How to Darken Eyebrows

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

Darken your eyebrows to look younger and draw attention to your eyes. Darkening your eyebrows is easy and can really improve your appearance but it needs to be applied properly. Make sure that you know what to do and that you pick the right color. Choose one of the methods for darkening eyebrows described in this article.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using an Eyebrow Pencil

1
Choose the right color for your eyebrows. Pick a color as close to your natural hair color as possible.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- Don’t pick a color that is darker than your eyebrows. Go a little lighter than your natural color if you can’t find a matching shade. Keep in mind that brown looks good on any eyebrow color.
- Find what color that works best by applying swatches above your eyebrows. Figure out how darkly to apply your eyebrow pencil by applying different amounts of pressure as you draw your swatches.
2
Tweeze your eyebrows first. Make sure that your eyebrows are properly groomed.
- Wash your eyebrows with soap and water to take sure that they’re clean. Make sure to dry them with a towel so that you can apply the makeup properly. Look in the mirror while you wash, dry and tweeze.
- Hold your tweezer like a pencil. Holding the tweezers this way will give you the most control.
- Try to pull hairs from the root. Tweeze following the natural direction of your eyebrow hair. Don’t tweeze too much, but make sure that you get rid of any stray hairs.
- Consider getting your eyebrows tweezed for the first time at a hair salon. Use this shape as a guide for tweezing your own eyebrows.
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3
Apply by using short and light strokes. Start by drawing from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye.
- Make sure to sharpen the pencil first. Reapply with a sharpened pencil every time you wear makeup.
- Make sure that you put on all of your other makeup first. Putting on makeup in this order prevents accidental smearing.
- Apply just enough pressure to make the color visible. Apply in short strokes about the same length as your eyebrow hairs. Fill in any spots afterward.
4
Blend in the color. Use an eyebrow brush or a Q-tip.
- Lightly smudge the color in the direction of your eyebrow hairs. Comb the eyebrows to blend further.
- Look in the mirror to make sure that the color is even. Use the brush or Q-tip to remove excess color.
5
Remove any stray marks. Clean up errors using a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover.^{[2]
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- Look in the mirror to make sure that there are no pencil marks outside the eyebrows. Fix a big mistake by gently washing off the color and reapplying.
- Consider using a clear eyebrow gel to stop the color from smudging. Make sure to let it dry before touching your eyebrows.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Mascara, Eyeliner or Eye Shadow

1
Choose the right color of makeup for your eyebrows. Pick a color as close to your natural hair color as possible.
- Don’t pick a color that is darker than your eyebrows. Go a little lighter than your natural color if you can’t find a matching shade.
- Find what color that works best by applying swatches above your eyebrows. Figure out how darkly to apply your makeup by applying different amounts of pressure as you draw your swatches.
2
Decide if you want to use mascara, eyeliner or eye shadow. Choose from one of the three steps below.
- Pick the makeup that you feel most comfortable with. Consider using whatever makeup you already have on hand.
- Be aware that eye shadow is the easiest to apply buy comes off the fastest. Use mascara or eyeliner for more control over the shape.
3
Apply mascara to your eyebrows with a brush. Brush your eyebrows gently moving from your inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.
- Make sure that you put on all of your other makeup first. Reapply every time that you wear makeup.
- Dip the mascara brush once in the tube before applying. Make sure to apply it evenly.
4
Apply eyeliner to your eyebrows. Start by drawing from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eye.
- Make sure that you put on all of your other makeup first. Reapply every time that you wear makeup.
- Apply eyeliner using short and light strokes. Blend in the color using an eyebrow brush or a Q-tip.
5
Apply eye shadow to your eyebrows. Be aware that this is the easiest method but that it comes off quickly.
- Make sure that you put on all of your other makeup first. Reapply every time that you wear makeup.
- Dip the eye shadow brush in a color that is slightly darker than your eyebrows. Stroke the brush along your eyebrows softly.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Dyeing Your Eyebrows

1
Choose the right dye. Read the instructions on the eyebrow dye to make sure that it isn’t too difficult to apply.
- Pick a color as color to your natural shade as possible. Try to keep your eyebrows the same color as the hair on your head. Consider using the same dolor dye for all of your hair.
- Don’t pick a color that is darker than your eyebrows. Go a little lighter than your natural color if you can’t find a matching shade.
2
Be careful not to get dye in your eyes. Make sure to protect your eyes.
- Consider asking a friend to help. Ask then to make sure that the dye doesn’t drip down into your eyes before it dries.
- Close your eyes as much as possible. Consider covering you eyes with glasses, goggles or sunglasses.
- Wash out your eye thoroughly with water if you get any dye in it.Don’t reapply the dye if your eye is irritated.^{[3]
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3
Make sure that your eyebrows are clean and dry. Don’t apply while wearing makeup. Take off all of your makeup first.
- Wash your eyebrows with soap and water to take sure that they’re clean. Make sure to dry them with a towel so that you can apply the dye properly.
- Make sure not to irritate the skin while washing and drying. Don’t apply dye to irritated skin.
4
Comb your eyebrows. Use an eyebrow brush or spoolie from a beauty supply store.
- Be aware that you can also brush your eyebrows with a mascara wand. Make sure that it has been cleaned and dried.
- Start combing your eyebrows on the side closest to your nose. Brush outwards towards your ears.
- Consider using a thin coat of petroleum jelly on your eyebrows. Doing this with protect your skin from dye stains.
5
Dye the bottom half of your eyebrow closest to your eyes first. Look in the mirror as you carefully add the dye with an eyebrow brush or spoolie.
- Starting this way enables you to dye the thickest and densest part of your eyebrow first. Apply in even layers.
- Let the dye dry for at least two minutes before filling in any spots that you may have missed. Be aware that most dye takes at least 15 minutes to dry so don’t smear it while you wait.
- Clean the edges of your eyebrow with a Q-tip. Make sure not to stain your skin. Use your Q-tip to clean around your eyebrows with warm water or a professional color remover.
6
Dye the outer half of your eyebrow. Don’t go over the inside again or you’ll make the hair unevenly dark. ^{[4]
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- Let the dye dry for at least two minutes before filling in any spots that you may have missed. Be aware that most dye takes at least 15 minutes to dry so don’t smear it while you wait.
- Clean the edges of your eyebrow with a Q-tip. Make sure not to stain your skin. Use your Q-tip to clean around your eyebrows with warm water or a professional color remover.
7
Wash away any excess dye. Use a dark washcloth and warm water.
- Don’t dye your hair for any longer than is recommended on the package. Be aware that you can irritate your skin if the dye is left on too long.
- Clean off the remaining dye once your eyebrows are as dark as you want them to be. Look in the mirror to make sure that all the dye has been properly removed.

Community Q&A

Question

I have a friend who did this with dry-erase markers. Was that a good idea?

Community Answer

No. Dry-erase markers aren't good for skin, and can make it very dry and flaky.