How to Make Eyebrows Darker

Co-authored by Wyvetta Bowles

Last Updated: September 4, 2022 References

Dark eyebrows are in vogue. Maybe you want to get in on the dark eyebrow trend and look like Cara Delevingne, or perhaps your eyebrows don’t match your hair color the way you'd like them to. Whatever your reasons are for wanting darker eyebrows, it is easy to get them. You can use makeup for a quick and temporary fix, you can dye your brows for a more permanent option, or you can try using home remedies to darken your eyebrows naturally.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Makeup

1
Shape your eyebrows. You can shape your eyebrows before you make them darker. You can do this by using tweezers, wax, or threading. You can shape your eyebrows on your own or at a professional salon.
2
Choose the shade you want. If you want darker eyebrows, you can use eyebrow makeup such as powder, gel, pomade, or pencils. There are many color options for eyebrow makeup so it is important to choose a color that best matches your hair.
- For red hair, choose a color similar to your hair, but slightly ashier if you have pink tones in your skin.
- Brunettes should stay within 2 shades darker of your hair color.
- Black hair looks best with cool medium-brown eyebrow makeup.
- Dark brown hair should opt for espresso shades. This adds a bit more warmth than pure black while still maintaining a deep tone.
- For blonde hair, try for up to 2 shades darker than the natural tone of your hair.^{[1]
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3
Brush your eyebrows with a spoolie brush. Brushing your eyebrows will make the shape clearer before you fill them in with makeup.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Wyvetta Bowles
Beauty & Hair Care Advisor
Expert Interview. 19 October 2021.} This will allow you fill them in better and be more true to your shape.^{[3]
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4
Apply eyebrow primer. Put eyebrow primer on your eyebrows before you apply makeup. This will help make the makeup stay on your eyebrows longer.^{[4]
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5
Use short strokes when you fill. Very lightly do short and quick strokes on your eyebrows. Mimic the natural stroke of your hairs to match your eyebrows so the makeup blends in. Pay extra attention to the extra sparse areas on your eyebrows. Fill in your eyebrows shape, not outside of it. ^{[5]
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6
Fill in your eyebrows with powder to add dimension. Use an angle brush to apply a powder in short, hair-like strokes. Powder is great because you can use various shades to create dimension. Use a lighter shade all over your brows and a darker shade for bare areas.^{[6]
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7
Use pomade for a sculpted appearance. Pomades last all day and don’t smudge easily. Use an angle brush to outline the entire shape and blend throughout your eyebrows with a spoolie brush.^{[7]
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8
Use a pencil for a quick fix. You can use an eyebrow pencil to darken your brows and give them shape and definition.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Wyvetta Bowles
Beauty & Hair Care Advisor
Expert Interview. 19 October 2021.} This option is faster than other options and is easiest if you want to give your eyebrows a natural appearance. Keep the strokes light and don’t press too hard on the pencil for a natural appearance.^{[9]
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9
Use gel for messy hairs. There is clear gel and there is tinted gel. You can use clear gel after you use pomade, powder, or pencil or you can just use tinted gel on its own. Gels keep your eyebrows locked in all day so it is great for eyebrows that don’t stay in place. Apply using upward strokes on each section of the brow and let dry. Use a clean spoolie brush to blend tinted gel into your brows.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dyeing Your Eyebrows

1
Mix your dye. You can buy an eyebrow tinting kit at a beauty store or drug store. Mix the powder and developer provided and stir until it is a creamy paste.^{[11]
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Start with clean and dry eyebrows. Make sure there is no makeup on your eyebrows and that they are completely dry. You want to be able to see the color change well and makeup could get in the way of being able to tell.^{[12]
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Comb your eyebrows. Use a spoolie brush to come out your eyebrows before you dye them. This will allow you to see every hair and the entire shape of your eyebrow to make dyeing your eyebrows easier.^{[13]
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4
Test the color. Before you start, test the eyebrow color on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to the dye. The back of your neck or behind your ear both work well.
5
Apply color to the inside half of your brow. The inside part of your eyebrows is thicker and denser so it needs more time for the color to set. Use the spoolie to brush the dye to your brows, making sure it gets to the roots. Let the dye sit for about a minute or two then go over it again with more hair dye, just to be sure that the dense hair is getting dyed.
- Apply your product as precisely as possible. You want to cover all the hairs, but you also want to stay within the outline of your brows to avoid unwanted tinting and staining.
- Wait 5-7 minutes for the dye to set in before moving on.^{[14]
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6
Apply color to the outer half of your eyebrows. Using a spoolie, apply the dye to the outside halves of your eyebrows. Leave the dye in for around 5-10 minutes. Your eyebrows might appear darker than they really are while the dye is on them. ^{[15]
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7
Clean your skin as you go. As you wait between steps, clean the skin around your eyebrows with a pointed Q-tip and color remover or warm water. If you see any staining, use facial tonic to help remove the spots.^{[16]
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Clean your eyebrows. When your eyebrows are the color you want, use a dark towel and warm water to remove the excess color. If you see any stains on your skin that you did not notice before, remove the spots with a facial tonic.^{[17]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Darkening Your Eyebrows Naturally

1
Crush hibiscus flowers. These flowers can make eyebrows grow darker and fuller. You can grind a hibiscus flower with a pestle and mortar until it is a fine paste. Apply the hibiscus flower paste to your eyebrows. Leave it on for 25-30 minutes then wash it off with warm water. Repeat this daily until your eyebrows are dark enough.^{[18]
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- These flowers are likely safe but check with your doctor if you are pregnant, breast feeding, have diabetes, low blood pressure, or are planning on having surgery.^{[19]
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2
Use olive oil overnight. There is Vitamin A in olive oil that helps hair grow and Vitamin E that nourishes hair strands. Rub olive oil onto your eyebrows before you go to bed then rinse it off in the morning. Use the oil every night.
- You can also add rosemary or lavender essential oils to olive oil to increase hair growth.^{[20]
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- Be careful if you have sensitive skin because oil can cause breakouts. If you start breaking out, stop using the olive oil.
3
Moisten your eyebrows in aloe vera. There are enzymes in aloe vera that can moisturize your eyebrows and make them thicker and darker. Put aloe vera juices or extracts onto eyebrows for 30 minutes then wash it off. Do this daily.^{[21]
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4
Use coconut oil. Iron and Vitamin E in coconut oil help your eyebrows grow. Coconut oil also helps reduce protein loss which makes your eyebrows stronger. Massage coconut oil into your brows and leave it in overnight. Wash it off in the morning with warm water. Try to do this every night.^{[22]
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- This will not darken the actual color of your brows, but it can help them appear thicker, which may make them look fuller and slightly darker.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What's the best way to get darker eyebrows the perfect shade and shape?

Karina Villalta
Certified Esthetician
Karina Villalta is a certified Esthetician and Owner of Oh Sweet and Sugar and Shears, a skincare and hair removal service located in Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. With over eight years of experience, Karina specializes in eyebrow shaping, a hair removal technique called sugaring, and organic facials. Karina started her career and was trained at Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar. Since opening her own business, Karina ensures her clients are educated about their skin and helps them implement personalized skincare routines.

Karina Villalta

Certified Esthetician

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Work with an esthetician. A professional is always going to have the tools and skills required to get your brows looking the best they possibly can.
Question

How do you make your eyebrows darker naturally?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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You can apply a paste of coffee grounds or strong black tea to your eyebrows for natural darkening. Henna is a stronger natural dye, but it can stain the skin, so it needs to be applied carefully.
Question

How do you stimulate eyebrow growth?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Massaging the brows helps stimulate growth, as does moisturizing them. Try applying olive oil or argan oil overnight.

Warnings

Do not use permanent hair dye to tint your eyebrows, as it could cause permanent damage if it drips into your eye.

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