Much like hair appointments and bikini waxes, eyebrow maintenance is decidedly best left to the pros. But with a hectic schedule and laundry list of other salon visits, it’s easy to allow the condition of your arches to fall to the wayside. To help extend their life in between touch-ups, Alexandra Goodman from Anastasia Beverly Hills shares her expert advice for keeping brows in tip-top shape when they’re approaching overgrown, under-attended territory.
How Can I Extend The Life Of My Brow Tint And Shape?
"A brow tint will begin to fade after a couple of weeks—staying out of the sun and avoiding skin-lightening creams will extend the life of the tint. The only way to maintain the brow shape is to check your brows once a week or so for any new baby hairs that have grown in since your last appointment. If you notice strays that are outside the shape of the brow, those hairs can be tweezed."
What's Okay To Tweeze In Between Appointments?
"Only the new, short baby hairs can be tweezed in between appointments, but check with your brow specialist to make sure that you are not tweezing anything that needs to grow in. If there are hairs that are long and grown out, do not tweeze them. A good rule of thumb is when in doubt, don't tweeze it. The best and easiest way to tweeze in between brow appointments is to outline with a powder and fill in your brows using one of the five Anastasia Eyebrow Stencils. Tweeze the hair that is outside the area that is filled in, which will ensure that you don't get tweezer-happy and take away too much hair. Usually it is best not to take away any hair from above the brow—leave that to your specialist."
How Should I Deal With Color In Between Appointments?
"It is not advised that you tint your brows on your own in between appointments because the products involved are for professional use only. If you need to temporarily touch up your color, try using a tinted gel instead. Ask your specialist which color is best for you or choose a color that is one shade darker than your natural brow color."
What Are The Most Common Mistakes People Make In Between Visits?
"The most common mistake clients make is over-tweezing or trimming the brow hairs too short. If you tweeze too much, you have to wait weeks for the hair to grow in; if you trim the hairs too short, it can leave empty spaces in the eyebrow. If you are overdue for your appointment, it's best to let your brows grow out rather than to start tweezing. I love when a client comes to me with overgrown eyebrows because this is how we achieve the best shape possible. Furthermore, waxing at home is never a good idea. Too many things can go wrong, like burning the skin and waxing too much off. Every waxing specialist or aesthetician needs to be licensed."
What Products Can I Use To Get The Best Possible Brows?
"A brow-enhancing serum will keep your arches strong and healthy as well as encourage any new hair growth—think of it as squats for your brows. A highlighting pencil will brighten and lift the eye, plus add definition to the shape of your brow. Use either a powder or pencil to fill in any sparse areas or just to define and enhance the shape. Always finish with a setting gel, either clear or tinted. (If you have any gray hairs or are wanting to achieve a bold brow, choose a tinted formula; if you're satisfied with the color, go for clear.) It's also always a good idea to consult with your specialist to take into consideration your lifestyle, daily makeup routine and ultimate brow goals to select which products are best for you."
