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We Compare: The Best Ways to Get Your Brows in Shape
Waxing
This method involves pulling out the hair at the root using soft wax attached to a cotton strip. Waxing is usually inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $40 dollars. There are even wax kits available to do the process at home, though we recommend always seeing a professional. Hot wax can cause burns and is extremely difficult to do right at home. Waxing at home (unless you’re an expert) is NOT RECOMMENDED. Waxing is also not recommended if you have very sensitive skin or if you’re using topical medications that thin the outer layer of skin (see more options for sensitive skin below).How long does it last?
We recommend visiting a salon every 4-6 weeks.Does it hurt?
For a quick second, yes, it does hurt. But the pain subsides within seconds.
Eyebrow Threading
Threading is a hair-removal process from India that involves using two cotton strings that twist together and remove your hair from their follicles. The process is the most precise of all the hair removal techniques, and only takes about 10 minutes per session. Threading is fairly gentle on your skin, so if you use prescription retinoids (like Retin-A) or other medications that make your skin sensitive, this technique might be your best option.How long does eyebrow threading last?
Similar to waxing, we recommend visiting a threading salon every 4-6 weeks.Does eyebrow threading hurt?
For a quick second, yes, threading your eyebrows stings just a little. But the pain goes away quickly!Eyebrow Tweezing
Unless you’re a professional, only tweeze your eyebrows to maintain your shape while in between salon sessions. Otherwise, you risk over-plucking which is not a good look. Because you pluck your hairs one by one, removing the hair at the root, tweezing allows you to shape your eyebrows with extreme precision.How to tweeze eyebrows
Use a tweezer to pluck stray hairs in the space between both eyebrows and below the eyebrow. Afterwards, apply a cold ice cube wrapped in a paper towel to your eyebrows to soothe any pain. Pro tip: Don’t tweeze when looking in a magnifying mirror–you’ll be more prone to over-plucking or messing up your arch.Types of eyebrow tweezers
- Slanted tweezer are the classic tweezer shape. They easily fit against the shape of your eyebrow bone to pull out multiple hairs with precision. We recommend: Tweezerman Aztec Rainbow Slant Tweezer.
- Pointed tweezers are best for plucking very fine, individual, or ingrown hairs. Use these only if you’re already comfortable plucking your hairs. These can be difficult tweezers for a beginner to use. We recommend: Zwilling Pour Homme Point Tweezer
Does tweezing hurt?
Tweezing hurts but only for a second. The ideal time to tweeze is right after a hot shower, since the steam opens up hair follicles, making it less painful to tweeze.
Eyebrow Tinting
Eyebrow tinting is great for people who have fine or light-colored eyebrow hairs. A professional will apply semi-permanent vegetable dye to your eyebrow hairs, causing them to look darker and thicker. If you’ve recently dyed your hair a new color, eyebrow tinting can help make your new hair color look more natural.Does eyebrow tinting hurt?
No, eyebrow tinting doesn’t hurt.How long does eyebrow tinting last?
Eyebrow tinting lasts between 1-3 months.How much does eyebrow tinting cost?
Eyebrow tinting costs roughly $20 dollars.Eyebrow Tattoos
a.k.a 3D Eyebrow Embroidery or Microblading
There’s a new technique that is more natural looking and completely better than the old eyebrow tattoos of the past. In the past, eyebrow tattooing involved drawing a thick arch onto the eyebrow, which often resulted in unnatural, obviously tattooed brows. This new technique known as 3D eyebrow embroidery, or microblading, involves filling tiny, hair-shaped cuts in the skin with semi-permanent dye to create semi-permanent eyebrow makeup and the illusion of natural hair.Does microblading/3D eyebrow embroidery look good?
The idea of an eyebrow tattoo draws to mind those heavily painted, clearly tattooed eyebrows of the past. However, this new technique delivers more realistic results than its tattoo predecessor.But will microblading hurt?
Similar to a regular tattoo, microblading can be painful. Luckily, topical anesthesia is applied to your eyebrows to minimize the pain.How long does microblading last?
You’ll have a follow-up appointment one month after your treatment to ensure that you’re happy with the results. After that, your eyebrows will last for one to two years, until they begin to fade naturally.How much does microblading cost?
The price ranges between $300 and $600 dollars for the full procedure.Eyebrow Extensions
Yes, eyebrow extensions are a very real thing. Like their cousin, the eyelash extension, eyebrow extensions involve individually gluing one to two hairs to each of your natural strands for a fuller appearance. However, it may be difficult to cover up any gaps in your eyebrows. So if you have large spaces to fill, you may want to consider microblading or filling in the gaps with makeup instead.How long do eyebrow extensions last?
You’ll have to avoid touching your eyebrows to get the longest wear out of these babies. Extensions usually last 1-2 weeks, depending on how much you touch your face. Avoid using eyebrow makeup, since touching your hairs can encourage the extensions to fall out.Does eyebrow extensions hurt?
No, it does not hurt to get eyebrow extensions.How much does eyebrow extensions cost?
The price ranges depending on how many hairs you need glued on. If your eyebrows are thin and need more extensions, the price may be higher. Prices range broadly between $50 to $85. However, if you have only a few natural hairs and require a ton of hair extensions the price can go up to roughly $200 dollars.Eyebrow Implants
Eyebrow implementation, also known as follicular unit extraction (FUE), is a procedure that takes hair follicles from other parts of your body (like the nape of your neck) and implants them on your eyebrows. This is similar to a hair transplant procedure. Eyebrow implants are great for those with alopecia and cancer patients who’ve suffered hair loss caused by chemotherapy.What do eyebrow implants look like?
If done at a reputable salon, eyebrow implants look full and natural.How long do eyebrow implants last?
Best of all, eyebrow implants last forever. Isn’t that nice?Do eyebrow implants hurt?
Yes. Eyebrow implants are a cosmetic procedure that will cause some pain and require healing time. It is a same-day procedure performed in the doctor’s office. Over the next few days, you will have some scabbing and swelling of the eyebrows. However, eyebrow implants are considered a very safe.How much does eyebrow implants cost?
The price of eyebrow implementation is quite expensive and will cost you between $2,000 and $6,000 dollars. But for those suffering from serious eyebrow hair loss and who have been searching for how to shape eyebrows in a way that doesn’t involve daily maintenance, eyebrow implementation could be worth the steep price.
Eyebrow Makeup
Even after getting threading or waxing done to shape your eyebrows, you may need a little help to fill in hairs or keep them place. First, go to a professional threader or waxer to get the right shape to frame your face, then at home use a pomade, pencil, gel, or powder to maintain your brows. Here's how to fill in your brows with makeup, from easiest to hardest:Brow Gel
Pro: All you have to do is brush your brows to set them in place all day--how easy! Plus, there are three types of gels (clear, tinted, and fiber formulas), so you’ll definitely be able to find one that works for you. Con: Thinner brows might need a heftier product to add definition. Gels are great for people who already have full eyebrows, since they don’t dramatically bulk up brows, so if you’ve got thin brows, choose another makeup method.The Three Types of Eyebrow Gels
- Clear eyebrow gel: Use clear gel if you already have a full set of brow hairs and you just want to keep them in place. We recommend: Givenchy Mister Brow Groom Universal Brow Setter.
- Tinted eyebrow gel: Use tinted gel to darken the color of your eyebrows (making them look subtly denser). We recommend: Glossier Boy Brow
- Fiber eyebrow gel: Use gel formulated with fiber hairs (that temporary stick onto your natural brow hairs), if your eyebrows are sparse and you want them to look fuller. We recommend: Benefit Gimme Brow.
Eyebrow Pencil
Pro: If you’re always in a rush in the morning, a brow pencil is the way to quickly and easily fill in gaps in your brow. Pencils help you fill in your eyebrows with easy precision. Con: Drawing on short, individual strokes can be hard without practice. So we suggest learning the technique from a pro before trying it yourself. You’ll have to learn how to fill in your brows in a natural way, without them looking too drawn on. We recommend: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift - Brow Pencil.
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