There is a theory that the bleached eyebrow trend has appeared thanks to lockdown allowing for more experimentation with our appearance. Some may put it down to the continuous influence of 90s party kid culture which doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Others may see it as another Tik Tok trend entering the broader meatspace. Bleached eyebrows provide light tones which can appear almost as if the bearer doesn't have any eyebrows at all. It can give a slightly uncanny and even futuristic look. Best of all, it works for all skin tones, even if different tones produce different effects. Specifically, some stand out and some blend in.
At oneHOWTO, we explain how to bleach your eyebrows by showing you what you need and the correct method. We also explain more about bleached eyebrow trend and how long you can expect your bleached eyebrows to last.
Why are bleached eyebrows trendy?
Bleached eyebrows have become a popular trend worldwide. There is no single reason for their burst in popularity. As mentioned in the introduction, it could be due to lockdown around the world giving people time to experiment with how they look. There were a lot of shaved heads, for example. These are all beauty treatments and style experiments you can do on your own.
It is also to do with the wheel of fashion always turning. 90s-club-kid fashion is influencing a lot of looks today and bleached eyebrows are a common feature for many. It was previously adopted by Madonna and Chloe Sevigny back in the 90s and is now popular with fashion icons such as Lizzo, Jayden Smith and FKA Twigs.
Another influence is drag culture. Ru Paul's Drag Race and other high-profile drag artists are becoming mainstream, so it is no surprise their fashion is creating more influence. Bleached eyebrows have been a staple in drag performance for a long time, so it really is more about the culture catching up to it. Bleached eyebrows provide an androgynous look which many want to enhance.
And this is the real reason why the bleach eyebrow trend is popular: it looks great. They can match the dye of your hair or sit in contrast to it. You can contrast it or blend it with your skin tone or even add color after bleaching. As your eyebrows are made of hair, the limitation is similar to dying your hair. The only real difference is the smaller size.
See how you can complete the look with our guide to 90s style.
How to bleach your eyebrows
If you are sure that you want to bleach your eyebrows, you are probably wondering what is the best way to do it. There are several techniques. Whichever you choose, it is most important you address the question of whether you want to use a bleaching product or if you prefer more homemade methods.
Brow bleaching with commercial hair dye
One of the most effective and fastest ways to bleach your eyebrows is by obtaining a bleaching product. They can be powders that you must mix with oxygenating cream or a special gel for facial hair coloration which can be applied directly. These are very powerful products, so it will be necessary to prepare the eyebrow beforehand. These are the steps to follow:
- Clean your face well to remove any remaining dirt.
- Comb your brows into the shape you're most happy with and pluck the excess until they're the way you want them to be.
- Apply the product carefully to dye the eyebrows lighter, trying not to go beyond the edges of the eyebrow and keeping it even.
- Leave it on for about 2 or 3 minutes.
- Remove the product with plenty of water.
After seeing the result, if you want it even clearer, you can reapply the product again and wait 1 or 2 more minutes. If you are also bleaching your hair and you want them to match, you may need to dye them again, especially if your eyebrows are darker than the hair on your head.
Brow bleaching without commercial hair dye
Perhaps you are wondering how to lighten eyebrows without commercial dye. If you don't want to apply chemicals, but are looking to lighten your brows naturally, there are some options available to you. They are slower processes and not as effective, but you should begin to see the results after a few weeks.
If you want to bleach your eyebrows with homemade formulas, the most popular methods are:
- Hydrogen peroxide: you should apply the hydrogen peroxide directly with a cotton swab every day until it clears up. While hydrogen peroxide is a chemical, it is relatively safe. It does still need to be used carefully and ensure none of it goes into your eye.
- Chamomile or chamomile: you can apply the used chamomile infusion bags every day. This doesn't work well on its own, but if you do it and have a certain amount of sun exposure it can help the lightening effect.
- Makeup: if you want quick results, but without applying chemical products, you can also choose to paint your eyebrows with the help of pencils or shadows with light tones.
Perhaps you want to change your eyebrow color, but don't want to go lighter. See more options with our article on how long eyebrow henna lasts.
How long do bleached eyebrows last?
If you choose to lighten dark eyebrows or bleach your eyebrows with a conventionally with commercial hair dye, the result will be instant. You will see your eyebrows completely blonde and almost transparent. This desired effect does not usually last more than 5 weeks. This is the average life of your eyebrow hairs. Over time, the eyebrows that are discolored will fall out, giving way to the new one. This means your natural brow color will slowly reappear. If you want to make your bleached eyebrows last longer, ideally bleach them every 2 weeks.
Now you know how to bleach your eyebrows correctly, you might want to investigate some other eyebrow looks. Learn more with our articles on the best tips for perfect eyebrows and how to get the Cara Delevinge eyebrow look.
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