From Sharmila Tagore’s arch-free, rounded brows in the 70s to Juhi Chawla’s bushy, natural brows in the 80s and 90s, eyebrows have been an integral part of changing beauty trends. In the last decade, with the advent of beauty influencers, social media is filled with emerging and constantly changing beauty fads, and eyebrows have been a big part of it. Eyebrows are highly understated but they are the most prominent facial feature that have an impact on our expressions. In this article, we will talk about understanding different eyebrow shapes, how eyebrow threading and tweezing can elevate your look and what products to use for eyebrow enhancement such as eyebrow pencil.
Brow Power: Achieve Wow-Worthy Brows with Essential Tips and Tricks
Eyebrows have the ability to balance facial proportions, providing symmetry and a polished look. Well-groomed eyebrows create a natural frame for the eyes and can help balance any asymmetries in other facial features. Defined eyebrows can make the eyes appear larger and more expressive. As we age, eyebrows can thin out and lose their shape, but grooming can help maintain a more youthful look. Read on below to understand different eyebrow shapes and their characteristics and how to work with your natural brow shape for a flattering look.
Understanding Your Brow Shape: Embrace Your Natural Arch
Popular eyebrow arch shapes are classic soft arch, high arch, rounded brow, angular brow and tapered brow.
1) Classic Soft Arch: This is a balanced and timeless shape with a gentle arch that isn’t too dramatic. They work well for people with round or oval faces, as the soft arch can help add definition and lift to the eyes.
2) High Arch: This shape features a higher and a more pronounced arch as the peak of the arch is more elevated. They complement faces with rounder features as they create a longer appearance.
3) Rounded Brow: They have a soft curve without a distinct arch. They create a more youthful and approachable appearance. This shape suits people with strong jawlines or square shapes as they add softness to the overall look.
4) Angular Brow: They have a prominent and defined arch with a sharp angle. They can create a bold and dramatic appearance. Angular brows suit round or heart-shaped faces as it adds a touch of elegance.
5) Tapered Brow: This brow style starts with a thicker front and gradually tapers to a thinner tail. This shape can suit various face shapes, offering a balanced and clean appearance.
To determine your natural brow arch, take note of the direction and growth pattern of your eyebrow hair. Your natural arch will be aligned with the direction your hair naturally grows. Your natural bone structure, particularly the shape of your brow bone, can also influence your natural arch. Your face shape and other facial features play a role in determining the most flattering brow shape for you.
Brow Grooming 101: Master the Art of Tweezing and Trimming
For a put-together and a polished look, regular eyebrow grooming is essential. This includes techniques such as tweezing, threading, waxing and trimming to shape the brows according to your desired style. During Covid, many of us tweezed and trimmed our eyebrows at home. Here are some tips to keep in mind when tweezing and trimming the eyebrows at home.
1) Cleanse the Area: Before tweezing, cleanse your eyebrow area to remove any makeup, oils or debris. This allows for better visibility and helps prevent infection.
2) Outline the Shape: Use a white eyeliner pencil to outline the desired shape of your brows. This helps you visualise the end result and avoid over-plucking.
3) Avoid Over-Tweezing: To maintain your natural shape, remove stray hairs that fall outside your natural brow line. Avoid thinning the brow excessively, as this can alter their natural appearance.
4) Trim Sparingly: Trim only the tips of longer hair, avoiding cutting too much length. Use a spoolie brush to comb your brow hair upwards. This reveals the longer hair that need trimming.
5) Apply Soothing Gel: After tweezing, apply aloe vera gel or a soothing lotion to calm the skin.
Filling in the Gaps: Brow Pencils, Powders and Gels
Here are some common brow-filling products and their uses:
1) Eyebrow Pencil: These typically come in a retractable pencil form or sharpenable form and have a waxy texture. They are great for adding definition, filling in sparse areas and creating precise lines. To give a well-defined shape to your eyebrows, we recommend using Lakme Eyebrow Pencil. This water-resistant and smudge-free eyebrow pencil is long-lasting and doesn’t require any touch ups. It’s perfect for dramatic and bold look.
2) Eyebrow Powder: This usually comes in a compact with powder that can be applied with an angled brush. They are ideal for soft filling and creating a more natural, soft look. It works well for people with already well-defined brows.
3) Eyebrow Gels: These are creamy, often waterproof products that can be applied with any angled brush. They are used to create bold and defined brows. It’s especially useful for people with sparse brows as it allows for precise application and can hold unruly hair in place. Eyebrow gels also tend to have long-lasting results compared to powders and pencils.
When choosing a brow product, choose a shade that closely matches your natural brow colour and hair colour. Consider your comfort level with makeup application. Pencils are great for beginners due to their ease of use, while gels and pomades require a bit more precision.
FAQs about Brow Power: Achieve Wow-Worthy Brows with Essential Tips and Tricks
Q1. How to prevent eyebrows from smudging throughout the day?
A. Set your eyebrows with a clear or tinted brow gel to keep the hair in place. Use waterproof or long-wearing products to prevent smudging due to sweat or moisture.
Q2. How to fill in eyebrows without making them look fake?
A. Use light, feathery strokes and follow the direction of your natural hair growth. Avoid using too much product in one area and opt for a shade that matches your natural brow colour.
Q3. What are some semi-permanent eyebrow filling techniques?
A. Some of the common techniques are microblading, microshading, brow lamination and brow tinting.
Eyebrows are more than just lines of hair above our eyes. Whether through grooming, makeup or other techniques, the shape and appearance of eyebrows can greatly influence our overall aesthetic. Embracing your natural brow shape and working with it will help you achieve the most flattering and authentic look.
Written by Sania Dhirwani on Aug 15, 2023