Eyebrow Gel or Brow Tint for Thinning Eyebrows?

by Sandra
(Florida)

Hi,

Have you ever tried tinting your eyebrows with a permanent color?

I tried a semi-permanent tint, but I didn't like the look. It cost about $20 and only lasted about as long as regular hair color, around four weeks.

I've tried so many eyebrow brush tint products and can't ever get a natural look.

I liked using an eyebrow pencil, but it never seemed to last the whole day for me. I have to keep reapplying it throughout the day.

So I decided to try a permanent color on the advice of my hairdresser. What do you think?

Thanks,
Sandra

Editor's Note:

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for sharing your experience! I know exactly what you mean about trying to get your eyebrows to look natural without constantly touching them up.

When you first asked this question, I hadn't tried semi-permanent eyebrow tinting. But since then, I've experimented with at-home brow tinting, and I've actually been pretty happy with the results.

Here's what I've learned.

Eyebrow tint vs. tinted brow gel: Which works better?

I think it depends on what's making your eyebrows look thin in the first place.

If you have plenty of brow hairs but they're light, gray, or faded, tinting can make them look darker and more noticeable without applying makeup every morning.

But if your eyebrows are actually missing hairs, especially around the outer third like mine, tinting alone won't fill those empty spaces.

That's why I still like using tinted eyebrow gel with microfibers. It coats the hairs, adds a little fullness, and helps fill in sparse areas without looking too heavy.

What I've tried on my own eyebrows

Over the years, my eyebrows have become thinner and more sparse, especially toward the ends. I probably didn't help matters by overplucking when I was younger!

I've had good results with eyebrow tinting, and I usually prefer a shade a little darker than my hair color. But I'm careful not to go too dark because I still want my brows to look soft and natural.

For everyday makeup, I also like a waterproof tinted brow gel. It's especially helpful in hot, humid weather when regular eyebrow pencils tend to fade or disappear.

One little trick I've learned is to use the tip of the brow gel brush almost like a pencil. I lightly dab it into sparse areas first, then brush through the rest of my brows to coat the hairs evenly.

If you'd like to see more of my techniques, visit my Eyebrow Makeup Tips for Sparse Brows page. I share three simple ways to fill gaps, cover gray hairs, and make uneven brows look more balanced.

What about permanent eyebrow color?

I'd be careful with that, Sandra. Regular hair dye shouldn't be used on your eyebrows because it can cause serious eye injuries.

If you're considering a longer-lasting brow tint, I'd suggest talking with an experienced professional about products specifically approved for eyebrow use. Even professional tinting can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

And remember, regular brow tinting isn't permanent. The color gradually fades as the hairs grow and shed.

My advice? If your brows are mostly there but need more color, tinting might be worth considering. But if you're missing quite a bit of hair, a tinted microfiber gel or a fine-tipped brow pencil may give you more control over the final look.

Hope this helps, Sandra!

Best,
Linda