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Eyebrow Tinting: What Is It & How Long Does It Last?


Closeup of woman applying Eyebrow Tint

Brows can make or break a look, so it’s no wonder eyebrow tinting is all the rage. Whether you have sparse brows or just want to enhance their natural shape, tinting can add dimension and definition to your face. If you’re considering eyebrow tinting, you need to understand what it involves, how long it lasts, and how to do it. Here’s all you need to know about this beauty trend. And if you find a simpler, more temporary option is for you, Rodan + Fields has just the thing!

Brow Tinting Procedure

Eyebrow tinting is a semi-permanent form of makeup that helps to darken the color of your brows. The dye tints both the eyebrow hairs and the top layer of the skin, making your brows appear thicker and fuller. Although at-home brow tinting products exist, it’s best to have the tinting done professionally, as a trained technician can ensure precise, even and safe results. Each technician approaches the procedure slightly differently, but the general process is largely the same.

Step 1: Color decision and patch test

First, you’ll need to decide on the color of tint that’s best for your skin tone and hair color. Your technician will then perform a patch test. This involves applying a small amount of the dye to a discreet area of your skin, like behind the ears, to make sure you don’t experience any adverse reactions.

Step 2: Brow preparation

Once the patch test is approved, your technician will prepare your brows for tinting. This may involve cleansing the area, brushing the brows into shape, or trimming them. Your technician will also apply a barrier cream around the edges of your brows to protect the rest of your skin from being stained.

Step 3: Application and removal

The technician will then apply a thick layer of dye to your eyebrows with a cotton swab. Depending on the formula and desired intensity, they’ll leave the dye on your brows for anywhere from two minutes to two hours. Afterward, the technician will remove the dye with a damp cloth or cotton pad and cleanse the brows again to ensure all traces of the dye have been removed.

How Long Does Brow Tint Last?

You can expect your brow tint to last for approximately one month. That said, the following factors can affect the longevity of your tint by a few weeks:

  • Type and quality of dye used
  • How often you wash your face.
  • How hard you scrub when washing.
  • The type of skincare products you use.
  • Environmental conditions such as sun exposure

Another significant factor influencing brow tint longevity is how quickly your brows grow. Brow tints are designed to primarily dye the hair follicles rather than the underlying skin. As new hairs grow in, they may be lighter than the dyed brows, creating a faded effect. When this occurs, a touch-up may be required to restore your tinted look.

Pros and Cons of Eyebrow Tinting

Pros

Brow tinting can be very convenient for your daily beauty routine. With tinted brows, you don’t have to fill them in each morning or worry about them smudging throughout the day. The procedure typically takes no more than 30 minutes and is relatively inexpensive, costing an average of $40 for weeks of maintenance-free brows.

Cons

Misuse of the dye can cause skin and eye injuries. That’s why it’s important to find a reputable esthetician or salon for your tinting session and avoid permanent or semi-permanent brow tint products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved professional brow tints containing the color additive silver nitrate, and even those must be used in limited amounts. Not all professional brow tints are created equal, so be sure to check the ingredients list on the packaging or ask your esthetician before beginning the procedure.

The semi-permanent nature of eyebrow tinting also means that you’ll display the results until the tint fades away. If you’re not happy with the way your brows look after tinting, you’ll need to wait several weeks for the tint to naturally wear off.

Find the Best Products for Eyebrow Tinting from Rodan + Fields

For some people, the potential downsides of brow tinting aren’t worth the hassle. For a fuller, bolder look without the risk and commitment of tinting, other options are available.

Traditional brow pencils and powders are the logical brow enhancement alternatives, but they can be tricky to get right. Rodan + Fields Brow Defining Boost offers the best of both worlds, combining the simple convenience of brow tinting with the comfort of a temporary product.

Brow Defining Boost is a tinted eyebrow gel that helps you achieve more youthful-looking brows both instantly and over time. Formulated with moisturizing castor oil, volumizing cellulose fibers, and protective polymers, this product helps give your brows a more defined, polished appearance with just a quick morning application. Buildable coverage and a light-as-air texture make it easy to customize your look to your liking, so you can step out of the house as your most confident self.

You may also want to consider a product that will nourish and protect your brows over the long term. For this, you can’t go wrong with Rodan + Fields Lash Boost. Designed for both lashes and brows, this conditioning serum can help you achieve the appearance of more defined eyebrows through a simple nightly application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my eyebrow tint from fading?

Your eyebrow tint is most vulnerable to accelerated fading during the first day after the procedure. To avoid this, be sure to keep your face dry for 12 hours after getting your brows tinted — this includes washing your face and showering. You’ll also want to avoid rubbing your face or applying oil-based products for the first 24 hours.

What skincare can I use after eyebrow tinting?

Most skincare products are fine to use once your brow tint has had time to fully set. However, you may be able to extend the lifespan of your brow tint by limiting the use of skin serums, face oils and oil-based makeup removers.

Which eyebrow tint lasts the longest?

In general, the darker the dye, the longer lasting it will be. Additionally, professional brow dyes formulated with silver nitrate tend to last longer than at-home dyes. If you’re looking for a longer-lasting option, you may instead want to consider microblading, which is a type of cosmetic tattoo that can last up to two years.