Tinting your eyebrows at home is one of the easiest ways to make brows look fuller and more defined without makeup. With the right product and a few simple steps, you can get a salon-looking result in your own bathroom, with color on the hairs that lasts up to 6 weeks.
I created Soulu Eyebrow Tint during the 2020 lockdown, when my clients could not come to the studio. Here is exactly how to use it, even if you have never tinted your brows before.
What You Need
- Eyebrow tint and activator (both are in the Soulu kit);
- a small mixing dish and a brow brush or cotton swabs;
- a rich cream or petroleum jelly to protect the skin;
- cotton pads, water and a gentle cleanser;
- a timer.
Step 1: Do a Patch Test
Always do a patch test at least 24 hours before the first application, and again if you have not used the tint for a while.
- Mix a tiny amount of tint and activator as described in the instructions in the box.
- Apply it to a small area of skin, for example behind the ear or on the inner elbow.
- Leave it for 24 hours without washing.
- If you notice redness, itching, burning or swelling, do not use the product.
Never use eyebrow tint on irritated, broken or freshly treated skin, and keep it away from the eyes.
Step 2: Choose the Right Shade
- Natural look: choose a shade close to your natural brow color.
- Blonde or light hair: go one shade darker than your hair, not more.
- Dark hair: match your hair color or go slightly softer.
- Gray or white hairs: start with a lighter shade; you can always tint again for more color.
Step 3: Prepare Your Brows
Cleanse the brow area so it is free of makeup, oil and skincare, then dry it well. Apply a thin layer of rich cream or petroleum jelly around the brows, without touching the hairs, so the tint does not stain the skin.
Step 4: Mix and Apply
- Mix the tint and activator in the ratio given in the instructions until smooth.
- With a brow brush or cotton swab, apply the mixture to the hairs, starting from the middle of the brow toward the tail.
- Apply to the front of the brow last: it should be the softest part, so it needs the least time.
- Follow your natural shape; don't extend far beyond your hairs.
Step 5: Wait
Leave the tint on for the time stated in the instructions. Less time gives a softer color, more time a deeper color. For your first tint, stay on the shorter side.
Step 6: Remove and Style
Wipe off the tint with a damp cotton pad, then cleanse the area gently. Brush the brows into shape. For a laminated look, finish with Soulu Brow Gel.
How to Remove Eyebrow Tint From Skin
If tint gets on the skin, wipe it off right away with a cotton swab and micellar water. Protecting the skin with cream before you start prevents most stains. Any tint left on the skin fades much faster than tint on the hairs, usually within a few days.
How to Tint Gray Eyebrow Hairs
Gray and white hairs can be more resistant to color. Start with a lighter shade and the standard time; if the hairs still look too light after a few days, tint again rather than leaving the first application on longer.
After Tinting: How Long Before You Can Shower?
Avoid steam, saunas and oily products on the brows for 24 hours after tinting, so the color can set. A quick shower that keeps water off your brows is fine.
How Long Does Eyebrow Tint Last?
The color on the hairs typically lasts up to 6 weeks. Re-tint every 4–6 weeks, when the color starts to fade.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the patch test.
- Choosing a shade that is too dark, which looks harsh.
- Starting at the front of the brow, which makes the front too dark.
- Leaving the tint on longer "for good measure" on the first try.
- Applying tint on freshly treated skin after peels, waxing or permanent makeup.
Eyebrow Tint and Permanent Makeup
Tint and permanent makeup work well together. If you have healed nanoblading or powder brows, tinting your natural hairs helps them blend with the pigment for a fuller, more seamless look. Do not tint while your brows are healing after a procedure; see the eyebrow healing stages.
Prefer a professional result? Our studio offers Brow Lamination, Tint & Shaping for $150.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tint eyebrows at home?
Do a patch test 24 hours before, protect the skin around the brows with cream, mix the tint and activator, apply from the middle of the brow toward the tail, finish with the front, wait the time in the instructions, then wipe off and cleanse.
How long does eyebrow tint last?
The color on the hairs typically lasts up to 6 weeks. Tint on the skin fades within a few days.
How do I get eyebrow tint off my skin?
Wipe it off immediately with a cotton swab and micellar water. Any stain left on the skin usually fades within a few days.
Do I need a patch test every time?
Do one before the first use and whenever you have not used the tint for a while, or if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
Can I tint my brows after permanent makeup?
Yes, once your brows have fully healed. Tinting your natural hairs helps them blend with the pigment.
Where can I buy Soulu Eyebrow Tint?
In the Soulu online shop.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadia Afanaseva
Founder of Soulu, AAM-certified permanent makeup trainer
Nadia has worked in permanent makeup for more than 15 years and performed over 20,000 procedures. She leads the Soulu studio in Edgewater, NJ and trains new artists at the Soulu Academy.
