Doing a little brow-sing?

Creating an amazing brow used to be such a chore because, let’s face it, we all over plucked or got a bad brow job at one stage or another.

While the catwalk looks vary from year to year, be it a full-on bleached brow or a bushy unkempt thing, what we can all agree on for real life is that a perfectly groomed look is where it’s at.

Threading is my preferred method of hair removal, as it doesn’t tug on the skin and the results tend to last longer.

A great brow can complete a makeup look or just add definition on the days you want to go natural. The theory that your eyebrows should be sisters and not twins is all very well, but what if they aren’t even related?

Fear not, I have some practical tips and products that can help you. It’s also worth noting that the first port of call should be a brow expert if you are looking to have them shaped. Each person needs a brow unique to them and it is dependent largely on their face shape.

Choosing the right colour for your brows is crucial. Blondes should go a shade darker to lift and open the eyes but keep the tone ashy. If you have dark brown hair, choose a light or medium brown shade.

There is no one brow fits all and that is why I am reluctant to recommend stencils or heavy powders, because it can give an over animated or cartoon appearance to the face. Powders aren’t the best thing for beginners to use but you can achieve a soft look with the right one.

If you already have good brows and just want to enhance them, I love the Catrice Eyebrow Set brow (€4.60) powders for natural, yet defined brows.

The brow brush which comes with the set will give you more precision than a pencil, yet the softness of the powder will create the most natural effect - it’s essential to blend everything out with the spoolie brush.

Brow Pencil:

The super slim pencil ensures a natural hair-like stroke every time and will make achieving the most perfectly natural brow super simple. The texture isn’t crumbly either so you can stroke your way to a perfect arch. I was surprised that two colours could cater to all different hair shades and tones, but they really do, depending of the depth of the stroke.

Brow Gel:

It also has a lash and brow boosting serum for €25. This is vitamin enriched to encourage growth and strength, especially if you have had sparse brows or lashes.

Let’s face it, anything that has two uses is well worth it.

Let’s talk about the guy brow next. This expression first popped up a few years ago at New York fashion week where many of the male models were sporting super brows.

I am not suggesting that men need to go full on groomed but just as a great brow frames a woman’s face, taming the male brow requires little attention but gives great impact.

So many men get a shape and tint regularly, they indulge also in the 'manscaping' of their nasal hairs and stray ones near the ears. It’s a practical approach to facial hair and grooming which lasts longer and is lower maintenance than shaving.

Just some practical pre and post waxing or threading advice: avoid tanning the area before, especially prior to tinting.

Make sure that anything you use on the area directly before or after doesn’t contain retinol or acids and don’t expose the skin to the sun.