-home tinting kits. Spate recently reported that an uptick in makeup artist–led content has caused a surge in the use of professional-grade products and techniques. As a result, brow tinting—a process once reserved for salons—has quickly moved into at-home routines.

Of course, achieving quality results with brow-tinting products still requires expert knowledge. Below, we spoke with two brow artists about tinting’s benefits and their best advice for mastering it at home.

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The Benefits of Eyebrow Tinting

When it comes to brows, dark and defined is often the goal. Traditional pencils and eyebrow pens are a temporary solution, and microblading delivers more permanent results. Eyebrow tinting falls directly in between, offering semi-permanent color that can last for weeks.

“Brow tinting is designed to thicken the look of your brows and can be used to define them,” says Autumn Estelle, professional makeup artist and national brow artist at Benefit Cosmetics. She explains that the process adds a quick wash of color through the brow hairs, making them appear more pronounced and fuller. When done correctly, a brow tint can also enhance the shape of your arches, making them more prominent.

The results are immediate—and the lasting color is one of its biggest perks. According to Melanie Marris, celebrity brow stylist and founder of Brow Code, an at-home treatment can deliver lasting results with the correct aftercare. “The treatment tints both the hairs and the skin beneath, which helps the color stick for up to five to seven days on the skin and three to four weeks on the brow hair,” she says.

How to Tint Your Brows at Home

Before you begin, patch test the tint to make sure you’re not sensitive to the formula—apply a small amount to your skin and wait 24 hours to check for any reaction. Then, decide how you want your brows to look. Your positioning and application will determine the final result. For a natural style, tint just the hairs; for a more defined look, allow the tint to stain the skin beneath.

Ombré brows are another popular option. “This look features a fade, keeping the front of the brow natural and getting darker towards the tail,” says Marris.

Once you’ve settled on your look, start by cleansing your skin with an oil-free cleanser and drying it completely. Brush the tint through with a spoolie, applying it evenly. A light coat gives a soft tint, while more pressure creates a bolder finish. To deepen the color, Marris suggests pressing the tint firmly onto the skin with a precision brush to help the pigment bond.

“For an ombré effect, apply the tint to the centre of the brow first, defusing through the tail and finishing at the front,” she says. “Then remove the tint from the front of the brow after a few minutes before the processing time ends.”

Her pro tip? Use a timer. “The last thing you want is to over-process the tint. Setting an alarm on your phone for the processing time is a good way to ensure it doesn’t happen,” notes Marris.

Brow Tinting Aftercare

An aftercare routine ensures your tint lasts as long as possible. “It’s important to avoid getting your brows wet for the first 24 hours and avoid exfoliating and using oil-based products that can break down the tint,” says Estelle. You should also give tanning beds, saunas and steam rooms a rest after tinting. Marris adds that, “avoiding self-tanner and any actives around the brow area for the following two to three days will also help prolong the color and definition.”