Eyebrows On Fleek {part two}

In my last post, I blogged about waxing eyebrows. Some find it difficult and somewhat overwhelming so I didn't want to give more information than was absolutely necessary. However, there is so much more to great eyebrows than just waxing them!

Everyone is different and everyone is beautiful. We just have different ideas of what that means. Some people{like Me} won't leave the house without makeup on and some can't be bothered. Whatever your position is on this, you're reading my blog so you I'm guessing you like a groomed brow or you're looking to improve the appearance of yours.

One important lesson I learned in esthetics school is that if your skin is at it's healthiest and your brows are properly groomed, you don't need {as much} makeup. It's not an accident that there are shirts and bumper stickers out there donning the phrase, "I Woke Up Like This". Unfortunately, as we get older and are exposed to free radicals, pollution, the sun, etc. we start to lose that youthful look. And let's be honest, isn't that what we are really looking for? To look as good as we did in our 20's.

No two sets of eyebrow are the same. Everyone's eyes are set different widths apart, they may tilt up or down, are more round or almond shaped. But one thing is for sure, they are the focal point of our faces. Our eyebrows frame our eyes and can make an incredible difference in our appearance.

Let's say that you read my previous post and you tried your hand at waxing. How do your eyebrows look? Do you wish they were thinner, wider, darker, lighter, extended further out, you like the shape but the brows seem like they aren't full enough.  Let's address these issues:

1. "I waxed my brows but they are still too thick". 

     First, do not wax again for a about a week. Waxing is a form of exfoliation and you have removed the surface layer of skin. Try tweezing just a few hairs. Start below the arch and go from there.  It can take a few tries to get the shape you want.

2. "I waxed and now my brows are too thin".
   
     It could be that your brows were so thick that you aren't used to the new shape. Live with it for a day or two and see if you get compliments. I find people always compliment me on my appearance when I least expect it. I love my hair smooth and my husband always says I look great when it's curly.

If in fact, you just took off too much, don't worry, they should fill back in after a couple of weeks. However, in the meanwhile, what do you do? There are so many different products on the market for filling in/creating brows that it can be overwhelming. I think it depends greatly on your makeup style and your hair color. If you wear no makeup at all, I recommend using a stiff angled makeup brush and eyeshadow to fill them in. I like to wet the brush, dip it in the eyeshadow {use a color that matches or is a shade darker than your eyebrows} and gently create the shape you want. If you wear a full face of makeup everyday and feel confident with your technique, go ahead and fill them in with a brow pencil. Make sure its very sharp and draw individual hairs. You can blend with a sponge tip or cotton swab for a more subtle look.

3. "I waxed and I love the shape but my eyebrows are too light".

     There are hair dyes you can purchase at a beauty supply store but you'll probably spend $30-$40 for a kit. Don't bother. Go straight to your local pharmacy, Walmart or Target and pick up a box of hair color in a shade you like. I bought a box the other day for $3.49 and I'll get many uses out of it. Generally, these boxes come with two bottles, the color and the developer. The instructions tell you to pour one bottle into the other to activate the chemicals. Once they are mixed, they cannot be stored and you must discard them. I measured the contents from two different brands and found that they come with equal amounts of color and developer. So, instead of mixing the entire bottles, I pour 1tsp. of each together into a small shot glass that has kitchen measurements up the side, replace the caps on the bottles and save them for the next time. This will be more than enough to do your brows. Mix with a cotton swab and you're ready to go! I have a stiff angled makeup brush that I picked up in the checkout line at Old Navy that I love. Dip the brush into the color and draw the perfect brows right over what you just created. Our faces are covered in a light colored, fine sort of peach fuzz. When you color your brows, this hair is also colored and helps to define your brow shape. Leave the color on for a few minutes, wipe off with a wet paper towel {you'll stain your wash cloth if you use it for this} then wash away with warm water and your facial cleanser. Wipe dry and decide if they are dark enough. You can repeat this as many times as you need to. Make note of the total time so that you can just do it once next time.

I have pretty full brows and they are dark but as I've aged, I've found coarse white hairs randomly popping up. I used to tweeze them out but there are many now so I color them.

4. "I waxed my brows and I love the shape but they are too dark".

     Many women lighten their hair but don't think about their eyebrows. Some love the look of dark brows with light hair. But, if that's not for you, lighten your brows too! I would recommend speaking to your hairstylist about this. He or she can do this for you while you're having your hair done.  It's pretty risky working with hair bleach at home {unless you are used to bleaching your hair yourself}. I know dark hair can turn red or orange with certain products. If you're at the salon, you're sure to leave with a job well done.

5. "I waxed my brows but they don't extend out as far as I would like"

     A fraction of a centimeter can make a big difference in the appearance of your brows. After applying your makeup, use your angled brush to apply a touch of eyeshadow or brow powder {matching or darker than your hair}.  Start in the brow and drag the brush in an outward motion.

You Can Do It!

Eyebrows On Fleek {part one}

One of my superpowers is that I'm a licensed Esthetician. As a stay at home mom that means two things:

1. I can shop at the Beauty Supply Store for my friends and family at
    wholesale prices.

2. I can wax eyebrows like nobody's business. 

The last time I groomed my 13 year old's brows she said, "Eyebrows on fleek Mom!" I gave myself a virtual high-five and turned to Urban Dictionary. Luckily, this was the compliment I thought it was.

I have two teenage daughters which means three sets of brows that need constant grooming. Most of my skills were learned at the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics, but practice makes perfect so you too can create your own version of waxing perfection. It just takes a little time to develop your technique. Besides, it's just hair. It'll grow back ;)

You can purchase all the supplies you need at a retail beauty supply store such as Sally or at a big box store like Walmart. There are various products available for personal waxing. I prefer to use honey wax that is removed using cloth strips.

{Warmer with can of wax inserted.
This one has a drip guard}

{Gather all of your supplies and get ready to wax!}

 Here's what you'll need:

Facial Cleanser
Wax
Wax Warmer {unless you buy microwaveable wax}

Baby Powder
Cloth Strips and scissors to cut to size
Applicators
Moisturizer or Olive Oil
Tweezers

1. Cleanse the area to be waxed with a gentle facial cleanser. 

2. Apply a small amount of baby powder on the area to be waxed. This
    absorbs any moisture and oil on the skin and allows the wax to adhere
    to the hair. 

3. Apply wax in one long stroke in the direction of hair growth. I use a
    tongue depressor broken in half lengthwise. 

4. Cover with a cloth strip, press firmly and rub in an outward motion.
    {remember, any hairs with wax on them will be removed!} 

5. Hold skin taut and QUICKLY pull the cloth strip back on itself in the
    opposite direction of hair growth. 

6. Apply pressure to the area. This helps control the pain. If you tend to
    have sensitive skin, apply a small amount of hydrocortisone cream to
    the area. 

Any wax residue left over can be removed by applying a gentle
moisturizer or olive oil and gently rubbing until the wax is dissolved. Cream wax removers are also available but I find them an unnecessary purchase. Also use this method if you get wax in your eyebrow. 

No matter how good you get at waxing, there are bound to be stray hairs left behind. Use your tweezers to take care of them. Grab the hairs as close to the skin as you can and tweeze in the direction of growth.

By the way...you never pluck a brow. Chickens are plucked, brows are tweezed!

{NEVER WAX SKIN THAT IS BEING TREATED WITH 

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS!!! }

You Can Do It!

Thanksgiving Dinner Cupcakes

One of my obsessions is cupcakes. Another is food that looks like it's really something else. 

I came up with this idea one day while I was making cupcakes for my daughter's birthday and I ran out of the decorations I was using. I ended up with three cupcakes frosted in plain white buttercream. I kept thinking they looked like a mound of whipped potatoes so I experimented and ended up with these. Since, she's asked me to make them for 3 occasions. They are always a hit!

Make whatever flavor cupcakes you love! Frost 2/3 of them with white buttercream or any other white frosting. You will want to tint the frosting for your peas green. I usually put 1/3 of the frosting in a separate bowl and add a few drops of green food coloring.

Shopping List:

White Frosting

Green Food Coloring
Waxed Paper

Graham Crackers or Vanilla Wafers

White Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers

Poppy Seeds

Yellow Starburst Candies

Runts Green and Orange Candies

For the Turkey Drumsticks:

1. Crush graham crackers or vanilla wafers and roll the frosted cupcake tops in the crumbs.
2. Melt white chocolate chips or melting wafers in the microwave. Carefully {it will be hot}, pour into a plastic baggie and snip off one corner. While the chocolate is still warm and melty, "draw" the drumstick on waxed paper. {I place the waxed paper on a cookie sheet before starting for easy transport to the fridge}

3. Once the chocolate has hardened, gently peel off the waxed paper and push the bone into the top of the cupcake at an angle.

For the Whipped Potatoes:
1. Sprinkle tops of cupcakes with poppy seeds.
2. Unwrap several yellow Starburst Candies and place on a plate on top of a piece of waxed paper. Heat for just a few seconds. This is a little tricky the first couple of times. You may lose a few in the process. If heated too long, the candy bubbles and makes a mess. If you do more than one at a time, they tend to run together. You just want it warm. Once the candy starts to melt and lose it's shape {looks like melting butter}, place it in the freezer to cool. Once firm, peel off waxed paper and place on top of cupcake.

I've also used caramel or butterscotch sundae topping in place of the butter. It looks just like gravy!

For the Peas and Carrots:

1. Mix your green frosting and top the remaining 1/3 of your cupcakes. 

2. Top with green and orange Runts candies. 

I buy the Runts at the Dollar Store. Usually three boxes will be enough to cover 6 cupcakes with green and orange. I use more peas than carrots because I like the way they look. 

If you have any suggestions or pictures of your own, please share!

You Can Do It!