How To Fix Your Eyebrows When You’ve Completely Ruined Them

In search of the perfect arches, we’ve been known to accidentally bleach them a little too light, dye them too dark, overpluck them or completely ruin their shape. The good news is we’ve learned from our mistakes and we’re sharing our best tricks for making those faux pas look like they never happened. Ahead, how to reinvent your destroyed brows—they are front and center, after all.

Read more: How To Fix Cakey Makeup In 9 Easy Steps

Brow Down

Dye Them With Beard Dye

Stuck with yellow brows? This is where you call in the big guns. Beard dye is meant to color thick, coarse hair. For the perfect tint, outline your brows with a layer of Vaseline to prevent unsightly stains. Apply the product with an eyeliner brush or a wooden stick for more control.

To get even color on both sides, do one at a time. Quickly and carefully apply the solution to one side, set a timer, then wipe it off. Repeat on the other side in the same order. Wipe off the product completely with a damp towel, then wash your face just in case you left anything behind. Any residue will continue to develop (making your brows darker).

Fill Them In

It's always easier to darken than to fix a bad dye job. Use a waterproof brow pomade to pack on the color. Follow the natural shape of your arches and comb out with a spooley brush to get a believable shade.

Shampoo Your Brows

Before you freak out, remember it's possible your brows are lighter than you think. Oftentimes, the skin under your brows is stained. When this happens, break out the clarifying shampoo, which is made to strip residue buildup from your scalp and will work wonders for your problem. Brush through the shampoo with an eyebrow brush or old toothbrush, leave on for 60 seconds, then wash out.

If that doesn't do the trick, combine baking soda with your shampoo in an even ratio to create a thick paste. Apply a thick layer and let it work its magic for a few minutes. Scrub, then rinse. Problem solved!

Tone Them With Brow Gel

If you can't get them to lighten, find a tinted brow gel in a shade or two lighter to tone them and create the illusion of lighter hair. Also remember, they'll lighten naturally in a week so don't panic too much.

Speed Up The Growing Process

The only way to really fix overplucked brows is to grow them out. But there are a couple of ways to speed up the process. Use a brow serum that promises to make your arches grow faster and thicker, or take the natural route and apply castor oil to those bad boys. Even Kourtney Kardashian swears by this remedy for thicker, longer lashes.

Fake Fuller Brows

When in doubt (even for naturally thin brows), use a volumizing fiber brow gel to create the illusion of naturally thicker, fuller brows. These formulas are packed with microscopic fibers that work as extensions on thin, short hairs. To get the maximum amount of volume, start by brushing hairs in the opposite direction, then groom them back into place.

Stencil Them Back

Brow stencils can be intimidating, but they can save you when you've lost control of your shape. Pick a stencil that best fits your original shape and use a dark shadow or brow powder to fill it in—this will give you a chance to preview before committing. Clean up any areas that feel off, then go back with a pomade or brow pencil to create hair-like strokes over the guide you created. How does it feel to look like your old self again?