TYRA'S MAKEUP ARTIST VALENTE SAYS:
On your quest for brow nirvana, it's important to have the correct tools - a brow brush, great stainless steel tweezers, and clear brow gel. Your tweezers can make all of the difference, so don't be afraid to spend money on a great stainless steel tweezer. The better the quality the better the results. I like the Rounded Tip Tweezer by Tweezerman because it grabs the hair well and its rounded point makes it very hard to have an accident with, so you won't stab yourself! A good quality tweezer will also grab the hair much better, while cheaper versions aren't made to grab hair as efficiently and will also break the hair off instead of pulling it out at the root.
When you're ready to start, place a warm cloth over the brow to open the pores so the hairs will come out more easily. Next, use the clear brow gel to groom the brow before tweezing (you can use a clear mascara if you don't have brow gel.) This slicks the brow down, which is especially important for unruly brows, so you can see what you need to tweeze. Start by focusing on the bottom of your brow. Brush the brow in an upward direction and pencil in your desired shape with a flesh tone concealer pencil or a white eyeliner pencil. Tweeze the hairs you've drawn over, tweezing in the direction the hair grows, as opposed to pulling it the opposite direction. Don't pluck the hair hard or yank it. Take your time pulling the hairs out one by one to make sure you don't over tweeze. Use the same technique to achieve the desired shape for the top of the brow. If you have really long brow hairs, you can trim the top of the brow with a small pair of manicure scissors or trimming scissors. If you have fine (newly grown) or hard to reach hairs, a slanted tweezer will aid in getting them.
If you have sparse or light colored brows, follow the same steps for shaping. After shaping, use a brow powder (they go on lighter than a pencil would) to lightly fill in the brow where needed. Purchase a good quality brow brush with a small slanted angle and a stiff bristle. If you have a light brow, like blonde or red, find a shade that closely complements the natural color or is slightly deeper in color. If you can't find a brow powder in your color, try using an eye shadow.
After tweezing, follow up by applying cold water or some type of natural astringent to the brow area. I like to use witch hazel because it closes the pores. Also, something to consider when planning the shape of your brow is whether you have fine or bold facial features. If you have fine features, it's okay to have a fine brow. Don't create a full brow because your face will be too brow heavy and won't appear balanced. If you have stronger features (like strong cheek or jaw bones, or a square face) it's nice to keep the brows full.
BROW DON'TS
• Never start tweezing your brow without proper planning. Take the time to plan out the shape before starting.
• Never go into the brow itself and start tweezing, always start with the stray hairs.
• Try to avoid pencils as much as possible, especially pencils with a waxy look because they can look fake (unless that's the look you're trying to achieve.)
Finally, remember to keep your tweezers clean and sanitized, especially before tweezing.
