As we get older, it’s common for our eyebrows to start turning gray and becoming unruly. While some people embrace their gray brows, others prefer to keep them looking tidy and colored. For those who want to maintain a youthful look, taming wild gray eyebrows may require using various grooming techniques and products.
Why Eyebrows Go Gray and Wild
Graying eyebrows occur for the same reasons as graying hair. As we age, our hair follicles produce less melanin – the pigment that gives hair its color. With less melanin, new eyebrow hairs grow in lighter and turn gray or white. This natural aging process typically starts in our 30s and 40s.
In addition to graying, eyebrows also often become more unruly with age. Some factors that contribute to wild eyebrows include:
- Hormonal changes as we get older
- Thinning eyebrows due to natural aging
- Lengthening eyebrow hairs
- Lack of regular grooming and maintenance
As eyebrow hairs thin out, it leaves patches and gaps that can make eyebrows seem disorganized and unkempt. Longer eyebrow hairs are also more unmanageable and prone to sticking out in odd directions.
Regular Grooming
Getting into a regular eyebrow grooming routine is key to keeping wild brows tamed. How often you need to groom depends on the individual, but generally every 1-2 weeks is recommended. Here are some standard grooming steps:
1. Brush Them
Using a spool brush or special eyebrow brush, brush your brows up and outward to neaten them. Brushing helps distribute oils, removes dead skin cells, and makes hair easier to manage.
2. Tweeze Strays
Tweeze any stray hairs that fall outside your natural brow line. Only tweeze a few hairs at a time to avoid over-plucking.
3. Trim Long Hairs
Use mini scissors or eyebrow trimmers to trim any hairs that extend beyond your brow shape. Never trim too short.
4. Comb Into Place
Use a clean spool brush or comb to shape brows and style them into place. Apply brow gel if needed.
Coloring Gray Eyebrows
If your gray brows bother you, you have options for coloring them back to a darker shade:
Brow Tint
A brow tint colors the eyebrow hairs and lasts around 4-6 weeks. It’s applied by a professional and available in various shades. Tinting helps conceal gray hairs while defining the shape.
Brow Pencil
For quick daily use, an eyebrow pencil is easy for filling in gray patches and defining arches. Pencils come in twist-up and retractable styles in powder, wax, or mechanical formulas.
Brow Powder
Powder is another option for covering grays between grooming sessions. Using an angled brush, sweep on the powder daily and fill in where needed. Opt for powder over pencil if you prefer a very natural look.
Brow Mascara
Clear brow mascaras help keep brows in place. Tinted formulas can also be used to temporarily mask gray hairs when you want added color.
Brow Growth Serums
Brow serums stimulate follicles and encourage new growth. Used over time, they can potentially restore pigment and make gray hairs less obvious.
Other Tips for Taming Brows
In addition to regular grooming and coloring, here are some other ways to keep eyebrows looking neat and youthful:
- Avoid over-plucking – it can damage follicles and worsen thinning.
- Use sun protection daily to prevent UV damage and color fading.
- Brush brows with castor oil or olive oil to condition the hairs.
- Take brow supplements that contain nutrients to support healthy follicles.
- See a professional brow stylist for periodic shaping and waxing.
- Consider microblading or permanent makeup for very sparse or light brows.
When to Seek Professional Help
While most people can manage their eyebrows at home, you may wish to seek professional help for:
- A brow tint or perm for lasting color and shape.
- Microblading or tattooing if brows are very thin or faded.
- Prescription growth serums for severe thinning or loss.
- Advice on proper grooming techniques if over-plucking.
A brow stylist or technician can provide treatments and guidance to help make unruly or graying eyebrows look well-defined and youthful again.
Conclusion
Keeping eyebrows looking neat and colored as you get older may take more effort, but it’s certainly possible. With consistent grooming techniques, brow enhancing products, and occasional professional help, you can hold onto well-shaped brows and minimize the gray.
Focusing on the fundamentals of grooming, coloring, and nourishing the hairs will help tame disorderly eyebrows. Embracing your natural gray brows is another option if you prefer to forego coloring. Whichever route you choose, maintaining tidy, structured eyebrows can take years off and give a more youthful appearance.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Brow tint | Long-lasting color | Can cause irritation |
| Brow pencil | Easy to apply | Color wears off |
| Brow powder | Natural look | Messy |
| Brow mascara | Subtle color | Not permanent |
| Brow growth serum | Regrows hair | Takes time |
This table compares different options for coloring eyebrows, summarizing the pros and cons of each method.
