Buying guide for best eyebrow dyes
The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but eyebrows are a pretty important feature, too. Eyebrows help frame your face and give you a more polished look – which is why so many people spend time filling in their brows with powder or pencil every morning.
But that daily beauty chore can be tedious and time-consuming. If you dye your eyebrows, you can make them appear deeper and fuller without the need for regular eyebrow makeup applications.
You can buy a variety of at-home eyebrow dye kits, but which one is right for you? For the best results, you need a shade that works with your hair color and skin tone. It’s also smart to pay attention to the ingredients in eyebrow dye, as some are more effective than others.
Buy with confidence by selecting from our recommended products. If you’d like to learn more about eyebrow dye first, please read our shopping guide.
How to use eyebrow dye
Most eyebrow dyes include two components: the actual dye and an accelerator.
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Follow the instructions that come with the kit to determine how much of each product you need, and mix them together thoroughly.
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Apply the mixed dye to your brows with a brush, and then comb the color through with a clean mascara spoolie to distribute the product.
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Allow the dye to sit on your brows for the recommended time to get the color you desire. When you’re ready to remove it, wet a cotton pad and gently wipe the dye away.
These are general guidelines, of course, and the product you purchase may be slightly different. Always read the manufacturer’s guidelines for instructions on how to apply your eyebrow dye.
For your safety
Only use a product that is specifically marketed as eyebrow dye. Never use regular hair dye on your eyebrows.
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The benefits of eyebrow dye
If you’ve never dyed your eyebrows before, you may be wondering how this beauty treatment would benefit you. Here are some of the perks of using eyebrow dye.
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Many people who dye their brows find they no longer need to apply eyebrow makeup each day.
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The color typically lasts four to six weeks, so you don’t have to worry about touching it up too often.
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The color gradually fades on its own, so your brows always look natural.
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Brow dyes are available in several shades. You can customize your shade to complement your hair color and skin tone.
Did you know?
Eyebrow dye can be used on other small patches of hair, such as your roots, mustache, or beard.
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Important factors to consider
So you’ve decided to dye your eyebrows. Before you buy a coloring product, it’s wise to give some thought to the following factors.
Color
Chances are you want your colored eyebrows to look natural and not too harsh. The shade you choose is key.
Some brands of eyebrow dye are available in only two shades, which are usually variations of brown. Other brands offer a larger color selection, including gray, black, and auburn.
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When you’re choosing a shade, it’s best to opt for a lighter color. That way, you won’t end up with brows that are too dark for your hair color and skin tone.
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If it turns out that your brows aren’t as dark as you’d like, you can always go a shade darker with your the next application. But when your brows are too dark, it’s harder to take the color off.
"For natural-looking brows, opt for an eyebrow dye in a light-brown or medium-brown shade."
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Ingredients
Most products contain semi-permanent vegetable dyes specifically made for the eye area to avoid irritation.
You should only use eyebrow dye on your eyebrows; don’t use hair dye on this delicate area. Using a dye that’s meant for the hair on your head could damage your eyebrows and cause breakage.
Strength
If your brows have started to turn gray, eyebrow dye is an ideal way to deepen them so your face has more definition. But unfortunately, not all eyebrow dyes are strong enough to cover stubborn gray hair. If you have gray eyebrows, choose a dye that’s specifically marketed for gray hair.
Versatility
Many eyebrow dyes can be used on the hair on other parts of your body. For example, you may be able to use the dye to cover up roots between coloring appointments or to cover gray hairs in a beard or mustache.
For the most versatile dye option, choose a product that you can use on multiple areas. This will give you the most bang for your buck.
Eyebrow dye prices
Eyebrow dye varies in price based on the ingredients and number of applications included in the package. You can usually expect to pay between $7 and $25 for eyebrow dye.
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For a basic kit that contains 10 applications or less, you’ll usually pay between $7 and $15.
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For a kit that includes 20 or more applications, you’ll usually pay between $16 and $25.
Tips
Follow these tips to maximize success when dying your eyebrows.
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Begin with clean brows. Remove any brow powder, pencil, or other makeup that may be on your brows before applying the dye.
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Protect your surrounding skin. Apply a barrier of Vaseline or another petroleum jelly product to the skin around your brows to avoid staining.
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Apply the dye carefully. Many eyebrow dye kits include applicator sticks, but it’s often easier to apply the dye with a cotton swab.
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Distribute the dye. After you’ve applied the first layer of the dye to your brows, run a clean spoolie or brow brush through them to ensure that the dye is evenly distributed.
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Do one brow at a time. Apply the dye fully to one brow before moving to the next. This helps you monitor the processing time of each brow with precision.
- Always read the instructions first. The manufacturer will recommend a processing time, but keep in mind that stubborn grays may require up to 10 minutes.
FAQ
Q. Are eyebrow dyes safe?
A. Currently, there are no brow dyes on the market that are FDA-approved. However, if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, it’s usually safe to dye your brows. Be careful not to get the dye in your eyes by placing a barrier cream around your brows before applying the color. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin or eyes, you may experience irritation.
Q. How long do eyebrow dyes usually last?
A. The answer to this question depends on your hair color and skin type, as well as other factors like how often you wash your face and the type of skin care products you use. In general, the color should stay on your brows for at least 10 days, though some people are able to go four to six weeks between coloring sessions.
