Wanting to be well groomed is something that just about everyone has experienced. It’s human nature to want to make yourself attractive to other humans for the purpose of gaining favor, acquiring a mate and more. You know what they say. First impressions go a very long way. We say a whole lot with our faces without even knowing it. And yes, something as simple as your eyebrows can make a huge impression. Eyebrows are part of the framing of a face, and when they are properly cared for they will attract the right kind of attention. And when they are not looking their best, people will make their own assumptions, for the better or for the worse. With this in mind, getting your eyebrows done on a regular basis is a non-negotiable part of grooming. For some folks, letting someone else take care of your eyebrows is most attractive. But when seeing a professional just isn’t working out, you can do something about your brows on your own right at home. Check out these dos and don’ts so that your face says everything that you want it to.
Waxing Dos
Eyebrow waxing is a very popular option for eyebrow grooming. Not only does it remove unwanted hairs quickly, it also needs less maintenance than some other methods. Contrary to popular belief, you can wax brows at home without the aid of your favorite esthetician. There is no shortage of over the counter waxing hair removal kits for sale that fit a wide variety of budgets. Once you’ve got your kit, be sure to read the instructions to ensure that you get the best results possible. And do consider using a cream wax, as they are better suited for the delicate area around the eyes. This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when waxing is to always, always, always test the temperature of the wax on the inside of your wrist before applying it to your brows. You’re dealing with delicate skin, and burning yourself isn’t going to be any fun.
A Waxing Don’t
It’s not a good idea to use wax hair removal solutions on your skin if you’re using any prescription topical creams, ointments or gel. This can result in further irritating the skin, injury to the skin and more. And don’t ever try waxing at home without all of the necessary tools. That means pre-cleanser, pellon strips, wooden applicators, wax remover and a soothing lotion. If you don’t have everything you need, your final result may leave you embarrassed and not looking like your best self.
Do Prepare
Before doing anything to those eyebrows, it is vital that you properly prepare the area. To prep your canvas, clean the area around your eyebrows and brush the brows smooth and neat. This will help ensure that you get the hairs that you want, and decrease the likelihood of accidents or unpleasantries like hair bumps. You can even prepare the area by applying eyebrow pencil. Not only will it give you a clear boundary, but it will also help you to determine what you want the final result to look like. Giving yourself a guide will give you a little more peace of mind, especially if you’re new to at home eyebrow grooming.
Tweezer Dos
Tweezers are probably the more preferred method for DIY eyebrow care, simply because tweezers are less intimidating than threading and waxing. When tweezing eyebrows, it helps to have a warm compress on hand prior to beginning. This will help to open up the hair follicles for easier plucking. Taking a warm shower or applying a warm towel to the area first can also help to reduce the pain and discomfort that comes with hair removal. If you’re more sensitive to eyebrow plucking, it may be better to take an anti-inflammatory or pain relief medication up to an hour before whipping out the tweezers. This may be one of the most important dos of working with tweezers: Lighting. Having the right lighting makes the work so much easier. Another way to be better able to identify and isolate the hairs that need to go is to use an eyebrow pencil to outline your desired brow shape before beginning.
Tweezer Don’ts
Your professional eyebrow person will often use scissors on your eyebrows to eliminate any strays and flyaways that don’t want to fall into line. But this is highly inadvisable to do at home. The biggest reason to keep scissors out of the action is that you don’t have the same vantage point as someone else. If you don’t have a good angle on what you’re doing, you may find yourself completely botching your brows. Cutting too deep can change the shape of your eyebrows. And please don’t take too much hair. The goal is to remove as little hair as possible by targeting the right hairs.
General Dos
- Regardless of your removal method, tweezers are a good tool to have on hand. Make sure the tweezers are good quality. This means a slanted tip and a good grip. These will help you target and remove only the hairs you intend to with greater confidence.
- Use styling products. An eyebrow pencil can give brows a fuller and thicker look. Adding a good serum to your regimen will help your brows to grow. Gels help keep hairs in place. The right products will give you that fresh out of the salon look everyday.
- Remove hair once a week or every two weeks. Keeping it to a minimum means that you keep more hair than you vanquish.
- When addressing white hairs, color them with a pencil or powder. Black isn’t usually the best color for covering up. Instead go for a color that’s a little lighter than your own..
- Have a talk with a trusted professional about eyebrow maintenance. Ask what you can do at home and if they would share some DIY tips that would be useful.
General Don’ts
- It’s best not to do your own eyebrow threading. Leaving it to a professional will keep your brows out of harm’s way. If anything were to go amiss, you could be looking at weeks or even months of bad brows while you wait for them to grow back in.
- Dyeing eyebrows is a delicate operation. It takes skill and patience to have a natural look that doesn’t stain the skin. Wait for your professional brow appointment to get a color job.
- Magnifying mirrors are great for some things, but they’re not the best tool for eyebrow maintenance. Magnification creates distortion. And distortion means that you may be looking at a shape that isn’t true to life. The last thing you want to do is mess up your eyebrows.
- Don’t take hairs from on top of the eyebrows. Keep the hair removal limited to the underside of the brow. This will help you retain the shape of the brows until you get to a professional.
- Don’t shave your eyebrows. This is better left to the professionals. Keep in mind that shaving also requires more maintenance because it only gets hair at the surface, leaving the hair follicle behind.
Compile a Fool Proof Brow Kit
Everyone needs a brow kit in their cosmetics arsenal. A great brow kit has at least one great pair of tweezers. Having a slant tip pair as well as a pointed tip pair will make you prepared for any eyebrow situation. An eyebrow brush is another must have. It will help you order your hairs for removal or general styling. Brow powder isn’t something that everyone uses or needs, but it is useful in creating fuller brows. An eyebrow pencil can be used when it comes to styling and as an outlining tool when you’re plucking or waxing. Using a black pencil isn’t best unless your hair or skin is really dark. Choose a pencil shade just a little bit lighter than your brow color for a more seamless blending. Styling gel will help to keep those beautiful brows in position all day long.
Eyebrow grooming isn’t something that is just for women. Men also benefit from grooming their eyebrow hairs. In fact, many barbers also give their attention to their customer’s eyebrows, noses and ears in addition to the beard and crown. Eyebrow grooming is for everyone. Even parents smooth their children’s eyebrows. Whether you’re trying to save money or navigating COVID-19 restrictions, it is okay to take on the grooming of your eyebrows at home with a measure of confidence. Luckily our eyebrows are hair, and it does grow back. And if you’ve stocked your brow kit well, you will have everything you need to cover up any mistakes and keep your brows looking flawless. Whether you prefer a full brow, thin brow, high arch or just simple and natural, you can successfully do your eyebrows at home. With a little practice, your friends just might start calling you when they’re having an eyebrow emergency.
