First time tinting your brow at home? Here are some expert tips.

Tinting and shaping

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I had an eyebrow maintenance appointment coming up, so the first question on my mind was if I should tint before or after my shaping is done.

"It depends on each individual," Hong Ling, a makeup artist with over a decade of experience, advised. "Tinting before shaping shows your brow technician the ideal shape you want to accomplish, but it can also work against you if you don't lay down a good shape."

She adds that the blurry lines of a bad tint job can affect the way your shaping goes, so if you do want to do it pre-shaping, leave a week's buffer for the tinted shape to blend.

Strokes matter

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Another tip Hong Ling dispenses is to brush in the same direction of your natural hair growth. "This creates a smoother look to your final brow", she explains. However, she's quick to note that this only applies for those who have uniform brow hairs.

Stubborn brows require a bit more work

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For those who have stubborn brows, the hairs can often affect the efficacy of the tint because of the way they may cover the skin. Therefore, Hong Ling's tip is to brush upwards, and then inwards towards the direction of your nose bridge. This allows the product to get underneath the hairs for a more even coverage.

Go easy, and build slowly

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"One common mistake is that people tend to just pile a lot of product on, which often results in overly-darkened brows", she says. "Go slow, and build your tint over light layers. This allows you more control so you can stop once you're happy with the shade."

Be careful with the tint

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Brow tint newbies can sometimes underestimate just how easy the gel can stain.

To avoid this, Hong Ling recommends "removing some product off the wand before application. In case your wand accidentally touches your skin, you can easily wipe off the small speck, rather than risk a bigger glob of product that can stain your skin quickly. We want to achieve a natural brow look, so only apply the tint onto the brows and not on the surrounding skin area."

Perk-me-up brows

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Another tip that Hong Ling suggests is to pick a darker tint colour if you find that you're always looking tired.

"Having a stronger brow helps you look more alert and refreshed", she points out, though she also cautions that what we want are strong brows, not starkly-lined brows.

After-tint care

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To maintain your tint job, Hong Ling's first tip is to avoid swimming, given that the chemicals in the pool water can mess with your brows.

She also points out that if you have a love for anti-aging or exfoliating products, leave those out of your regime for the next five days, as they can lighten the tint quickly. "Even if you want to use it, apply everywhere but the brows", she says.

Finally, and perhaps more importantly, avoid excessively brushing them. "So many clients don't realise that tints aren't as long-lasting as they think it may be, so the incessant brushing each morning during their makeup prep can lighten the product quicker."

Ahead, find some brow tints worth your while.

Tinted Brow Gel, $43, Anastasia Beverly Hills at Sephora

8/12

With a dual-tipped wand that allows for easier manoeuvring, the Tinted Brow Gel glides on smoothly for a long-lasting effect.

Fork Brown Tint, $11.50, Rire at Althea

9/12

A three-pronged applicator ensures a more even finish, and with a formula made from natural ingredients, this tint promises to work for those with sensitive skin.

UnbelievaBrow Longwear Brow Gel, $25.75, L'oreal at Watsons

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Its fast-drying formula means you can get thicker, fuller brows with less waiting. Plus it's also transfer, smudge and waterproof!

Brow Now Volumizing Brow Tint, $44, Estee Lauder

11/12

With a humidity-resistant formula – which we all need in our climate – this brow gel delivers natural and fuss-free brows.

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TikTok loves this brow tint, and with good reason! Available in four colours, its vegan and cruelty-free formula delivers super long-lasting brows that blend naturally with your brow hairs.