A Beginner’s Guide To Eyebrow Tinting (+ Before And After Tips)

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Tired of spending so much of your mornings tweezing, brushing, and shaping your brows? Eyebrow tinting is a game-changing solution to your problem. 

Eyebrow tinting can add volume, enhance the shape, or improve the symmetry of your brows without the need for makeup.

Here, we break down everything you need to know about eyebrow tinting before and after your session + photos of how it will turn out!

What Is Eyebrow Tinting?

Eyebrow tinting is a non-invasive method that enhances your natural brows. During this process, semi-permanent pigments made of vegetable dyes or henna tints will be applied to your existing brows. 

Once applied, your brows will appear full and fluffy — temporarily, at least.

You can tint your eyebrows at home using do-it-yourself kits too, or you can have it done by a licensed cosmetologist. 

The difference is that a pro can make a custom shade that matches your brows perfectly. A pro can also administer the dye properly without irritating your skin or getting it in your eye.

The easiest way to start your search for the right cosmetologist is to ask a friend for recommendations. 

Make sure that a cosmetologist has the proper certifications for the job. You can also visit their socials to check their portfolio. Look for clients’ before and after eyebrow tinting photos.

An entire session, which includes consultation, color customization, and application, should take no longer than 40 minutes. 

The exact duration may depend on the coarseness of your brows and how dark you want them to be. The thicker your brows, the longer you need the dye to stay on.

A single tinting session can cost around $35 to $40.

Is Eyebrow Tinting Safe?

Eyebrow tinting is safe and non-invasive, but there are risks. You can experience skin irritation, infection, or allergic reactions if you aren’t using the correct dyes or administering them correctly. 

Note that the color additives in most cosmetics aren’t approved for use in eye products. 

As of this writing, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved silver nitrate as a colorant for the professional application of eyebrow and lash dyes, which is a big change for the beauty industry.

For the longest time, there was no FDA-approved brow and lash tints on the market. But last year, the beauty label RefectoCil launched the first-ever FDA-compliant brow and lash tint.

It uses the recently approved silver nitrate colorant.

Currently, you can’t find FDA-approved at-home brow treatment kits. Silver nitrate is authorized for only professional-use cosmetics. To get this product, you’ll have to visit a licensed cosmetologist, who can then apply it for you.

Seeking the services of a qualified and experienced professional should be a priority for any cosmetic treatment, including eyebrow tinting. A pro can deliver safe results and ensure that your aesthetic goals are achieved.

Eyebrows Tinted Before and After Photos

This brow wax and tint before and after photo proves how magical a session can be. Eyebrow tinting can instantly make your brows look fuller yet keep them natural-looking!

Your mornings will now be less stressful. You’ll wake up to beautiful brows without putting in the effort ’cause, girl, you literally just woke up like this!

Slay all day, every day with your eyebrows on fleek! This eyebrow wax and tint before and after photo attests to the significant change eyebrow tinting can bring to your everyday look.

Time to give your eyebrow pencils a rest. Once you get your eyebrows tinted, you won’t have to worry about how they’ll look all day!

9 Things You Must Know Before and After Eyebrow Tinting

Before Eyebrow Tinting

1. A Consultation Is Important

Booking a consultation with a licensed cosmetologist is a vital part of the entire process and should never be underestimated.

This one-on-one meeting, which should take place before a tinting session, is an opportunity to find a reputable artist.

During a consultation, a professional will listen to your concerns and set realistic expectations. Together, you’ll discuss and figure out the ideal shape and shade for your brows. 

An expert will also walk you through the entire process to make you feel comfortable and at ease every step of the way. They will show you the eyebrow tinting pictures before and after sessions of their clients.

If they don’t, feel free to ask them for it. Simply put, a consultation ensures that your first tinting experience is a positive one.

2. Perform a Patch Test

At least 48 hours before your scheduled session, you should perform a patch test. If you’re getting your brows done professionally, a licensed cosmetologist will most likely do this for you. 

A patch test determines if you are allergic to any ingredients in the dye. You’ll take a small portion of the tint, then apply it on the back of your ear or the inside of your arm.

You will have to monitor that area for any reaction, such as redness, itching, and pigment changes.

If there’s no evidence of a reaction within 48 hours after the test, it’s safe to tint your brows with that specific dye. 

However, if you notice a reaction to the tint, no matter how small, you can’t go on with the treatment. Chances are, you’ll have a more severe reaction if exposed to a larger quantity.

3. Never Wax Before Tinting

Whether you’re having your brows done professionally or at home, you shouldn’t pluck or wax your brows before a session. You also shouldn’t get microblading or brow tattoos before having your arches tinted.

These beauty treatments can make the skin around your brows feel raw and sensitive. Adding dyes immediately after these treatments can result in skin irritation and bumps. 

Instead, get your brows tinted before waxing them.

4. Start With Clean Brows

Prep your brows before your scheduled appointment. Make sure your brows and the surrounding area are free of makeup to ensure that the tint gets absorbed properly. 

You must properly remove everything from brow gels, pencils, mascaras, liners, powders, and oils. Any residue can potentially react with the dyes and irritate your skin during the session.

During Eyebrow Tinting

5. Expect It to Be Quick and Painless

Unlike microblading, which involves tattooing pigment on your brows, the eyebrow tinting process is quick and painless. You won’t experience any discomfort during or after a session. 

Just like when you get your hair dyed, a cream or petroleum jelly will be applied around your brows to prevent skin staining.

Then the tint will be carefully applied to your brows, and it will sit on your brows for a few minutes until the optimal color is achieved.

Any excess dye can be wiped away with a damp cotton pad or towel. If you see stains outside of the brow area, don’t worry. They should come off in a few days.

After Eyebrow Tinting

6. Keep Brows Dry 24 Hours Post-Session

The first 24 hours after your treatment is crucial because it affects the longevity of the brow tint. Since the ink needs some time to settle, you should avoid touching your brows or rubbing your eyes.

You should also keep water and moisture away from your freshly tinted brows.

This means no showering, swimming, or heavy workouts for 24 hours after your tinting appointment.

Once those hours are up, you can take long showers and wash your face like you usually do. You won’t have to worry about the tint coming off. 

However, your brow tint might not last as long if you are a swimmer. Chlorine-treated water, saltwater, and sun exposure will cause the ink to fade faster.

You can apply SPF for an added layer of protection and, hopefully, preserve the ink for a little bit longer.

7. Use the Right Cleanser

You might need to make a few changes in your skincare routine to make your brows last longer. 

If you’ve been using an oil-based cleanser, switch to a gel or cream-based one. That’s because an oil-based cleanser can strip away the pigment from your brow hair — too effectively. 

On the contrary, a gel or cream-based cleanser can keep your brows clean and prevent dullness. It can help you keep the color as dark and vibrant for as long as possible.

8. Go Easy With the Spoolie

It might be tempting to brush your freshly tinted arches with a spoolie, but refrain from doing so.

After getting your brows tinted, make a few changes to your eyebrow grooming routine. For starters, you don’t have to brush your brows as often as you used to. 

Brushing your brows too hard or frequently might cause your hair to fall off. It will also remove the tint from your brows. 

9. Get Touch-Ups After Four to Six Weeks

Eyebrow tinting is only a semi-permanent beauty treatment. The dyes gradually fade after a few weeks, depending on your lifestyle and aftercare regimen.

If you want to maintain full and flawless brows, you can get touch-ups every four to six weeks.

Some professionals might even allow you to come in for a touch-up session as soon as two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Expect From Eyebrow Dye Before and After the Procedure?

One of the most common reasons why people have an eyebrow tint done is to get fuller-looking brows. You won’t have to fill them in using eyebrow makeup when you go out. 

So before a session, you must communicate what look you want to achieve after the procedure. Also, tell the technician if you have any specific requests or requirements.

For instance, most eyebrow tint formulas use vegan dye or henna dye. Some people can have allergic reactions to these dyes, so you must let your technician know if this is the case.

After the procedure, the eyebrows will look darker and fuller than you expected or asked for. This is due to the dye being fresh on the skin. Don’t worry, though, as this will fade over time. 

What Shade of Eyebrow Tint Is Best for Me?

If you have thin brows and want a natural look, go for the deepest shade on your hair and use that on your entire brows. This will make your brows look fuller.

If you’re looking for more definition, go a shade or two deeper than the base color of your hair.

In any case, before getting the procedure done, you can always do your own research.

Look up eyebrow tint before and after pictures to see the differences in the shades used and the final result. This will give you a good idea of what shade you’ll prefer.

Can Eyebrow Tint Cause Hair Loss?

As long as you’re using dyes with no harmful chemicals and are applying them correctly, you won’t experience hair loss. 

A licensed cosmetologist will know which dyes to use and how to use them without causing irritation, infection, or hair loss.

There are all kinds of do-it-yourself tinting kits on the market. If you’re looking to purchase any, be cautious. Always check the labels and ingredients.

You can check the list of colorants approved by the FDA for cosmetic use, particularly in the eye area.

More importantly, perform a patch test before applying dye to your brows. This can help you avoid adverse reactions to the tints.

How Long Can You Leave Eyebrow Tint On?

Depending on your eyebrows and desired look, you may leave the eyebrow tint on for one to five minutes. The longer it stays on, the darker the color gets. Thus, if you’re tinting your brows at home, you should be very careful.

You can leave the tint on for two to three minutes and use a timer to be more accurate. Once time is up, you can wipe the dye off and check if the pigment suits your preference.

If it’s too light for your liking, apply it again and leave it on for another minute before wiping it off again.

Who Can Get Their Eyebrows Tinted?

Anyone who wants to achieve full, perfectly arched brows can have them tinted, unless you’re allergic to the dyes. 

By performing a patch test, you can determine if a brow dye triggers irritation or an allergic reaction on your skin.

If you don’t have any allergic reactions to the dyes, you can get your brows tinted. Whether your brows are dark, light, thick, or patchy, a tinting session with a professional can make them look fuller, healthier, and on fleek.

However, if your brow area has skin irritation, open cuts, or sores, you should refrain from getting your brows tinted. The dyes will only aggravate your existing skin condition.

How To Make Your Eyebrow Tint Last Longer?

One of the many benefits of getting your brows tinted by an expert is that it lasts longer.

Unlike at-home brow tints, professional dyes are made to last up to six weeks. They can last even longer if you know what to do before and after dying eyebrows. 

Your cosmetics and grooming habits can also help you make the color last. As long as you remember our tips on eyebrow tinting before and after sessions, you can make your tint last up to eight weeks.

Read More About Styling and Tinting Eyebrows Here:

• Brow Lamination Vs. Microblading: Which Is Best?
• Ombre Powder Brows: The Hottest Beauty Trend of the Season
• Eyebrow Waxing Shapes: 5 Popular Shapes to Check Out