There are two types of people in this world – those who are blessed with full, thick eyebrows (Cara, we’re looking at you!) and those with eyebrows that need a little help. I definitely belong to the latter group. With sparse, slow-growing and lightly coloured eyebrows, I’ve become somewhat of an unexpected expert when it comes to sharpening up non-existent brow game.
Eyebrows can be a major game changer in your makeup routine as it frames the entire face and can make you look effortlessly put together in one step. If like me, however, your eyebrows just aren’t as on point as you would like it to be, here are a few tips I’ve tried and tested over the years!
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Finding your shape
I’m a firm believer in sticking with your natural eyebrow shape, as that’s generally the outline that is most flattering for your face. Now, removal and maintenance is a personal process. In my experience, those with brows that can tend to be thick and unruly will have better luck with threading and waxing periodically. If your brows are slow to grow or are low maintenance, then you should be able to easily keep them on point with tweezing or waxing at home, or the hair removal process you find most convenient.
A general guide to finding the right shape is to follow the ball of your nose in a straight line to the front of your eyebrow – this is ideally where the brow should start. The arch generally should start at a diagonal line upwards from your iris. Finally, the tail of you eyebrow should ideally end at a diagonal line from the outer corner of your eye. The image above provides a good guide using this technique. Remember: this is just a general guide and may not work for everyone, so play around (perhaps with the help of eyebrow stencils) to find a shape that flatters you.
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Type of eyebrow product
Believe it or not, the state of your eyebrows is crucial for finding the right product to fill in and sculpt them. If you’re trying to create or exaggerate the look of fuller eyebrows, then a wax or cream product is best as they adhere to the skin better than powders, and last longer throughout the day. I cannot recommend creamy products like Loreal Super Liner Brow Artist Brow Pencil ($22.95, available from Priceline), E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit ($8, available from Kmart), or my can’t-live-without product; Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade ($15.80, available from beautybay.com) enough.
If you’re blessed with a gorgeous set of brows, a matte eyeshadow or natural brow pencil such as cult favourite Anastasia Brow Wiz ($19.70, available from beautybay.com) should work wonders at filling in sparse areas and simply evening things out.
For low-maintenance beauties or lazy days (we all have them), a tinted brow gel like Benefit’s Gimme Brow ($32, available from Myer), Maybelline’s Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara ($12.95, available from Priceline) or Australis’ Tint My Brow ($9.95, available from Priceline) are absolute lifesavers!
Colour
I, probably more than most people, understand the deep struggle in finding a brow product that matches your brow colour perfectly. Everything either seems too red, too dark or just plain wrong! A great tip from Celebrity Makeup Artist for Dior, Ricky Wilson, is to choose a taupe or ashy colour as it’s the “one universal shade that is flattering on everyone from blondes to redheads, light complexion to deeper skin tones”. And it’s true! The grey or ashy undertone of a taupe colour that is neither too warm nor too cool, as well as its medium tone makes it suit a variety of people. Remember: eyebrows should form a gradient (lightest to darkest tone) from the front to the tail of the brow for a natural ombre effect.
Images via stylefox.co, priceline.com.au, elfcosmetics.com.au, beautybay.com, myer.com.au, morangodela.com
