I’m always evaluating the eyebrows of people I meet. Often, I find myself wondering how a brow makeover would transform their appearance. Admittedly, I’m biased. I love a full, dramatically shaped brow—the way it brings focus to the eye and frames the face, setting off the cheekbones and taking up bold space.
Full brows are a hallmark of youth and health. Playing with their shape is easily one of the most dramatic ways to alter your look.
Thinning brows, on the other hand, are one of the first subtle signs of aging and, interestingly, can also be a sign of health issues like thyroid dysfunction, especially when the ends or “tails” of the brows start to disappear.
The barely-there, over-plucked brows popular in the 90’s are hard to pull off and rarely flattering on anyone. Thin, sparse brows can also make you look tired, calling attention to wrinkles, dark circles and hollows under the eyes. We all have good skin days and not so great ones but a set of well-shaped, lush eyebrows distracts from all those issues and puts the focus right where you want it—your enchanting gaze.
If you want an easy hack to make you look more alert, awake and refreshed, try shaping and filling in your brows to see what a difference it can make.
To help you on your way, here’s a list of options for getting full and lush brows ranked from least to most permanent:
Brow Pencils, Pomades and Gels
By far the fastest and easiest way to enhance your natural brows is to use a cosmetic brow product. There’s a dizzying array to choose from but they all have one thing in common—they require zero commitment. Pencils, pomades, powders and gels all allow you to experiment with the shape and shade of your brows and take it all off at the end of the day.
Choose a powder or a pencil to fill in sparse areas for a fuller, longer brow. A pomade like Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade has a cream-based formula that’s perfect for for more dramatic definition and overall shaping. A brow gel like Glossier’s Boy Brow is a low maintenance way to subtly enhance your brows, helping to hold them in place with a slight tinting and fluffing effect. Simply brush your brows with the little spooly brush and your brows are instantly groomed and natural looking.
Getting the shade right can be the trickiest part. Your brows don’t have to match your hair color but they should compliment your skin tone and hair. Blondes can get away with a wide range of shades from lightest blonde to taupe to dark brown. Brunettes can choose a color as dark or darker than their natural hair color and for those raven-haired beauties, there are variations in black from blue-based to warmer tones. The most important consideration is your natural skin tone. If your skin has cool undertones, cool-toned shades will work best. Similarly, warm skin undertones look best with warmer toned colors.
Shaping Your Brows
Even if your brows are already as full as you’d like them to be, you’ll still want to shape them to flatter your face shape and features. YouTube has loads of good tutorials on how to shape your brows. If you’re still unsure about trying it yourself, you can always go to a professional to have them shaped. Bring photos of brows you like and make sure you’re on the same page before beginning, though! Some brow artists may have a different beauty ideal and take off more of your precious strands than you bargained for. Once removed, your brows won’t always grow back as some 90’s girls found out the hard way.
Natural Remedies
Some lush-browed women swear by natural products like castor oil or coconut oil to nourish brows and help them to grow. Castor oil, in particular, is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids that hair needs for optimal growth. I have never tried this route personally. Reviews of the technique are mixed with some raving fans and others who claim they saw no results whatsoever.
To try it, do a patch test first to make sure your skin isn’t irritated by the oil. Then apply a light coat of oil with a cotton swab to your clean, dry brows and massage it in nightly. Make sure to not use too much so it doesn’t migrate into your eyes while you sleep. Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off in the morning. The best results are reported with consistent use over the course of several months. Watch your skin closely and stop if you experience irritation or sensitivity.
Growth Serums
You’ve probably heard of Latisse, a serum that promotes long lash growth, but did you know there are formulas that are made for growing brows, too? These serums contain nutrients and vitamins important for nourishing brows. Some of the formulas that consistently get positive reviews are RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner and Serum, GrandeBrow Brow Enhancing Serum, and RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum. Look for serums that contain keratin, peptides and biotin and know before starting that it often takes several weeks to months of consistent use to see results. Also, once you stop using the product, your brows will eventually go back to their original thickness.
Brow Lamination
An intriguing newer option for attaining gorgeous arches is brow lamination, first developed in Russia and now becoming more widely available in the US. It’s a procedure in which your own brow hairs are straightened with a chemical solution and reshaped into the desired form. Lamination can make your brows look fuller and lifted, covering sparse areas and minimizing the need for maintenance. Results can last from 5 to 8 weeks. Because lamination uses the brow hairs you already have, it works best for those who don’t have very sparse brows. The cost of the service varies but expect to pay between $50 and $100 per session.
Microblading
Microblading is the first invasive procedure on this list, meaning it involves making cuts into the skin’s surface. A tiny razor-like blade is used by a technician to pierce the skin and place pigment in hairlike strokes into your brows by hand. The effect can range from subtle to as bold as you like. If you love the idea of waking up every morning with perfectly “done” brows, this might be a good option for you. Microblading results typically last from 1 year to 18 months (microblading on oily skin tends to fade more quickly). Prices vary widely depending on location and the expertise of your technician but generally expect to pay between $350 to $1000 per session.
As with tattoos performed with a machine, aftercare is critical. You won’t be able to get your brows wet for at least a week and they must be kept clean and makeup free until skin is healed to prevent infections. Regular use of sunscreen and occasional touchups help prevent premature fading of the pigment.
One of the main drawbacks of microblading (aside from the discomfort of the actual procedure) are the way brows can fade over time and take on unnatural reddish or pink hues. This is caused by oxidation and can depend, in part, on the expertise of your technician and the type of pigments used. To get the best results possible, research practitioners and vet them carefully. Look through their reviews and before and after photos to make sure their work is a match to what you’re envisioning. There is no going back (at least not easily) once your brows are microbladed. Even if you hate them, you’ll have to live with them for a long time so please, please, do your homework before committing to this option.
Nano Needling
Nanoblading (also called nano needling) is similar to microblading in that it’s an invasive procedure. However, instead of a technician using a handheld blade to make slices in the skin, a tattoo machine is used to place tiny dots of pigment into the brow with a needle. Using a machine allows for a more uniform and precise placement of the pigment resulting in a more natural look. It also decreases the risk of fading over time to an unnatural color. Nanoblading is more permanent than microblading, typically lasting 2 to 3 years. Like microblading, it requires aftercare and occasional touchups. The price varies but usually costs slightly more than a microblading session with an average cost of $500 to $1000.
Once you’ve found your perfect brow shape it can completely transform your look and take years off your appearance. If you have tips to share on getting the perfect brows I would love to hear them!
