Tuesday, August 25, 2015

My Daily Brow Routine

I often get requests from readers and followers asking for brow-shaping tips and about products I use.

Ironically, I am not blessed in the brow department. In fact I have very sparse and patchy brows. My brow routine is very important to me. In fact, that's something I cannot skip if I want to look polished. Don't get me wrong - I'll go to the supermarket without a scrap of makeup on, but on days I need to look at least groomed and polished, I can skip mascara, or blush, or lipstick. But not my brows,


When you look below, you can see why. I do pluck stray hairs but I do NOT trim the length of my brow hairs and I try to pluck as little as I can because they are naturally very sparse. 

I need to shape them and fill them in - BUT I don't want overly filled-in, defined "Sharpie" brows with razor-sharp edges carved out with concealer. Neither do I want the unkempt caterpillars-on-my-face brows we see on runways. I just want something in-between. I want the natural texture of runway brows, with the polished, groomed shape of defined brows.

So I have a pretty specific routine to achieve that. 

And at this point I have to point out that this is just my personal preference. There's no right or wrong, and if you love hairy brows or super-defined brows go right ahead. I guess I'm just past the age where I want my brows to make a louder statement than the rest of my face. I want something subtle and classic that I can look back on 40 years later and not wonder what I was thinking.



Before we start, a few notes on shaping first.

1. I'm not a fan of over-plucking, by virtue of the fact that I don't have that much to pluck anyway. I never pluck along the inner half of my brows. Only stray hairs that stick out on the outer 1/3 of my brow-bone.
I also never pluck ABOVE my brows.

2. Same for the inner corners, I only pluck anything that is ner the center of my face, or noticeably far away from my main brow. As for where your brow should start on the inside, I've stopped recommending that people use that "pencil against the nostril and inner corners of the eye" method.

Why?
Everyone's nose is a different width. If you have a very narrow nose and wide-set eyes, you end up with brows that are way too far apart. If you have flared nostrils and close-set eyes, that line is pretty much telling you you should have a uni-brow.

In general, I would try to have my brows start maximum a thin pencil width inwards from the inner corners of the eyes, OR (for those with close-set eyes), in line with the inner corners of your eyes. End of the day, don't alter nature too much. It will look weird.

The "modern brow" shape:

If you ask most fashionistas, they will probably tell you the "It" brow of today is slightly boyish. Meaning - full and slightly straightened. There's usually a smooth gradual taper, mostly thick all the way from the insides to about 2/3 of the way, then after that tapering gently to a point at the ends.

No exaggerated arch and sharp angles. Those look great on drag queens and on camera - not so great in real life. (Although we still see that a lot on Instagram and Youtube.)
One good reason to go with a softer, more casual-looking brow is the fact that it's incredibly aging and severe to have that fierce arched retro brow. It doesn't suit everyone.


THE ROUTINE

1, Filling it in. 
A lightly-pigmented pencil is my top recommendation for something that looks natural. I mentioned it before, but your pencil's main task should be to create the illusion of "shadows" on your skin. Not to paint in your entire brow like a cartoon.
You can use pomades and liquid inks, but they usually don't give you that level of control and the option to slowly build up intensity.
Probably the best tip I can give you when using pencil/powder, etc is - even out the gaps and lighter spots first. You might realize you don't even need to apply brow pencil along your entire brow. Some people just need to cover up some sparse areas. But you won't know if you keep filling everything in like a coloring book.

If your goal is for your brows to look natural, ALWAYS choose a grow-toned pencil. Resist the urge to match your pencil to your hair color exactly. Your pencil creates a shadow on your skin, which a fuller brow has. It's not meant to match your hair color. Leave the color-matching to your brow mascara. 

No matter what color hair you have, the shadows they cast are still grey. My favorite pencil to date is Shu Uemura's Hard Formula 9 in Stone Grey. These are so hard they are almost impossible to over-apply. And the formula forces you to build up color slowly. Some people find the sword-cut pencils hard to work with. If your nibs are breaking on you, you are pressing too hard. REMEMBER - light hair-like strokes! (Best of all, these pencils last about a year each for me if I get them hand-sharpened the traditional way. The service is free at all Shu counters.)

If you DO want to use a colored pencil that matches your hair, just remember that it's more for drama, not for looking natural.

And use light strokes. Most times, pencils are not strong enough to actually draw in defined little strands. The little hair-like strokes are just to prevent you from being too heavy handed and going fiercely back and forth like a kid with a crayon. 
Whatever you do, try - TRY - to resist drawing an outline around your brow and coloring it in.

2. Bulking up

It's a huge trend in Asia to have full bushy brows, thanks to Korean pop-stars and actresses. But SO many girls think swiping on tons of brow powder is going to make them look like a K-star, and that is so far from the truth.

Using too much powder hides hair texture and creates an opaque fuzzy brow. Like you have two strips of black/brown fuzzy felt stuck on your face. To make things worse, many girls wear a bare face with heavy powdered brows. If you don't have very strong features (we are not all Cara Delevingne), all people will see from a distance are those chunky fuzzy brows. 

To subtly beef up your brows and create that very trendy slightly straightened shape that actually suits your face (without going overboard and literally drawing in a straight brow), simply extend your pencil or powder a tiny bit down past the lower edge of your natural brow, right at the hollow of the arch. This creates a "shadow" and a more straight brow without changing your brow shape.

3. Adding texture

After you fill your brows in, especially if you had to fill in quite large areas, it is inevitable that you lose some of the appearance of hair texture. Your brow can look like a solid block of pigment. So the next step is to add the texture back in by highlighting every single strand you have.


I always recommend using a slightly lighter and softer shade of brow mascara than your natural hair. Just because the lighter color softens the heavy look created when you filled it in. This is the way you look like you have full brows, naturally. Just try to use a light hand and get most of the mascara onto your brow hairs, NOT your skin.

In terms of formula, I have heard that Illamasqua has a pretty strong brow gel, but I personally have not tried that, and my preference tends to be Japanese drugstore brow mascaras because they seem to be able to hold hair in place more longer than a lot of the western brands I've tried.

The one I am using right now is K-Palette's Real Lasting Eyebrow Mascara, which is a yellow-blonde and comes with an awkward applicator that usually gets WAY too much product onto my brows. Doesn't match my black hair but don't worry. I'll take care of that in the next step.


4. Grooming

To clean up excess product, redistribute it evenly along the hair strands, AND groom the hairs so they go in a direction you want, have a disposable spoolie or a baby toothbrush handy. 


Just do a few strokes to get your hairs in place and leave it be. If you do happen to overbrush and remove most of the mascara, you can simply apply one more coat and brush a little again.

Now I do NOT like this type of brow brush below. The bristles are packed too close to grip and style your hairs without removing all the mascara, and they are terrible at combing cos all they do is press your brow hairs down against your skin. These work better with brow WAXES. Not with brow mascaras.


And voila! Those are my basic steps and literally what I do every day. Sometimes the products change, but the steps largely remain the same.

And it really isn't all that time-consuming. I pick the products I use based on ease of use, actually. I don't have to spend a lot of time trying to correct, soften and even out my brows because I used a brow pencil that is too dark or too soft. And mascara is pretty easy to coat on and brush out lightly.


For a better look at the before-after, here is a comparison.

People are surprised because it literally looks like I grew a lot of new brow hairs within 5 minutes. That's just shaping it properly, creating the right effect with pencil (remember - add shadow, not color), and then using tinted mascara to emphasize every single tiny strand you have.


19 comments:

  1. wonderful tutorial! That cat eye in brown is so elegant.
    I have very black hair, VERY and I'm rather pale. What eyebrow product will you recommend? I use a Korean gray pencil but, although the color is wonderful, the quality of the pencil itself is rather dreadful. I have always wanted to wear brow mascara but they all appear to red or too light for me :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. I must know what eyeliner you're using. The color is exactly what I'm looking for.

    ReplyDelete
  3. good Once you check out clips and if you believe I found this guide for Android os for no cost in your Laptop or computer. Mobdro Download App nice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. good with Realtime Pores and skin Beautifying Results in video clips and selfies. official site link and produce "YouCam Excellent" to generate search. YouCam Perfect APK great.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Best application for all platform devices to download latest films from mobdro video stream apk file with free of charge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. good Listen closely to your stream wherever you will be applying WiFi or data Recolor apk There will be a lot of reasonable features will be added in this app. nice.

    ReplyDelete
  7. good and below I will permit you find out how to download SHAREit for Personal computer. official website Connect Computer choice of the software of your nice.

    ReplyDelete
  8. good End up being that as it may, if by one ways or another i found it here You can add to your collection by hatching Pokémon Eggs nice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. good hour and your head of hair and makeup will end up Best Wedding Photographers in Chennai | Best Wedding Photographers in Mumbai be sure you enable for extra time to cater to for any nice.

    ReplyDelete
  10. awesome allow you to mount Kodi on iPhone without jailbreak Kodi install from the web links provided over nice.

    ReplyDelete
  11. good mount the current version so about enjoy all ppssppgold he lastest version comes has no Graphics problems nice.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Related Some Details To Think about When Deciding on A Baby Car SeatCabela's Late Season BibsT Mo Break Up Infinity XLPaul Smith PS 8178 Donovan 1290 EyeglassesMichael Michael Kors Outlet Store Kors Collection MK Outlet MK5650 Trilogy Ritz Chronograph Silver Rose Gold Gold JewelryMuslin 45 Coach Bags Outlet Wide 100 Cotton 78x78 50yds D R Unbleached NaturalTrotters 'Alexa' Pump Black Patent 5 MPet Gear The Other Door 42 In. L X 28 In. WWilsonart New Jordan Shoes 2020 60 in X 144 in Bella Venito Laminate Countertop Sheet Nike Air Force 1 Cheap Outlet 1819KCamdolly 18 In X 26 In Gray Dough Box DollyLivex 8422 57 Savannah 2 Light Vanity In Venetian PatinaCalvin Klein Faux Wrap Shirtdress Plus Size Twilight 20WSafavieh Moorish Tile Light Blue Dhurrie Rug OttomanRuud 525327 0N A Blower Blower Motor 3 4 HP 1075 RPMLafayette 148 New York Ribbed Back Bateau Coach Outlet Clearance Neck Sweater Black PetiteWagner Hose Brake BH138866Strapless Satin Empire Waist A Line Wedding Dress With EmbroideryBroan QT230 QT2000 Series 30 Quiet Hood Convertible Range HoodMarie Turnor Accessories The Lunch ClutchMichael Kors Collection MK5798 Bradshaw Mini Gold JewelryDriveworks Alternator Remanufactured 110 Amps 8243605Hargrove Gas Logs 24 Inch Cross New Yeezys 2020 Timbers Vented Gas Log Set WithCharlotte White Convertible Sectional Sofa BedMountain MTN90200 Master Spring Compressor SetTed Coach Bags Clearance Baker Tumnal Bright Leather Tablet Case Red ElectronicsBillabong Cherish Down Jacket Women's Gumdrop MExped Downmat 9 And 9 DeluxeECCO 'Adora' SandalJELD WEN Craftsman 6 Lite Painted Steel Entry Door With Brickmould THDJW167700844Diamond Boy 14K White Gold CharmSophie ChairTroy Lighting F2874 Link 3 Light Incandescent Ceiling Pendant In Cheap Ray Ban Glasses Bronze LeafUniversal Map 0762550384 No.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is my first time visit to your blog and I am very interested in the articles that you serve. Provide enough knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing useful and don't forget, keep sharing useful info.Luchthaven vervoer

    ReplyDelete
  14. When the materials over your home need repairs, you shouldn't wait until it is unavoidable. By having the roof inspected every year, you can catch small problems and nip them in the bud.Large Scale GC

    ReplyDelete
  15. what is an uncontested divorce in virginia
    The daily brow routine post is praised for its step-by-step breakdown, explanation of products and techniques, impressive before-and-after photos, attention to detail in shaping and filling, product recommendations, and informative video tutorial. The routine is realistic, accessible, and prioritizes brow health. The post has inspired others to pay more attention to their brows and is praised for its passion for well-groomed brows. The post's success is attributed to the author's dedication to achieving perfectly groomed brows and the practicality of the routine.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Amazing blog! I adore the sofa. These sofa designs are quite nice. Please keep spreading. criminal lawyers prince william county

    ReplyDelete

Hi there! Leave a comment (and be nice)!