How to Tint Eyelashes: 6 Tips for Tinting Your Lashes

Eyelash tinting is a beauty treatment that dyes your natural lashes darker to create the appearance of longer and fuller eyelashes. Unlike applying mascara or eyelash extensions, eyelash tinting can last up to four weeks, or until your eyelashes naturally fall out. Eyelash tinting is usually done in a salon, where a professional will apply a semi-permanent dye to your eyelashes. You can also tint your eyelashes at home using a lash tint kit or henna ink.

You can buy an at-home lash tint kit specially formulated for tinting eyelashes, or you can use natural henna ink, a vegetable dye. Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to safely perform a DIY lash tint:

1. 1. Clean your eyelashes. Wash off any makeup on your face and eyelashes using a cleanser or makeup remover. You want your eyelashes to be clean of dirt and makeup. Ensure your eyes are completely dry before tinting so the lashes can absorb the solution fully.
2. 2. Prep your eye area. Remove contact lenses from your eyes. Using a cotton swab, apply petroleum jelly to the area around your eyelashes to protect your surrounding skin from dye stains.
3. 3. Mix the tinting solution. Mix the tint solution according to the directions on the lash tint box. Generally, you will need to mix the tint with a liquid activator until it forms a paste. If you are using henna, mix the henna powder with a bit of water until it forms a paste.
4. 4. Apply the tint. Dip a clean spoolie brush into the tint solution, rotating it so the solution is evenly coating the brush. Apply the lash tint like you are applying mascara, from the roots of your lashes to the tip. Apply the lash tint to your lower lashes, then apply it to the top lash line, one eye at a time.
5. 5. Let the tint process. Similar to hair dye, you will need to let the tint process. Follow the directions on the box of the lash tint. Generally, for henna, you will need to wait fifteen to twenty minutes.
6. 6. Wash out the lash tint. Wet a cotton pad with water and gently wipe off the lash tint. You may need to use multiple cotton pads until your lashes are clean. After tinting, avoid applying eye makeup for twenty-four hours.

When tinting your eyelashes, consider these tips and tricks:

1. 1. Find a tint color that matches your natural hair. Choose an eyelash tint color that matches the color of your natural hair or is a shade or two darker. You can use a matching eyebrow tint for a cohesive look.
2. 2. Use dye specially formulated for eyelashes. Hair dyes or other chemical dyes not formulated for eyelashes can be harmful to your eyes. Eyelash tint kits are specially formulated for eyelashes and will not damage your eyes if you get any tinting solution in them.
3. 3. Do a patch test. Lash tint can irritate the skin around your eyes. You can test the lash tint solution before you use it for the first time by putting a bit on your inner wrist or cheek. If the spot becomes red or itchy, do not use the lash tint on your eyelashes.
4. 4. Go makeup free. It is safe to apply mascara or lash extensions on top of tinted lashes, but simply using an eyelash curler on tinted lashes will create a bold, natural look.
5. 5. Tint your lashes every month. Too much lash tinting can make your natural eyelashes brittle—do not tint your lashes more than every four to six weeks. Eyelash tinting will last up to four weeks. If you wash your face frequently, the lash tint may not last as long.
6. 6. Apply eyelash serum. To keep your lashes strong and encourage eyelash growth, apply a lash serum once or twice a day to your eyelashes. Some salon tinting services use eyelash dyes that contain keratin or biotin to keep your lashes healthy.

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