WOMEN from all over the world know just how expensive beauty maintenance can be. Having your eyebrows and upper lip hair threaded at a salon, for example, could cost as much as 200 pesos. So I thought, why not do it myself at home? Surprisingly, threading is very easy. If I was able to learn the art in less than 30 minutes, then, so can you.
Threading is a classic form of hair removal using just a piece of thread. This method is best used for facial hair because it doesn't pull the skin and it is able to reach even the short and thin hair. Threading is also not that painful unlike waxing.
In terms of hair regrowth rate, the hair grows back in two to three weeks. But the best part about knowing how to thread is really the amount of money that you can save. If you have a thread at home, then you can have great looking, well-groomed brows almost for free!
Before threading, you're going to need a thread, baby powder or any loose powder of your choice, eyebrow pencil (for threading beginners), tweezers, small scissors, and eyebrow brush.
How to thread your eyebrows:
Step 1. Cut about 5 inches of thread, pull both ends together and wrap it around your fore finger.
Step 2. Gently roll the thread down by rubbing your thumb on your forefinger.
Step 3. Pull the thread to form a lock.
Step 4. Place both hands on the opposite sides of the thread and twist both ends by the hands in an alternating motion until a sliding cord is formed in between. To test, "open" both ends using your fingers. This creates a sort of a "mouth" that pulls the hair ends.
Step 5. Dust baby powder or loose powder on your brow. This step is important because the thread has a better grip on the hair when it is dry. The powder also prevents the thread from tangling.
Step 6. Thread away. Note that you are working with opposites here. So if the hair that you want to remove grows to the right, then "open" the right end of the thread so that it moves going to the left, and this pulls your hair really tight. Just like with waxing, hair is best removed when it's pulled from the opposite direction.
For those with long eyebrow hair, after step 6, using the brow comb, comb your eyebrow hair upwards and trim the excess hair using small scissors. Cut short lengths at a time until you reach your desired length. This instantly gives eyebrows a "sharper" and cleaner look.
For beginners, it's best to trace your desired eyebrow shape using a brow pencil first before threading.
Threading is for everyone and for many areas in your body. I use it on my eyebrows, my upper and lower lip, as well as on my toes.
Beauty maintenance doesn't always have to be expensive for as long as you find a way to do it yourself in the comfort of your home. Eyebrow threading may seem intimidating, but if I can do it, then so can you.
Try my tips and enjoy summer with well-groomed brows and lady moustache-free too!
Andrea Isabelle Mejos is a young writer from Davao. She likes to seek beauty from all angles --- people, products, places --- and writes them down. For inquiries, you may contact her at mejosandrea@gmail.com.