How to Choose the Perfect Brow Tint Color

Brow tinting is a quick, effective, and lasting way to achieve fuller, more vibrant brows. But the secret to spectacular results? Choosing the right tint color. Suppose you're a beauty artist looking to add professional brow tinting products and services to your salon's repertoire. In that case, you might wonder how to pick the perfect shade.

Don't sweat it. We've got you covered. We've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you understand which brow tint color to recommend or use. From considering the client's hair color and shade to knowing when to bend the rules, we'll steer you in the right direction. With our advice, you'll be a brow tinting pro in no time.

How to Choose the Right Tint for Your Client

To choose a flattering eyebrow dye color, focus on four main factors: hair color, skin tone, brow hair texture, and the desired effect. Let's examine how these should affect your decision to color-match your client’s eyebrows. Ask yourself the following questions.

What’s Their Current Hair Color?

In general, you’ll want to aim for a slightly lighter or darker brow shade than their natural hair color to keep the look harmonious. This will ensure fuller-looking brows that don’t seem unnatural or give the appearance you’ve drawn them on. Here’s your cheat sheet: 

  • Blonde: The rule of thumb for blondes is adhering to a color slightly darker. Don’t try anything too harsh or overly contrasting. Suitable brow shades include ash blonde or taupe.
  • Brunette: Brunettes might lean toward a warm undertone. But it's not all about merely going for a brown eyebrow pencil. The perfect brow tint for brunettes is generally a tone or two darker.
  • Red: Strawberry blondes do well with a dark blonde tint. For deeper red tones, a copper-tinted tint can create an attractive visual appeal. Choose between caramel or auburn shades that play nicely with the warmth in their hair’s color.
  • Black: With black hair, going too dark can appear unnatural. A shade or two lighter creates a tasteful balance while enhancing their natural brow color.
  • What’s Their Skin Tone?

    The undertones of your client’s skin will significantly influence which type of brow tint shades would naturally enhance their features.

    • Warm undertones: Brow shades with bronze or red-toned colors look best for warm undertones. Examples include warm browns, reddish browns, or caramel tones. Avoid shades that are too cool or ashy, as they may contrast with the warmth in their skin tone.
    • Cool undertones: Cool undertones pair well with taupe or ashier brow colors. These shades include cool browns, taupe, or soft blacks. Steer clear of overly warm or golden tones, as they may clash with the coolness of their skin undertone.
    • Neutral undertones: Individuals with neutral undertones have flexibility in their brow color choices and can often pull off a wide range of shades. Opt for brow colors that are balanced and not overly warm or cool. Neutral browns, soft taupes, or medium ash browns are good options.
    • Olive undertones: Olive undertones pair well with brow shades with yellow or green hues. Examples include deep browns, soft blacks, or olive-toned browns. Avoid shades that are too warm or too cool, as they may not harmonize well with the subtle greenish undertones of olive skin.

    What’s Their Brow Hair Like?

    Brow texture should play a significant role in selecting the perfect brow tint color since it can affect how the color appears and how well it blends with their natural brows. Some people might have sparse or thin brows, while some have thick and full brows. Here's how brow texture influences color selection:

    • Intensity of color: The density and thickness of brow hairs can impact how intensely the tint color appears on them. The color may appear lighter with sparse or fine brow hairs, whereas dense or thick brow hairs may require a darker tint to achieve the desired intensity.
    • Blendability: Brow texture also affects how well the tint color blends with the natural brow hairs. If the brow hairs are coarse or wiry, the tint may have difficulty adhering evenly to each hair, resulting in a patchy or uneven appearance. In that case, opting for a tint color that closely matches the natural brow color can help minimize noticeable discrepancies.
    • Natural variation: Brow texture can vary throughout the brow, with some areas being denser or coarser than others. When selecting a tint color, consider how it will interact with these natural variations in texture to ensure a seamless and natural-looking result.
    • Color absorption: The texture of their brow hairs can affect how well they absorb the tint color. Porous or rough-textured brow hairs may absorb more color, resulting in a darker appearance. In contrast, smoother-textured hairs may require a longer processing time to achieve the same saturation level.

    What’s Their Desired Effect?

    Some clients want a simple, natural eyebrow tinting effect, while others want a bold, statement look. This preference should dictate the brow tint intensity. Don’t forget some kits allow you to create completely custom colors. This is crucial since finding the right eyebrow shade is rarely a one-size-fits-all situation. 

    Don't be scared to mix it until you find the perfect eyebrow shade mix that accentuates your client’s natural beauty. It's all about working with eyebrow color theory to achieve a complementary eyebrow color that will last for weeks. Then, once you find the right hue, consider the processing time necessary to achieve the desired effect. Additional minutes might equal richer, more highly saturated color, so strategize accordingly.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What role does hair color play in selecting a brow tint?

    Your hair color is crucial to choosing the right brow tint. For a more natural-looking result, select a shade that perfectly complements your hair color, whether you’re a brunette, blonde, redhead, or have black hair. With a low-risk product, such as brow pencils, experiment with colors up to a few shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color to see what looks best.

    Should I consider skin tone in my brow tint selection process?

    Yes, your skin tone is critical when selecting a brow tint. Whether you have warm, cool, neutral, or olive undertones, you want to choose a shade that flatters, rather than clashes, with your skin tone. Your eyebrow color should accentuate your natural beauty rather than create an unwanted contrast.

    Does brow hair texture affect brow color?

    Understanding your brow hair texture can help you achieve the desired effect when selecting a brow tint or brow color product. For example, a gel brow tint may be more suitable for coarse hair. Coarse hair may require a darker shade or longer processing times to achieve the look you’re going for.

    How can I customize my brow tinting effect?

    Experimenting with different shades and techniques can help you achieve a color perfectly complementary to your features. Test different shades and carefully mix two or more colors until you find the right shade. Pro tip: Write down the ratios of the colors when you combine them so you can repeat the mix in the future. Also, consider incorporating a complementary service, such as combining brow lamination and brow tinting, for an impactful look.