Choosing the correct brow colour can greatly enhance your overall appearance. The shade of your eyebrows needs to complement not only your hair colour but also your skin tone and personal style.
Whether you’re opting for makeup or a semi-permanent cosmetic tattoo, getting the right brow colour is essential to achieving a balanced, natural look. Let’s break down how to select the perfect brow shade based on various factors.
Let’s get straight to the point
Choosing the right brow colour is key to enhancing your overall look. Match your brow shade to your hair colour, but don’t aim for an exact match—slightly darker brows work for blondes, while brunettes should go a shade lighter for a softer look.
Redheads should avoid red pencils, opting for browns with copper or vibrant undertones. Consider your skin tone, too: cool tones suit ashy shades, and warm tones benefit from golden hues.
Decide whether you want a natural or bold look, and choose between makeup or cosmetic tattooing. Avoid common mistakes like over-darkening or bleaching, and maintain your brows for the best results.
1. Consider Your Hair Colour
Your hair colour plays a significant role in determining the right eyebrow shade. Matching your brows to your hair colour creates harmony in your appearance, but it doesn’t mean they need to be identical. Here’s how to approach it based on your hair type:
Blondes
For those with blonde hair, going a shade darker for the brows is often the best choice. A slightly darker brow creates a definition and frames your face without looking too harsh. Avoid going too dark, as this can create an unnatural, severe look.
- Use a combination of gel and pencil to fill in sparse areas and add structure.
- A good example is the Anastasia Brow Wiz, which provides definition while keeping the brows looking natural.
If you’re transitioning from darker hair to blonde, avoid bleaching your brows to match your new hair colour. Bleaching can lead to uneven regrowth and an unnatural look, especially if your hair roots show.
Brunettes
Brunettes have more flexibility when it comes to brow colour. Aim to match the natural shade of your eyebrows as closely as possible, but don’t be afraid to go one shade lighter. This creates a softer, more natural appearance, which can prevent a harsh or overly dramatic look.
- Consider using two shades: one darker for the arch and a lighter tone for the inner brow.
- Experimenting with two shades adds depth and dimension to your brows.
If your hair has warm or cool undertones, make sure your brow colour matches those as well.
Redheads
Natural redheads rarely have eyebrows that match their hair colour. Instead of trying to find a red pencil, focus on enhancing your natural brow shade. For warm-toned redheads, a coppery undertone in your brows can work wonders. For cooler red tones, a vibrant brown will complement your hair beautifully.
- Don’t stress about exact matches—focus on finding a brow colour that complements your overall look.
Raven Hair
For those with raven black hair, a matching dark brow will generally be the best choice. Avoid warm brow shades, as they can make your hair appear unnatural. Instead, stick to cool, dark tones.
- If you want to soften the look, go one or two shades lighter than your natural brow colour.
2. Factor In Your Skin Tone
Your skin tone plays a significant role in how your brow colour looks on you. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right shade based on whether you have cool, warm, or neutral skin tones:
- Cool Skin Tones: Opt for ashy or neutral brow shades. These colours tend to work well with lighter, cooler complexions.
- Warm Skin Tones: Warm-toned individuals can experiment with brow colours that have golden or reddish undertones.
- Neutral Skin Tones: If you have a neutral skin tone, you can pull off both cool and warm brow shades. It’s a matter of personal preference and style.
When choosing your brow colour, consider how your skin’s undertone interacts with your hair colour. This balance ensures your brows look natural and well-suited to your face.
3. Decide On A Natural Or Dramatic Look
The look you want to achieve—whether natural or bold—will influence the shade you select for your brows. Here’s how to choose:
- For a Natural Look: Match your brow colour as closely as possible to your natural hair colour. A subtle shade creates an understated appearance, perfect for those who prefer a softer look.
- For a Dramatic Look: Choose a brow colour that is one to two shades darker than your hair. This adds definition and drama to your face. For example, Marilyn Monroe famously sported almost-black brows with her blonde hair, creating a striking contrast.
4. Makeup And Cosmetic Tattooing Options
Once you’ve decided on the perfect brow shade, it’s time to think about how to achieve it—whether through makeup or semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing. Here’s how each option can work for you:
Brow Makeup
Using the right brow makeup is a flexible way to define your brows. You can adjust your brow shade based on the occasion or your current hair colour. Here are some tips:
- Brow Powder: If you want a soft, natural brow, use brow powder. It fills in sparse areas without creating sharp lines.
- Brow Pencil: For more precise brows, use a pencil. It’s ideal for creating well-defined, structured brows.
- Tinted Brow Gel: This product adds colour and volume to your brows, giving them a fuller appearance.
When applying makeup, consider using a lighter shade toward the inner brow and a slightly darker one toward the arch for a natural, defined look.
Cosmetic Tattooing
For those opting for a semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo, it’s essential to pick the right colour since the results will last for years. Keep the following in mind:
- Consult a professional: Speak with an expert who can help you select the right brow tattoo shade based on your skin tone and hair colour.
- Start subtle: It’s easier to darken a brow tattoo over time than to correct one that’s too dark. Begin with a lighter shade and adjust if needed during follow-up appointments.
5. Maintenance Of Your Brow Colour
Whether you’re using makeup or have opted for cosmetic tattooing, maintenance is key to keeping your brows looking fresh. Here’s what you need to know:
- For Makeup Users: You’ll need to regularly apply and reapply brow products, especially if you’re using gel or pencil. This allows you to adjust the colour based on your hair changes and maintain definition.
- For Cosmetic Tattoos: Tattooed brows will fade over time and require touch-ups every few months. Regular touch-ups ensure your brows retain their shape and colour.
6. Avoid Common Mistakes
While choosing a brow colour might seem straightforward, there are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Bleaching Your Brows: While it might seem like an easy solution to match your brows to your hair, bleaching often results in uneven regrowth and unnatural colours. Stick to pencils or gels to achieve the look you want.
- Going Too Dark: For most people, brows that are too dark create a harsh appearance. It’s generally better to start with a lighter shade and darken if necessary.
- Skipping Maintenance: Whether you’re using makeup or have a tattoo, your brows need regular upkeep to stay looking their best. Ignoring touch-ups can lead to faded or uneven brows.
7. Should You Dye Your Eyebrows?
If you’ve dyed your hair, you may wonder whether your eyebrows should match. In many cases, it’s a good idea to dye your brows for a cohesive look, especially if your hair colour has changed significantly.
- If you’re going lighter: Dark eyebrows with light hair can create a stark contrast. Lightening your brows slightly can create a softer appearance.
- If you’re going darker: You may not need to dye your brows at all if they’re naturally darker than your hair. Dark brows typically pair well with dark hair.
8. Practical Tips For Achieving Perfect Brows
Here are some practical tips to help you achieve the perfect brow shade:
- Test different shades: Don’t be afraid to experiment with various products and shades before committing to a colour.
- Consult a professional: If you’re unsure about the right shade or technique, book a consultation with a professional makeup artist or cosmetic tattoo specialist.
- Stay subtle: When in doubt, go for a shade that’s slightly lighter than your hair. It’s easier to darken brows later than to lighten them once they’ve been tinted or tattooed.
Conclusion
Choosing the right brow colour is an essential step in achieving a polished, balanced look. By taking into account your hair colour, skin tone, and personal style, you can create brows that enhance your natural beauty.
Whether you prefer a natural or dramatic appearance, using the appropriate brow products or opting for cosmetic tattooing can help you achieve your desired result. Avoid common mistakes like over-darkening or bleaching, and always stay on top of maintenance to keep your brows looking their best.
Subtle changes can make a big difference, and consulting a professional can give you the confidence to rock your perfect brows every day.
FAQs About Right Brow Colour
How Do You Know What Color Brow Pencil To Use?
When choosing a brow pencil, it’s not just about matching your hair color. It’s also about your skin tone and eye color. If your skin tone has pink in it, you don’t want to match exactly to your hair color or else it will look orange. So you want to go for something a little ashy.
What Colour Should You Fill Your Brows With?
Fill brows in with a color that is slightly lighter than brow hair. If you have dark brown hair, use a light/medium brown brow pencil. If you have light brown hair, use a taupe/dark blond pencil, and so on.
Should Your Eyebrow Color Be Lighter Or Darker Than Your Hair?
YOUR BROWS SHOULD BE DARKER, In fact, your eyebrows should actually be darker than your hair color-unless your tresses are pitch black. This is what looks the most natural.
Do Lighter Eyebrows Look Better?
Lighter tones look more natural and are more forgiving. If you have dark brown hair, choose a light or medium brown powder-I feel that brows should complement the face, not overpower your features.
What Eyebrow Shape Makes You Look Younger?
Shape up because a gradual definition to your arch (the brow’s highest point) can make you appear more youthful and awake. Keeping the natural curves of your brows is important, though your natural brow height and angle of the curve will determine the right shape.