Can You Tint Over Grey Brows? (And What to Do When the Colour Doesn’t Stick)
- Ira Bale
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
By Ira Bale
Founder, Ira Bale Brows – South Yarra & Toorak Village, Melbourne
You finally spot them. A few wiry grey strands in your brows. A little coarser, a little more stubborn. You book a brow tint, hoping for an easy fix — but by Day 3, the colour’s already faded.
Sound familiar? You're not imagining it. Grey brows really do behave differently. They’re more resistant, more unpredictable, and much harder to tint with off-the-shelf solutions.
But don’t worry — we’re not about to suggest microblading as your only option. At Ira Bale Brows, we know how to approach grey hairs with chemistry, strategy, and patience — not panic.
Here’s why your tint isn’t sticking — and what we do differently.
Why Grey Brows Are So Hard to Tint
The issue comes down to three factors:
1. Hair structure
2. Pigment adhesion
3. pH resistance
Let’s break it down:
1. Grey Brow Hairs Are More Resistant
Grey hairs lose melanin — the natural pigment that gives hair its colour.But they also undergo keratin hardening, which makes them feel coarser and more stubborn.
The cuticle layer — the outer shell of the hair — becomes tightly packed, making it difficult for tint molecules to penetrate and stick.
2. Traditional Tints Aren’t Designed for Grey
Most brow tints are designed for pigment-rich hair.But grey hairs act like they’re wearing a raincoat — the colour sits on top and washes away quickly.
That’s why you walk out loving your brows… only to wonder where the colour went by the weekend.
3. Skin pH & Brow Prepping Matter
If the skin underneath your brows is too oily, or if the hairs haven’t been properly prepped (cleaned and dried), the tint won’t grab.
At Ira Bale Brows, we’ve learned the hard way: prepping grey brows is half the battle.
Client Story: Soraya, 58
Soraya came into our South Yarra salon with beautifully full brows — but 40% were grey, and the rest were a soft brown.
She had been tinting for years, but recently noticed:
“The colour doesn’t hold anymore — it just disappears after a couple of days.”
We used our two-step grey tint strategy:
Step 1: Pre-softening the hair cuticle with a gentle alkaline solution
Step 2: Applying a hybrid tint that combines semi-permanent stain + pigment wrap
Result? A soft brown tone that blended her greys without looking blocky or too warm. It lasted over 2.5 weeks — and looked natural the entire time.
She booked her next appointment on the spot.
Our Solution: Treating Grey Brows with Intention
At Ira Bale Brows, we approach grey coverage like a colourist would:
1. Assessment First
How coarse is the hair?
How oily or dry is the skin underneath?
Are the brows patchy or full?
What undertone will match best?
2. Product Selection
We don’t just “apply tint.”We choose between:
Hybrid Dye (for long-stay stain + pigment)
High-Definition Brow Dye (for resistant grey and salt-pepper brows)
Ammonia-free options (for sensitive skin or post-menopause clients)
3. Pre-Treatment Prep
We:
Exfoliate gently
Remove all oils
Pre-soften if needed
Adjust exposure times per hair density
4. Follow-Up Strategy
We educate clients on:
How to wash your face without stripping the tint
Which oils or acids to avoid
When to come back — and what to do between appointments
What If Tinting Just Doesn’t Work Anymore?
Here’s the honest truth: Sometimes, tinting grey brows is a short-term fix — but not a long-term strategy.
If you’re tinting every 10–14 days and still feeling frustrated, it might be time to explore a more permanent solution.
Our top recommendations:
Brow Tattooing using ombré or combo techniques(We customise depth, tone, and fade pattern for mature skin.)
Brow Makeover Packages that include shape + dye + lash tint, for an overall polished look
Brow High Definition — a game-changer for clients wanting stronger definition with longer-lasting stain
We’ve helped countless women transition gracefully — from “tinting treadmill” to low-maintenance confidence.
Final Word
Grey brows aren’t a problem — they’re just a different type of challenge.With the right technique, tools, and knowledge, they can be tinted beautifully, balanced softly, and made to look fuller without being overdone.
But if you’re still relying on the same old tint — and wondering why it’s not working anymore — maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s just time for a better approach.
Book a grey-brow consultation or colour refresh at Ira Bale Brows — South Yarra or Toorak Village, Melbourne. Your brows aren’t stubborn. They’re just misunderstood.
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