Browsing Tag

brows

Beauty

The dos and don’ts of great brows according to an expert

28th September, 2020

Pic: Instagram/@caradelevingne

Your eyebrows can change your face dramatically (good or bad!) so it pays to devote a little time and attention to them to keep them looking in top shape. Achieving Cara Delevingne level eyebrows isn’t impossible – you just need to know the right tips and tricks to make it happen. Amy Jean Linnehan, founder of Amy Jean Brow Agency and the go-to brow expert for the likes of Dannii Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Delta Goodrem shares her top tips for keeping yours looking amazing.

What are some of the biggest brow mistakes people make? 

“It’s best not to improvise on how to shape your brows at home. Invest in a professional opinion, then follow their lead. I think the worst mistake on an eyebrow is too much product. You now see Instagrammers demonstrating up to 3-4 products on one eyebrow. I think this is a little “theatrical” and overdone in my opinion.”

What are the key characteristics of good eyebrows?

“Symmetry and softness. Never cut the eyebrows with scissors. This will cause a very rebellious regrowth of coarse hair that will protrude forward from the skin. Unruly brows can be awfully distracting.

Another key characteristic is a slightly elongated brow with a soft arch. This will open your eye for a more youthful appearance.”

What can you do if you’ve over plucked?

“You can learn how to use a product and softly sketch them in daily or try Micro-Feathering. Brow tattooing is nothing like a “block” of colour like the old days. We now etch fine strokes into the outer layers of the skin that mimic real hairs, and natural pigments are used for realistic “hair-like” results. This procedure is painless and lasts 12-18 months.”

What should every woman have in her brow kit? 

“Brow Brush: to comb through the hairs before you apply your product.

Tweezers: to maintain your shape and de-bulk any rogue hairs within the brow line.

Your favourite brow filling product: whether it be pencil or powder you should always have a staple.”

What kind of brow maintenance should a woman incorporate into her beauty routine?

“An appointment with a brow specialist every 4-6 weeks. A de-fluff with wax helps to maintain a polished glow over the brow bone.

Tidying up your brows with tweezers at home in natural light every two weeks.

If you have no brows, then book a Micro-feather touch tattoo treatment (this is done in two stages, 4-8 weeks apart) then maintain the strokes by booking a tattoo “refresh” appointment once a year.”

What are the key things you consider when shaping someone’s eyebrows?

“The first thing I look for is making sure the arch placement is correct. If your brows are too rounded or short, this can be incredibly ageing on the face. The aim is to have them as elongated and symmetrical as possible. If someone is lacking colour definition or they are too dark, I will make a colour adjustment to harmonise with their hair and skin tones.”

What’s your biggest tip when it comes to getting good brows?

“Follow your favourite brow artists on social media and hunt down an appointment. Even if it’s a one-off appointment as an investment. A great reshape and colour enhancement for the brows has been likened to a “mini facelift”. A dedicated artist (not a different one each time you visit a department store) will guide you through a rehab regime if necessary and offer the most tailored product tutorials.”

Beauty

The key to good brows according to beauty vlogger Chloe Morello

13th February, 2019

With over 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube following her every beauty move, it’s safe to say that vlogger Chloe Morello knows a thing or two about makeup. So it’s no surprise that Chloe recently teamed up with cult beauty brand Benefit to create her very own Brow Wardrobe Kit. With so much emphasis being placed on a good set of brows, I thought it would be great to get Chloe’s tips, tricks and must-haves for getting them just right. Read on for the products she uses on a daily basis, what she does to tackle an over plucking mishap and her number one trick for achieving killer brows at home with minimal fuss.

What’s the key to good brows?

Spend time on them! Nurture them! It’s probably my favourite part of my makeup routine as it’s one of the most transformative. I can use multiple products and each do something different. My brow pencil will create the shape and add the faux hair effect, my Benefit Gimme Brow+ holds the hairs in place and plumps them up for a full finish, and Benefit High Brow is amazing to enhance the arch and give a lil’ glow!

What are some mistakes people often make when it comes to their brows?

I find people draw in the inner part of the brows and I find that looks harsh. I used to draw the little square edges at the centre of the brows too and I wish I didn’t! Now, before moving on with my makeup I generally buff the inner part of the brows out just to ensure it looks natural. Or use a brow powder like Benefit’s Foolproof in that area instead of a gel or pencil.

What are the essentials of a good brow tool kit?

I think a powder such as Foolproof is a good base product as you can choose the intensity of your brows quite easily. With powders I can achieve a very soft look if I pick up a small amount on a sponge applicator, and if I use an angled brush – spritzed with setting spray – I can achieve a very glamorous and intense brow effect. So it’s quite versatile.

You also definitely need a brow gel to hold the hairs in place. Gimme Brow+ is special because it not only secures your work but it also adds depth, colour and plumps up the hairs using its gel fibre technology! I really LOVE this product.

A pencil such as Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow is good too, because its so lightweight and easy to throw in your handbag or travel bag. The precise, micro fine tip makes it easy to fill in gaps quickly, or you can spend some more time carefully etching hair like strokes for a fuller look.

What’s the worst brow mishap you’ve ever had?

I used to create that very intense boxy look to the inner part of my brow that I mentioned above, which I am glad I stopped doing!

What’s your brow maintenance routine?

I take vitamin supplements to ensure my hair is healthy. Luckily that works for brows as well! I pluck strays very sparingly and then use my Chloe’s Brow Wardrobe kit to create a daily brow look dependent on my mood. If I have a casual day, I use Foolproof as it’s quick! If I have day time events like meetings and lunches I use Precisely, My Brow and GimmeBrow+ to get my ideal ‘full’ brow look. And for evenings and glam affairs I use Kabrow, Gimme Brow+ and Highbrow for a polished, sleek and elongated brow!

Chloe’s new limited edition brow kit with Benefit

Which celebs in your opinion have the brow thing nailed? Why?

Rosie Huntingon-Whitely has my dream brows; they’re very full, with a subtle arch. When she lightly shades them and brushes them up they look so stylish and effortless!

Can you take us through the steps of how you do your brows every day?

I generally use Benefit Precisely, My Brow in shade 3.5 to etch hair-like strokes from about 1/3 of the way in, to the tail of the brow. I feel I overplucked my brow arch last year so I’ve been straightening my arch out with the pencil by carefully adding a hair stroke or two there until the hairs grow back. Then I use Gimme Brow+ in shade 4 to intensify my natural brow hairs and hold them in place. I love to use upward flicking motions to get a plush look. Highbrow is the perfect brow finisher; its a subtle but buildable brow bone highlight that defines my eyebrow shape and adds a glow which really makes my brow pop.

What’s your number one tip/trick when it comes to achieving great brows at home?

Delegate 5-10 minutes to your brows so you can enjoy it! It’s my favourite makeup step as I find it the most transformative. Get to know your brows and you’ll see how many options there are and just how much of a difference beautiful brows can make. I also recommend sitting at a table so you have a flat surface to rest your elbow on, it really helps to steady your hand which helps with precision and preventing mistakes.

Chloe’s limited edition Chloe’s Brow Wardrobe Kit is available now