Brow Lamination vs Brow Tint

Well groomed brows can completely transform a face, and these days, there are more ways than ever to enhance them. Two of the most popular brow services are brow lamination and brow tinting, and for good reason. While they might seem similar, they serve very different purposes, but they can and are commonly used together.

Understanding how each one works, the difference between brow lamination and tint, who they are best for, and what kind of results to expect can help you choose the treatment that aligns best with your goals or offer a more tailored experience to your clients.

Before we dive into the differences between brow lamination vs brow tint, we’re going to go over everything there is to know about eyebrow lamination.

Overview of Eyebrow Lamination

An eyebrow lamination is a treatment that smooths and repositions the brow hairs to create a lifted, fuller, and more sculpted appearance. It can correct unruly growth patterns, help lay the hair to fill in gaps, and enhance the overall shape of the brows. Brow laminations give the brows a naturally styled, polished finish that holds its shape for weeks.

Think about the look you get when you apply brow gel everyday… Now, imagine not having to do it everyday. That is what an eyebrow lamination will give you.

How It Works

Brow lamination uses a gentle chemical process with, similar to a perm, to temporarily reshape and set brow hairs into a desired direction. (See brow lamination supplies)

The process is done in three steps. First, a lifting cream breaks down the hair’s natural structure, then a neutralizing lotion is applied to “laminate” the hair in its new position. The third step is a nourishing serum that is typically applied at the end to hydrate and condition the brows.

The result? Brows that look brushed, fluffy, and uniform.

Best Candidates for Brow Lamination

Brow laminations are great for everyone and can really polish the the brows, but brow lamination works best for clients who have: 

• Medium to full natural brows

• Coarse, curly, or unruly growing brow hairs

• Gaps or uneven spots they’d like to disguise

• A love for polished, brushed up brows

For those who are considering microblading — brow lamination is a great alternative! Getting a brow lamination is non-invastive and it improves brow shape without adding pigment.

How Long Brow Lamination Lasts and What Maintenance Looks Like

Results from a brow lamination typically last 6-8 weeks, depending on hair growth cycle and aftercare. For the best longevity, we recommend

• Avoiding water, sweating, and brow makeup for the first 24 hours

• Applying a brow-conditioning serum or oil to keep the hairs moisturized (you wouldn’t get a hair perm and then never condition your hair, would you?)

• Avoid exfoliants or retinoids near the brow area

To maintain the appearance of a brow lamination, a session every 6-8 weeks is recommended.

Does Brow Lamination Include Tint?

Not always! Brow laminations can be performed with or without a tint.

Rather than choosing between brow lamination vs brow tint, many estheticians and clients choose to combine the two steps for a more complete look. Tinting during lamination is typically done after step 2. We’ll talk more about this later.

We are almost ready to compare brow tint vs lamination, but first, let’s go over the basics of an eyebrow tint.

Overview of Eyebrow Tint

If brow lamination is like a perm for your eyebrows, an eyebrow tint is like hair dye! It’s a quick and simple treatment that involves applying a semi-permanent brow dye to deepen the color of the hairs. Tinting can make the brows appear fuller and more defined, especially for those with light or fine hairs.

How It Works

A gentle brow-safe dye is selected based on the client’s natural hair color and desired results then mixed with an oxidant (just like hair dye and developer). The dye is applied to the brows hairs then allowed to process for a few minutes, and then removed. Some tint products also slightly stain the skin, helping to fill in sparse areas, so be sure not to go over the outline of the brows when applying.

Best Candidates for Brow Tinting

A brow tint can work for anyone, but brow tint is most ideal for clients who:

• Have light colored or graying brows

• Want their brows to look fuller without filling them in daily

• Don’t need reshaping, just darkening or defining

A brow tint works amazing when coupled with a brow lamination and wax, offering a full brow service.

How Long Brow Tinting Lasts and What to Expect

Results from a brow tint can last up to 8 weeks on the hairs, and up to 2 weeks on the skin, depending on skin type and aftercare. For best results:

• Exfoliate the brows before the service

• Avoid oil based products and exfoliating the area

• Skip brow makeup for 24 hours (hopefully you won’t need any)

• Rebook every 6-8 weeks to keep color looking fresh

It’s a quick and painless process, and makes a huge difference, plus if you’re just getting a tint, it can take under 15 mins.

Brow Lamination vs Brow Tint: Key Differences to Consider

While the two services are often coupled together, we are going to go over the key difference between brow lamination and tint over some important categories to consider.

Purpose and Results

A main difference between brow lamination and tint that might make you or a client choose between one or the other is purpose and results. While the main purpose for both brow lamination vs brow tint is to enhance the brows, there are also differences.

• Brow laminations reshape the direction of brow hairs for a lifted, more shaped look

• Brow tints darken the existing brow hairs (and temporarily the skin) to enhance depth and create a fuller look

For this, it is entirely up to preference and what the clients desired look is.

Technique and Tools Used

As an esthetician, it is important to know the difference in techniques and tools used when it comes to brow lamination vs brow tint so you can properly explain the difference to your clients.

• Brow laminations a 3 step chemical solution coupled with shaping tools like brushes and combs 

• Brow tinting involves a semi-permanent dye and precise application with brushes or applicators

Regardless of enhancement, we recommend doing patch tests on clients with sensitive skin, as both go directly onto the skin. 

Treatment Time and Cost

When deciding between brow lamination vs brow tint, would treatment time and cost be a deciding factor?

• Brow lamination can take 30-45 mins, and has a higher price point due to the complexity and time.

• A brow tint can take 10-15 minutes, it’s more affordable, and it is easy to add onto other services (yes, like brow lamination).

Due to the different nature of brow lamination vs. brow tint, we wouldn’t recommend comparing the difference between brow lamination and tint for treatment time and cost. While brow tint is cheaper and quicker, if you are looking for a more polished effect, you still might consider a brow lamination, or both.

Staying Power

You might wonder when comparing brow tint vs lamination if staying power is something to consider when deciding between the two. Brow laminations can last 6-8 weeks while brow tint can last up to 8 weeks, and only a few weeks on the skin. The difference between brow lamination and tint may also come down to client skin type and hair type. Since they both can last up to 8 weeks, you probably would not think about staying power when choosing between the two. 

Should You Offer Brow Lamination and Tint at the Same Time?

Yes! Many professionals do. Rather than comparing brow tint vs lamination, you should be thinking about the benefits of offering brow tint and lamination. For clients who want maximum impact when it comes to a brow service, offering them in one appointment gives both shape and color.

Benefits of Combining Brow Lamination and Tint

There are many benefits when it comes to combining brow lamination and tint, and these are a few:

• More complete, polished results

• Eliminates clients’ need for daily brow gel and filling in

• Saves time for both clients and artist by combining services

• Adding tint to a lamination service only adds a few extra minutes

How Long Does Brow Lamination and Tint Take?

Combined, the full service usually takes around 45 minutes. Most of that time is spent laminating, with tinting added on near the end of the session.

The length of the service largely depends on the processing time for each step. The processing time depends on the client’s brow hair type. For PLA’s Brow Lamination system, fine hair can be processed for 5 minutes per step, while very thick and coarse hair can take 8 minutes to fully process with each step.

Best Practices for Dual Services

When offering a brow lamination and tint, there are some best practices we recommend to follow:

• Always perform steps 1 and 2 of the brow lamination, then perform the tint. Since step 3 is a nourishing lotion, it’s best to apply it after all processing steps are done to moisturize and condition your clients’ brow hair.

• Offer your clients a take home nourishing serum, like PLA’s Lash and Brow Restore Serum.

• A good rule of thumb is to choose a tint shade slightly deeper than the client’s natural brow color, but of course, always ask your client what their expectations are.

• Educate your clients on proper aftercare.

Find Everything You Need For Eyebrow Lamination and Tint at PLA Pro!

Find everything you need to perform a brow lamination and tint service at PLA pro. We offer brow lamination kits, eyelash extension supplies and lash lift and tint kits! PLA stocks everything artists need to deliver flawless results — tested by professionals and curated for performance.

We’re stocked up on all the favorites that beauty professionals swear by, so you can deliver your best work every time. No matter what you’re looking for, with the best lash supplies for the best lash artists in the world, PLA is your number one source for wholesale lashes and private label lash suppliers.

Wrapping Up Our Brow Tint vs Lamination Comparison

After all this, your key takeaway should be that brow lamination and tinting aren’t competitors… They're collaborators. While lamination reshapes and lifts, tinting defines and deepens. Whether you use them separately or together, one thing is for sure — both services offer long-lasting brow enhancements without the need for daily upkeep or needles.

If you are a client who made it this far trying to decide between the two, think about your natural brow texture, how bold or polished you like your look, and how much time you want to spend on daily brow maintenance. You might find that the best answer is to choose both!