Brows under construction
Author: Joanna, Spa & Communications Director
Eyebrows-- like most fashion & beauty over the years -- have gone through trendy phases.
If you're like me, you've seen many trends come and go. And just like the days of Acid Wash Jeans and Bell Bottoms-- there are some trends that require some recovery time.
In this case-- my eyebrows needed some rehabilitation.
Lets start with the back story:
I was in middle school in the early 2000s-- the age of the ultra-thin, over plucked eyebrow.
Then, in High School, in the mid-2000s-- SOMEONE realized they could shape your brows to look like you were in a constant state of shock! (I played Volleyball across the net from some extremely shocked people over these years. This and the "Skunk" Hairstyle -- dark on the bottom, blond on the top so when you wore a ponytail... instant SKUNK-- were all the rage.)
While I never took these trends to the extreme -- I certainly let these over-plucked, over-shaped brows determine my idea of a beautiful brow. Little did I know, I would pay the price one day.
Fast Forward to now: 2016. And the biggest beauty trend of the time: Thick, Full Eyebrows.
Whats a girl to do?
As many of you learned-- as I did-- plucking and shaping your brows can have a lasting impact.
After years of plucking, waxing, shaping, threading... my brows were in terrible shape.
Sparse... uneven... and just generally a pain in the rear.
So, thanks to the Internet and some fabulous articles on some of my favorite beauty sites-- I think I have managed to get my brows back to beautiful. And I thought I could share a little of my adventure:
I started by reading this: Resurrecting Your Eyebrows
While its not perfect-- it definitely has some great ideas.
1) Brow Rehab- If you are unhappy with your eyebrows... PUT DOWN THE TWEEZERS!
This is the hardest part-- as many people know, once you start tweezing its so terribly hard to stop. But put down the tweezers, cancel your eyebrow wax, and avoid the threading place at the mall. Not forever. But for the longest 2-3 months of your life! (I kid you not!)
Think of it as hitting the *refresh* button on your brows. Erase years of mistakes and mishaps by just letting them grow for a little while. This allows you to remember what the natural shape of your eyebrow should look like. Everyone has a different set of eyebrows on purpose-- they're made to frame YOUR face, so not everyone is going to look perfect with the same shape.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: I failed this part. Twice. I kept looking in the mirror and thinking someone would mistake me for Burt from Sesame Street. But it really is best if you just hide your tweezers for awhile and let nature do a little correcting. *DONT GET ME WRONG!* If your unibrow starts coming in, or there is a stray hair on your forehead that is OBVIOUSLY not going to make a difference with your EYEBROWS-- go ahead. pluck it. pluck away! But stay away from those brows and try to give them a little break.
2) Let the Professionals Work
I don't die my own hair and I don't fill my own cavities. DON'T do your own eyebrows--- at least not at first!
Let the professionals step in and teach you what you should be doing at home. And make sure you're clear with them as to the shape and style you're looking for. It's best to schedule with someone who is conservative with brows because they will start small-- and will take time to enhance the natural shape of your brows.
3) To tint, or not to tint?
If your brows are light or sparse-looking-- a great solution is tinting. Hands down! it is the best way to add fullness and definition to anyone whos brows are looking a little "lack-luster."
DO NOT (however) have your hairstylist put that extra hair dye on your brows at your next appointment. 1) Those dyes are NOT skin safe and 2) You will likely be unhappy with the results because they will not look as natural and will not fade as subtly over time. If you're going to do it, do it right.
4) Find the Perfect Product
Whether you decide to tint or not... almost everyone has to use some type of product on their brows daily. It might be just to hold them in place all day, or just to add a little extra definition-- but in the brow obsessed world we live in today there is a mountain of products to try and chose from.
Brow Gels. Powders. Pencil Liners. Oh My!
While all professionals have their preferences -- I'm not actually going to make a product recommendation for you. SHOCKING! I know! But to each their own. Ask some friends. Ask a makeup artist. Try some for yourself. Brow products are just as important as any moisturizer, foundation or lipstick so its important to get a product your comfortable with and can use every single day. If you don't like the way it works or the way it looks then you wont use it.
My only suggestion: start small and subtle. If you walk in to work tomorrow with thick, black eyebrows, I promise more than one person will shoot you an odd stare at the water cooler.
*For a Breakdown on some of this years HOTTEST Brow Products, Check out this article from Cosmo!
Last but not least...
5) Treat them well.
Just like the hair on your head gets damaged-- so do your eyebrows-- so make sure to take extra care. Use a little coconut oil on them a few times a week, try not to use harsh chemicals or peels on or around your eyebrow area, and find a good "conditioner" for your lashes & eyebrows to keep them long, healthy, and thick. I definitely recommend jane iredale's Lash Conditioner to ANYONE interested in keeping healthy lashes and brows. Just brush on a little before bed and you'll be amazed at the results over time.
Eyebrows involve some time and maintenance but they are so very rewarding for a finished, flawless face every time!
Good Luck!
Eyebrows-- like most fashion & beauty over the years -- have gone through trendy phases.
If you're like me, you've seen many trends come and go. And just like the days of Acid Wash Jeans and Bell Bottoms-- there are some trends that require some recovery time.
In this case-- my eyebrows needed some rehabilitation.
Lets start with the back story:
I was in middle school in the early 2000s-- the age of the ultra-thin, over plucked eyebrow.
Then, in High School, in the mid-2000s-- SOMEONE realized they could shape your brows to look like you were in a constant state of shock! (I played Volleyball across the net from some extremely shocked people over these years. This and the "Skunk" Hairstyle -- dark on the bottom, blond on the top so when you wore a ponytail... instant SKUNK-- were all the rage.)
While I never took these trends to the extreme -- I certainly let these over-plucked, over-shaped brows determine my idea of a beautiful brow. Little did I know, I would pay the price one day.
Fast Forward to now: 2016. And the biggest beauty trend of the time: Thick, Full Eyebrows.
Whats a girl to do?
As many of you learned-- as I did-- plucking and shaping your brows can have a lasting impact.
After years of plucking, waxing, shaping, threading... my brows were in terrible shape.
Sparse... uneven... and just generally a pain in the rear.
So, thanks to the Internet and some fabulous articles on some of my favorite beauty sites-- I think I have managed to get my brows back to beautiful. And I thought I could share a little of my adventure:
I started by reading this: Resurrecting Your Eyebrows
While its not perfect-- it definitely has some great ideas.
1) Brow Rehab- If you are unhappy with your eyebrows... PUT DOWN THE TWEEZERS!
This is the hardest part-- as many people know, once you start tweezing its so terribly hard to stop. But put down the tweezers, cancel your eyebrow wax, and avoid the threading place at the mall. Not forever. But for the longest 2-3 months of your life! (I kid you not!)
Think of it as hitting the *refresh* button on your brows. Erase years of mistakes and mishaps by just letting them grow for a little while. This allows you to remember what the natural shape of your eyebrow should look like. Everyone has a different set of eyebrows on purpose-- they're made to frame YOUR face, so not everyone is going to look perfect with the same shape.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: I failed this part. Twice. I kept looking in the mirror and thinking someone would mistake me for Burt from Sesame Street. But it really is best if you just hide your tweezers for awhile and let nature do a little correcting. *DONT GET ME WRONG!* If your unibrow starts coming in, or there is a stray hair on your forehead that is OBVIOUSLY not going to make a difference with your EYEBROWS-- go ahead. pluck it. pluck away! But stay away from those brows and try to give them a little break.
2) Let the Professionals Work
I don't die my own hair and I don't fill my own cavities. DON'T do your own eyebrows--- at least not at first!
Let the professionals step in and teach you what you should be doing at home. And make sure you're clear with them as to the shape and style you're looking for. It's best to schedule with someone who is conservative with brows because they will start small-- and will take time to enhance the natural shape of your brows.
3) To tint, or not to tint?
If your brows are light or sparse-looking-- a great solution is tinting. Hands down! it is the best way to add fullness and definition to anyone whos brows are looking a little "lack-luster."
DO NOT (however) have your hairstylist put that extra hair dye on your brows at your next appointment. 1) Those dyes are NOT skin safe and 2) You will likely be unhappy with the results because they will not look as natural and will not fade as subtly over time. If you're going to do it, do it right.
4) Find the Perfect Product
Whether you decide to tint or not... almost everyone has to use some type of product on their brows daily. It might be just to hold them in place all day, or just to add a little extra definition-- but in the brow obsessed world we live in today there is a mountain of products to try and chose from.
Brow Gels. Powders. Pencil Liners. Oh My!
While all professionals have their preferences -- I'm not actually going to make a product recommendation for you. SHOCKING! I know! But to each their own. Ask some friends. Ask a makeup artist. Try some for yourself. Brow products are just as important as any moisturizer, foundation or lipstick so its important to get a product your comfortable with and can use every single day. If you don't like the way it works or the way it looks then you wont use it.
My only suggestion: start small and subtle. If you walk in to work tomorrow with thick, black eyebrows, I promise more than one person will shoot you an odd stare at the water cooler.
*For a Breakdown on some of this years HOTTEST Brow Products, Check out this article from Cosmo!
Last but not least...
5) Treat them well.
Just like the hair on your head gets damaged-- so do your eyebrows-- so make sure to take extra care. Use a little coconut oil on them a few times a week, try not to use harsh chemicals or peels on or around your eyebrow area, and find a good "conditioner" for your lashes & eyebrows to keep them long, healthy, and thick. I definitely recommend jane iredale's Lash Conditioner to ANYONE interested in keeping healthy lashes and brows. Just brush on a little before bed and you'll be amazed at the results over time.
Eyebrows involve some time and maintenance but they are so very rewarding for a finished, flawless face every time!
Good Luck!