Whether you're one who primps and preens in the mirror a lot or someone who barely glances at her reflection while removing the day's grime, two things have long made their presence known on your face -- your eyebrows.
"Brows frame your face," yada, yada say the experts, but after a while, it gets hard to figure out what to do with them. Let them grow in, pluck 'em out, thin them down, etc. It's all enough to, well, raise an eyebrow over.
"If you're sick of looking at the same tired shape you've had for years, give your brows a tweezing hiatus," says celebrity brow stylist Kristie Streicher. "It will do wonders for your face."
The natural brow shape -- which is back and better than ever -- can make you look prettier, younger and more rested, according to Streicher. The catch: It requires growing in all your natural brow hairs, which can take up to 10 months. (Longer than it takes to make an entire human being for those of you doing the math.)
At issue? Once you've messed with your natural brow shape, it's pretty hard to find it again. I learned this the hard way when I let a makeup artist talk me into pencil-thin '30s brows. But now, having followed Streicher's advice, I can attest that the results are totally worth it. (Yes, the first six weeks were brutal, but the process got way easier after that.)
Considering the change? Here are a few tips to help you get over the hump.
As a general rule, you shouldn't tweeze your brows more than once a month. This allows the hair -- which typically grows in different stages -- to get on one growth cycle so you can better see your natural shape, says Streicher.
Note: I find it's best to ask a friend to hide your tweezers for you. But should they find their way back into your hands, limit yourself to tweezing just the hairs that grow far away from your brow AND wait at least four weeks before doing so. (Try Tweezerman Slant Tweezer, $22.)
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Oil up your brow bone
Just like hair (on your head) or skin, brow hair thrives when it is properly nourished, says Streicher. She recommends rubbing nutritious oil where hair grows on the brow bone in order to stimulate growth, keep hair shiny, and tame unruliness for those with curly hair. (Try K. Streicher Beauty Aforé Oil, $45.)
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Fill 'em in!
Whether or not you feel like wearing makeup, make sure your brows are groomed and that your desired eyebrow shape is properly filled in. "This can make 'stragglers' below seem non-relevant or not as noticeable," says Streicher.
To do this, fill in your brows with quick, diagonal strokes using a sharp brow pencil (try COVERGIRL Brow & Eyemakers Pencil, $2.99) or an angled liner brush and matte eye shadow (try COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows, $3.99). Then use a disposable mascara wand or brow brush to brush hairs up and over (toward the ends).
Note: When choosing a product, keep in mind that shadows, when applied dry, create the lightest effect while pencils are slightly more intense. Applying a wet eye shadow or gel liner creates even more intensity.
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Conceal baby hairs
To hide those pesky little hairs that are taunting you and to give the appearance of a clean brow bone, apply a light concealer and/or highlighter just under your eyebrow. (Try COVERGIRL and OLAY Simply Ageless Concealer, $11.99, or Anastasia Brow Duality, $23.) If desired, set with a tiny bit of powder using a small fan brush or eyeshadow brush.
Whether you're one who primps and preens in the mirror a lot or someone who barely glances at her reflection while removing the day's grime, two things have long made their presence known on your face -- your eyebrows.
"Brows frame your face," yada, yada say the experts, but after a while, it gets hard to figure out what to do with them. Let them grow in, pluck 'em out, thin them down, etc. It's all enough to, well, raise an eyebrow over.
"If you're sick of looking at the same tired shape you've had for years, give your brows a tweezing hiatus," says celebrity brow stylist Kristie Streicher. "It will do wonders for your face."
The natural brow shape -- which is back and better than ever -- can make you look prettier, younger and more rested, according to Streicher. The catch: It requires growing in all your natural brow hairs, which can take up to 10 months. (Longer than it takes to make an entire human being for those of you doing the math.)
At issue? Once you've messed with your natural brow shape, it's pretty hard to find it again. I learned this the hard way when I let a makeup artist talk me into pencil-thin '30s brows. But now, having followed Streicher's advice, I can attest that the results are totally worth it. (Yes, the first six weeks were brutal, but the process got way easier after that.)
Considering the change? Here are a few tips to help you get over the hump.
