FOR some, going without an eyebrow grooming has been one of the hardest things about lockdown.
But now beauty obsessives can breathe a big sigh of relief as salons will be allowed to resume services from Saturday.
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Can I book an eyebrow appointment now?
Beauty salonspeople
Close contact services like threading, facial waxing and brow tinting will finally be available again from Saturday after they were put on hold due to an increase in coronavirus infections earlier this month.
Beauty parlours and hairdressers closed along with all other non-essential businesses back in March, due to coronavirus restrictions.
Businesses must meet guidelines and make an effort to protect both staff and clients through measures like installing perspex screens between customers, and wearing masks, gloves and visors when appropriate during treatments.
They can also only accept appointments, not walk-ins, to minimise the number of people in salons.
Why did it take longer for eyebrow appointments to be allowed?
From July 4, hairdressing appointments were allowed to resume because these treatments are deemed to involve less risk.
Eyebrows fall into the government's "highest risk zone" category as this places client and beautician into face-to-face contact where germs are more likely to spread.
This is because eyebrow and eyelash services require lots of time to be spent in front of the face where splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth may be present, which can pose a hazard.
How to do a DIY eyebrow makeover
Given the restrictions, people have been desperate to do their own DIY treatments at home.
And fear not, as we've created a simple step by step guide to getting a much-needed eyebrow tidy up at home.
Step One: Tinting
Be very careful when tinting your own eyebrows at home if you have never done so before. Having an allergic reaction to a dye could land you in hospital.
Always do a small patch test 24 hours before to see how your skin reacts to the product.
Tinting is a great way to add definition to the eyebrows and can make them appear thicker and healthier.
We like Eylure Dybrow Permanent Tint for Brows, which lasts up to six weeks.
Apply Vaseline around your brows to reduce the chance of accidentally dying the skin surrounding the area.
Mix up the dye using a q-tip or the tool inside the dye kit.
Cover each hair from root to tip and leave the dye on for the desired time - check the box for guidance.
Remove the dye with cotton wool and warm water.
Step two: Wax
Use a spoolie tool or eyebrow comb, like the Eco Tools Brow Shaping Duo brush, £4.99, to brush your eyebrows upwards.
If you don't have a spoolie, a thoroughly washed and dried old mascara wand also works.
Each of your eyebrows will probably naturally grow into a slightly different shape.
Without attempting to change your eyebrow shape too dramatically, identify which areas need waxing - usually beauticians wax below and above the brow and between the brows, but this might vary from person to person.
Eyelure's Brow Shapers, £2.90, are perfect for DIY eyebrow waxing as they are already cut into the right shape.
Step three: Tweeze and trim Brush through your eyebrows again and remove any stray or niggling hairs with the Benefit Grooming Tweezer & brush.
Not all of your hairs will come off with waxing, so having a pair of tweezers handy is essential to finish the job.
Finally, comb upwards and trim down any long hairs with Tweezerman Brow Shaping Scissors or a clean pair of nail scissors.
Finish by setting your eyebrows in place with Glossier's famous Boy Brow gel.
Looking for more DIY beauty advice? Here's our step-by-step guide to cutting women and men's hair at home.
Plus, celeb hairdresser Nicky Clarke has shared his tips for cutting your hair at home.
