How to Dye Your Eyebrows with Coffee

Reviewed by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: September 5, 2024

Tinting your eyebrows to a darker shade is an easy way to give them definition. But if you don't like the idea of using harsh chemicals or have had a bad reaction to brow tints before, it may be time to try an all-natural approach. Coffee grounds can actually make an effective brow tint that gives your brows a natural, defined look. All you have to do is mix the coffee with some other ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, and let the dye sit for less than a half hour -- which means you'll have envy-worthy brows in no time.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (21 g) leftover coffee grounds
1 teaspoon (3 g) cocoa powder
2 tablespoons (26 g) coconut oil
Honey

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Mixing the Coffee “Dye”

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1
Combine the leftover coffee grounds and cocoa powder. Add 2 tablespoons (21 g) of coffee grounds and 1 teaspoon (3 g) of cocoa powder to a small bowl. Mix the two ingredients well so they’re fully combined. ^{[1]
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- Be sure to use caffeinated coffee grounds. It not only gives you a richer color, but may also help thicken sparse or patchy eyebrows.
- Cocoa powder helps lighten the dye. If you can want to make the dye lighter, use more cocoa powder. If you want it to be darker, use less cocoa powder.
2
Mix in the coconut oil. After you’ve combined the coffee grounds and cocoa powder, add 2 tablespoons (26 g) of coconut oil to the bowl. Stir the ingredients together well to create a liquid mixture. ^{[2]
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- If you don't have coconut oil, try another oil, such as olive or jojoba.
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3
Add some honey. While the coconut oil helps create a smooth, liquidy pigment to dye your eyebrows, you want it to stick to your brows. Drizzle a little honey into the bowl, and mix it into the coffee mixture to make sure that it will stay on your skin. ^{[3]
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- When you’re finished mixing the dye, it should have paste-like consistency.
- There’s no exact amount of honey to add. Start with a small amount, then test it with your finger to see if it’s sticky. If it slips off, add a little more honey.
Once the coffee mixture is fully combined, let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. That will give the ingredients time to bind together. ^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing Your Brows

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1
Wash your face. To ensure that there isn’t any makeup, dirt, or other residue on your skin and brow hair that might affect the dye, it’s important to clean your face. Use your usual facial cleanser and water to wash your face, paying special attention to the brow area. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. ^{[5]
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- If you have very dry, flaky skin, exfoliate your brow area with a facial scrub.
- Avoid the delicate skin around your eyes. Most facial cleansers will sting, while scrubs will irritate it.
2
Comb your brows into place. Before you apply the coffee dye, you want to be sure that your brows in the proper shape. Use a clean spoolie or brow brush to carefully comb them into place, following your brows’ natural shape. ^{[6]
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- If you aren’t happy with your brows’ shape, get them professionally waxed, threaded, or tweezed into shape.
3
Tweeze any stray hairs. After you’ve brushed your brows into place, check to see if you have any stray hairs. Remove them with a pair of clean tweezers, so you don’t accidentally apply the dye in areas that you don't want to. ^{[7]
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- You should still do this even if you just shaped your eyebrows. Take a quick look in the mirror, and remove any stray hairs.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dyeing Your Brows

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1
Spread the coffee mixture over your brows. When your brows are combed into place, dip an angled brow or eyeliner brush into the coffee mixture. Smooth it over your brows in your desired shaped. Apply a second layer to ensure that the entire area is covered. ^{[8]
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- Don't apply the coffee mixture outside the lines of your brow, otherwise you may stain your skin.
- If you’re worried about precision, mark the outer edges with a brow pencil first so that you know where to place the dye.
- Want to mask the brows off entirely? If you want to ensure you don’t stain your skin at all, rub some petroleum jelly around your eyebrows. The mixture won’t end up on your skin at all.
2
Clean up any smudges. Once the dye is applied, wet a cotton swab with water. Run the cotton swab over any smudges or mistakes that you may have made to remove the coffee mixture from your skin. ^{[9]
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- Alternatively, fold up a paper towel into a tight square or triangle, then dampen it. This will make precision a little more difficult, but it'll do in a pinch.
- Don’t scrub too hard! If you really overwork the smudges you could remove some of the tint.
3
Let the mixture sit on your brow. When the coffee mixture is spread over your brow, let it sit in place for approximately 20 minutes. The longer that you let the dye sit, the darker your brows will be, so you can adjust the time accordingly. ^{[10]
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- If you’re dyeing your brows for the first time, err on the side of caution and stick to 20 minutes or less.
- It's best to dye too light than too dark. Remember, you can always dye your brows again to make them darker, but you can't make them lighter.
4
Remove the coffee mixture. When the dye has sat on your brows for about 20 minutes, wet another cotton swab. Run it over your brows to remove the coffee mixture, making sure to get all of the residue off. ^{[11]
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- If you prefer, you can wipe the coffee mixture off with a damp washcloth. Be aware that it may stain the cloth, though.
- If your brows did not turn out dark enough for you, repeat the whole process.
- You can use a microfiber cloth instead of a cotton swab. Just don’t use cotton balls, since the balls will leave fibers behind on your skin.

Community Q&A

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Question

Is this permanent or temporary?

Community Answer

Dyeing your brows with coffee is only temporary. The effect will typically last about 4 weeks.

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Question

Can you use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder?

Community Answer

No, you should use pure cocoa powder. Hot chocolate mix has sugar and other ingredients that can interfere with the dyeing process.

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Question

Do I have to add honey?

Community Answer

If you don't add the honey, the coffee mixture will likely drip down your face. It can also stain your skin, so you really don't want that to happen.

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Tips

While the honey helps the dye stick to your brows, some may drip off while you’re applying it. It’s best to wear an old tee shirt that you don’t mind getting stained when you dye your brows.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Use Vaseline around your eyebrows (but not on the hair itself) to make sure you don't dye accidentally stain your skin.

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Warnings

While the dye contains all-natural ingredients, there is still a chance that you could experience an allergic reaction. Do a spot test with the coffee mixture on the inside of your wrist or elbow, and wait 24 hours. If you don’t have a reaction, you should be okay to dye your brows. If you experience any itchiness, redness, swelling, or other irritation, don’t use the coffee dye.

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Things You’ll Need

Small bowl
Spoon
Spoolie or brow brush
Tweezers
Angled brow brush
Cotton swabs

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How to Dye Your Eyebrows with Coffee

Ingredients

Steps

Mixing the Coffee “Dye”

Preparing Your Brows

Dyeing Your Brows

Community Q&A

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

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References

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