LAST week, we covered the basics when it comes to getting your brows in the best shape possible. Let’s get into the nitty gritty details on how to use your products today. I’m not claiming to be a brow expert, but here are some products and hacks that have worked for me.
Eyebrow pencil
Not all brow pencils are made equal; I’ve encountered some that were so soft that it would spread all over or look cakey when applying. Others were too hard and I had to keep passing the pencil over the brows with little payoff. I’ve mentioned pencils by Etude House and The Face Shop, but two more great brow pencils are the NYX Cosmetics micro brow pencil and the Maybelline Define-A-Brow in green packaging. Makeup artists swear by these. Their super-fine tips are great for creating a really clean line and for filling in. They twist up, so they are sharp at all times without need for a sharpener. All pencils mentioned last a long time, too; they will fade at the beach, but your brows will still be intact even after a hard Zumba session.
Eyebrow powder
I thought the salesgirl was kidding when she told me that this tiny eyebrow cake by in2it would last three years, but it seems she wasn’t. I’ve been using my current cake almost daily for two years and somehow still have not hit pan. And no, the product has still not spoiled because I spray it with alcohol regularly, and clean my brow brush regularly as well. This is the best tip I can share with you to keep your brow products lasting as long as possible—sanitize them, and use clean brushes. For a slightly stronger look, try Wet n Wild brow powder, which also comes in a wax that helps keep brows in place. Two very good and affordable brow brushes are by Beauty Cosmetics and another by Watson’s in-house brush line.
Eyebrow pen
Use these to draw on strands, or if you want a clean line but find a brow pomade too difficult. The K-palette brow pen and NYX Cosmetics eyebrow markers are both good and waterproof.
Eyebrow pomade
I will admit I don’t have a lot of experience with different brow pomades, because I feel like I already hit the jackpot with Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade and have not needed to look further. It is the most waterproof brow product I’ve tried, and this one will stay on until you take it off. Just be careful to dab the product on so that you don’t create brows as heavy as eyeliner, though you can use this pot for that purpose too. It can be used both for outlining the brows for a crisp line, and for filling in.
Favorite brow hack
To avoid those “marker” brows mentioned last week, I’ve found that the best way for me to do my brows is to start at the tail or the middle. As with any makeup application, the first area where you put down product will have the strongest payoff. So instead of putting down a lot of product at the front of the brow, which can look pretty harsh, start at the middle or end then use the remaining product for the front of the brow. A spoolie is also very helpful for softening product placed on the front of the brow.
