Perfectly groomed, bold brows are definitely in. No matter who you are, having perfect eyebrows is the best foundation for any beauty look. I’ve always shaped my own brows, and over the years I’ve learned how to strike that difficult balance between overfilled and completely overplucked.
Whether you’re an eyebrow newbie or a reformed overplucker, today we’re sharing our tips and tricks for creating perfect symmetry on your face. Keep reading for our easy guide on how to get your best brows!
Do Your Brows: a Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Grow Them Out
The most flattering brow shape for your face shape is (drumroll, please) your natural brow shape! Whether you have straight brows, high arches, or rounded brows, your eyebrows will look so much better if you embrace this natural shape – with proper grooming, of course.
I always recommend letting your brows grow for at least 6-8 weeks before you shape them. This way, you can really see what you’re working with.
If you’re like me and in your past you’ve been overly tweezer-happy (hello, 90’s!), I've been told that castor oil can actually help encourage eyebrow growth. Just apply a small amount with a Q-tip as part of your nighttime skincare routine. Don’t expect immediate results but after a couple of months you may begin to notice thicker brows.
If you’ve never shaped your eyebrows before, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Set the Stage
To shape your eyebrows you’ll need:
- sharp tweezers
- a spooley brush
- shaping scissors
- a hand mirror
Do not use a magnified mirror. You’ll be too tempted to over-pluck, which is not the current trend in brows! Bold, full brows are in, and they’re here to stay. So when we say don’t over pluck...really don’t!
But, when you need to go for those strays, make sure you have good lighting. My mother taught me to always pluck my eyebrows in natural light, so I pluck mine in front of my bathroom window.
Step 3: Trim Excess Hairs
First, you’ll want to trim any long hairs. To do so, brush your brows up with a spooley brush and carefully trim any hairs that stick out. Avoid cropping too much – you should only cut any extra long hairs so brows don’t appear unruly.
Step 4: Determine the Shape of Your Brows
To determine where your brows should start, hold a pencil vertically at the outer edge of your nose. Where the pencil passes your brow line is where your inner brow should begin. Pivot the pencil so it falls over the outside corner of your iris - this is where your arch should be! Finally, turn the pencil so it crosses the outer corner of your eye to determine where your eyebrow should end. Repeat the process on the other eye.
Use a white eyeliner pencil to mark your arch and the ends of your eyebrows, then draw a line between the points to determine the shape of your brows. Pluck any hairs that do not fall within this area. I love this trick because the white creates a nice contrast against your brow hairs, so you can see exactly what you’re doing! You’ll also get a sense of how your brows will look before you pluck.
Always start plucking from the bottom, which will give you a more refreshed look. Just be careful not to go too high, or you’ll run the risk of looking perpetually surprised.
And don’t panic if your brows aren’t completely even. Remember: they’re sisters, not twins.
...or visit a PRO!
If all of this is sounding too complicated for you, it’s okay! You can also go to a beauty salon and have your eyebrows plucked, waxed, or threaded for you. The professional will know EXACTLY how to shape your brows to suit your face. Then, all you have to do is pluck strays whenever they crop up.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Do you really think the first time I shaped my eyebrows they came out perfect? Of course not! But over time, I promise you will see what works for you and you’ll be able to achieve the brows you've always wanted.
What’s your secret for perfect eyebrows? Let us know in the comments!
