Bleached Eyebrows Are Having a Moment, But Is The Procedure Safe?

by Amy Oshier September 14, 2022, 1:56 pmupdated September 14, 2022, 2:08 pm 95 Comments

I’m on the fence with this one, since bleached eyebrows are having a moment. The procedure promises to be a fast, easy way to freshen your look. But is it safe, is it long-lasting, and does it work on everyone? Those are always my my starting points. But of course, I want to know if you can you do it at home, too. Why? Because I love, love, love DIY treatments, provided they are on par with what you might get from a professional service.

Before tackling the heavy stuff, it’s important to understand the difference between brow bleaching and brow tinting. Simply put, bleach strips color and tint adds color. That was easy. The obvious next question is, why would anyone want to change the color of their brows?

Well, for starters, people with blonde, white, or otherwise light hair might want eyebrows that are a closer match to their head. It blends better because it is less of a contrast. On the other hand, people with dark hair are jumping on the bandwagon for the opposite reason: to create contrast and get a high fashion look. Then, there’s the middle-of-the-roaders who are aiming for something a little lighter, brighter, and more youthful.

Beauty influencers promise this is a DIY-friendly process, provided you take the proper precautions because it involves putting bleach near your eyes! Yikes!

My colorist recommends a 10-minute patch test with the bleach first. Kind of a trial run on your arm to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction to the bleach. That would be really bad.

If all goes well, start with a clean brow area. Remove all makeup and products gently, without agitating the skin. Let it rest for a few minutes, to let the pores close after cleansing. Professionals will likely apply a barrier cream to keep the bleach away from skin near the brows. Some eyebrow bleaching kits might include it, but it’s not absolutely necessary.

I think if you’re doing this at home, a specially-designed kit is the way to go. Don’t even think about using peroxide! Jolen Creme Bleach is the go-to for many people. When mixing the product, it is important to get it to the consistency of a paste. Otherwise it might slide or drip down your face, or worse yet, your eyes.

Kits will usually include an applicator — a mini spatula or a spoolie. Which is like a mascara wand.

The key to success is to apply a thick amount of the pasty bleach to make sure the brows are thoroughly covered. From root to tip. Time each brow for 10 minutes or follow package directions if it instructs something different. As an insider tip, make sure to spend the same amount of time applying product to each brow, so they will come out the same shade. Taking too long on the first brow, then quickly doing the second one is a rookie mistake.

When the processing time is up, wipe with a paper towel. If you like the shade, you’re done. If you choose to go lighter, you can repeat the process. Just be sure to closely follow the product’s directions and quickly remove if you feel a burning sensation.

Now, let’s talk money. There is a significant cost saving to doing it yourself. I’ve seen Jolen for as low as $5.95, but it’s usually around 10 bucks and found at your local drugstore.

A salon service averages around $50. But there, you’re getting a custom shade and professional application that includes developer and color (along with peace of mind).

And finally, it’s smart to remember those golden arches don’t last forever. They will start to grow out in a couple of weeks, so expect a fair amount of maintenance if you want to keep the look.

As for me, I plan on taking the plunge. I’m confident I can DIY some nicely bleached eyebrows. Plus, if I’m not happy with them, I’ll just pencil them in darker and no one will be the wiser.