Eyebrow Tinting Guide: Everything You Need To Know About The Semipermanent Dye Job

But if you're unable to get up the gumption to go full brow tattoo, you're not alone. (Permanence can add pressure, and who knows what the new eyebrow trend will look like once a new decade rolls around?). Good news: Eyebrow tinting is a happy middle ground, perfect for those looking to enhance their arches for a time, no needles necessary. Here's everything you need to know about the brow dye job. 

For those with thin, sparse brows, eyebrow tinting can be a game-changer: "It maximizes your brow potential by making every hair count," says brow expert Joey Healy. Meaning, those light, baby hairs above your brows you never really knew existed finally show up to the party, making your arches full and fluffy. Alicia Halpin, esthetician and owner of Foundation Beauty & Esthetics, agrees: "Tinting the 'fluff' is what really gives the brows that bold look." 

Those with sensitive skin can totally hop on the brow tinting bandwagon, Healy notes; just make sure to seek salons that use vegetable-based dyes. While not totally natural (even vegetable-based options contain some synthetic chemicals—the market still has some ways to go), they're usually less harsh on sensitive skin. Most salons will recommend a 24-hour patch test for you to try as well, either on your wrist or behind your ear, just in case you have a reaction to the dye. 

Don't freak out if your brows look darker than you anticipated at first: "The brows will fade up to 60% within two days, once the tint that is on the skin washes off," says Halpin (some dye can make its way onto your skin, despite the outline—but the sebum in your skin is able to lift the pigment pretty quickly). The aftercare is pretty minimal; Healy only notes you shouldn't shower or sweat too much directly after the procedure, as you could potentially fade the fresh color. 

In addition to the right color payoff, a professional knows the exact technique it takes to deliver the right results. "An important part of tinting the brows is mapping, where you outline the desired shape," Halpin explains. "Most at-home kits do not include this training, and without it you may be left with uneven brows." Think about it: Without proper mapping (aka, the oily balm outline we discussed above), you might accidentally dye those tiny vellus hairs on your forehead. The result? One brow that is distinguishably thicker and fuller than the other, for about four to six weeks. Not so cute.

Eyebrow procedures fall on a spectrum of sorts, with brow tinting on the more low-stakes side. Of course, there's no need to jump into tinting straight away, especially if you're brand-new to eyebrow services—just play with some tinted brow gels in the meantime to see if a tinged brow suits you.