Plucking your eyebrows to achieve that perfect, face-framing arch can be a tedious (and painful!) process. But since fuller, thicker brows are in style, you can (and should) spend much less time with the tweezers. Try these 10 pro beauty tips to score A-list arches at home.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #1: Choose the Right Tweezers
"Opt for a sharp, slanted style. "Unlike pointy versions, they grab tiny strays quickly and won't pinch your skin along with the hairs."
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #2: Tweeze After Your Shower
Warm water opens the follicles and softens hairs, helping them slip out more easily.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #3: Ease the Plucking Pain
If plucking is too painful or it's right before your period (when skin is most sensitive), dab on a numbing gel like Orajel-Baby Teething Pain Medicine before you tweeze.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #4: Ditch your Magnifying Mirror
This tool can make it look like there's more hair to remove than there really is, which can lead to over plucking. Instead, use a regular mirror in a well-lit room-if you can't see stray hairs under these conditions, neither can anyone else. After every few tweezes, take a couple of steps back to see the bigger picture.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #5: Know your Arch Limits
Hold a pencil for guidance, "Your brows should begin directly above your tear duct, peak in line with the outer side of your iris, and end at a point that falls 45 degrees from the outer corner of your eye." Be sure not to arch your brows too high or they'll look unnatural.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #6: Create Your Shape
Once you've determined how your brows should curve, outline your ideal arch using a soft, creamy brow pencil. Then remove only the hairs that fall above or below your self-made stencil.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #8: Brush Up
Style your arches with a brow brush or a clear, brow-gel wand, coaxing hairs upward at the start of your arch and brushing the rest toward the end of your eye.
Eyebrow Shaping Tip #10: Grow Them In
Overplucked? Refrain from tweezing for at least three weeks so you can see the natural growth pattern and shape. If your brows need a little extra encouragement, brush on a growth serum like RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner
BONUS Eyebrow Shaping Tip: Get the Tint
While pencils and powders are great for enhancing your arches day to day, consider brow tinting for a more permanent solution. It saves time in the morning, since you don't have to worry about adding definition with the right pencil or powder daily. You can just wake up and go." But don't try this at home! The safe way to color your arches, is with the help of a pro brow guru or colorist, who will likely use a semi-permanent vegetable dye.
