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How To Pluck Perfect Eyebrows: Shaping Tips From A Brow Expert

How To Get Perfectly Plucked Eyebrows

Strong, full eyebrows are having their moment and framed many models’ faces on spring runways like Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, and Marc Jacobs.

We went to brow expert Nathalie Smith, Co-Founder of MYNC Beauty lash lounge and brow bar in Toronto to get her tips on achieving fuller, beautifully-groomed brows.

Why are well-groomed brows so important?

'The eyes are the first place that everyone looks. The eyebrows frame your eyes and face, so achieving balance is key. How your brows are shaped can actually change your appearance. Think Madonna and her ever-changing brows, to match her ever-changing persona. Brows that are either too thick or too thin will take centre stage, strengthening expressions such as anger or surprise. When shaped properly they bring out the eyes, make the face more youthful, and brighten the face as well. When you’ve got great brows, you simply don’t need a lot of makeup!'

Which celebrities and style icons would you say have influenced the trend for fuller and thicker brows?

'There are so many, but Camilla Belle, Megan Fox, Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian are by far the ones most commonly referenced by our Brow Bar clients for their trademark full brows.'

What not to do: famously overpruned eyebrows!

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Pamela Anderson, 1990s

Famous Over-Plucked Eyebrows

What are some at-home tips readers should know and do, when grooming and maintaining their own brows at home?

'Always plan before you tweeze. Create your ideal brow shape first with powder and concealer, then take only the hairs that are “negative” to the design.

Tweeze only one hair at a time. Minor changes make huge differences in the brow area. Step back from the mirror every few hairs to regain perspective, viewing your brows in the context of your entire face.

Since fuller brows are the trend, I caution against trimming. Overzealous trimming is the most common cause of gaps in the brow line that we see in our clients. Instead, use a brow pomade or clear mascara swept onto hairs upwards and in the direction of growth to tame and naturally define brows.

Use a brow powder that matches the base colour of your hair, not pencil to fill in sparse areas and define the brows. Pencils contain wax that adhere to the skin and can look fake and obvious.'

Is there any major step in grooming brows that should ideally be left to the pros?

'Your brows should be shaped according to your particular, face, eyes and bone structure, which is ideally entrusted to a highly trained brow stylist who can view your face objectively. Once a professional has shaped your brows, then maintenance becomes easier. Examine your brows once a week and tweeze only the strays that have grown back, so that there’s never any need to undertake a major excavation yourself.'

What are some key products and tools readers should have at home for grooming?

'It’s super simple. Good tweezers. I recommend the Tweezerman slanted edge, which is easier to use for a non-professional, a dual ended eyelash comb/eyebrow brush, and good natural lighting.'

That’s the thick and thin of it!

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