You Might Have To Say 'Goodbye' To Eyelash And Eyebrow Tinting Forever

Being born with blonde eyelashes or brows is something of a dilemma. Without any mascara or brow gel, you'll look a lot like Rufus the naked mole rat from "Kim Possible." But, you're also stuck applying goop to your face every day in order to be considered socially acceptable.

Because of the annoyance of endless trips to Sephora, many platinum ladies choose semipermanent options, like getting their lashes and brows tinted at a salon. In unfortunate and mildly horrifying news, however, Refinery29 reminds us that absolutely no dyes for the process have ever been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In California, in fact, possessing any kind of dye will land you a fat fine and a citation. Eyebrow tinting means gambling with your own health.

The real issue is that dying your lashes with an unsafe product could leave you totally blind. And, if that doesn't happen, you're still running the risk of inflammation or irritation of the eyelid. Scared, yet? This isn't like getting a $10 manicure at the mall.

The FDA has even had an import warning on tints that contain unsafe coal-tar dyes since 2011, adding,

The products are believed to be widely distributed in the United states, although they probably are not sold for direct use by consumers, but rather sold to and used in beauty salons. Before use, the products are mixed with hydrogen peroxide and applied by a beautician to the eyelashes with a cotton swab... Products listed in the attachment represented an acute, severe hazard to health with the possibility of permanent injury; i.e., impaired sight, including blindness.

According to Refinery29, there's an ongoing campaign to get lash and brow tints banned totally. Until that happens, however, stay safe, stick to mascara and don't sneeze while curling your eyelashes. Trust me, you'll live to regret that move.

Citations: Eyebrow- & Lash-Tinting Might Become Illegal In The U.S. (Refinery29)