Browsin’

Liz Farrelly, The Brow Artist, advises on getting your brows in tiptop condition

What’s the best hair removal technique or does it depend on the type of brow?

It doesn't depend so much on the type of brow as much as the type of hair. For fine, fair hair threading is the best option as you get a sharp and clean finish. For more detailed precision work, I swear by tweezerman tweezers. Waxing is unsuitable for hair removal around the delicate eye area.

How long should I leave between eyebrow shaping appointments? What should I do/not do in between appointments?

Most of my clients leave around 4-6 weeks between appointments, syncing up roughly with the natural hair growth cycle of the brow. The best thing to do between appointments is nothing at all! The more growth we have to work with the better.

What can I do if I’ve over tweezed my brows?

For starters - stop tweezing them! I'm always amazed at the amount of people who come to me saying their brows are too thin and they want a fuller shape, but when I question them about it they're plucking them every day. Throw away your tweezers and let a specialist take over! For brows that are stubbornly unable to grow back, Semi-Permanent Micropigmentation is a great option to create a fuller effect and give long-lasting definition.

Can age or menopause have an effect on brows?

Absolutely. From the age of about 35 onwards, hair growth slows down substantially and may stop altogether in some cases. That's why achieving a full and healthy brow before that age is extra important. Saying that, brow growth serums like Revitabrow (€120, available at The Brow Artist) can make a huge difference at any age and are always a worthwhile investment.

What shape is most flattering?

It very much depends on the face in question. For someone with a more angular face or defined bone structure, a delicate shape with a rounded arch will help to soften the face. Conversely, a full or round face will often benefit from a sharp, structured shape to give added definition. We create a completely bespoke brow for each client, so the answer to this question will always be different!

Would you recommend pencil, powder or gel products for eyebrow filling in?

It depends on the desired effect. Gels can be great for taming unruly hairs and setting a brow in position. There are also many clear gels on offer which groom the brow without adding colour. Powder can give a lovely soft finish to the main body of the brow without looking harsh. A pencil can give great definition to the arch where sharpness is key and the brow can take extra colour. Often a combination of several products will be the best option.

What are the common mistakes people make with their brows?

Overplucking used to be the main mistake we encountered ten years ago, but thankfully that's fading away as an issue recently. Nowadays I find that people are using too much cosmetic product on the brows, often filling them in too heavily at the bridge of the nose and closing in the features. Bigger is not always better!

My brow hair sticks up – is there an easy way to flatten it?

Brew Lamination (from €80) is a fantastic new treatment that has come on-stream over the last year and is ideal for unruly hair. It is essentially a perming treatment that straightens the brow hairs and allows us to fix them into position. Results can be as subtle or dramatic as you like and last 4-6 weeks.

I dye my hair – what colour should my brows be?

If your hair is blonde or fair, your brows should be a shade darker than your head hair. If you're on the darker end of the spectrum, your brows should be a shade lighter than your hair colour. However, at The Brow Artist we custom-blended a bespoke tint for each client to ensure that they are left with the most appropriate and complementary tone in their brows.

Is the mantra that eyebrows are sisters, not twins true?

I always think that's a slightly lazy attitude! Of course there are natural asymmetries between brows, but our job as brow artists is to make them as close to twins as possible! This also helps to increase the overall appearance of symmetry in the face, which is always a plus!

Should I tint my own brows?

Not if you want the best results. Usually pharmacy-brand tinting kits include only very basic flat colours, and you'll often end up tinting the whole brow the same colour which can be unflattering. A specialist should have a wide range of shades to choose from, and will usually be using higher-quality products that will give longer-lasting results.

How popular is threading?

Thankfully threading is becoming more and more popular as a treatment, not just in terms of brow shaping but also in terms of general facial hair removal. It's a great alternative to waxing around the delicate eye area. Even on other parts of the face, threading provides a more skin-friendly alternative to waxing, which can sometimes be harsh on the skin and can cause irregular regrowth patterns. Threading is the way forward!

For online skin consultations and all things brows see thebrowartist.com to find out more