There’s a rotten myth going around that the only way to get flawlessly shaped brows is to go to the salon. And sure, going to the salon is fun and convenient, but it’s not the only way to get professional quality brows.
Learning how to shape your own brows at home will not only save you heaps of cash, but it'll also help you get to know your face shape more. In turn, it'll help your make-up and hair regime too.
If you’re on a budget, or if you’re not a fan of flashy Instagram videos, then we have some tips for you:
Figure out which shape and tool is best for you
There are numerous ways to decide on the perfect shape for your brows. The most natural, yet nerve-wracking way, is to freehand it. Since brows are supposed to be sisters, not twins, a little inconsistency is okay. Whichever shape you choose, whether it’s a high arch, an angular line, or naturally round, be sure you’re using the best tweezers possible. A cheap blunt pair of tweezers will do more harm than good, so be sure to check out the best tweezers on the market right now.
Prep your brows
Before you even go near the tweezers, make sure your brow hair has grown in long enough for it to be plucked. Starting with fully grown in brows will make it easier to pull each hair out by the root, and give you a good idea of how to proceed with shaping. Right before plucking, take a hot shower or press a warm damp cloth against your brows. This will ease open your hair follicles, giving each hair space to slide out comfortably.
Find your arch
There are no real rules when it comes to brows. However, there are certain brow shapes that suit certain face shapes and ages best. Before you start sketching out your ideal shape, you’ll need to find your arch and mark it. If you’re planning on decreasing your arch, then mark slightly below where it ends.
Pinpoint where your brow begins and ends
Your brow should start directly above where the inner corner of your eye starts. For figuring out where the brow ends, you’ll need to take your brow pencil and use it as a ruler. Take the pencil and angle it from your nostril up to the farthest corner of your eye. Where the pencil ends is where your brow should end. If you find that your brow is too short for this, you can always draw in hairs with your pencil later. If your brow is too long, mark where you’d like it to end instead.
If you find you don’t like where the marks lie, then adjust the lines to your preference. For certain eye shapes, these lines will be dramatically different. Hooded, deep-set, monolid, protruding eyelids; every eye shape will change the length and width of your brows. Pay attention to how close or far apart your eyes sit together, and adjust the length of your brows as needed.
Time for a trim
Brush your hair upwards with a brow brush/spoolie to see the length of each hair. Using a small pair of sharp scissors, trim the ends of the hair to make them all the same length. Brush the hair back into place, and trim the rest as needed. Be sure to also trim the outer edges of your brow to the length you prefer.
The inner edge of your brows also needs some attention, as having tadpole brows can leave you looking permanently surprised. Make sure the top of each inner brow is the same length as the rest of your brow hairs.
You’re ready to tweeze
Before you start tweezing, make sure you’ve got a professional quality set of tweezers. Personally, I recommend Regine tweezers. These tweezers are handmade in Switzerland with strong, surgical grade stainless steel. The 25-degree angled slant tip is perfect for shaping brows effortlessly, for beginners or beauty experts.
Let’s begin. Start tweezing in the direction of hair growth, not against the grain. Not only will this ensure the hair doesn't snap, but it'll hurt less. You'll also need to position your hand very specifically to pull out the hairs seamlessly. For example, if the hair is pointing upwards, position your hand downwards and pull it up. To get a clean straight edge to your brow, use a clean spoolie to brush the hair down; this will reveal hidden hairs that grow outside of your sketched shape.
Pluck away any remaining strays, and moisturize
Once you’ve got the shape down, you’ll probably find some hidden strays, so now’s the time to get rid of them. Since plucking can cause slight irritation around the hair follicles, it’s important to practice some after-care. Use a cold damp cloth to soothe the area, and close up the follicles, then pat dry. Now take your favorite facial moisturizing cream or some aloe gel, and massage around the brows. Wait at least half an hour before applying makeup so your pores can breathe for a while.
In order to get the best brows, you need to invest in a solid method of hair removal. Over a century of hard work and attention to detail has gone into the World’s Best Tweezers, so get yourself a pair today and never experience a broken hair ever again.