Hi Everyone!
Let’s talk about brows! First, a little history of my brows. You can skip ahead if you want to see what products I use!
My Brow History
My brows have gone through a lot over the years. I only started using brow products in 2016. Before I started grooming them, my brows were very thick (they were shaped like triangles, I had the arch where it was supposed to be, but then there were lots of hairs that needed to be tweezed underneath). Look! Triangles! →
I started tweezing them in grade 8 (aged 12/13). I overplucked them, and I don’t mean they were too thin, I mean I plucked them so they were too far apart (wide gap between brows). They were like that in my high school years too- they got closer though. I don’t know when the first time I got them professionally waxed was, but I assume high school or university. Twice I’ve gotten them done where the lady waxed them and they were too thin. The head of my brows are a bit sparse and in pictures, it makes my eyebrows look farther apart than they are in person. The tail of my brows sometimes has gaps if I overpluck or trim the hairs too short. In the past, I used to overpluck underneath the head of my brows and it would look like the head of my brows had a hook. My eyebrows are arched, so when I overpluck and have a hook, my brows had a ‘C’ shape.
I may need to just let them grow out and then get them done professionally.
2010- they’ve started to grow closer together
2013- too thin and far apart
2016- eyebrows have a hook
2017- success at last! No hook and not too thin
Brow Products
There are so many different brow products out there: Pencils, Mascaras, Gels, Pomades, Powders and more!
Micro pencils are the most natural, in my opinion, because you can do feather-like hair strokes. They’re great for filling in gaps.
Brow mascaras/gels are good if you want to darken your brows, but don’t want them filled in.
Tips: For tinted ones, make sure to only touch your hairs and not the skin, or it will tint your skin and you’ll get random spots filled in that you don’t want. If you like clear ones, Maybelline’s Clear Great Lash Mascara is great because it’s duo purpose (brows and lashes in one) and good for throwing in your bag.But I prefer using a tinted gel though because it has a matte look. I’ve used a clear gel that hardened and made my brows feel crunchy.
Powders are good if you want to fill in the brows, but still have a natural look.
Tip: You can use a matte eyeshadow, just use an angled liner brush
Pomades and cream gels give you the most colour. They’re great if your brows are non-existent or if you want a more dramatic look.
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black – The spoolie side comes with a cap too, but I took it off because it was annoying taking it off everyday. The cap is useful if you throw it in your purse though, it keeps the shape of the brush intact.
Build full beautiful brows with our ultra-thin Micro Brow Pencil. So precise it coats even the finest hairs with color for a natural-looking finish.
Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Precise Shaping Pencil in Deep Brown – I bought this because I heard good reviews on it and it was on sale. I don’t like this, I don’t like the waxy feel. Now I know what I don’t like and won’t be buying anymore wax pencils. I use it for taking makeup selfies.
This natural wax pencil creates fine, hair-like strokes while the grooming brush blends and softens for a natural finish.
Benefit ka-BROW! Eyebrow Cream Gel Colour in 5 Deep – This is a deluxe sample size, the full size looks different. I should’ve just saved this for a giveaway or given it to someone. It’s so dark, but it’s good if you like to fully fill in your brows.
Brush on rich, buildable colour! This all-in-one eyebrow cream-gel easily fills, sculpts and defines brows.
Here’s an idea of what the three different products look like. Obviously the cream gel is the darkest, while the micro brow pencil is the lightest.
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara – This is a great 2-in-1 product. You can use it for your lashes and brows.
The classic Great Lash brush cnditions, grooms, and separates eyelashes and brows.
Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fibre Gel in 5 Deep – This was recalled back in 2017 (I was able to return mine). Since recalling it, they’ve reformulated it and released more shades.
Our cult-favorite gimme brow tinted eyebrow gel contains tiny microfibers that adhere to skin & hairs, creating natural-looking fullness and definition. The custom, tiny tapered brush blends easily while the precision tip shapes hairs into place.
My Brow Routine
I personally prefer using a pencil or tinted brow gel. I use a pencil to fill in gaps and the brow gel to tame hairs that are unruly.
My favourite is the NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Black and the Benefit Gimme Brow in 5- Deep. My eyebrows are dark to begin with and I just need help with the gaps. I’ve tried samples of pomades and cream gels, but I just look scary because they make my brows so dark. The only time I would use them is if I’m trying out a look and taking a picture for Instagram.
My routine is fairly quick since I’m just filling in gaps here and there. I comb out my brows with a spoolie and then I use the NYX pencil. Then go over with a spoolie to soften any darker lines. Sometimes I will use the brow gel if my brows are being particularly unruly. At the very least, I use the pencil.
I’ve written a few comparison blog posts on brow products, check them out:
Lancôme Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil vs. Benefit Precisely, My Brow
Diorshow BoldBrow vs. Benefit 24 Hour Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel
What brow products do you use?
Love,
