Can You Tint Over Grey Brows? (And What to Do When the Colour Doesn’t Stick)

By Ira Bale – Cosmetic Tattoo Artist, Melbourne, South Yarra & Toorak Village

Because greys deserve strategy, not surrender.

Grey Brows Aren’t Just “Old Brows”

When clients sit in my chair and ask, “Can you even tint grey hairs?” the frustration is obvious. They’ve tried tinting elsewhere, only to leave with brows that look the same as when they walked in — or colour that fades out within days.

Here’s the truth: grey brows don’t behave like pigmented brows. They’re wiry, resistant, and often more porous. Standard tint formulas slide right off them because the missing melanin means there’s nothing for the dye to bind to. That’s why tinting greys with the same approach as dark brows is a recipe for disappointment.

Enhance your natural beauty with a Brow Tint by the Ira Bale Brows team, showcasing stunning transformations at their South Yarra and Toorak Village locations.

Why Colour Slips Off Greys

The science is simple but crucial:

• Loss of melanin → No natural pigment anchor.

• Cuticle compaction → Coarser outer layer resists dye penetration.

• Texture change → Grey hairs are often wiry, which prevents even absorption.

It’s not your fault when colour doesn’t stick — it’s the formula and technique that failed you.

A Story from the Chair

N., a client from our Toorak Village salon, came in embarrassed. “I tinted them last week at another salon, but they look invisible again,” she admitted. Her brows were 70% silver, with coarse texture.

We prepped her brows with a gentle cuticle softener, used a hybrid dye instead of standard tint, and adjusted the processing time. The colour took evenly, giving her brows definition that actually lasted. When she returned weeks later, she laughed: “I don’t feel invisible anymore.”

Why Standard Tint Isn’t Enough

Normal tint is designed for melanin-rich hairs. Greys demand more:

• Hybrid dyes → Stain both hair and skin for depth and longevity.

• Pre-softening prep → Opens the cuticle so colour can anchor.

• Custom undertones → Prevents greys from looking flat, muddy, or overly dark.

At Ira Bale Brows, South Yarra and Toorak Village, we don’t just apply tint. We engineer it.

When Tint Isn’t the Answer

For clients with mostly grey brows or those tired of constant upkeep, cosmetic tattooing is the smarter option. A soft ombré tattoo restores depth and structure permanently, and any residual greys can still be tinted as they grow — no more fighting with fading every week.

The Bold Truth

Tinting over greys isn’t impossible — it’s just lazy salons that make it feel that way. With the right prep, hybrid formulas, and strategy, grey brows can hold colour beautifully. And when tint isn’t enough, tattooing offers a long-term reset.

At Ira Bale Brows, Melbourne, we don’t let greys sideline your brows. We give them the attention, precision, and technology they deserve — so you can stop stressing about what won’t stick and start enjoying brows that finally show up.