How to Dye Your Eyebrows

Changing the color of your eyebrows can truly impact your look – eyebrows in a contrasting shade can create a bold, mysterious appearance; darker brows will appear thicker and fuller; while brows in a color similar to your hair can give you a more natural and harmonious look. Though dyeing your eyebrows is a relatively simple process, applying dye near your sensitive eye area can be risky. Always follow the instructions carefully, and if in doubt, consult an expert!

Avoid Using Hair Dye. Hair dye is formulated for the scalp and can be too harsh for the delicate skin around the eyes. It may cause damage to the sensitive skin near your eyes or even burn your eyebrows.

• Look for eyebrow dye or temporary dye designed specifically for brows.
• Beard dye often comes in more neutral shades and is designed for soft hair like eyebrows.

Opt for a dye color that is one shade darker to make your eyebrows stand out and appear fuller. Darkening your eyebrows will make their shape more defined and give them a fuller, thicker look, ideal for those with sparse or thin eyebrows. If you want them to stand out more, try dyeing them two shades darker.

• Avoid choosing a color too much darker than your natural eyebrow shade, as this will make them look unnatural and overly dark. Also, the roots will be more noticeable as your eyebrows grow back.
• Some beauty experts recommend selecting a dye color that matches the darkest shade of your hair.

Dye your eyebrows one or two shades lighter if you're transitioning your hair color from dark to light. When you drastically change your hair color, your eyebrows may appear too dark. If your eyebrows are naturally black, opt for a dark brown dye. Again, don't stray too far from your natural brow color to avoid an odd look when your eyebrows start growing back.

• Remember, contrasting eyebrows are a current fashion trend, so you may prefer to keep them darker for now.

Understand the risks involved. No eyebrow dye, even those marketed for this purpose, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is always a risk of allergic reactions or damage to the sensitive skin around your eyes. The dye can irritate, and if it gets in your eyes, it can even cause blindness.

• If you decide to dye your eyebrows, be extremely careful not to get the dye in your eyes. Apply it in small amounts to minimize the risk of it dripping into your eyes.
• Always have two bottles of sterile saline solution on hand to rinse your eyes in case the dye gets into them. Use one bottle to flush the eye, and if the burning persists, you can use the second bottle.
• Make sure to patch-test the dye on your skin first (the back of your neck or the inner part of your forearm works best). If you have no reaction after two days, you can proceed with dyeing your eyebrows without concern.

Cleanse your face with a facial cleanser or soap. It's essential to apply eyebrow dye on clean skin. Gently rub the area around your eyebrows to remove oils and dirt. If your skin or eyebrows are too oily, the dye will not work effectively.

• Use various methods like a ponytail, headband, or hair clips to keep your hair away from your face.
• Don't forget to remove makeup to clearly see the color change.

Apply a generous amount of Vaseline or moisturizing wax around your eyebrows. Use a cotton swab to gently apply the Vaseline to the skin surrounding your eyebrows (be sure not to get any on the eyebrows themselves). This layer will act as a barrier to prevent the dye from staining the skin around your brows or getting into your eyes. It will also help minimize irritation.

Prepare the eyebrow dye according to the instructions on the packaging. The mixing instructions may vary depending on the brand, but they all deliver similar results. The dye, once mixed, should have a thick, creamy consistency similar to paste. If it’s too runny like water, it’s not mixed properly. The paste-like mixture will stay in place on your eyebrows without dripping into your eyes.

• If the dye includes two tubes that need to be mixed together, use no more than a pea-sized amount from each tube. You don’t need a lot of dye, and you can save the leftover for touch-ups later.
• Prepare the dye mixture right before you are ready to apply it.

Apply the dye by coating your eyebrows generously. The eyebrow dye kit usually comes with an applicator, but you can also use a cotton swab or a clean mascara wand. Start applying the dye from the inner part of your eyebrow (nearest the nose) and work your way out towards the tail.

• Be sure to apply the dye evenly from the base of the brow to the tip.
• Complete one eyebrow before moving on to the other.

Wait for three minutes, then wipe away the dye using a pointed cotton swab. Dye brands typically recommend a 10-15 minute processing time, but checking the color every 3 minutes will give you better control over the final shade.

• Use a cotton swab soaked in warm water to wipe off any excess dye around your eyebrows or to clean the skin that has been stained. If warm water doesn’t work, you can try using a little bit of rose water for face care.

Remove the dye from your eyebrows using a dry cotton pad. Close your eyes to prevent the dye from getting into them. Gently wipe your eyebrows and check the color. If the dye hasn't set well yet, you can repeat the process for another 3 minutes.

• Avoid reapplying the dye more than two or three times, as it may dry out or damage your skin.
• Once you’ve achieved the desired shade, use a dry cotton pad to remove the dye, then use a cotton pad dipped in a dye remover solution to clean your eyebrows and finish the dyeing process.
• Rinse or wipe your eyebrows clean with warm water.

Check your eyebrows in the mirror to ensure you haven’t missed any spots. You can use a cotton swab to touch up any areas you may have overlooked.

Pluck or wax your eyebrows to your desired shape. It’s important not to pluck your eyebrows before dyeing, as this can cause irritation and lead to infection.

Don’t stress if the color doesn’t turn out as expected. The dye typically fades over the course of a week, so it won’t be as dark as it was initially. If you can't wait a week, you can use a brush or mascara wand to apply a drop of deep-cleaning shampoo to your eyebrows. Leave it on for 60 seconds, then rinse it off. The deep-cleaning shampoo will remove oils and lighten the color of the dye from your eyebrows.

• If the dye has stained the skin beneath your eyebrows, you can soak a cotton pad with oil-based or silicone-based makeup remover and gently wipe away the stain. The dye will transfer onto the cotton, and your brow color will lighten by one shade as it dries.
• Alternatively, you can mix a paste using baking soda and your regular shampoo in a 1:1 ratio. Apply this paste to your eyebrows with a clean brush and leave it on for a few minutes. You may need to repeat this a few times, but it will help soften the color on your eyebrows.

• It is recommended to purchase two bottles of eyebrow dye and use one to perform a patch test on your skin. Follow the mixing instructions and apply a small amount to the inside of your arm or the nape of your neck. If either area shows signs of irritation or sensitivity, you may be allergic or sensitive to an ingredient in the dye and should avoid using it on your eyebrows.

• Avoid leaving the dye on your eyebrows for longer than the time specified in the product’s instructions. Doing so could increase the risk of irritation and lead to eyebrow hair loss.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the use of any hair dye products to color eyebrows due to the risk of causing blindness. It’s safest to use a product specifically formulated for eyebrows.