Master Class: Tips for Creating Perfect Brows
Spiked at Alexander Wang and softly penciled at Oscar de la Renta, hyperstylized brows dominated the spring runways. For a more street-friendly take, we turned to makeup maven Carmindy's new book, Crazy Busy Beautiful: Beauty Secrets for Getting Gorgeous Fast! Here, her exclusive tips for shaping your best brows.
Wondering if you can pull off runway-ready beauty trends? Upload your photo to our Virtual Salon to try on celebrity hairstyles, change your hair color, and experiment with new makeup trends!
By Lizzie Dunlap
March 10, 2010 12:00 AM
STEP 1: The Tame Game
Before you tweeze, brush the brow hairs straight up with a spooly (mascara-style) brush. Trim any long hairs — or hairs that are growing straight down — with a pair of brow scissors. Have two pairs of tweezers ready: A slant-tipped pair is good for thick hairs; a needle-nose-tipped pair grabs shorter, hard-to-reach ones.
MC RECOMMENDS: Christi Harris Brow Scissors, $29.99; Brow Diva Duo Brush (shown), $19.
MC RECOMMENDS: Christi Harris Brow Scissors, $29.99; Brow Diva Duo Brush (shown), $19.
STEP 2: Great Shapes
Before plucking, use a white eyeliner pencil to draw the desired shape of your brows as a guide. (For steps on finding your natural arch, go to marieclaire.com/brows.)
MC RECOMMENDS: Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Blanc (shown), $23.50; Sephora Stainless Steel Tweezers, $18.
MC RECOMMENDS: Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl in Blanc (shown), $23.50; Sephora Stainless Steel Tweezers, $18.
STEP 3: Fill 'Er Up
Pick pencils wisely. If you're…
· Blonde, match your darkest brow hairs to add definition.
· Going gray, use a taupe color to avoid dull tones.
· A redhead, go with sable.
· Brunette, choose a color one shade lighter than your hair to soften skin tone.
MC RECOMMENDS: CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers in Henna Brown, $2.89; Clinique Instant Lift for Brows in Soft Blonde (shown), $15.
· Blonde, match your darkest brow hairs to add definition.
· Going gray, use a taupe color to avoid dull tones.
· A redhead, go with sable.
· Brunette, choose a color one shade lighter than your hair to soften skin tone.
MC RECOMMENDS: CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers in Henna Brown, $2.89; Clinique Instant Lift for Brows in Soft Blonde (shown), $15.
STEP 4: Finishing Touches
After filling them in, add definition and shine with a clear brow gel. A light slick of Vaseline also does the trick. To get a fuller, Brooke Shields-esque look, brush the thickest part of your brows, near the inner corner, straight up before applying gel. For extra color, use a tinted brow gel.
MC RECOMMENDS: Shu Uemura Eye Brow Gel, $24; N.Y.C. Brush-On Brow (shown), $3.99.
MC RECOMMENDS: Shu Uemura Eye Brow Gel, $24; N.Y.C. Brush-On Brow (shown), $3.99.
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