13 Brow Tips That Will Boost Your Brow Game
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Brow trends – and subsequently the way we style and groom our brows – have transformed dramatically over the last five years. Just two years ago, the beauty-sphere was obsessed with perfectly tweezed and sculpted brows, fast forward to 2020 and the boy brow has taken over.
If you don’t recognize the reference, you’ll have seen the trend on Instagram: it’s natural, fluffy, and feathered. As a result, snatching our brows with concealer and creating perfectly crisp edges is no longer a technique seen in every Instagram makeup video. So, to make sure your makeup techniques are up to creating that natural-looking, fluffy brow that we’re loving right now (a lot of us 90s kids have to fake it), we’re here to help. Here’s our updated list of brow hacks and techniques that will help you achieve the brow look everyone is obsessing over.
Find the Right Formula for You
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First and foremost, you need to find the right brow product. And there are a lot to choose between; from pomades and gels to powders and pencils, and each formula has its own set of pros and cons. A gel is great if you have naturally full brows and are simply looking to tame unruly hairs and lock them in place. We’re obsessed with the Benefit Cosmetic 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel, $24, it’s setting power is unreal! If you need a little extra help ‘bushifying’ you brows, tinted gels will add volume, definition, and define your shape.
However, if over-plucking in your younger years has lead to less than full brows, a brow pomade or wax pencil will help your fake a fuller-looking brow. Fine-tipped pens like the ink stain in the Urban Decay Brow Blade Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil & Ink Stain, $26, work well if you want to fill in sparse areas yet maintain a natural finish. You can also combine and layer different formulas, in fact, we like to use a pomade or pencil to define the shape, and then use a clear or tinted brow gel to brush the hairs in place. Check out these brow products for all kinds of sparse and bushy brows.
1. Ditch your Tweezers
2020’s brow is dramatic, overgrown but most importantly, it’s natural. So ditch the tweezers for a six-week period to allow your natural shape to reappear. Once you’ve reached the six-week mark, clean up any stray hairs, and add definition to your arch.
2. Don’t be Afraid to Tint your Brows
Tinting instantly emphasizes the brow as it defines lighter and finer hairs to help to create an overall fuller appearance. Plus, it’s so easy to do at home – read our brow tinting guide here.
3. Use Castor Oil to Encourage Natural Growth
Castor oil is an amazing natural growth elixir and since 2020’s brow is full and fluffy, castor oil should be your go-to. Every night soak a Q-tip in castor oil and coat your lashes and brows. Be patient, and you should see results around six to eight weeks in. Read more about the benefits of castor oil here.
4. Refine Your Brow Shape
To learn how to shape your brows to flatter your face shape, you need to consider your overall facial harmony. In fact, the easiest way to create your ultimate brow shape is by using your features as a guideline to work out where your brows should begin, where the highest point of the arch should be, as well as where the tail of your brow should end. This technique is favored by brow experts like the legendary Anastasia Soare and celebrity MUA Mary Phillips.
To see where your brow should start, place a skinny eyeshadow brush at the inside of your nose in a vertical direction. Where the pencil lands should be where your brow begins.
Next, to determine where your arch should be, rest your tool on the outer corner of your nostril and angle the pencil so it goes across the center of your eye, towards your brow. Where the pencil meets the top of your brow is where the arch should begin.
To work out where the tail of your brow should end, move the tool so that it goes across the very outer corner of your eye (it should point to above your ears). Where the tool meets the brow is where your brow should end. If the brow goes any lower, the eye will appear less lifted.
5. Prime your Brow Area with Powder
Mattify the brow to improve the wear of your brow products and intensify the pigment by applying a small amount of translucent powder to the brow area. This will help absorb any excess oil or cream formulas from your skincare and makeup, which can sometimes mess with application and cause your brow products to fade faster.
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6. Brush your Brows Down
Celebrity MUA Lisa Eldridge suggests brushing the brows in a downwards motion before filling them in. We realize this may contradict other brows tips you’ve read, but Lisa ensures us that this will help you “see the true natural shape so you can figure out where the gaps and imbalances are.”
She told Byrdie, “Now, to fill in. With your brows brushed down, start at the high point (your arch) and, taking a pencil, sketch out a basic structure using super-light, fine and feathery strokes. It’s like architecture; once you’ve got the underlying foundations right, you can build the rest of your brow around it.”
Once you’re done building the shape, don’t forget to brush them back up and fill in any other areas.
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7. Create a Natural Gradient Using Two Shades
To create the perfect brow gradient, use two shades – if you use the same shade throughout your brows, it can make them look too harsh and less natural. Opt for a lighter shade for the front of your brows and a darker color for the arch and tail.
8. Use a Spooley To Blend
For a seamless final look, run a spooley through your brows to blend out any excess pigment. This is particularly useful at the front of your brow, which should be less defined.
9. Set Your Brows
If you don’t have a brow gel handy, soak a spooley in setting spray like our Huda Beauty Resting Boss Face Setting Spray, $33, and comb it through your brows. It’ll help set the brows in place all day long. You can also use a hairspray for a similar finish.
10. Skip Powder for Natural Brows
Celebrity MUA Daniel Martin told Vogue that you should avoid powdered brow products. “My number one tip is to use short ticking strokes with a hard pencil, rather than powder or a gel, to fill in sparse holes in the brow without creating a totally over defined look.”
However, if you have sparse brows, consider using a powder to fill them in, then brush them through with a spoolie to diffuse and soften the powder. Finally, use a pencil to add hair-like strokes for more definition and texture.
11. Laminate your Brows at Home
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Brow lamination is a popular semi-permanent brow treatment that straightens, sets, and tints your brow hairs leaving you with full, thick brows for eight weeks. The treatment typically costs around $60, however, it’s super easy to DIY at home, which will not only save you money but is lockdown appropriate too. Check out our step-by-step guide here.
12. Use a Bar of Soap for Fuller Brows
It may sound odd but coating a spooley in soap and combing it through your brows not only sets the hair in place but the wax thickens each hair. We love the Pears Transparent Original Soap, $16. You’ll notice that many famous brow products have taken inspiration from this hack, like the Patrick Ta Major Brow Shaping Wax, $22.
13. Bake your Brows for Extra Long Wear
Baking our brows is one of our all-time favorite hacks. Not only does it soften the brow for a natural final look but it keeps the brows from fading or smudging throughout the day. If you’re using powders and pomades, this hack is a must-try, but avoid it if you’re using gels. Check out the tutorial above for all of the deets.
For more makeup tips, check out 19 foundation tips that’ll change your life.
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