To tweeze or not to tweeze? That is the question.
When it comes to getting perfect perfect brows, we're faced with different options — the most common of which are tweezing, waxing, and threading. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons. We reached out to some amazing eyebrow experts to give us the rundown of each eyebrow method so you can figure out what's best for you.
How to Do Eyebrows: Tweezing vs. Waxing vs. Threading
How to Tweeze Eyebrows
- Grip the tweezers between your thumb and index finger.
- Center the hair between the tips of the tweezers, as close as possible to the skin.
- Press down tightly and pull out quickly in the direction of hair growth.
- Repeat until all stray hairs are gone.
Tweezing Pros
Tweezing is greatbecause it's incredibly DIY.Beverly Hills brow guruAnastasia Soare,who's perfected the arches ofHailee Steinfeld andSelena Gomez, insists the techniqueoffers major precision. "You can pencil your eyebrows in their desired shape," she says, "and then tweeze around that, using it as a guideline." If you're just plucking in between and around the brows, you're allowing your hair to grow for amore imperfect, Cara-like finish.And FYI, a good pair of tweezers is a solid investment.
Tweezing Cons
"If you tweeze incorrectly, it's not like abadhaircut, says Anastasia. "Sometimes the eyebrow doesn't grow back." Her word to the wise? "Be conservative! And say noto magnifying mirrors. You get too close and can start to over-tweeze."
How to Wax Eyebrows
- Heat up eyebrow wax in microwave or wax warmer.
- Use a clean stick to lightly coat a small area of skin (think a 1/4") with wax. (Make sure it's not too hot!)
- Smooth a fabric strip over the wax.
- Quickly pull off the strip in the direction of hair growth.
- Repeat until all stray hairs are gone.
- Rub vitamin E oil over skin to reduce swelling and redness.
Eyebrow Waxing Pros
"Above all other techniques, waxing tends to have the longest period in between regrowth," saysNatalia Romanenkoof New York'sStrip Ministry of Waxing. "So if you have thicker, coarser hair that grows back quickly, waxing is the best option for shaping. It also encourages thinner, softer regrowth."
Eyebrow Waxing Cons
The most common — and obvious — complaint about waxing is thetemporaryred haloit can create around the treated area after the service."Waxing tugs at the skin, so it's not always recommended for sensitive types," Natalia says. (Try an application of Kristie Streicher's Afore Oil a couple of hours before your wax to reduce inflammation.) Another potential downside of waxing (depending on your taste!) is that it leaves sharp, clean lines, which make brows look very defined.
How to Thread Eyebrows
- Use manicure scissors to trim any eyebrow strands that are longer than you'd like.
- Use a brow comb to brush the brows into the desired shape.
- Cut off a piece of cotton thread that measures about 14" in length.
- Knot the thread so it is one complete loop, then twist it four or more times and form a figure eight.
- Hold each side taut between your thumb and pointer finger.
- Center the twisted center over the hair you want to remove.
- Open and close the fingers to create a twisting motion that will pull out hairs.
- Repeat until you've created the perfect eyebrow shape!
Eyebrow Threading Pros
"Threading allows for a detailed definitionof the brow shape," saysTiffany Reicoskyof New York beauty destinationBrowhaus. "It creates a more natural finish because you're working closely with individual hairs. It also allows technicians to move with more speed than with tweezing." If you're looking to add an arch orlet your brows grow wild for a bit, threading can be a fastway to amp up your shape.
Eyebrow Threading Cons
While threadingcan offer an undone effect similar to tweezing, the super-speedy nature of the service is often cause for reckless hair removal. Tiffany uses a thread-and-tweeze technique, threading the natural brow line and tweezing any stray hairs afterward. Be sure to call your threading salon ahead of time and inquire about their practice before making your appointment.
5 Things to Remember about Doing Your Eyebrows
If you're not a celebrity, you probably can't bankroll bi-weekly brow appointments. You're often left with no choice but to take matters into your own hands, but unless you're a highly trained expert, that's where the trouble can begin.
Sebastian Latiolais, resident brow guru and celebrity makeup artist at NYC's Gotham Beauty Lounge, has seen his fair share of at-home brow maintenance gone awry. And now, he's setting the record straight on the real dos and don'ts of between-appointment upkeep. Read on for the full scoop.
1. Give Your Brows Time to Grow Out Between Appointments
Sure, scheduling an appointment with a pro may seem like the easiest fix for scraggly brows, but unless it's been at least a couple weeks since your last grooming sesh, you're actually doing more harm than good. "The standard amount of time for brow maintenance is three to four weeks," says Sebastian. More often than that, and the hairs won't be long enough for your brow expert to do their thing. If you're the owner of fast-growing hair, however, there's a little bit of wiggle room in this rule: "Timing may fluctuate depending on the individual," adds Sebastian.
2. Vet Your Aesthetician
If you're going to an eyebrow groomer for the first time, make sure to vet them by reading reviews and, ideally, seeing pictures of their work. You want to feel confident with whomever you're trusting with your precious eyebrows! "Seeing a brow artist for the first time can be very intimidating," says Sebastian. "Most importantly, read reviews. Also, bring them a picture of your goals to better help craft your desired look." If you're gunning for a new shape entirely, according to Sebastian, it's important to make sure you don't touch your brows for about four weeks prior. Hey, pro's orders.
3. Don't Over-Tweeze
If you've ever intended to take care of just one stray hair but minutes later, found yourself sporting an entirely new shape, you're guilty of the No. 1 between-appointment brow blunder: over-tweezing. "When I start working with a client, it's typical that their brows are too thin and uneven [due to over-tweezing]," says Sebastian. "It's important to become aware of this habit and to stop, because before you know it, your brows will be gone." Yep, you heard right. Too much tweezing can actually do permanent damage to your eyebrow hairs. Pluck 'em too often, and they simply won't grow back.
It's totally fine to pick up your tweezers every once in a while for touch ups-as long as you're careful. "Be sure to leave the actual shape alone," says Sebastian. His tip? Stay three to four rows of hair away from the brow itself to keep things looking natural.
4. Use Makeup to Create Your Ideal Eyebrow Shape
A little powder and pencil can go a long way during the days before an appointment. Instead of tweezing (that's your eyebrow expert's job, after all!), make use of products designed to enhance the shape of your brow. Sebastian favors Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil. "For a natural look, feather by using short strokes in the natural direction of your hair growth," Sebastian says.
5. Care for Your Eyebrows as You Would for Your Hair
If you're serious about your brows, you'll treat them with the same TLC as you do your hair. If you're trying to grow them out (or are just committed to keeping them extra healthy!), consider applying a topical conditioner like Ardell Brow & Lash Accelerator Treatment Gel. As with the hair on your head, Sebastian says there can be a link between stress and eyebrow health. "Aside from over-tweezing, stress is another reason why brows tend to thin out," says Sebastian.
