How to: Get the perfect eyebrow from start to finish

Unless they’re particularly thick, dark or unruly, most of us don’t really pay that much attention to other people’s eyebrows. However, as soon as someone has them shaped or groomed, they are bombarded with compliments and questions on what they’ve had done – they look different, but the difference can’t quite be pinpointed.

Our eyebrows can make a major difference to our appearance, and keeping them well-groomed and beautifully shaped won’t just enhance our features, but it opens our eyes and creates a “cleaner” appearance too. Though it’s best to have your brows professionally shaped, the upkeep is easy. Follow our simple guide below to get (and keep) your brows in their best possible shape.

Tools you may need:
Eyebrow brush
Tweezers
Eyebrow pencil / shadow
Eyebrow gel

How to shape your brows
To determine the length and shape of an ideal eyebrow, imagine a line that starts at the outside of your nose and follows through to the outer corner of your eye. This is where your eyebrow should start, and end.

Shaping the brow comes naturally to some, but not so easily to others. If it’s your first time or you don’t feel confident with a pair of tweezers, go to a beautician to have them shaped professionally. If you’re keen to give it a go yourself, remember the golden rule: rather under-pluck than over-pluck. Start slow, and remove only the hairs that deviate the furthest from your natural brow shape. You can always remove more hair if you think they look too full, but it’s much more difficult to “fix” over-plucked eyebrows.

Take your eyebrow brush and brush the hairs on one direction, allowing them to lie neatly on your skin. You will see a definite natural shape, even if there are stray hairs surrounding it. This is the shape you should try your best to preserve. Pluck the stray hairs, starting with those the furthest from your full brow. After every few plucks, brush your brow again to ensure you’re following the shape correctly. This also allows you to track the changes and continuously see what it’s going to look like. Once you’re happy with the result, you can start grooming.

How to do the daily groom
Find a product that matches the colour of your eyebrows. You will need it to fill sparse areas, lengthen or thicken the shape of the brow. An eyebrow mascara provides the most natural-looking colour, whilst a brow shadow or pencil allows for fuller coverage and better definition. Always start at the inner corner of your brow and work your way outwards. Apply product sparingly and layer if necessary, rather than applying too much from the start. It’s best to apply it in swift, light movements, mimicking the hairs that the brow consists of.

Once you are happy with the shape and colour of your brow, you can set the hairs with a clear eyebrow gel. This will help settle unruly hairs and keep the shape you’ve created in place. If you struggle with fine or short hairs, use a gel with nourishing properties to assist with hair growth and strength.

Stand back and inspect your work in the mirror. Your eyebrows should look natural, both in colour and in shape. Once you’re happy with the results, stand back and allow the compliments to begin! You’ll be surprised at how many people notice a difference.

Other articles you may be interested in:
Taming beastly eyebrows
A balding brow
Kate Middleton and the Scouse brow
Eyebrows through the ages
On a thread