New TikTok Hack Just Dropped: Self-Tanner As Eyebrow Tint. But Does It Work?

Brow tinting has been popular for years as a way to create the look of fuller, bolder, and darker eyebrows without the use of makeup. As a result, this process has seen a myriad of at-home hacks and trends to make the procedure a bit cheaper, easier, and more long-lasting. TikTok's new riff on the at-home brow tint removes the need for hair dye entirely. Typically, at-home brow tinting requires either a specialized dye that is safe for use on the face or, in some cases, a box of Just For Men® Mustache & Beard, but this hack uses a product you might already have on hand — self-tanner.

Because of this, it's taken the platform by storm. Self-tanner is much more accessible and usually cheaper than a professional tint or dye kit, and it's already guaranteed safe for use on the skin. Self-tan brows are just the next evolution in the internet's myriad of uses for the product, from semi-permanent contour to freckles, but does it actually work?

To properly tint your brows with fake tan, you only need your tan of choice, a bowl, a clean angled brush, cotton swabs, and makeup remover or micellar water. The process is fairly similar to regular tinting — ensure your skin is clean, all makeup is removed, and no products are left on your face, then get to work with the application. 

Spray a bit of your tan into a bowl or the cap of a bottle, then dip in your angled brush. Fill in your brows normally, then use the cotton swabs or a bit of tissue to clean up and catch any drips, as creator Michelle Yalekhue did in a recent TikTok showcasing the process. After waiting for the specified time it takes for your tan to develop, wipe everything away with more micellar water or makeup remover. Your newly-filled brows should last a few days, but you can extend their life by skipping your normal exfoliant and avoiding harsh scrubbing.

As with any hack found online, self-tan brows have yielded mixed results. If you're looking to fully dye your brows a specific color — blonde to deeper brown, for example — it's probably best to stick with your normal routine. Self-tanner presents several options for color, but they're built to mimic the look of a natural tan, not a natural hair color. Because of this, they usually contain a slightly green undertone to give a more olive-toned finish, combatting the Oompa-Loompa stereotype, which can look a bit off when used as a dye.

However, this hack presents a more straightforward and less-involved option for those that just want to tint the skin to help fill in sparse areas. Self-tanner is runnier and a bit easier to handle than dye, so applying a bit to tint the skin, especially if you have naturally dark brows that just need a bit more fullness, is a simple way to cut down your daily brow routine. c