If you have lighter-colored lashes but can’t get mascara to stay put for the life of you (raising both of my hands up high…), dying your lashes may be the perfect solution!
After trying ALL the mascaras (even expensive $30+ tubing / waterproof / smudge-proof options) and not getting a single one to stay put, I came across the idea of tinting my own lashes at home, and I was hooked!
I’ve been dying my own lashes since, and I can’t believe how simple and inexpensive it is, and how much stress it’s saved me worrying about mascara flakes and racoon eyes!
Keep reading to learn exactly how you can dye your own lashes at home too!
*Important: Please make sure you read this entire post before attempting to tint your own lashes — especially the section about safety + irritation!
*Update: Since first writing this post, the exact lash dye I used appears to be out of stock, or possibly discontinued. Therefore, I’ve linked to an alternative tint and developer that should work the same way with multiple color options, but cannot yet personally say how they compare. All other links are the same.
Happy lash tinting!
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a referral commission (or “store credit”) if you make a purchase.
About My Lashes (Long But Light)
So my hair is a reddish light brown and my brows are even darker, but my lashes are pretty light, especially at the ends.
So even though they are actually pretty long, you barely see my lashes from a distance.
Can you relate??
I personally like a more natural “no makeup makeup” look, but I still want my lashes to be visible, ya know?
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a single mascara that won’t smudge or crumble on my lashes, even $30+ tubing / smudge proof options.
But now it takes me about 10 minutes to tint my lashes using the steps below ONCE every few weeks or so, give them a quick curl with my trusty nickel-free lash curler each morning, and I’m good to go with VISIBLE, fluffy, natural-looking lashes!
My Refectocil Eyelash Tint Kit (Everything I Use to Tint My Own Lashes)
This lash dye{alternative dye — see *Update above} in Natural Brown (this one is pretty dark but not jet black. There are lighter and darker colors to choose from)This developer{alternative developer — see *Update above} for the dye- Disposable lash brushes (or you could use a clean mascara wand)
- Petroleum jelly to help protect your skin when applying the dye
- Q-Tips to apply the petroleum jelly
- (Optional) Under eye patches (or you could try cotton rounds cut in half) for extra protection
- Clean tiny bowl or container to mix the dye (whatever I have around)
NOTE: the lash dye and developer must be used together. The developer may seem a tad pricey up front, but I need so little of each that this combo will likely last me well over a year, for the same cost as a few drugstore mascaras (which wouldn’t work for me anyway lol)! AND it can be used to tint brows, and natural-looking quick hair color spot touch ups too (I just use a mascara wand for those too).
TIP: The first time you try this, you may want to apply the dye with a light hand to get an idea of how dark the color will actually look on you. Keep in mind that the color will darken quickly after you put it on, but might not look that dark right when you put it on.
Steps to Tint My Lashes for a Natural Look
1) I don’t wear any eye makeup, but if you do you’d want to make sure to remove it thoroughly and wash off any oily residue. I will still gently wash my face around my eyes with a gentle foaming wash (I actually use this fragrance-free tear-free baby wash + shampoo) to make sure there’s no oil or debris.
2) Apply petroleum jelly ever my top and bottom lids with a Q-tip, getting as close to the lash line as possible, but being careful not to get the jelly on my lashes (this can prevent the dye from absorbing). This is especially important to help protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
3) Mix about a half-teaspoon of the lash dye {alternative dye — see *Update above} with a few drops of the developer {alternative developer — see *Update above} in the small container, using the non-brush end of a disposable lash brush. You can add more developer as needed to get the consistency even. You don’t want to water the dye down TOO much, but you want enough that it’s easy to mix and spread over your lashes evenly.
4) I usually skip this step now that I’m used to it, but if it’s your first time I highly recommend you hold a cotton round (cut in half or in a half-moon shape) under your lower lash line while applying the dye, OR use a soothing under eye patch to help de-puff while you dye!
5) Press the brush end of the disposable lash brush into the dye mixture and spin it around while still pressing, to try and distribute the dye onto the brush bristles as evenly as possible.
6) Now it’s time to start swiping! Since I like a more natural look and I’m primarily concerned with getting the lengths of my lashes to be more visible, AND I have very sensitive skin around my eyes, I try not to get the dye to close to my lash line. I usually only apply to the bottom side of my upper lashes, and the top side on my lower lashes, applying more heavily near the ends. For the bottom lashes, I find it I difficult to try and cover my lashes using the whole brush without getting dye on my skin. So, I typically turn the brush vertically with the brush facing up, and then swipe from side to side using only the very end of the brush, focusing on the ends only.
7) Let the dye set for no more than 10 minutes
8) Carefully swipe any excess dye off with a wet cotton round (I do this with my eyes OPEN to try and avoid touching my skin)
9) Wash any remaining dye off completely with the gentle foaming soap (I do this with my eyes closed).
Keep reading for some notes about safety, and tips for a bolder look.
{Don’t forget to pin this tutorial for later!}
What About Lash Tint Safety + Irritation?
My upper eyelids are VERY prone to irritation from just about ANYTHING they come into contact with lol! They will become itchy, red, inflamed, dry and even cracked. And I can usually tell almost instantly if something is a trigger.
This is why I can no longer wear any kind of makeup on my lids, or even eye cream or other fancy skincare. I even have to be careful what hair products I use, and make sure they don’t run onto my face in the shower!
My lids tend to be in a perpetual state of SOME irritation no matter what I do, but the wrong product can definitely make it much worse.
That said, using the method above, and being extra careful NOT to touch my skin with the dye — even when washing it off — I notice little to no [additional] irritation around my eyes from the dye! (Certainly less irritation than I experience with most mascaras, likely because they tend to get all over my skin no matter what I do!)
HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean that YOU won’t experience irritation, however unlikely, even if the dye doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin.
Also, I’m not a medical professional and I can’t speak directly to the “safety” of this lash dye or any lash dye — I can only share my own experience thus far (which could also change in the future, if I start having a reaction to lash dye).
While tinting my lashes has worked well for me so far and seems to be safe, I definitely recommend that you REMOVE the lash tint thoroughly at the first sign of burning or other irritation, and proceed with caution going forward.
And if you still have irritation around your eyes a day or 2 after using lash dye, you should probably discontinue altogether — even if this starts in the future after you’ve done this multiple times!
This video by Dr. Dray (a dermatologist) explains how even skincare and other products you’ve been using for years can suddenly start causing irritation, especially around the eyes.
>> She specifically starts talking about allergies forming to products even after years of use at around 8 minutes in, but the whole video is definitely worth watching if you struggle with eyelid irritation!
The moral of the story?
Anyone’s skin could react to ANY product at any time, so pay attention to how your skin reacts to new products (like lash tint), as well as products you’ve been using for years with no apparent issues!
How Long Will the Lash Tint Last Before I Have to Re-Apply?
I suppose it depends on how frequently and aggressively you wash your face, but I can definitely go at least a few weeks without much noticeable color fading.
I typically won’t bother re-applying as long at the ends of my lashes still have some color, so about once a month or even longer.
To maintain a more consistent lash color, you’ll probably want to re-apply once every 2 weeks or so, to 1 month maximum — which is still way less stressful than applying and removing mascara every day in my opinion!
Tips to Tint Your Own Lashes for a More Bold Look
If you want a darker or more bold look with your lash tint, there are are a few things you can try:
1. Use a darker color
Rather than a brown or lighter color, simply using a black dye will give you a slightly more dramatic look.
2. Coat BOTH side of your lashes (top and bottom)
Rather than swiping up from the bottom side of your upper lashes only, you can also try swiping down from the top side of your upper lashes for a bolder, more uniform color.
3. Apply liberally all the way up to your lash line (*not recommended)
Though I don’t personally recommend it (especially if you already have sensitive skin around your eyes or are prone to irritation and reactions), if you really want a bold look you can try covering both side of your lashes all the way up to your lash line.
Yes, you WILL get dye on your skin (intentionally), so proceed with extra caution!
You may even want to use a small flat paint brush instead of a lash brush or mascara wand to apply the dye more thickly, and make all of your lashes are completely covered.
Note that you’ll have to only do one eye at a time with this method, and make sure to keep that eye closed until you wash off the dye!
Here is a video from Claudia Glows, demonstrating how she achieves very dark lashes using this method:
Conclusion
To quickly recap, tinting your own eyelashes at home might be a great alternative to constantly applying mascara or false lashes, especially if the mascara consistently gets all over your face or the lash glue irritates your eyes.
And using my method every few weeks or so, you’ll likely spend LESS than you would buying a fresh tube of drugstore mascara every couple of months — or even just ONE tube of the expensive stuff!
Just be sure to use a light hand with the dye your first time to see how it turns out, and be extra careful to protect your lids and under eye skin.
Also, pay attention to any irritation or burning and consider not tinting your lashes again, especially if it seems to last for a while even after washing your face.
Love these DIY lash tinting tips? Please pin and share this post!
