Before you even get to the sticky stuff, it's essential to define your eyebrow shape. "Filling in the brow gives you more precision when it comes time to wax," says makeup artist and eyebrow expert Tonya Crooks. "It's like laying down a pattern on fabric before you cut it. The whole process is more thought out." Whether you use powder or pencil is a matter of personal preference, just make sure that your brows look the way you want them to; the goal is to wax only the hairs that fall outside of your newly drawn-on borders. Then, snap a quick brow selfie, advises brow expert Zoey Van Jones. "Looking at your brows in a photo lets you take a step back and see them the way a professional would," she explains. Once you're fully satisfied with the shape, pass go, collect $200, and move on to the waxing part of our program.

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Not all waxes are created equal, and choosing the right at-home product is especially important when it's going on your face. Van Jones recommends Satin Smooth Ultra Sensitive Zinc Oxide Wax, $10.95, a gentle formula that won't stick to skin. If you're super, super sensitive, hard waxes are even gentler, though the one drawback is that they may not remove hair completely, she adds. One to try: Clean + Easy Tweeze Free Eyebrow Hard Wax, $5. And if you're worried about burning yourself (a valid concern, BTW, since burns are one of the most common injuries that come from DIY waxing), pre-waxed, self-heating strips are a great option, since they can never get super hot. Try Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit for Face, $6. Above all, be sure to choose a formula made for the face, since waxes for the body are too strong, cautions Van Jones.

Van Jones advises using wax that can be heated in boiling water or investing in a wax pot. Our pick: Gigi Space Saver Wax Warmer, $26. If you are going to use microwavable wax, proceed with extreme caution; the wax may look hard, but as soon as you stir it, it can explode and burn the you-know-what out of your skin, warns Van Jones. Use the consistency of the wax as a temperature indicator: "It should be the thickness of peanut butter or honey. Once it becomes too liquid-y and looks more like oil, it's way too hot," she points out. Test a small amount on your wrist before applying onto your money-maker.

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Since you want the wax to adhere only to the brow hairs, and not to skin (major ouch), it's a good idea to create a protective barrier. Crooks advising using coconut oil, while Van Jones uses Smith's Rosebud Salve, $6. Regardless of what you pick, apply a dab onto a makeup sponge and swipe around the perimeter of each eyebrow.

Crooks suggests waxing your eyebrows in sections, rather than in one fell swoop. "This makes for easier application, more precise hair removal, and ultimately, better results," she points out. Van Jones likes to do the top of the tail, then the top of the bridge (from the start to the arch). After doing those two spots on one brow, repeat on the other side to make sure both brows look the same so far. Finish by waxing underneath the tail and the bridge, then do one last pass in between brows (aka the unibrow). One caveat: If you're a waxing newbie -- or just aren't that hairy -- you can skip waxing above the brow and just clean up the bottom, which is where most of the growth occurs, says Crooks.

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