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

9 of 10

Perfect Eyebrows Sin No. 1: You Over-Plucked, and Now You're F*cked The problem: Here it is. The most common eyebrow mistake in the book: Plucking and plucking until you're left with nothing but sad, skinny eyebrows. "Barely-there brows look harsh and actually add years to your look," says Bailey. In other words, 1999 called, and it wants its pencil-thin eyebrows back.

The fix: "When your brows are practically nonexistent, you need to bring in the big guns," says Bailey. "Go for a long-wearing wax and powder combination." (Try E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit, $3.)

The combo of powder and tinted wax will give you truly perfect eyebrows that are soft, yet defined. First, use your wax to build up the brow hairs. Then, follow up with a powder to set the wax and fill in any gaps. "This gives a natural layered effect (like highlights in your hair) that keeps your brows from looking drawn on," says Bailey.

Apply using a hard angle brush, then soften the edges with a pointed cotton swab.

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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