How to Cover Tattooed Eyebrows with Makeup: Shape and Color Fixes

Co-authored by Ivy Boyd

Last Updated: August 16, 2021 References

Eyebrows can make or break your look, and it’s no surprise that cosmetic procedures like micro-blading and tattooing have become super popular in recent years. These beauty enhancements make it easier to get ready in the morning, but they fade over time. When this happens, you might notice discoloration and, in some cases, uneven brows. If you’re struggling with this, you’re not alone! Thankfully, it’s relatively simple to cover up those tattoo marks with makeup so you can shape and sport beautiful brows every day. As a note, if you just had your eyebrows tattooed, wait at least 2 weeks before using any makeup on them.^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Correcting the Shape

1
Mark the tail end, arch point, and beginning of each brow. All you need is an eyebrow pencil or something similar that is long and straight.^{[2]
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Ivy Boyd
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 4 August 2021} Repeat this process on each eyebrow to outline your natural brow shape:^{[3]
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- Tail end: line up the eyebrow pencil from the outer edge of your nostril to the corner of your eye. Make a mark where the pencil intersects with your brow bone.
- Arch point: line up the eyebrow pencil from the tip of your nose through the center of your eye. The arch of your brow is where the pencil hits your brow bone.
- Beginning: hold the eyebrow pencil vertically along the center of your nose. Check that the start of each eyebrow is the same distance from the pencil.
2
Use the markings to help you outline your brows with a brow pencil. Take that eyebrow pencil and lightly trace the shape of your brows. There’s no need to push down hard—all you want is a light outline so that you can see how much of the tattoo you’ll need to cover with foundation.^{[4]
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- During this part of the process, we’re addressing any part of your tattoo that falls above, below, or to the side of your natural brow line. In the next section, we’ll actually fill in those brows!
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3
Pick a full-coverage concealer that matches your skin tone. Lightweight formulas aren’t going to cut it here. To address fading or discoloration outside your brow line, you’re going to need heavy-duty concealer. But—thankfully—you’ll only have to use a tiny bit at a time, so a bottle should last you quite a while.^{[5]
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- It’s important to check that your concealer matches any other products you use on your face, like your regular concealer or foundation. For better results, use an opaque concealer.^{[6]
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  Ivy Boyd
  Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 4 August 2021}
4
Dab concealer over any tattooing that falls outside of your brow line. Use a small makeup brush rather than your finger—a brush gives you more control and keeps the concealer from getting inside your brow outline.^{[7]
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- Most often, the areas you might need to cover will be the tail end, arches that are too high, or a bottom line that is too low.
- As micro-blading or tattooing fades, it’s common for the area to take on a pink, salmon, or blueish tinge.
5
Blend the concealer into your skin with a beauty sponge. Do your best to get the concealer as close to your brow outline as possible as you blend. Remember, you still have to fill in those brows, so there is time to add definition later.^{[8]
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- When you’re finished, any tattooing around your brows should be covered, and the concealer should be blended into your skin.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Filling in Brows

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Choose brow products that are a shade darker than your natural hair. You’ll need brow powder and another product to draw realistic-looking hairs, like an eyebrow pencil, cream, or marker. The darker color will help cover the tattoo while also making your eyebrows look more defined!^{[9]
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- The brow powder is going to cover up any discoloration left inside your brow outline, plus it’ll fill in any sparse areas.
2
Brush brow powder over your brows to cover any tattoo discoloration. If your tattoo has faded to pink, salmon, or blue, covering it with a layer of brow powder will help mask that unnatural coloring. Use a thin, angled brush to color in your brows.^{[10]
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- Think of this step as creating the base for your brows. The powder gives you a blank canvas that you can then use to craft perfect-looking brows.
3
Fill in your brows with a pencil, cream, or marker to replicate small hairs.^{[11]
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Ivy Boyd
Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 4 August 2021} Since you already applied powder to your brows and concealer around the outline, you want to use a product that can make defined, short strokes. A fine-tipped pencil would work, or you could use a cream along with a thin, angled brush.
- Another option is a cosmetic tattoo marker or pen (which sounds scary, given your experience, but it’s not!). These products usually have 3 prongs and mimic the short, thin lines of micro-blading—you can find them online or at your local beauty supply store. Some brands even have long-lasting formulas so your handiwork stays in place for a few days.^{[12]
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- Avoid waxy products, as they tend to blend with the powder and concealer.
4
Use light, flicking motions to replicate natural-looking hairs. A light hand is key to covering up your tattoo and filling in your brows. Go with the grain as you work, paying attention to the direction in which your hair naturally grows. Remember, you can always add more color and depth, but it’s harder to remove product if you apply too much.^{[13]
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- If you’re struggling with making dark, heavy marks, try holding your pen or brush closer to the end rather than near the top. This should give you more flexibility and a lighter touch.^{[14]
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5
Cover leftover shading around your brow with more concealer. Don’t panic if you get to the end of filling in your brows and realize some of the tattoo is still visible outside your brow line. All you have to do is use a thin brush to lightly apply concealer around the outline of your brows, then carefully blend the concealer so it melds perfectly with the rest of your makeup.^{[15]
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- This technique helps cover any lingering discoloration and gives your brows a more defined and highlighted look.
6
Keep your eyebrow makeup in place by applying an eyebrow sealer. This step is integral—the last thing you want is for your makeup to smudge during the day, revealing the tattoo underneath. Most eyebrow sealers are also waterproof, which means sweat, oil, and water shouldn't mess up your brows.^{[16]
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- Some brands make sealers with a wand applicator, which makes your brows look fuller. Others come with a brush similar to a nail polish brush. Try out the different styles to find the one that works best for you.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I darken my tattooed eyebrows?

Ivy Boyd
Makeup Artist
Ivy Boyd is a Makeup Artist and the Creator of the beauty blog, Ivy Boyd Makeup. With nearly a decade of makeup experience, Ivy specializes in makeup services for weddings, special events, and editorial photoshoots. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from The University of Northern Iowa. Ivy was a finalist in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards and has been featured in numerous media publications such as People Magazine and Brides Magazine.

Ivy Boyd

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

A brow pencil or pencil is a great way to correct the shape and/or color of your tattooed brows.
Question

How do I color correct my tattooed eyebrows?

Ivy Boyd
Makeup Artist
Ivy Boyd is a Makeup Artist and the Creator of the beauty blog, Ivy Boyd Makeup. With nearly a decade of makeup experience, Ivy specializes in makeup services for weddings, special events, and editorial photoshoots. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from The University of Northern Iowa. Ivy was a finalist in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards and has been featured in numerous media publications such as People Magazine and Brides Magazine.

Ivy Boyd

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Cover your brows with peach- or salmon-toned concealer if they have a green or blue tint. Then, apply some concealer and setting powder on top!

Warnings

Don’t put makeup over freshly-tattooed brows! They need at least 10 days to heal, and using makeup too soon could make them prone to infection.^{[20]
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