Shape Up Your Eyebrows

What do The Mona Lisa painting and artist Frida Kahlo have in common? Not much, you might think. However, aesthetically speaking, they have a significant parallel. They both have major don’ts for eyebrows; “The Mona Lisa” for her barely there over-plucked look and Frida Kahlo for her wing-shaped, bushy unibrow. Who doesn’t want perfectly shaped, textured and arched brows? We pluck, wax, brush and fill them in to get a well-groomed and polished look. But whether you choose a salon or opt for the do-it-yourself method, using the right techniques to grow and groom your eyebrows makes all the difference in achieving a look that accents your eyes and complements your face. Here are a few expert tips and my product pick Benefit Brow Zings that comes with everything needed to shape up your eyebrows.

How to give a fuller appearance to thin eyebrows

Brushing or combing brows upward can make them look more voluminous. But waxes, powders, gels and pencils can also be used to create a fuller appearance. Beauty expert and founder of mybeautymuse.com, Diane Aiello, who has worked with magazines such as Allure, Elle, and Vanity Fair – recommends wax for filling in eyebrows. For a natural look, the wax should be used to mimic the natural shape and arch of the brow. Light and layered feather strokes should be used to create thicker looking brows. Avoid too dark or too light eyebrows — opt for a color two shades lighter if your hair color is black or brunette. If your hair is blonde, light brown or red color the brows two shades darker.

How to thin out thick eyebrows

If you are heading to a salon to get your unruly brows groomed, the options are plucking or waxing. If you have sensitive skin, Aiello advises you ask the stylist about the types of waxes they offer such as soy-based or anti-bacterial. If you prefer to do it yourself, she recommends using tweezers to pluck hairs — using a razor does not remove hair from the root like plucking and waxing, but waxing, if done improperly (such as over waxing) cannot be undone. She also cautions against using hair removal products designed for other parts of the body to remove eyebrow hairs, saying they could irritate the skin.

How to find the natural arch

Ideally, the eyebrow should accent the eye and start from the inner eye then extend to the outer eye with the arch peaking on the outer edge of the pupil. To find the beginning of your eyebrow, Aiello says to hold a pencil vertical and parallel to your face between the corners of your nose and tear duct. Your eyebrow should start at the position of the pencil. To find your natural arch, move the top of the pencil to your outer pupil (the lower half of the pencil remains near the nose), this is where the arch should be. Move the top of the pencil further out towards the end of the eye and this is where the eyebrow should end. If a line is drawn out further than the outer corner of the eyes, it will make the eyes appear droopy and sagging. Watch the Sephora video above.

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