Eyebrow Shaping 101

Simple Style Tips

Some degree of eyebrow shaping is a beauty MUST for most of us...it really can make or break your look.

How? I don't mean changing their shape *necessarily, or even plucking them extensively...the choice word here is OPTIMIZING their shape. Optimizing your brows can include everything from the minor wrangling of stray hair growth, a little bit of filling out from overly 'optimized" brows, taming overly wild 'natural' brows or even separating a 'uni-brow'.

For some people, adjusting the shape and thickness of their eyebrows can bring about very dramatic results...especially if there face shape is overwhelming their appearance.

Ultimately your goal in the process of optimizing your eyebrows is:

1. Clear shape definition for a stronger compliment to your eyes (removal of stray hairs create clean edge to brows)

2. Creating balance to your face shape (length, thickness, angle of line can balance overwhelming features)

3. Expression of your personal style (underscore fashion-beauty aesthetic)

1. & 2. Keeping it simple...TIPS

You don't have to reconstruct your brows, just groom them a little. Here are some basic rules of thumb, keeping this task really simple.

eyebrow shaping Good set up, good results...

A magnification mirror, bright light (bright natural light ideal), effective gripping tweezers (suitable for grasping a range in hair coarseness) and a clean toothbrush (you can recycle your flat bristled toothbrushes, clean them in hot soapy water or use a lash/brow brush if you have one).

eyebrow shaping Take it slow...

Have a game plan (see points below); brush your brows straight up so you can see individual hair base and pluck one hair at a time, using close range but checking as you go from more of a distance so you can keep track of the overall look in relation to your face.

eyebrow shaping guidelines GUIDELINES:

A vertical line extended to your eyebrow from the outer side of your nostril is APPROXIMATELY the start of your brow.
A straight line extended diagonally from the outer side of your nostril, along the outer corner of your eye, is the approximate end of your eye brow.
The arch should occur above the outer third of the eye (universally flattering and balances face proportion).
Determine the thickness of your brow, imagine a boundary line that falls under your brow that determines the brow thickness and remove the strays underneath.

GENERALLY, if you apply these rules of thumb, you should have a groomed tidy brow.

eyebrow shaping Don't pluck hairs above brows. Just beneath and at ends...one hair at a time.

3. More style expression...TIPS

Just like makeup, the design of your eyebrows can be an extension of your personal style

Design elements such as eyebrow thickness, height of arch, placement of the arch, angle of the line of your brow will all create degrees of drama.

eyebrow shaping If you are looking for a big change, it may be best to go to an esthetician who can advise you on your plan and help you make it happen.

TOOLS ... Eyebrow shaping essentials:

tweezers, sharp small scissors for trimming too long hairs
stencils can be great for achieving a very specific shape.
pencil and powders for shaping and filling.
eyebrow brush for placement
brow mascara/ gel for keeping brows in place
eyebrow shaping kits that provide all the pieces, headache free

eye makeup Last word on eyebrow shaping? Eyebrows really do make a night and day difference so don't let uncared for brows bring your appearance down. Anastasia is a famous eyebrow grooming products company with many helpful tools to help you shape and style your eyebrows.