If a professional eyebrow tinting session feels out of reach, you should by no means give up on your dream of getting darker, fuller-looking eyebrows. The best eyebrow pencils and eyebrow pens can give you a daily fix, but if you’re looking for a semi-permanent, more low-maintenance solution, say hi, hello, and welcome to your new favorite product: The best at-home eyebrow tint kits.
“Eyebrow tinting is a non-invasive way to enhance and define existing brow hairs using semi-permanent dye to darken the finer and lighter brow hairs that normally aren’t as visible,” explains brow expert and founder of Kimiko, Dani Kimiko Vincent. “This increased hair visibility creates a fuller, more defined brow that can last from four to six weeks.”
Yes, tinting your own brows feels intimidating, but with some expert tips and the best at-home eyebrow tint kits in the game, you’ll be set up for success. Ahead, we’re sharing our favorite at-home brow tints along with expert-approved tips for getting a natural-looking, albeit slightly enhanced, finish.
The Best At-Home Eyebrow Tints
- The Best At-Home Eyebrow Tint Overall: Brow Code Brow Tint Kit
- The Best Temporary At-Home Eyebrow Tint: Hally Brow Pal
- The Best Drugstore At-Home Eyebrow Tint: Ardell Brow Tint in Light Brown
- The Best At-Home Eyebrow Tint for Sensitive Skin: Godefroy Instant Eyebrow Tint
- The Best Makeup to Mimic an At-Home Eyebrow Tint: Kimiko Super Fine Eyebrow Pencil Automatique
The products on this list have been vetted by Marie Claire's Beauty Editor, Samantha Holender (aka yours truly) and Marie Claire's Beauty Director, Deena Campbell; or have been hand-selected by an eyebrow tinting pro. Each and every one is safe to use and is highly rated by reviewers. While the *best* at-home eyebrow tinting kit for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
This beloved set has everything you need to tint your brows: a tint, a cream activator, a mixing dish, and an angled brush. It even comes with brow growth oil that’ll keep your hair and skin hydrated after tinting. In terms of at-home kits, this option offers fairly long-lasting results—you’ll have darker pigment for three to four weeks. Plus, one purchase affords you up to 12 applications.
Pros: Complete kit; Long-lasting
Cons: Only available in two colors; Takes time to fade if you're unhappy with the result
While all brow tints are technically temporary (your natural color will come back after a few weeks), Hally's Brow Pal was crafted to only last a couple of days. With over 25 applications per bottle and three color options (a black, a brown, and a navy for the true fashionistas), it's a great way to test out a new look—and the sweep-on and leave for 20 minutes application truly could not be easier.
Pros: Short-term option; Easy to use; Formula doesn’t contain harsh chemicals
Cons: Doesn't last as long as other options, if a long-term tint is the goal
With a powder and a conditioning developer, this kit is ideal for anyone new to the brow tinting game. There are four colors to choose from, and you can customize the intensity depending on how much product you put in the pan and how long you let it sit. The kit comes with a spoolie for application—which is okay to use—but you may want to consider an angled eyebrow brush to get an even application.
Pros: Affordable; Beginner friendly
Cons: Angled eyebrow brush not included
Oftentimes, harsh chemicals can be found in box dye kits. Not in this one. It boasts a non-toxic formula, free of hydrogen peroxide and synthetic dyes. It's perfect for the brow-obsessed who have sensitive skin. Available in four natural shades, it will tint your brows for up to four to six weeks.
Pros: Non-toxic; Good for sensitive skin; Long-lasting
Cons: Blunt applicator
If you’re not ready to take the tinting plunge, but still want to achieve fuller, thicker brows that resemble a freshly tinted pair, reach for this brow pencil. It draws single hairs that last and will keep brows looking their most natural.
Pros: Hard to mess up; Natural-looking
Cons: Not a tinting kit, just a makeup product
Also Recommended
Vincent gives this professional-level formula her stamp of approval. She typically uses this baby in tandem with the brand’s three percent cream activator. Not only is this one specifically formulated for sensitive skin, but the plant-based composition also gives a softer finish than some other tints. When it comes time for removal, you’ll want to wipe the solution off with a damp cotton swab, or use the brand’s special RefectoCil Tint Remover.
Pros: Good for sensitive skin; Professional-approved
Cons: Not as dark as other options
Tempted, but not ready to commit? This tint is the way to go—it’s going to last you a full three days, but not much more. Unlike some of the other tints in this list, this formula doesn’t require you to be an at-home chemist. There’s no mixing involved; just paint it on your brows, let it sit overnight, and peel or wash it off in the a.m. It’s also a fan-favorite, getting an average four out of five stars on Revolve.
Pros: Short-term option; Easy to apply
Cons: Not a good option if you want a long-lasting tint
Because this two-step kit has a silver nitrate-based color, it requires a speedy application. It’s definitely a good idea to line your brows with petroleum jelly so you don’t accidentally stain your skin. That said, the final result is really good, with each application lasting two to three weeks. If you want to keep your brows looking fresh around the clock, you can repeat the tinting process every other week.
Pros: Color lasts a long time
Cons: Dries quickly, so you'll have to work fast
Baebrow's flagship product is Instant Tint!, a gentle, no-mix formula that makes your tinting routine so much easier and a lot less messy. You'll sweep the product onto your brows and leave it for between 10 and 15 minutes. After you wipe the tint off, your results will likely last three to five days and up to one week. If they start to fade, apply again! It doesn't contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD, a common coloring agent found in hair dyes) or hydrogen peroxide, so you're safe to use it as often as you like.
Pros: Gentle; Mess-free; Easy to apply
Cons: Doesn't last as long as other options
A bestseller on Amazon, this Henna-based eyebrow tinting kit has been reviewed by more than 28,000 users. Like a henna tattoo, this formula is going to stain your skin as well as your brow hairs, so make sure you pick a color you feel comfortable with. This kit is especially great for anyone trying to cover gray hairs—the pigment is next level.
Pros: Intense pigment; Lots of shade options
Cons: Fades rather quickly
If this one looks familiar, it's because you've seen the paint-and-peel video tutorials on your social feeds for years. Just fill in your brows with one of the five shades, wait two hours, then gently peel off the film (don't worry; it won't stick to your hair) for a stain of color that fades slowly within a week.
Pros: Easy to use; Fun to peel off
Cons: Limited shade range
What this tint lacks in the fancy, Instagrammable-packaging department, it makes up for with true, salon-level results that last for at least two weeks. Plus, each easy-to-follow kit (available in medium brown, dark brown, and light brown) contains 20 applications, making it shockingly affordable for almost a year's worth of dye.
Pros: Professional-level results; Easy-to-follow instructions
Cons: Slim shade selection
Thrive Causemetics' Instant Brow Fix looks like your typical favorite brow gel, and for the most part it is. The big difference? Its color lasts for over 24 hours, so reapplication throughout the day won't be necessary. Semi-permanent micropigments work to keep this eyebrow gel smudge-proof and sweat-proof, while the product's proprietary formula takes a hint from microblading to tint brow hairs both instantly and over time (thereby visibly diminishing gray hairs).
Pros: Skin-loving ingredients; Available in eight shades (gray and auburn options included)
Cons: Not a long lasting option, if that's what you're going for
What to Look For in an Eyebrow Tint
- Type of Tint
We’re all for a DIY situation, but it’s important to set some ground rules ahead of your shopping spree. Picking the best at-home eyebrow tint for you is largely dependent on your skill level.
“At-home kits are meant to be safe and easy to use, but they do require trial and error to get right,” warns Vincent. “The different types include encapsulated powders with activators, cream with developer, and silver nitrate versions.” The latter is going to be the hardest to work with, as the color latches onto the skin and leaves a tint fairly quickly.
If you’re new to the at-home brow tinting process, we recommend sticking to a powder or cream kit. And by no means should you attempt to tint your brows with hair dye. “All tints made for brows are semi-permanent,” notes Vincent. "You should never use hair dye on eyebrows, as they are much stronger and not deemed safe for use around the eyes."
- Shade
Finding the right product is half the battle with at-home brow tints. “The primary challenge is getting the intensity and color right,” explains Vincent. As a rule of thumb, pick a shade that’s roughly two shades darker than the hair on your head. “Brow tinting is not just for the fair-haired, even dark brunettes have finer, lighter hairs that can be amped up to add natural-looking definition to brows.”
"If you’re unsure which shade to choose, pick the lighter option," explains advanced practice aesthetician Maritza Ramirez. And if you're too nervous to mess up, it's never a bad idea to visit a professional—which is exactly what beauty freelance writer Sophia Vilensky did. On the left is before her brow tint. On the right, is after.
If you're new to the at-home brow tinting game, you should start out light. "Typically, the longer the pigment sits, the deeper it will stain and the longer it will last. If you are blonde, you will need something as light as possible without being too warm/auburn," explains brow expert Pilar DeMann. "Once you have some experience under your belt, you can start mixing pigments, adding a darker brown to a light brown to give it more depth."
While a brown tint might also work if you have gray hair, DeMann is more into a smoke-gray shade that provides a more neutral tone to gray or salt-and-pepper brows. "Some people with gray look good with brown brows (Jamie Lee Curtis), some don’t," she explains. "For auburn hair, I mix a light brown with auburn so it’s neither too red nor too brown."
Is It Safe to Tint Your Eyebrows at Home?
DeMann is less opposed to at-home tinting than you might think. "I taught my mom how to do hers and have suggested to clients who travel a lot to do theirs. My number one piece of advice: take your time," she explains. "With anything new, it takes practice. The calmer you are and the more time you allow yourself, the better it will be. Good lighting and a magnifying mirror (even for young eyes) will help with precision."
How to Tint Eyebrows at Home
Let me preface this by saying instructions differ with every kit. Please read all the instructions, no matter how many pages there may be. Generally speaking, you'll start with clean, dry brows. You may also want to outline your eyebrows with petroleum jelly (over-the-counter Vaseline is perfect) to prevent dye from running into your eyes.
Then, it's time to mix up your tint. You'll need a small glass dish and an angled brush. Put the product over your entire brow, not just sparse sections, for the most even-looking application. Set your timer and let the magic happen.
If you're a beginner, Vincent suggests scaling down the time the solution actually sits on your skin. Working with these products has a learning curve, so I recommend first starting with a short tinting session to ensure that you don't over-darken the hairs, which is the main risk of at-home tinting, she says. You can always build the intensity with another tint application, but once brows are too dark, the only option is to wait for them to fade with time.
Meet the Experts
Dani is recognized for her makeup artistry (as seen in InStyle, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Vogue, and Elle), her skincare expertise, her less-is-more approach towards makeup and helping clients achieve their best brows. Her method involves teaching and empowering clients to "master their brows," to the effect that she’s been called the Brow Sensei. Equipped with an expansive and discerning product knowledge, it is no wonder Dani further established her place as an industry authority when she developed her Japanese beauty brand Kimiko, known for their precision brow products from Tokyo and their intelligent skin-improving makeup.
LA born Pilar DeMann is no stranger to the Hollywood life. Deemed the Eyebrow Queen of Litchfield County, Pilar knows that if the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the eyebrows are the frame. It was this notion that led Pilar to conceive a simple routine anchored in brows done right, for her clients. Coined as BLLaC, an easy to remember acronym so women know to focus on their Brows, Lashes, Lips and Cheeks. Whether she is teaching a client how to apply makeup, glamming them up for a party or a walk down the aisle, Pilar always starts with these key features, which has become a simple routine that takes less than five minutes.
Maritza Ramirez has always been obsessed with beauty, so a career as an esthetician was the obvious choice for her. She specializes in skincare and facials, and waxing services, and tailors every service and recommendation to her guests’ unique needs, whether that’s an everyday moisturizer, the perfect strong brow, or a glow-getting series of facials.
A native Minnesotan, Maritza received a degree in apparel design from St. Kate’s in St. Paul. She completed her esthetician education at the Aveda Institute. When she’s not at work, you can find her hanging out with friends, working on her new house, or playing with her two cats, Pretty Ricky and Iman.
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