Grey eyebrows are a fact of life. Over time, the pigment in the eyebrow hair can fade, turning grey – it’s natural! However, when they can appear can be at the time you least expect and many of us don’t know what to do when they do eventually appear.
Before you reach for the tweezers to pluck it out (a normal reaction), think again! The follicle will grow back in the same colour, leaving you in the same position and frequent plucking can weaken the hair in the area.
Grey eyebrow hairs can be more coarse and harder to take and if you try dyeing them instead, you may not be able to cover them completely for the natural look you’re aiming for. However, that doesn’t mean you should just throw in the towel and accept your fate. If you don’t mind grey eyebrows, congratulations you have nothing to worry about, but if you’d rather get rid of them (even temporarily) – don’t worry, there’s a solution.
Tinted Brow Gel
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Benefit Gimme Brow+
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Merit Beauty Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Pomade
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So, why do grey hairs appear in eyebrows? “Actually, the reason is the same as in the hair – the hair stops producing the pigment that gives it colour,” explains Sara Bonnet, eyebrow expert and founder of the centre Gias. “What I have found in the salon is that grey eyebrows tend to appear more irregularly. Sometimes a client has one or two grey hairs in her eyebrows and hardly any grey in her hair, or the other way around. Each person has his or her own rhythm and both areas do not always age in the same way.”
The fact that some people’s eyebrows go grey earlier than others – as is the same with hair – is mainly down to genetics. There is no fixed age at which you can expect grey hairs to start appearing on your head or in your brows – some people notice them in their 30s or 40s, while others might see them earlier or later. “Genetics plays a huge role,” says Sara. “There are people who start noticing grey eyebrows at a very early age and others who take many years longer. Factors such as stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficits or simply the natural aging process can also play a role, but heredity is usually a determining factor.”
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At the moment, there is no formula to prevent the appearance of grey hair, in the eyebrows or on the head, but we can slow down the process, according to Sara. “The reality is that there is no way to completely stop the natural greying process, because it is largely determined by genetics and the passage of time,” the expert explains. “However, we can try to slow it down by acting on those factors that are within our power. Maintaining a balanced diet, rich in antioxidants and key micronutrients such as vitamin Bs, iron, zinc and copper, can help maintain follicle health. There are also foods rich in catalase, an enzyme related to the body’s oxidation processes, that can be part of a healthy diet.”
“Beyond that, taking care of stress, getting plenty of rest and maintaining healthy habits is always going to play in favour of hair and eyebrow health,” she continues. “Even if grey hairs do eventually appear, well-groomed, strong and well-densified eyebrows will always look beautiful and harmonious. In the end, it’s not so much about fighting grey hairs as it is about learning how to take care of them and work on them properly.”
First of all, I would warn anyone who is still plucking their eyebrows to stop – it doesn’t do you any good! “It’s something I see very often and it’s one of the biggest mistakes we can make,” says Sara. “A grey hair appears, it bothers us and we remove it. The problem is, if we make that a habit, we can end up creating gaps in the brow and losing density over time. Another common mistake is to try to cover them with colour that is too dark. Many times that hardens the expression and achieves just the opposite effect to what we are looking for.”
There are a few ways to tackle grey eyebrows without plucking them to death. “I always say that the best option depends on the amount of grey hair and the result that each person wants to achieve,” Sara says. “When there are only a few and they appear occasionally, a good brow gel with colour can be more than enough.” She recommends Benefit Gimme Brow+, because it gently adds colour and gives your brows a greater density without it looking too artificial. Merit Beauty Brow 1980 Volumizing Tinted Pomade is another great option.
If you’re noticing a significant amount of grey hairs in your brows, Sara recommends a professional brow tint instead. “Adapted to the skin tone, hair and features of the person, the key is not to completely cover them, but to make the colour look uniform, flattering and natural,” the specialist suggests.
While it can be temptingly more cost-effective, Sara warns from trying to experiment at home as the skin in the brow area is very delicate and you can often end up making the situation worse. “It is important to work with professional products specifically formulated for eyebrows and always respect the exposure times. The skin in this area is very delicate and not all products are designed for it,” she says.
“In my case, I work with Thuya’s range of vegan dyes because they offer gentle colouring, a wide variety of shades and a very natural result. When a person needs to dye their eyebrows frequently, it is essential to use quality products specifically for this area, as they help to keep the hair in good condition and minimise aggression on the skin,” Sara explains. “In the end, as important as the product is that the colour diagnosis and application are appropriate. A good professional will always aim to make the eyebrow look beautiful and healthy, not just to make the colour last longer.”
Again, as with hair, when it comes to brows, customisation is key, as Sara points out. “I don’t work in the same way on a brow with a few grey hairs as I do with one with a much higher percentage. The important thing is to study the whole face, hair colour, skin and the density of the brow to find the balance. We often work with custom blends of shades and designs adapted to each case. When the result is well done, no one should even notice the eyebrows – it’s about making them look better.”
Her final advice? “If you get grey eyebrows, the first thing you should do is stop fighting them. Grey hairs are part of a natural process and don’t have to be a problem,” she finalises. “My recommendation is to avoid excessive plucking, keep the skin in the area well hydrated and use products that help strengthen and condition the hair. Also, seeing a professional periodically to check the design and colour can make a big difference. Many times small adjustments are enough to keep brows looking beautiful, balanced and flattering as the years go by.”
A version of this article was originally published on Glamour Spain.