In brief
- A lash tint gives your own lashes colour, right to the tips. The shape and the length stay as they are.
- The colour stays visible for about four weeks and fades gradually. After that you can have it done again.
- In the salon it takes half an hour, with your eyes closed. It doesn't hurt.
- If you want curl too, you choose a lash lift with tint. The lift lasts six to eight weeks, the colour about four.
- At Moons in Enschede a lash tint costs €15.00. A lash lift with tint costs €55.00 or €65.00.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
What is a lash tint?
With a lash tint your own lashes get a darker colour, using tint made specially for lashes and brows. You will also see it called eyelash tinting, and on a price list it often just says lash tint.
Tint only changes the colour. It does not make your lashes longer, thicker or curlier. Even so, they often look longer after tinting. That is down to the tips. For many people the lashes get lighter towards the end, and those light tips get lost against the skin. With colour on them you see the whole lash.
The difference is biggest with blonde, red and grey lashes. If your lashes are naturally dark right to the tip, you see less. For an open look a lift then does more.
How long does it last, and how often can you have it done?
Lash tint stays visible for about four weeks. The colour disappears in two ways. It fades a little with washing and cleansing, and your lashes renew themselves. Every lash falls out after a while, and the new one grows in your own colour.
It happens gradually. So there is never a day when it is suddenly gone. Around week four you see more light lashes among the dark ones, and then it is time for a new tint.
You can tint again as soon as the colour has faded, so roughly once every four weeks. If you also have a lash lift, the timing works out nicely by itself: the lift lasts six to eight weeks, and halfway through you top up only the colour with a separate tint.
Tint, lift or mascara: what does what?
Colour and curl are two different things. Look at what your lashes already do by themselves, and choose what you are missing.
| Topic | What it does | How long | Price at Moons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lash tint | Colour, the shape stays the same | About four weeks | €15.00 |
| Lash lift | Your lashes stand up, the colour stays the same | Six to eight weeks | €50.00 or €60.00 |
| Lash lift with tint | Curl and colour in one appointment | Lift six to eight weeks, colour about four | €55.00 or €65.00 |
| Mascara | Colour and some volume, fresh every day | Until you take it off | You already have it |
| Lash serum | Cares for your lashes. It does not give colour or curl | As long as you use it | From the chemist or online |
Lash extensions are something else again: individual hairs that are applied to your own lashes. We do not apply those. The difference is explained in lash lift or lash extensions.
Tint first or lift first?
If you have both in one appointment, the lift comes first and then the tint. The lift lotions open up the hair, and after that the colour takes well. The other way round, the lift would remove part of the fresh colour again.
If you already have a lift and only want colour, you can have that done in between. The curl is still in then. Do give your lashes a day's rest after a lift first, as the aftercare asks.
If your lashes have just been tinted and you want a lift after all, say so when booking. Then the salon chooses a lift without tint.
Can you tint your lashes yourself?
At the chemist you can buy kits with tint, a developer and protective eye pads. It can be done, but you are working on your own eyelid with your eyes closed. This is where it most often goes wrong at home.
The allergy test gets skipped
Do the test from the instructions on the inside of your arm, every time and well in advance. A reaction to tint can develop with a product you have already used several times.
Tint gets into your eye
Tint stings and irritates. Rinse straight away with plenty of lukewarm water, and keep rinsing. If your eye stays red or painful, call your GP.
The skin takes colour too
Apply a rich cream below and above your lash line beforehand and position the pads properly. A stain on your skin comes off with a cotton bud and cleansing milk. Do not rub hard.
The colour takes unevenly
Tint does not take well on lashes with mascara, eye cream or oil on them. Clean them thoroughly and let them dry first. At home the lower lashes and the inner corner are missed most often.
Is lash tinting harmful?
Not with tint made for lashes and when it is done properly. The tint colours the hair and does nothing to the root, so your lashes simply keep growing. They do not fall out sooner because of it.
Never use ordinary hair dye near your eyes. It is stronger and is not made for the thin skin of your eyelid. Some lash tints say they are for professional use. That is there for a reason.
The risk that does exist is an allergic reaction to a colourant. That also happens with hair dye. If you have ever reacted to hair dye, or to a temporary black tattoo, the chance is higher. Always say so beforehand. At Moons we then do a test first.
Who it is handy for, and when it is best not to.
A good idea if
- You have blonde, red or grey lashes, or light tips
- You want dark lashes without mascara too, when exercising or on holiday
- Your mascara smudges easily
- You have a lash lift and the colour fades before the curl does
Check with us first
- A previous reaction to hair dye, brow tint or a black henna tattoo. Have a test done first
- An eye infection, a stye or an irritated eyelid. Wait until it has passed
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Say so when booking. At Moons we then decide together
- Contact lenses. They come out during the tinting, so bring a case
- Recent eyelid surgery or another recent procedure on your eyes. Ask your doctor when it is fine again
Grey lashes: can that happen, and does tint take?
Yes, lashes can turn grey or white, just like the hair on your head and your brows. It usually happens later in life and to a few hairs at a time. It is part of getting older.
Tint takes well on grey lashes. That is exactly where the difference is big, because a white hair is almost invisible against your skin. Grey hairs are sometimes a little coarser. A specialist allows for that in the processing time.
If a small group of lashes in one spot suddenly turns white, or if it happens at a young age, have your GP take a look.
Aftercare: how the colour lasts longest.
The colour is there straight away. How long it stays looking good is then partly in your own hands.
| Topic | Better not | Do |
|---|---|---|
| Cleansing | Rubbing hard with a cotton pad | Cleansing your eyes gently, with a mild cleanser |
| Mascara | Waterproof mascara, because you have to remove it firmly | A regular mascara, if you still want one |
| Oil | Lots of oil or an oily remover on your lashes | Keep oil to the rest of your face |
| After a lift with tint | Water, steam and make-up in the first 24 hours | After that everything is fine again |
The 24 hours apply to the lift. After a tint on its own the advice differs from salon to salon and from product to product, so ask after your appointment.
What does a lash tint cost?
The price differs from salon to salon. These are our prices, as they currently appear on the price list.
| Topic | Price at Moons | Duration | How long you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lash tint | €15.00 | 30 minutes | About four weeks |
| Classic lash lift with tint | €55.00 | 60 minutes | Lift six to eight weeks, colour about four |
| Korean lash lift with tint | €65.00 | 60 minutes | Lift six to eight weeks, colour about four |
| Brow shaping and tinting | €30.00 | 30 minutes | About four weeks |
A home kit is cheaper per use. On the other hand, you are working near your own eyes. You'll find all prices on the prices page.
Lashes and brows tinted together.
Lashes and brows are often tinted together. On both, the colour lasts about four weeks, so they run in the same rhythm. For brows the colour is matched to your hair and your skin. Too dark soon looks harsh.
At Moons, tinting your brows is part of the treatment with shaping. If you want your lashes and brows done on the same day, just send us a WhatsApp on +31 6 12 02 42 00. Then we plan it as one appointment. There is more about your brows in tinting and plucking your brows.
Itching, swelling or red eyelids?
If you get itching, swelling, blisters or red, watering eyes in the hours or days after tinting, that can be an allergic reaction. Rinse off whatever is left with lukewarm water and call your GP. If your eyelids or your face swell up quickly, or you get short of breath, call 112 straight away. After that, do not have your lashes or brows tinted again without talking to your doctor first.
Frequently asked questions about lash tint
How long does lash tint last?
About four weeks. The colour fades gradually, and new lashes grow in your own colour. Rubbing hard, waterproof mascara and lots of oil make it disappear faster.
How often can you have your lashes tinted?
As soon as the colour has faded, so roughly once every four weeks. If you also have a lash lift, you top up only the colour halfway through.
How long does a lash tint take?
Half an hour in the salon. You lie with your eyes closed. Ideally, come without mascara.
Lash tint or lash lift, which is better?
It depends on what you are missing. A tint gives colour, a lift gives curl. If your lashes are light but already nicely curved, a tint is enough. If they are straight or grow downwards, a lift does more. You can have both in one appointment.
Do you tint or lift your lashes first?
In one appointment the lift comes first and then the tint. That way the colour takes best. If you already have a lift, you can have the colour topped up separately later.
Can you tint your lashes yourself?
You can with a kit from the chemist, but you are working with tint right next to your eye. Always do the allergy test, protect your skin with a rich cream and rinse straight away if anything gets in your eye. Never use ordinary hair dye.
Is lash tinting bad for your lashes?
No. The tint colours the hair and does nothing to the root. Your lashes simply keep growing and do not fall out sooner because of it.
Can you be allergic to lash tint?
Yes, just as with hair dye. If you have ever reacted to hair dye, brow tint or a black henna tattoo, say so beforehand. At Moons we then do a test first.
Can you tint your lashes when you are pregnant?
Many salons tint as normal during pregnancy, others prefer to wait. During this time your skin can react differently from what you are used to. Mention it when booking. At Moons we then decide together. If you are in doubt, ask your midwife.
Can you tint grey lashes?
Yes, and that is exactly where you see a lot of difference. Grey hairs are sometimes a little coarser. A specialist adjusts the processing time to that.
Does tinting make your lashes longer?
No, but they do look longer. Light tips get lost against your skin. With colour on them you see the whole lash.
Can your lashes get wet after tinting?
If you had a lash lift as well, keep your lashes dry for the first 24 hours. After a tint on its own the advice differs from salon to salon and from product to product. Ask after your appointment.
Do you still need mascara after a lash tint?
Not for colour. If you want more volume, a regular mascara can go on top. Better to leave waterproof mascara alone, because you have to rub to get it off.
How much does a lash tint cost?
At Moons in Enschede a lash tint costs €15.00 for half an hour. A lash lift with tint costs €55.00 for the classic and €65.00 for the Korean. Elsewhere the price may differ.
Can you have your lashes and brows tinted at the same time?
Yes. On both, the colour lasts about four weeks. At Moons a lash tint costs €15.00 and brow shaping and tinting €30.00. Send us a WhatsApp, then we plan it as one appointment.
Can you have a lash tint if you wear contact lenses?
Yes. You take your lenses out during the tinting, so bring a case.
How do you get lash tint off your skin?
With a cotton bud and a little cleansing milk or a rich cream, as soon as possible after it got there. Do not rub hard. A light shadow on the skin usually fades by itself within a few days.
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