My Honest Review of This Budget-Friendly Eyebrow Dye

Hello everyone!

I've been through the wringer with my eyebrows. Over-tweezing, microblading, permanent makeup, and frequent brow bar visits were all part of my past. But when COVID hit, and lockdowns started, I had a lot of time on my hands, and I decided to give this eyebrow dye a try. I'm glad I did, because it's been a game-changer for me.

Getting My Hands on It

I bought this dye from a local beauty store, Ozon, and VB, so getting it wasn't a hassle at all. The price was 383₽ at the time of writing this review. I was a bit skeptical about buying a product online, but the packaging and the product itself looked professional, and I was excited to try it out.

The Kit

The dye comes in a 50ml bottle, with 30ml of developer. There are 4 colors in the palette (black, graphite, blackest black, and brown). I chose the brown one. The packaging is simple, yet effective. The cardboard box is sturdy, and the aluminum tube is well-designed, making it easy to apply the dye.

Where It's Made

The product is made in Russia. I was a bit concerned about the quality of the product, but after using it, I was pleasantly surprised.

About the Formula

I was initially skeptical about the 'Only Looks' formula, but it's actually a clever system. It consists of a coloring base and an oxidant that you mix in a 3:1 ratio right before applying it. The kit includes a tube of cream-colored dye, a 50ml bottle of developing emulsion, a 30ml mixing cup, an applicator, and instructions.

The developing emulsion contains hydrogen peroxide, so be careful. I've read that some people can have a severe allergic reaction to this product, so make sure to do a patch test before using it. The color lasts for around 3-4 weeks. One bottle can be used multiple times for up to a year, which is great value for money.

What's in the Kit

The entire kit comes in a cardboard box. I've kept it there until the last minute to make sure I don't lose anything. The box color matches the shade of the actual ink. The kit includes: 50ml of ink, a 6% developer (30ml), a mixing stick, a plastic container, and a detailed instruction manual.

The ink is stored in an aluminum tube, the nozzle is sealed, and it's easy to open with a cap.Over time, the container gets severely damaged, with creases, holes, and the ink starts to darken and change texture - that's when I know it's time to buy a new one.The 6% developer is in a soft plastic container with a narrow nozzle and a screw-top lid. The mixing stick is also meant for application, but it's not very convenient for applying the ink, so I only use it to mix the ink with the oxidizer. The plastic container is convenient, and that's where I mix my concoctions. My Experience

The paint is a beautiful, creamy shade, but as it dries, it starts to darken a bit. The smell is almost nonexistent.

The emulsion is a bit more runny, with a pale color and a noticeable smell - but not overpowering. Application

When I'm getting ready to dye my lashes and brows, I make sure they're squeaky clean. I'm talking totally free of any makeup or oils. To avoid staining my skin, I apply a tiny bit of petroleum jelly around my eyes and brows before applying the dye mixture. I wipe off any excess with a cotton swab. Under my lashes, I place a strip of paper to protect my skin from any stray dye.

Next, I mix the dye according to the instructions. I fill the applicator bottle to the halfway mark with the dye powder, add 8-10 drops of developer, and stir until the mixture is smooth.

Now, I carefully apply the dye to my lashes and brows, making sure not to get any on my skin. I use a spoolie to coat my lashes evenly.

The waiting game begins! I leave the dye on for at least 10-15 minutes. If I have grey brows, I'll leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Keep in mind that the final color might be different from what you see in the bottle.

For a more intense color, I can reapply the dye mixture for another 5-10 minutes.

After the dye has done its magic, I wash off any remaining color with soap and water. The next day, I use a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover dye.

One thing I do differently is choose a darker shade for my lashes than my brows. I find that brown or charcoal works well for my brows, while black or dark brown is perfect for my lashes.

Honestly, I don't always follow the manufacturer's instructions. I mix the dye in a separate container and skip the petroleum jelly. Before dyeing, I give my face a quick wash with a cleanser, and if my brows are feeling dry, I exfoliate them lightly.

Then I mix the colors: I scoop out a grain of paint and squeeze out the developer in a 1:1 ratio, and I mix everything together right away without waiting for the color to develop, and I apply it to my brows immediately. I don't draw any templates or measure out perfect symmetry - I just apply the paint in the shape of my brows or the shape of my old permanent (which is actually my reference point). I use a slanted brow brush to apply the paint. If I mess up somewhere, I clean it up with cotton swabs as I go. I paint my brows, wait a few minutes, and then wipe off the paint at the base to get a smooth transition. I wait 15 minutes and then wipe off the paint with a cotton pad soaked in water. Occasionally, I double up the paint on the tip to get a slightly darker color. As for my eyelashes, I only use this paint on them very rarely. To be honest, it's not very convenient, and the results don't quite live up to my expectations. Maybe it's because the color isn't dark enough for my eyebrows, but even on my eyebrows, the color doesn't last very long.

This shows how well the product stains my eyebrows and the results afterThere's always enough product left over that I can go and dye my neighbor's eyebrows too, haha! My ImpressionsOn the first day, my eyebrows look pretty vibrant, especially if I leave the dye on for a bit too long. But by the next day, it's back to normal.

I like that the dye stays on my skin for a while. It gradually fades off, and for about 10 more days, the color stays on my hair, getting lighter each day.

The color, in my opinion, is universal and would suit most girls. Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of this dye for me is that I can dye my eyebrows whenever it's convenient for me, without having to book an appointment with a brow specialist.

One thing I love about this eyebrow dye is that it's super easy to use - no special skills required, and you can get a decent result at home. The color's not super long-lasting, though: on my skin, it lasts a few days, but on my eyebrows, it's good for up to 10 days.

My only real complaint is that if you leave it on for too long, your eyebrows can end up looking way too dark. But I guess that's true with any dye, so just set a timer or deal with it - the color comes off pretty easily. Also, the aluminum tube isn't the most convenient thing in the world - it gets all bent out of shape over time, and the dye starts to leak out. But honestly, considering how cheap this stuff is, it's not really worth complaining about.

The Verdict

I've been using this eyebrow dye for years now, and I'm pretty happy with the results.

I'm sure the pros will have a field day reading this review - they'll find all sorts of things wrong with my technique and laugh at my not-so-perfect results. But honestly, I'm happy with how my eyebrows look. After years of using this dye, they've never fallen out, dried out, or done anything else bad - they just keep on living their best lives.

The one thing you do need to do is get the shape right, or you'll end up with eyebrows that look like they're trying to draw on a few zits or something. I mean, it's definitely worth going to a pro for the first time to get the shape just right - they can create a look that's tailored to your face type. I just use my old permanent makeup as a reference point, though.

I'd definitely recommend this dye, and thanks for reading!