Everything to Know About Eyebrow Tinting, According to Experts

Whether you like them fine or full, there are tons of options for transforming your eyebrows. On one end, trusty makeup staples like brow pencils and gels add color, definition, and fullness. On the other, there’s microblading, where pigment is literally tattooed into your skin for long-lasting results. A happy medium? Enter eyebrow tinting. This treatment offers the semi-permanent pigment perks of microblading without the invasiveness and lasts far longer than your go-to brow makeup.

Ahead, we spoke to Robin Evans and Joey Healy, two New York City-based eyebrow artists, to explain everything you need to know about brow tinting—from what it is to what to expect at your first appointment.

What is eyebrow tinting?

Eyebrow tinting is a dyeing treatment involving a “semi-permanent color specifically formulated for brows,” Evans says. This tint is made from vegetable-based or synthetic dyes and is applied to the eyebrow hairs to darken them, Healy adds.

People choose eyebrow tinting for various reasons, such as creating a fuller look or matching their hair color. Healy particularly recommends it for those with gray or white eyebrows or anyone whose brows have been lightened by the sun.

How long does eyebrow tinting last?

Eyebrow tinting is a semi-permanent treatment, so the results won’t last forever. Both experts agree that brow tinting typically lasts four to six weeks. However, Healy notes that the duration can vary depending on the person. Some lifestyle choices can speed up the fading process, such as excessive sweating within the first few hours after your treatment (so avoid a steamy hot yoga class) and using skincare products with exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).

How long does eyebrow tinting take?

Good news: You don’t have to block off a huge chunk of time for your eyebrow tinting appointment, and the service can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, according to Healy. It might take closer to 30 minutes if you have gray or white hair because it tends to have a coarser texture, which is harder for the dye to penetrate. Likewise, if your brow technician is a perfectionist (and they should be!), the process might take longer as they meticulously customize your brow. “I like to do several rounds of tinting,” Healy explains. “Sometimes, taking the tint through the entire brow is enough. Other times, I go back in on the very ends where the brow can be thinner.”

The reality, though, is that the brow tinting process itself is fast. “Brow hairs are porous and absorb color quickly,” says Evans. “Most of my clients only need a tint to stay on their brows for about two minutes, some even less. Ultimately, it’s the extra stuff that adds to the time, like your initial consultation (more on that in a bit), the potential tweezing or shaping they do after removing the dye, and your aftercare lowdown.”

According to Evans, “Less [processing time!] is usually more with tinting because you can always go back in if they’re too light. If they’re too dark, correcting them never quite comes out the right color, so make sure you see a brow specialist with experience in brow tinting to avoid making them too dark and look like they’ve been stamped on.”

Is brow tinting safe?

Generally speaking, yes, brow tinting is very safe. However, you’ll want to research to ensure you’re going to a qualified professional—think a licensed aesthetician or certified brow specialist—with a portfolio (or an Instagram grid!) full of stellar brow tinting results. While Healy and Evans acknowledge that product sensitivity is possible, they reassure that it’s rare. “That would only cause mild skin irritation and would not be long-term or harmful,” says Evans. Healy suggests a patch-test on the inner wrist to ensure you’re in the clear. This way, you can check for adverse reactions before committing to the full service. And remember, if you suspect your skin might react, don’t hesitate to voice your concerns to your brow technician.

More likely, the biggest risk is that “you just don’t like your brow color,” says Healy, “that you feel like it’s too dark.” (Not ideal, but also not literally unsafe.) “That’s kind of the feedback we hear from people from other places who’ve tinted before that they haven’t liked it in the past because of the visual result being a little bit too strong for their liking,” he adds.

Does brow tinting cause hair loss?

Brow tinting does not cause hair loss, assures Healy, so be wary of anything on the internet that tries to convince you otherwise. “The only thing I could think of is if somebody was to hyper-aggressively remove the tint and scrub the brow, which could dislodge hair,” he mentions. But that’s the same as taking off your brow makeup at the end of the day; you want to be gentle.

Also, Evans warns against getting your brows tinted more often than the expert-recommended four to six weeks timeline. “You could risk over-processing the brow hairs and possibly make them dry or even brittle, which in rare cases could cause breakage,” she says. “The health and integrity of the brows are more important.”

What to expect during brow tinting service

For starters, you should show up to your appointment with clean brows “free of makeup, skincare, and suncare as well,” says Healy. (But if you don’t have time, don’t stress; they’ll clean them for you.) Your brow specialist will kick off your appointment with a consultation to chat about any allergies or skin concerns, along with your vision for your brows. As Healy explains, clients come in for various reasons, from warming their brows after dyeing their hair to managing grays or simply refreshing them after sun exposure.

Next, your specialist will apply a protective barrier cream or petroleum jelly to prevent the dye from staining your skin. Then, they’ll “mix your color and apply it at least one time, maybe more than one round,” says Healy. After letting your brows process for the necessary time, they’ll remove the dye. Depending on what you discussed in your consultation, they might trim or shape your brows to perfection and hand you a mirror to see the results. Last but not least, before you head out the door, especially if it’s your first time, they’ll give you some aftercare tips to help your brow tint last as long as possible.

Aftercare

“Aftercare is pretty simple with brow tinting,” says Evans. “Unlike other brow and lash services, you can get them wet afterward.” Her biggest tip is to avoid oil at all costs because it may cause the color to break down faster. (Yes, that means if you have very oily skin, your brow tinting results might fade a little faster.) “If you like to use a cleansing oil or face oil, avoid it altogether for the first three or four days,” she adds.

Healy agrees that the brow tinting aftercare process is pretty low-maintenance. “Afterward, you can pretty much live your normal life,” he says. For those who want to be extra careful about their eyebrow tinting results (we get it!), Healy suggests avoiding makeup on freshly tinted brows, as well as steering clear of excessive sweating or heat for at least five or six hours. (And remember, though tempting, no hot yoga!)

Not to get overly granular, but Healy also warns against spray tanning or fake tanning of any kind before you get your brows tinted. “If you do, you want to wait 24 hours because sometimes, if someone gets a sunless tan and then comes to get their brows tinted, the tan leaves a weird color around the brow, and the tint can interact with that color and change it to another color, sometimes like a greenish-brown,” he explains.

How much does brow tinting cost?

Like everything from haircuts to spray tans, the price of brow tinting can vary significantly depending on where you live and who you go to. Evans says it’s anywhere from “approximately $20 to $50 as a standalone service” and potentially less if it’s an add-on to a brow shaping or lamination.”

However, if you want a custom treatment, expect to pay more. Healy mentions that at his brow studio, there are three price tiers: brow tinting starts at $55 with a junior specialist and goes up to $115 with him, the salon owner. Healy advises that while you can find cheaper options, such as add-ons at nail salons, “you get what you pay for.”

Healy adds that salons will custom-blend the dye to match your desired look, often using the same color for everyone. So, be sure to take note of this detail when choosing a brow technician, especially if achieving a perfect match is important to you.

Final takeaway

Brow tinting is perfect for those looking to simplify their brow routine and save time in the morning. While it’s more of an investment than daily brow pencils or gels, this semi-permanent treatment can streamline your routine and complement a new hair color without the trip to the make-up counter. The process is quick, with prices ranging from $20 to $115, depending on location and the technician’s expertise. Above all, make sure to find a trusted (and qualified) expert with a solid portfolio for results you’ll love.