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!
