Due to an overwhelming response on Twitter (a big shout out to all four of you) and my irrepressible desire to impart wisdom like a a wisened guru on a mountain top (well, I've got the mountain top part covered), today we are going to talk eye brows.I don't mean to imply that I am an expert in the field of brows, but I have been rather obsessed with creating the perfect brow shape ever since I was old enough to to wield a pair of tweezers. I also notice beautiful brows and it never ceases to amaze me the difference well groomed brows make. Even if make-up isn't really your thing, taming unruly brows will instantly open your eyes (especially when you're plucking the hairs, but we both know that's not what I'm talking about here, don't we) and give you a more polished look. Yes, it takes a little effort, but gals, there's nothing sexy about having a couple of caterpillars scurrying across your forehead.
The first step in brow management is working out exactly where the lines should start, finish and arch. The easiest way to do this is to take a thin handled make-up brush (like the pink, fine point Kroylan # 0 pictured below) and position it so that the handle creates a line starting at the edge of your nostril (not IN your nostril...ewww) and goes straight up to your hairline. This is the where your eyebrow should start (all together now, mono brow, mono brow, be gone). Then angle the brush so that it lines up with the outer edge of your eye. This is where your eyebrow should finish. Lastly, angle the brush so that the line runs just off centre of your iris, this should give you your arch point. Keep in mind that all of these lines are just a guide and if you're really uncertain about jumping in headfirst with a pair a tweezers and a sense of wild abandon, then go and visit a professional who can start you off with the perfect shape that you can maintain.
Right, now that we have got our shape worked out, we need to look at tools. It's all about the tools Peeps. These are my eyebrow taming essentials : Super Goop (this is a hair gel that is cyclone proof and I just love it, a gloop of goop and my brows are super glued into submission). An eyelash/brow comb. A fine tip brush. A pair of flat end tweezers and an ultra cheapo, very soft, brown eye pencil (I have tried the harder lead eyebrow pencils, but found them more difficult to work with. I also found that powders gave me less control and precision, but that's just me)
Okay, now that you have all the tools we can begin. You take a tiny gloop of goop (really, less is more with this stuff), pop it on the brush end of your brow/lash comb and apply it from the roots of your eyebrow hairs toward your hairline. Then you can wipe off any excess goop on your brush (don't start going all Goop crazy) and gently brush the hairs into the shape you desire. Once you are happy with the overall shape (don't sweat any small gaps) you take your soft pencil, colour a big blobby circle on the back of your hand and use the brush to apply the pencil into any gaps. If you have a super steady hand, you can apply the pencil directly, but be warned, this can sometimes lead to 'scary grandma brows' which are all pencil, no hair, eek.Anyway, it's not really rocket science, but I hope this might help some of you wondering how to tackle the fearsome hairy beasts. As with most things, it may involve some trial and error. You may prefer an actual eyebrow gel with a more flexible finish, you may like a touch of eyebrow powder at the end for a softer finish. Just remember gals, those nicely coiffed ladies standing at the cosmetic counters aren't just for show, go and ask them for advice, it's their job and they, more then anyone, understand the battle of the brow.
