Brow Wow
I have such brow envy it’s not even funny. “C” hears me talk about it often, as she has awesome brows. She can do practically anything with them, too. When thin, sleek and arched is in - she’s there. When thick and serious is in - she’s there. Because she can. And I am jealous. See, I don’t have much to work with. In fact, my eyebrows are translucent and you would never even know they were there unless I dyed them. On top of having barely there brows, they are low hanging. With lengthening mascara, my lashes touch my eyebrows. Trust me, I am not bragging. In fact, well over a year ago I was told by two spa professionals (shout out to you “N” — my favorite spa ever!) that I should consider a brow lift. A brow lift at my age, preposterous!
I have my mom to thank for my eyebrows. Of course, you would never know that by looking at her now (wink, wink - love you mom!). I had to dredge up old pictures just to confirm I was not adopted (remember those days, mom?). Low and behold, I am not adopted and these are in fact the eyebrows I was born with. So … what to do?
Here’s what I know. I know you should never over pluck your eyebrows. Thinner eyebrows age you. As I am so lacking in this department, I am pretty sure I would do just about anything for some brows (think Fear Factor). Eyebrows are such a distinguishing feature on a woman’s face. I catch myself staring at eyebrows on every woman I know. I do … just watch where my eyes go next time we’re having a little face-to-face chat. However, I have learned to make the most of what I have. I avoid waxing, as my skin is so sensitive. Even a week without my retinoid, waxing still rips my skin to shreds. After studying the “how to” of brow grooming, plucking became an easy thing for me to do. About a year ago, I decided to simplify my life by dying my eyebrows (brilliant move!). It’s one less thing to worry about in the morning. It takes 5 minutes and it’s so low maintenance … touch ups every 3-4 weeks, that’s it. I do not pencil in the thin areas, though I probably should. Since I have become dye happy, I have dyed my mother-in-law’s eyebrows as well as my sister’s … pretty good job, if I do say so myself.
For those of you who love pencils, I like Shu Uemura’s eyebrow pencil. It’s soft and easy to use and has a brush at the opposite end. I like Guerlain’s colors a lot. Bare Escentuals has a great brow powder that’s a snap to use. I find that powders are more realistic looking than pencils. What I really want to try is Anastasia’s Brow Fix. It’s a colorless brow gel that’s supposed to keep your brows in place.
If you decide to dye, just remember to steer clear of anyone in the house until you’re done. My son walked in on me and the “slimy caterpillars” on my face frightened him. Of course I laughed!
Stumble it!
Dear Catherine,
I was just browsing through the new Nordstrom’s catalog and I noticed some products for eyebrows. 1st: Anastasia Beverly Hills. This is a hair regrowth and it’s $35. 2nd: Trish McEvoy. This is a brow builder and it’s $32. 3rd: Precriptives. This is a groom stick - might be what you are looking for and it’s $18.50. Maybe one of these would work.
Thank you, Charlene. Anastasia seems to have some great brow products. And the Prescriptives groom stick sounds like the Anastasia Brow Fix … which could be exactly what I am looking for. I appreciate your contribution!
I use the Anastasia Brow Gel (recommended by my Sephora girl and Oprah) with my Mac eye brow powder and it gives me the lift that I need on days when I don’t have a lot of time to apply make-up. The Sephora girl told me eye brows and lip gloss are my essential things. I always thought it was mascara but I have to say that emphasizing my brows does make a big difference.
Oh I am so excited that you use and like the Anastasia Brow Gel. Is it the Brow Fix stick?
It’s the brow gel. What is the Brow Fix stick?
Brow Fix is a pencil (looks more waxy). However, some refer to it as gel. It could be one in the same … or two very different products.
Hi Catherine,
I have had my eyebrows dyed for years, because unfortunately, I have one brown eyebrow and one blonde eye brow. I dye both of my eyebrows, because matching the blonde brow to the brown brow really never works out. Anyway, I go to a cosmetician every 5 weeks or so to have my eyebrows done, but I’ve always thought that this was something that I could easily do myself. Why brand dye do you suggest?
Hi Rebecca,
Believe it or not, I use “Just For Men” (for beard and mustache) in the light brown/dark blonde color every 3-4 weeks. It is such a cinch - literally 3-5 minutes and you’re done. The longer you leave it on, the darker the color. You can definitely do this yourself! Go for it.
Thanks,
Catherine
Thanks Catherine!
I absolutely look forward to creating doing my “slimy caterpillars” myself! Great description by the way–it’s dead on!
Rebecca
Dear Catherine,
First of all, I stumbled upon your website by accident and absolutely love it!!!
I overplucked my brows for years and now I hardly have any and their fair.
I use to work for a plastic surgeon, and the other girls are right, dying brows really helps. Never pluck but strays or just a little more, b/c stlyes change and they will not grow back after a period of time!!!
I also use Anastasia pomade and absolutely love it!
I use to tell my patients that if they were very careful, that they could use a q-tip dipped in Rogaine (yes, for men)
and if committed to twice a day, you will see results over time. Just do the brow area though unless you want alottttt
more hair in other places! At the time this was my idea,
and then I saw an article by some famous dermatologist in NY that stated the very same thing!!!
Anyway, now I can’t wait to try some of the other girls suggestions! (By the way, you do have to keep the Rogaine thing up!)
P.S. Rogaine is great for those of us with receding hairlines,
as well, just be careful not to overdo!
OK, now I’m on a roll, one of the best skincare tips is to shave your face (yes, like guys). It is a myth that it will come back thicker or darker!!! If you think about it, it is just a primative form of one of the components of a “Biomedics” micropeel! One of the most important anti aging “things” is to keep the skin exfoliated! If anyone has already mentioned this, sorry!
Anyway, I’ll keep up with your website, it is awesome!!!
Sally
Welcome, Sally!
So glad you are here - thank you for all of your tips. Keep them coming! Subscribe for weekly updates and come back often to contribute. That’s what makes this community so great - contributors like you!
Thanks,
Catherine