“Allow your brows to dry completely to judge the color and decide if you want to go over them with bleach again,” says Scott, who recommends waiting at least 20 minutes between sessions. “Don’t do more than two passes of bleach to your brows in one day. If after two passes your brows didn’t lighten enough, the bleach can probably stand to sit on your brows for a bit longer. I usually aim to bring the brow color close to the skin tone as opposed to going fully platinum on everyone, because no nude is universal.” If the hairs have unwanted orange or yellow tones, both pros advise applying a blue or purple toner for a few minutes to remove brassiness.
When you want to dye your brows back to the original color, use a facial hair dye kit that is one shade lighter than your original brow. “Bleached brows will soak up color quickly and go dark easily,” says Scott. But you may well find that with a dramatic new look and more room to play with your makeup, brow-less is more.
How long do bleached brows last?
Studies show that eyebrow hair is in the growth phase for two to three months, so you may need to touch up color every few weeks. According to Oquendo, this will depend on your natural hair color and how fast your hair grows. “It’s the same idea as how often you get your bangs trimmed or, for me, I get a fade every week because my hair grows really fast,” he says. “So it’s really case by case.”
How do you maintain bleached brows?
Eyebrow care after bleaching is similar to how you would take care of the hair on your scalp. Oquendo recommends using the Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Conditioner or Keracolor Cleanditioner For Platinum Blondes to tone your new shade and take out any brassiness.
Are there any risks associated with bleaching brows?
Bleach is a harsh chemical and can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin or burns if you do it incorrectly. And just like you would approach bleaching the hair on your head, you’d want to stay away from the bleach if you have cuts, sunburns, or certain skin conditions near the brow area. Oquendo stresses the importance of doing your research and taking your time if you’re bleaching your brows at home. “These are strong chemicals; take it seriously [and] take your time,” he says. “If you’re in doubt, if something feels funny, itchy, or burning, take it seriously [and] get it off of you.”
Are there any alternative methods to bleaching eyebrows?
If you’re unsure about committing to such a bold look and wondering how to lighten eyebrows without bleach, Oquendo says you can fake it; just grab a medium to full coverage concealer. “This is a great alternative,” he says.