If the eyes are the window to the soul, then it stands to reason that the eyebrows are the frame of the window. And a great frame enhances without drawing attention to itself.
Eyebrows are incredibly important to the finished face, even though they should play a supporting role to the eyes. The brows direct the attention to the eyes by creating a visual boundary. It’s important to follow the natural shape as much as possible and remember subtlety is key.
My friend Karla has beautiful eyes that are enhanced by shaping her brows. Take a look at the before and after. The only difference is that her brows are finished in the second shot, but notice how different she looks.
So how do you get your brows to look their best? Whether you go to a professional or do it yourself, you need to know the basics of great brows. So follow along as I take Karla’s brows from fly-away to fabulous.
First I determine the parameters of the brows.
Using a pencil, imagine a line from the outer corner of the nose to the inner corner of the eye—this is where the brow should start. Take the same line to the outer corner of the eye and this is where the brow should end. The arch should be just above the outer edge of the iris of the eye. (Tip: I use a white pencil to mark these measurements.)
Once the parameters are determined, I use the same white pencil to connect and create the shape of the brow. This gives me a guide as to what to keep and what to tweeze.
Having the right tools makes all the difference in the world. My favorite tweezers are made by Tweezerman. I have been using Tweezerman slant tweezers for the last 22 years. (I have one pair that I have had that long!) These tweezers have a lifetime guarantee and the company has a free sharpening policy. Most definitely worth the price!
I like tweezing over waxing because it’s more precise, and when I am creating a perfect brow, each and every hair makes a difference. I tweeze one hair at a time in the direction the hair naturally grows, and I wipe my tweezers on a tissue so they are more efficient at grabbing individual hairs. Don’t try to get a bunch at a time (Think quality, not quantity).
Once all the extra hairs have been removed, I blend in my guideline (white pencil), which also camouflages and reduces redness.
Lastly, I fill in any gaps using an angle brush and a powdered shadow that perfectly matches the color of the brows (if in doubt, choose a lighter rather than a darker color). To finish the brows and keep them in place, finish by grooming with a clear brow gel, brushing up and out.
Great brows take a little time in the beginning, but once you create the most flattering shape for your eyes, the maintenance is minimal.
