The lash and brow tinting guide: RefectoCil and Berrywell

Lime Light Hair & Beauty · 15 October 2026 · 10 min read

How to choose the right tint shade, mix and time it, tint safely, and add lash lifts, brow lamination and Intense Brow[n]s. A practical guide for South African therapists, brow bars and salons.

Published 15 October 2026 by Lime Light Hair & Beauty Products.

💡 The quick answer

RefectoCil (Austria, since 1930) and Berrywell augenblick (Germany) are professional, oxidative brow and lash tints, mixed with a gentle 3% developer made for the eye area.

The most popular shade is Natural Brown (No.3): half of all the tint tubes we sell, followed by Black and Blue Black.

A RefectoCil tint is mixed 1:1 with RefectoCil Oxidant 3%, developed for 5 to 10 minutes and lasts up to 6 weeks.

Always protect the skin, keep tint out of the eyes, and follow the allergy test instructions on the pack before every tint.

Go further with RefectoCil Eyelash Lift, Brow Lamination and Intense Brow[n]s for a make-up finish.

What is lash and brow tinting?

Lash and brow tinting uses a semi-permanent, oxidative colour made specifically for the delicate eye area. The tint is mixed with a low-strength (3%) developer, applied to the brows or lashes, and left to develop for a few minutes. The result is fuller, darker, more defined brows and lashes without mascara or brow pencil, and with RefectoCil it lasts up to 6 weeks. It is quick, affordable and one of the easiest services to rebook.

⚠ Use professional eye-area tints only

Never use hair colour on brows or lashes. Brow and lash tints like RefectoCil and Berrywell augenblick are made and tested for the eye area and are used with their own 3% developers.

RefectoCil or Berrywell: which tint brand should I use?

Lime Light stocks two professional tint brands. Both give reliable, long-lasting colour; many salons keep both.

RefectoCil versus Berrywell augenblick: RefectoCil made in Austria since 1930 with 8 mixable shades and Blonde Brow, lasting up to 6 weeks; Berrywell augenblick made in Germany, salon exclusive, seven colours and a gentle 3% developer

About RefectoCil

RefectoCil describes itself as the market leader in eyebrow and eyelash tints and the pioneer of brow and lash tinting since 1930. It is developed in Austria under strict standards and made at the family-run GW Cosmetics headquarters, which distributes to around 90 countries. RefectoCil Classic Colours are dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested, and a 15ml tube gives up to 30 applications. The range has grown into a complete brow and lash system: lifts, lamination, Intense Brow[n]s, tools and aftercare, backed by the RefectoCil Academy.

About Berrywell augenblick

Berrywell is a family-owned professional hair care company from Germany, a brand of TITANIA GmbH. Its products are made in Germany and sold only through salons. augenblick (German for "the moment") is Berrywell's brow and lash tint range: high-grade, long-lasting colour in seven shades, a gentle 3% developer, dermatologically approved and matched with protection pads and kits.

What RefectoCil shades are there?

RefectoCil Classic Colours come in 8 mixable shades plus Blonde Brow, a lightener for brows. Because the shades are mixable, you can create custom tones, for example Natural Brown with a touch of Black for darker brunette brows.

RefectoCil Classic Colours at Lime Light: 1 Pure Black, 1.1 Graphite, 2 Blue Black, 2.1 Deep Blue, 3 Natural Brown, 3.1 Light Brown, 4 Chestnut, 4.1 Red, Blonde Brow, Oxidant 3% Cream, eye protection papers and the Sensitive range

Shade	Best for
1 Pure Black	The most intense black, for dark hair and dramatic lashes
1.1 Graphite	A soft grey: ideal for grey or silver brows and a softer lash look
2 Blue Black	Black with a blue shimmer for intense, expressive lashes
2.1 Deep Blue	A brilliant blue for fashion lashes
3 Natural Brown	Strong, versatile brown for natural brunette brows and lashes
3.1 Light Brown	Soft, light brown for lighter hair
4 Chestnut	Brown with subtle red tones, for red or auburn hair
4.1 Red	Radiant red for daring looks, or to warm up other shades
Blonde Brow	Lightens brows: about one shade in 5 minutes and up to three shades in 20 minutes

Shade descriptions and Blonde Brow timings from refectocil.at.

What Berrywell augenblick shades are there?

Lime Light stocks the most popular augenblick shades, plus the developer, pads and a basic kit:

Berrywell augenblick at Lime Light: No.1 Black, No.2 Blue Black, No.3 Natural Brown, No.3.1 Light Brown, No.4 Graphite, Developer 3%, Eye Protection Pads and Basic Tint Kit

Black: the timeless classic, a richly intense pure black.
Blue Black: intense, shimmering black full of expression.
Natural Brown: emphasises a natural look for clients with light to dark brown hair.
Light Brown: a subtle brown that softly accents light-brown to brown brows.
Graphite: flattering on grey brows and gives the face a beautiful contour.
Developer 3%: made to match augenblick colours, with only 3% hydrogen peroxide for gentle use in the eye area.

Which tint shade suits my client?

Tint shade chooser: blonde clients light brown or graphite brows; light to mid brown natural brown; dark brown natural brown or black mix; black hair black; red hair chestnut; grey hair graphite

A good rule: brows usually look best one to two shades lighter than the lashes, and close to the client's natural hair colour. If in doubt, go lighter: you can always re-apply, but it is harder to take colour out.

Here is what South African salons buy. Natural Brown is half of all the tint tubes we sell, across both brands:

Share of RefectoCil and Berrywell tint tubes sold by Lime Light: Natural Brown 50 percent, Black 27 percent, Blue Black 18 percent, Light Brown 5 percent, all other shades about 1 percent

How do you tint brows and lashes step by step?

A brow and lash tint step by step: cleanse, protect with pads and barrier cream, mix tint and 3% developer, apply, develop for 5 to 10 minutes, tidy stains with Tint Remover

Consult and test. Check for allergies, sensitivity or eye conditions, and carry out the skin allergy test exactly as the tint instructions require before every tint.
Cleanse. Remove contact lenses and make-up, then clean the area with micellar remover and saline solution.
Protect. Place eye protection papers or silicone pads under the lashes and apply a protective barrier cream around the brows and eyes, keeping it off the hairs.
Mix. RefectoCil: mix the colour 1:1 with RefectoCil Oxidant 3% Cream or Liquid into a creamy paste (about 0.5g colour to 0.5g oxidant). Berrywell: mix augenblick with Berrywell Developer 3% as directed on the pack. Mix fresh for every client.
Apply. Brows first, then lashes from root to tip, with the client's eyes closed.
Develop. RefectoCil: leave on for 5 to 10 minutes (less after Blonde Brow or a lash lift). Follow the pack timing for augenblick.
Remove with damp cotton pads and clear water, from the inside of the eye outwards.
Tidy any stains on the skin with Tint Remover, and brush the brows into shape.

⚠ Safety first

Keep tint and developer out of the eyes. If product gets into the eye, rinse immediately with plenty of water.

Do not tint over broken or irritated skin, or if the client reacted to a previous tint.

Do not use RefectoCil Care Balm within 24 hours after tinting: its oils can affect the colour.

What is a lash lift and brow lamination?

Lash lifts and brow lamination reshape the hairs semi-permanently, and pair perfectly with a tint. RefectoCil's keratin formulas work in a few minutes:

RefectoCil Eyelash Lift Kit Classic and Ultra, Brow Lamination Kit, Perm and Neutralizer, Styling Glue, Silicone Pads, Styling Gel and Care Balm

Treatment	What it does	Timing (RefectoCil)
Eyelash Lift Classic	A natural, curved, voluminous lift	Perm 6 min, Neutralizer 4 min, optional tint 2 min. Lasts up to 6 weeks
Eyelash Lift Ultra	A strong, almost straight-up lift	Perm 6 min, Neutralizer 4 min, optional tint 2 min. Lasts up to 6 weeks
Brow Lamination	Fixes brows in any shape for a fuller, brushed-up look	About 10 minutes in total. Brows can be tinted straight after

From refectocil.at product instructions. Always follow the full instructions in the kit.

What is RefectoCil Intense Brow[n]s?

Intense Brow[n]s is a 2-step tinting system that stains the skin as well as the hair, for a make-up effect that fills gaps and corrects the shape, from natural ombré brows to intense looks, lasting up to 6 weeks. Apply the optional Intensifying Primer (4 minutes, then 4 minutes to dry), then the Base Gel in your shade (2 minutes), map the shape with the Brow Mapper, and finish with the Activator Gel (1 minute).

RefectoCil Intense Brow[n]s: Intensifying Primer, Base Gel Ash Brown, Chocolate Brown, Deep Brown and Black Brown, Activator Gel, Brow Mapper and Browista Toolkit

RefectoCil prep and clean-up: Tint Remover, Sensitive Tint Remover, Micellar Eye Make-up Remover and Saline Solution

How long does a lash and brow tint last?

RefectoCil says its tints last up to 6 weeks. In practice, lash tints usually last until the lashes shed naturally, and brow tints fade sooner on the skin, so most clients rebook every 4 to 6 weeks. Oil-based cleansers, exfoliation and sun can make colour fade faster.

When do salons sell the most tint?

Lime Light lash and brow sales by month: November was more than double the March to October average, September was 37 percent above

November is by far the busiest month for brows and lashes: last year our lash and brow sales were more than double the usual monthly level as clients got ready for year-end events. Stock up on Natural Brown, Black and developer by the end of October.

Brow and lash starter checklist

✓	Item	Why you need it
☐	Tints	Natural Brown, Black and Blue Black first, then Light Brown and Graphite
☐	Developer	RefectoCil Oxidant 3% or Berrywell Developer 3%
☐	Protection	Eye protection papers or pads, silicone pads and barrier cream
☐	Prep	Micellar remover and saline solution
☐	Tools	Mixing dishes, brushes and applicators
☐	Clean-up	Tint Remover (and Sensitive Tint Remover)
☐	Upsells	Lash Lift kit, Brow Lamination kit, Intense Brow[n]s, Brow Mapper
☐	Aftercare	Care Balm and Styling Gel to retail

Why buy RefectoCil and Berrywell from Lime Light?

Both brands, one account: RefectoCil and Berrywell augenblick at trade prices, alongside Depilève waxing, ANESI LAB skincare and salon essentials.
The full RefectoCil range: tints, oxidants, lifts, lamination, Intense Brow[n]s, tools and aftercare.
Branches: the Lime Light Super Store in Sandton and our branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, plus online ordering.
Training: Lime Light runs free professional training sessions with brand educators. Ask your branch about brow and lash sessions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use hair dye on my eyebrows or eyelashes?

No. Only use tints made and tested for the eye area, like RefectoCil or Berrywell augenblick, with their own 3% developer.

What is the most popular brow tint colour?

Natural Brown (No.3). It accounts for half of the tint tubes Lime Light sells, followed by Black and Blue Black.

How do you mix RefectoCil tint?

Mix the colour 1:1 with RefectoCil Oxidant 3% Cream or Liquid into a creamy paste, about 0.5g of each, and apply straight away.

How long do you leave RefectoCil tint on?

Usually 5 to 10 minutes. It is shorter after Blonde Brow, and about 2 minutes when tinting during a lash lift.

How long does a lash and brow tint last?

RefectoCil tints last up to 6 weeks. Most clients rebook every 4 to 6 weeks.

What is the difference between RefectoCil and Berrywell?

RefectoCil is an Austrian brand making brow and lash tints since 1930, with 8 mixable shades and a full lift, lamination and Intense Brow[n]s system. Berrywell augenblick is a German salon-exclusive tint range with seven shades and a gentle 3% developer.

What tint colour suits blonde hair?

Light Brown or Graphite for brows, and Natural Brown or Graphite for lashes. Use Blue Black or Black for a more dramatic lash.

What is the difference between a lash lift and a lash tint?

A lash tint darkens the lashes. A lash lift curls and lifts them. They are often done together: RefectoCil lashes can be tinted on the lift pads for 2 minutes.

How do I remove tint stains from the skin?

Use RefectoCil Tint Remover, or Sensitive Tint Remover for delicate skin, as soon as possible after tinting.

Where can I buy RefectoCil and Berrywell in South Africa?

Online at limelighthb.co.za, at the Lime Light Super Store in Sandton, and at our branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Shop brows and lashes at Lime Light

Shop online: limelighthb.co.za, under Beauty: Lashes and Brows, and Beauty Brands: RefectoCil and Berrywell
Visit the Super Store: Block B, Tripark, 17 Eastern Service Road, Kelvin, Sandton, the largest showroom of its kind in South Africa for dedicated wholesale hair and beauty products
Open a trade account: visit our website and hit register, fill in the details and we will approve your account
Call us: 011 262 2451 | Email: online@limelighthb.co.za

#berrywell #refectocil #hair colour #blonde hair #beauty #brows and lashes #training

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