Mastering Mature Brows: Tinting grey and aging eyebrows
written byŽaneta Mlčáková
In This Article
Why Aging Brows need a different approach
When working with mature clients, one thing becomes clear very quickly:
They’re not looking for bold, trendy, or “snatched” brows.
Most older clients have shaped their brows the same way for 40–50+ years - and that familiar shape is their comfort zone. For them, brows aren’t about trends… they’re about feeling like themselves.
And that’s our job as brow professionals: not to force a style we love, but to understand what makes our client feel beautiful.
As one Brow Artist said perfectly in our online community:
“A lot of older clients aren’t trying to look snatched. If you want them to feel beautiful, give them what they want.”
Working with aging eyebrows isn’t about dramatic change - it’s about enhancing what’s already there, using natural shades and soft techniques that flatter mature features.
What happens to brows as we age?
Aging eyebrows naturally change over time - and understanding these shifts helps you choose the right color, technique, and shape for your mature clients.
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Brows become thinner and sparse: Hair growth slows, leaving gaps, short hairs, and uneven areas. Many mature clients feel like their brows have “faded.”
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Grey or white hairs start to appear: Grey hairs are beautiful - but they’re also coarse and resistant to tint. This is where softer, cool-toned shades like Ash Grey Liquid Dye ↗ work perfectly
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The brow tail begins to drop: Loss of skin elasticity can cause the tail to droop or point downward. A slight lift (without creating a dramatic arch) refreshes the entire face
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Natural warmth fades from the brows: Using shades that are too dark or too warm can make the face look harsh.
- Skin becomes thinner and more delicate: Light pressure, gentle strokes, and softer application techniques become essential for comfort and precision.
“As we get older, our brows need to look softer to avoid looking harsh or angry.”
Choosing the right color for Mature Brows
Color choice can completely change how mature brows look. The right shade softens the face, while the wrong one can make brows look harsh or too dark.
→ Avoid very dark or bold shades
Deep colors can look heavy on thinner, mature skin.
→ Soft, natural tones work best
They create a gentle, flattering frame for the face.
→ Cool tones flatter grey hair
Warm tones may fade or look too strong. Cool tones blend beautifully.
→ The must-have shade: Ash Grey Liquid Dye ↗
You can use it standalone or mix it with other colors from our Hybrid Dye collection ↗.
Perfect for:
- Grey or salt-and-pepper brows
- Fair or mature clients
- Soft, subtle, natural results
- Avoiding harsh or “drawn-on” brows
Ash Grey gives mature clients the gentle definition they love - and it ages beautifully over time.
When to recommend PMU for Mature Clients
Many mature clients struggle with extremely sparse brows - or sometimes no brows at all. In these cases, PMU can be an amazing long-term solution, giving them soft, natural definition that lasts.
But here’s the truth:
Most older clients feel nervous about committing to something “permanent.” They don’t want brows that look too dark, too modern, or too different from what they’ve had their whole life.
That’s why we always suggest this simple approach:
- Step 1: Try Hybrid Brows first: Hybrid dye ↗ gives a natural skin stain that lasts 7–10 days. This allows your client to see how a fuller brow looks on them and test the color.
- Step 2: If they love the look, move to PMU: Once they’re confident and comfortable, PMU becomes a perfect option for soft, long-lasting definition.
Why this works
- They are less scared to have new brows
- It builds trust
- You make sure that clients commit only when they truly love the look
- It leads to better long-term satisfaction
- Hybrid brows = their “test run.”
Look at this beautiful combo by @pro.artistry_pmu of PMU eyeliner and Ombre Brows!
How to tint & shape Mature Brows
Working with Mature Brows is all about keeping things soft, gentle, and natural. Here’s how to get beautiful results that your older clients will genuinely love!
1. Prep the Brows properly
Grey and white hairs are even more coarse and resistant, so a clean surface is really important.
- Remove all oils using Pro Cleanser ↗
- Exfoliate using Prep Peel Gel ↗
- Dry the brows completely
- A proper prep helps the tint absorb more evenly and last longer.
2. Build the dye in light layers
Remember, mature skin is thinner and needs a lighter touch. Here are some tips:
- Apply tint in thin layers
- Let the tail process a bit longer
- Keep the front light and airy
- Avoid strong ombrés or harsh fronts
This is where Ash Grey ↗ shines - it blends seamlessly with grey or silver hairs without looking harsh or overdone.
3. Shape with their natural brow in mind
Most mature clients don’t want a dramatic brow makeover - they want a refined version of what they already have.
- Follow their natural growth pattern
- Slightly enhance, don’t make dramatic changes
- Give the tail a soft lift, nothing too arched
- Light pressure only (skin is quite delicate)
And an important note: We don’t recommend full-blown brow lamination for mature clients.
Why? Sparse brows + lamination can make gaps more visible, and the polished “fluffy brow” look often feels too modern for their taste. So if you're a Brow Lamination lover, hold your horses! Are they still open for it? Opt for the Baby Brow Lamination Look ↗ and ensure you use it to cover any spare areas, rather than revealing them.
Master custom mixing for Mature Brows
Grey, silver, salt-and-pepper, warm undertones, cool undertones - mature clients often need custom shade blends to get that perfect soft finish.
You can learn exactly how to mix and adjust colors like Ash Grey inside our Liquid Dye Mixing Masterclass ↗, designed for artists who want to level up their tinting game.
FAQ
→ What is the best eyebrow tint for grey or aging brows?
Cool, soft shades like Ash Grey Liquid Dye blend naturally with grey and white hairs without looking harsh. Or mix other Hybrid Dye colors ↗ with Ash Grey to make them look more ashy.
→ Why don’t grey eyebrows take tint easily?
Grey hairs are coarse and resistant. Proper cleansing and layering the tint helps improve coverage.
→ Should mature clients get brow lamination?
Opt for the Baby Brow Lamination Look ↗ and ensure you use it to cover any spare areas, rather than revealing them.
→ What brow shape looks best on older clients?
A soft, natural shape that follows their original brow. Avoid heavy arches and harsh fronts.
→ How can I test a brow shape before recommending PMU?
Use Hybrid Dye to create a temporary shape. If the client loves it, PMU is a great next step.
→ How can I learn to mix the perfect shades for mature and grey brows?
Join the Liquid Dye Mixing Masterclass ↗ to learn pro mixing techniques and custom color formulas.
