Do your eyes sparkle like jewels or do they simply get lost in the scenery of your face? Your eyes may be emerald pools, but lackluster brows and nearly invisible lashes can fail to set them off to their utmost potential. Create "eye opening" appeal and add pizzazz to those peepers with a popular procedure known as tinting.

The Best Shaped Plans

Most of us spend hours primping and plucking in order to find that elusive ideal brow shape. After all the brows act as the natural frame for our face. But even the best-shaped brows may not set off the eyes if hair is fine, sparse or pale. Brow tinting may be your solution. Just like having your hair colored, brow tinting changes the color, adds the illusion of thickness and dimension.

Keep in mind tweezing or waxing should always be done AFTER the tint. This allows for maximizing the amount of brow hair available for shaping. If tweezing before tinting, the maximum potential of each eyebrow may be missed.

Pale Face

Those with incredibly pale skin, often accompanied by very blond or almost-white lashes or brows may find tinting helps add depth to their facial features. Avoid a drastic change, such as going dark brown or black for the brows. Opt instead for a more natural golden girl look. A honey color brings out the eyes and creates the frame your face so desperately lacks without looking artificial or unnatural. These newly darkened brows help accentuate the eyes, add fullness and create structure.

As for eyelashes, most women gravitate towards a black or dark brown tint. If black mascara is already a make-up essential, choosing the black tint may help benefit your overall look. Mascara may serve a necessary purpose of thickening the lashes, but imagine removing your mascara and maintaining definition of the eyes.

Because Only Your Hairdresser Knows

For those who prefer that only their hairdresser know their hair color comes from a bottle, brow tinting may be a necessity. If the hair color des jour is not naturally blonde, the chances that your brows are in sync with your gorgeous new "do" are slim. Overly dark brows combined with blonde hair can look harsh and unsophisticated. Brunettes sporting blonde hair may want to tone down the brows (an exact match isn't necessary) in order to create an esthetically balanced appearance.

As for your eyelashes, once again, it is dependent upon what shade of mascara you prefer combined with which hair color you've selected. Since your colorist will have to perform the eyelash tint (this is not something to try at home), ask for an opinion. After all, it's their expertise you're paying for.

Semi-Permanent Beauty

Tinting may be the closest thing to permanent make-up for the brows and lashes. Anyone looking to enhance the eyes while vacationing (who wants to apply make-up on holiday?) or for poolside perfection, eyelash tinting could be just what you are looking for. Imagine that freshly applied mascara look after taking a dip in the pool. And if you fear mascara running during a wedding or date night movie, consider chemically enhancing your lashes.

The Early Bird

There is something to be said about looking freshly made-up first thing in the morning. The look of dark lashes and/or brows could also bring some definition to your complexion on your make-up free days. This alternative to mascara would greatly benefit anyone prone to mascara sensitivity, as well as those dealing with allergies that cause watery eyes and smearing mascara.

Only A Day Spa Away

Lash and brow tinting is available in many upscale salons and day spas. An eyebrow tint can run between $10-15, and expect to spend anywhere from $14-25 for eyelash tinting, perhaps more on the Coasts. Some spas offer inclusive packages at a discounted price. Expect the tint to take about 20 to 30 minutes. While the results may vary, just like regular coloring a touch-up may be necessary between 4-6 weeks.

Lash and brow tinting is not for everyone. If you have an allergy to hair dye or are easily irritated by color additives, this treatment would not be for you. Also, if you are currently suffering with an eye infection skip the idea until it clears up. Your salon or spa technician should also advise you to remove your contact lenses before the service.

Curly Q

Another specialty treatment available in some spas or salons is eyelash perming. This magic elixir helps eliminate daily eyelash curler use and keeps natural lashes curled to perfection. Typical costs start around $40.00. The perm should last the life of your eyelashes, which translates to approximately 5 months. Lash perming is best suited for those special occasions, like vacations, etc., and not for long-term use.

What's A Girl To Use?

Although eyelash and eyebrow tinting services are being performed everyday in salons and day spas around the globe there exists some controversy as to the safety of these procedures. The products used to tint or dye the lashes and brows are not yet FDA approved. The FDA has issued many warnings against the use of permanent aniline-derived eyebrow and eyelash dyeing and the cosmetology industry agrees, opting instead for harmless coloring ingredients. However the FDA has not yet officially deemed any dye or tint safe for use on lashes or brows.

Roux Lash and Brow Tint is one commonly used brand of aniline-free dye that falls into this quagmire of not banned, yet not officially FDA blessed products. This is sort of the Botox for wrinkles limbo seen in the 1990's.

Reports of women having tragic results surface periodically. The 1930's were a decade full of more severe reactions (possibly to the chemicals used) yet a recent 2001 case left a woman with chemical burns and damaged vision.

This issue remains murky at best. Many individuals and salons actively support lash and brow tinting and thousands of women every year successfully receive these treatments without any adverse reactions. Still the FDA's lack of approval combined with a few documented cases of irreparable damage cast a small shadow of doubt on the safety of this procedure.

The ultimate decision is up to you. Do your homework, and make sure to visit a reputable establishment with experienced licensed technicians. Safety is your primary concern and a skilled technician should be able to give you a great set of lashes and/or brows without any unwanted side effects. You may find your eyes become your best feature when waxed (or tweezed) and tinted to perfection. You never know, a stunning set of lashes and brows may be just a tint away.

For more information on how to create the perfect shape of your brow please refer to Plucking Your Eyebrows.

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I hope you have found it informative.

Jamie Barber
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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