I’m glad to see brows are still big news, if the Spring/Summer 2014 shows are anything to go by. While make-up was muted, brows had stand out appeal on the runway, especially at Alexander Wang, Balmain and Phillip Lim. Here’s my guide to “now” brows.
Brow Basics
Brushed up, bushy or generally exaggerated, whichever way you choose to go, brows still need to be groomed, strays kept at bay and arches maintained. Whether you opt for threading (my personal favourite), waxing or tweezing, well-groomed brows are a must-have. When I’m working on photo shoots and I need to whisk away the odd stray hair, I use tweezers. My favourites? Tweezerman Slant Tweezer, £17. I’ve been in love with Tweezerman tweezers since I first discovered them in the US, and am proud to say that I was responsible for bringing them to the UK! One of the best brow-taming tools that I have in my kit is a toothbrush. I always collect the brushes from in-flight wash bags and keep them for brow grooming.
Best for: Natural brows
Brow powders are brilliant for filling in and adding thickness to most brows. Using small, feathery strokes, I work upwards and outwards with the brush from the inner to the outer brow. I love Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Powder, £17, from Cult Beauty which comes in seven different colour way duos to suit most colourings. Use the darker powder in the duo for night tie when you want more intensity, the lighter shade for day – or mix the two to make the perfect bespoke colour to match your brows.
Best for: Sparse brows or gap-filling
Pencils are great for brows that need a little bit of filling in, extra definition or neatening up. I’m a huge fan of Nars Brow Perfector, £16.50, a new velvety textured pencil which you can use to fill in brows for a really natural look. It also comes in 4 shades that match most eyebrow colours. I also love MAC Eye Brows, £13, a self-propelling, self-sharpening pencil that comes in a variety of shades to suit all colouring from darkest to lightest. It’s super-fine, so is perfect for filling in and defining without creating any harsh lines.
Best for: Over-plucked or thin brows
Eyebrow pens are the brand new way to define brows precisely and I love using them to create beautifully groomed brows. My favourite is Suquu Eyebrow Liquid Blend, £20, from Selfridges.com. The pen has a really fine brush tip which allows you to fill-in and define eyebrows with precision. It’s also water and oil–resistant so it’s pretty smudge-proof. For a budget buy, I love Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Pencil, £10. One end is a pencil and the other a precision pen for filling in and defining. And it comes in two colours – Brownie Points and Love is Blonde.
Best for: Setting Brows
If you want natural but well-groomed brows, gels are the way to go. Nars Brow Gel, £16.50, is a great way to set and thicken eyebrows quickly and simply. It’s a brilliant formulation that brushes on evenly and without clumping. Benefit’s Speed Brow, £13, is a one-colour-suits-all brow gel, perfect for achieving natural-looking brows in nanoseconds link. For thickening up brows and keeping the in place, Bobbi Brown’s Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up, £15, is a firm favourite. It’s also great for touching-up the odd grey hair in between hair appointments!