Achieve #BrowGoals at Home With These Top DIY Tinting Kits

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High up on the list of "facial features every woman dreams about" are full, fluffy eyebrows. Sadly, though, not everyone is genetically blessed with gorgeous feathery arches and a bold shape. And while, sure, pencils, gels and powders—and even soap!—can all be helpful tools in your day-to-day life for filling in and defining, an at-home tint kit is exactly what you'll want to take your brows up a notch.

"Tints can improve the appearance and condition of your eyebrows" by coating the hairs to create a fuller, thicker effect, says Ramy Gafni, a celebrity eyebrow specialist. The pro adds that it's a great (and liberating!) option for those who wish to spend less time fine-tuning with cosmetics in the mirror all the time.

Ahead, Gafni—along with fellow pro Elke Von Freudenberg—shares more on everything you need to know about eyebrow tinting—and the best kits to use to achieve brow goals at home.

Ardell Professional Brow Tint, 12 applications

A foolproof kit that should suit most first-timers, this water-activated dye is free from peroxide and other harsh chemicals that might irritate sensitive skin. The tint will effectively cover rogue gray hairs and the subtle but natural-looking color lasts up to two weeks.

One reviewer writes: "I was so nervous trying a brow tint at home but this was so easy and quick. After 30+ years I can stop drawing in my brows."

Shades: 4

Formula: Powder

WUNDERBROW Makeup Waterproof Eyebrow Gel

If applying something to your brows that is going to last several weeks gives you the fear, this might be a better option. Wunder2 Wunderbrow fills and thickens brows with hair-like fibers and natural-looking waterproof color that lasts three days without flaking or fading. A great way to tip-toe into brow tinting without the commitment.

An Amazon reviewer raves: After one use, "they have not faded or peeled or disintegrated at all. Rather than having to work with my eyebrows every single day, I expect now to have to do it a few times every week... It's very easy to apply and I am not a makeup pro by any means. And that bottle of product should last me an entire year!"

Shades: 6

Formula: Gel

DUO Mini Tint Kit

A professional-level product—complete with developer and the option to mix together two shades for your perfect tint—that's easy enough to use at home.

Shades: 5

Formula: Cream

Eylure Dybrow

A super simple and well-reviewed option, Eylure Dybrow takes only 15 minutes to set and lasts for at least six weeks. One kit provides 12 applications, so do the math: That's more than a year of polished arches.

One reviewer says it's the "only eyebrow dye I’ve used that actually covers the gray!"

Shades: 3

Formula: Cream

Brow Tattoo Longlasting Tint, Dark Brown

Another great three-day option for those not ready to commit to longer-lasting color. Fill in sparse spots, then let it set—the illusion of picture-perfect brows will last for three days, or until you simply peel off the tint.

One fan calls it a "game changer" for its dying abilities: "You apply it over your eyebrows in the shape that you want, let it sit for 20 minutes, then peel it off and what's left behind is a tinted brow It looks SO GOOD and I am OBSESSED."

Shades: 4

Formula: Gel

Instant Eyebrow Color, Medium Brown

This plant-based formula fills in thin hairs and gives the effect of more voluminous brows, gradually fading over 4 weeks. The process is simple: apply Vaseline around the brows (to protect skin and prevent color bleed), brush on the colorant, then the activator, and blot away excess.

One fan writes: "I've been paying to get them professionally tinted, but the cost has been adding up. I'm happy to find this product works perfectly for me... The results look natural and comparable to the professional tint."

Shades: 2

Formula: Cream

Instant Brow Fix™ Semi-Permanent Eyebrow Gel

When you're looking for a quick fix, this tint will come to the rescue. True to its name, the Instant Brow Fix helps shape arches while providing over 24 hours of coverage that won't smudge or budge no matter what.

One user reports: "my eyebrows literally look microbladed" after just one use.

Shades: 5

Formula: Gel

Hair Tinting Kit

As far as eyebrow tint kits go, RefectoCil is the real deal. The cream formula from this expert-approved brand creates brows that wow and last up to 6 weeks.

A registered aesthetician says that "this kit is hands-down the best of the best" and that "the value and the detail of products... surpasses everybody else."

Shades: 4

Formula: Gel

Mustache & Beard, Beard Coloring for Gray Hair

Though it's targeted toward men's facial hair, this dye kit is safe to use on your brows and comes in a wide variety of true-to-you shades. Perfect when you're in a pinch.

One reviewer reports: "Nothing has been so effective at coloring my stubborn blonde brows as this. And the tubes have enough product to do your brows for months, making it super cheap. Application is also much easier than the two-step process many brow tint kits seem to go with. I also have sensitive, reactive skin which wasn't bothered at all."

Shades: 12

Formula: Gel

Brow Tint Kit

This kit comes with everything you need for snatched brows for up to a month: a tint, cream activator, and nourishing oil, as well as an application brush and mixing dish.

One reviewer says: "I have hardly any brows due to menopause and what I have are so light you can’t see them. This works well to give me a little color and shape. I simply take a minute to fill them in a bit with my eyebrow pencil when I’m going out instead of spending 5-10 minutes drawing them on completely! This is life changing!!"

Shades: 2

Formula: Gel

Tattoo Peel Off Eyebrow Gel Tint

The genius of this formula? It applies like a standard eye-brow gel, but then peels off to reveal on-point tinted brows that last for up to three days straight.

One reviewer raves: "This eyebrow tint is great. Super easy and quick to use, and it comes out great every time! It saved me a lot of time doing my eyebrows in the morning after I used this product. I have oily skin, so it will probably last even longer on those with combo/dry/normal skin!"

Shades: 4

Formula: Gel

Brow Tint Eyebrow Gel

When you're in a pinch, Refy's pigmented formula tints, while conditioning hairs and shaping them into a place for a fluffy, natural look.

One reviewer says: "This is the first gel that has been able to actually shape the hairs of my brows and has incredible hold without my brows being laminated. I left it on overnight and woke up with my brows still in place. The color is subtle but makes a significant difference in my brows."

Shades: 4

Formula: Gel

How long do eyebrow tints last?

Eyebrow tinting kits are an excellent option for those who are looking for perfectly-shaped arches and fuller, fluffier brows. "Depending on the brand, brow tints can last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks," explains Von Freudenberg, noting it all comes down to aftercare. For long-lasting results, Von Freudenberg recommends avoiding stronger cleansers or oils on the brows because "they can soften the color and break it down quicker."

Does tinting ruin your eyebrows?

When done correctly, eyebrow tints will not ruin your eyebrows. However, Von Freudenberg notes that if you leave the color on for too long or a very strong peroxide is used, "damage to the brows would include severe dryness or breakage."

Gafni also recommends avoiding bleach. "This can damage the hair follicles and cause breakage," says the pro, further explaining that "bleaching is different from tinting in that bleaching strips the hair as opposed to coating the hair as tinting does."

What are the best eyebrow tints?

All of the eyebrow tint kits listed above are great at-home options, but Von Freudenberg particularly likes Godefroy, as well as Ardell: "It's very mild and lasts two weeks."

Gafni often recommends Just For Men for a DIY kit, which is totally safe for eyebrows when done right: "It's available in a wide variety of shades and is ideal for tinting eyebrows."

What are the best at-home eyebrow tinting tips to follow?

• Picking out the right color: When in doubt, select a lighter shade than what you think you need. Gafni, however, notes that "a light-medium brown will look universally flattering on almost everyone."

• Apply in small amounts: For best results, apply the tint with a spoolie. "This makes it much easier to apply just to the hairs and not the skin," says Von Freudenberg. "If color gets on the skin, it can stain and last about 4 to 7 days."

• Apply little at a time: Those who are using a kit for the first time should only leave the formula on for 3 to 4 minutes and then remove it with a dry cotton ball, says Von Freudenberg. "Hairs pick up the color quickly," explains the pro, and if it gets too dark, "you cannot lighten or remove it." If you want darker results, reapply for 1 to 2 minutes. "Once the color is satisfactory, then remove with a damp cotton," adds Von Freudenberg. "The water will remove the color and peroxide, which will then stop the color processing."

Meet the experts

• Ramy Gafni is a celebrity eyebrow specialist whose clients have included Claire Danes and Renee Zellweger.

• Elke von Freudenberg is a celebrity eyebrow specialist and founder of an eponymous eyebrow salon in NYC.

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