Makeup

Here's Why You Don't Have Perfect Eyebrows

Fix every brow blunder in the book with this guide to the ideal arch

by Amber Katz, Amanda Montell

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Perfect Eyebrows Sin No. 9: Your Eyebrows Are Too Light The problem: There is a ton of mixed information about what color we should use to fill in our brows. But according to Benefit Global Brow Authority Jared Bailey, going too light is the ultimate no-no. "When brows are too fair they appear to fall flat and don't frame the face," he says.

The fix: For perfect eyebrows that look totally natural, choose products that match the base of your hair color. That means those of us with highlights should use a brow product in a shade that matches our base color, not our highlights. If you like a bolder brow, Bailey says it's cool to go even a shade or two darker than the your base color. "The deeper shade of brow filler will draw attention to your arch and give you an instant eye lift," he says.

To fill in your brows quickly and expertly, grab a pencil, such as Benefit Instant Brow Pencil, $22. Start at the base of the brow (closest to your nose) and fill in the natural shape of the brow using tiny, short strokes. "As if you were drawing in each individual brow hair," Bailey says. Then, brush through the brow with a spoolie to blend the product for a natural finish.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Perfect Eyebrows Sin No. 8: You're Over-Tweezing the Center

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products mentioned

Benefit Instant Brow Pencil

9.1

Urban Decay Brow Beater Microfine Brow Pencil and Brush

9.4

Anastasia Brow Enhancing Serum

6.0

Ulta Eyebrow Gel

8.2

Anastasia Scissors

0.0

E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit

8.9

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Older comments

perfect brows are important

by brianna121791 Monday, May 13, 2013 at 01:50PM Report as inappropriate

Never knew you shouldn't use the same shade as your hair. Will try this tip.

by Dee Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 05:01PM Report as inappropriate

well, frieda kahlo might be an example of beauty for some, but a unibrow must go! in the same type of scenario, how can you wait three months between tweezing?

by AstridB Friday, April 12, 2013 at 07:57AM Report as inappropriate

I don't agree with not plucking the unibrow and using a shade lighter for brows than natural hair ive always used a shade darker and it looks fine I always see people with blondehair have darker brows also so that rule makes no sense to me

by kfloyd01 Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 05:53PM Report as inappropriate

Fascinating. Nearly every day I spy a woman with perfect makeup but a major brow faux pas. Great tips included here!

by GigiSD Monday, March 25, 2013 at 03:23PM Report as inappropriate

Sound useful, will try some of these tips.

by Zeaundra Monday, March 25, 2013 at 02:34PM Report as inappropriate

These were some really helpful tips! I'll keep them in mind when I do my brows tonight.

by NillaButterfly Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 02:48PM Report as inappropriate

This article is interesting but what I really need are examples of do's and don'ts - and not celebrities but real people with real jobs and real lives and real problems.

by Sonflower Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 06:03PM Report as inappropriate

I have seen some truly crazy looking brows

by LittleBunny Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 08:03AM Report as inappropriate

I hate my brows!!

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 07:17PM Report as inappropriate