A risky eye shadow look is one thing, but when it comes to our eyebrows, we play it safe — always. We recommend you proceed with caution here, since brows don’t grow back quickly and you might not always want to rely on a pencil. So before you hit up the salon for your next eyebrow wax, knowing the best brow techniques is key — and we chatted with Anastasia Soare, brow specialist and founder and CEO of Anastasia Beverly Hills to help us get there. Here’s what you need to know.
Grow Before You Go
You may have heard that it’s best to wait about four weeks between waxes. But really, the optimal wait time might be even longer. “Most people take about 8-12 weeks to fully grow back brow hair after it has been tweezed or waxed off completely,” says Soare, adding that some people take even longer. Ultimately, the best way to know if it’s time for a wax is by looking at its length. “The length of hair should be between 1/8th and 1/4th of an inch to wax properly. Any shorter than that and the wax will not hold the hair,” Soare says.
Vocalize Your Vision
Eyebrows can really affect the way your face shape looks, so it’s your prerogative to know which eyebrow shape will suit you best. The next thing to consider is what fits your daily beauty routine. Are you feeling the big, bold brows right now? Or are you more the natural-brow girl? It all depends on what you feel most comfortable with. Before the esthetician begins with the wax, make sure they’ve understood your request. “A client should always ask the esthetician to show her how they are going to shape the brows before they start,” says Soare.
Know the Facts, Then Wax
If you are on medication, especially a medication like Accutane, consult a doctor beforehand. Similarly, if you have a skin condition, at the very least let your waxing specialist know. You don’t want to exacerbate your skin condition or worsen any skin issues you may have.
Don’t Forget After-Waxing Care
After waxing, Soare recommends using a moisturizing balm to help soothe the skin. Kiehl’s Centella Recovery Skin Salve and Anastasia Beverly Hills After Tweeze Cream are both great options, as they gently soothe and condition skin. If you have any redness, try a color corrector with a hint of green.
Final Brow-Perfecting Tips
Once your brows look their best naturally, make sure you’re perfecting their shape to your liking. The Urban Decay Brow Box is hugely helpful, as it contains a mirror, two brow colors, wax, tweezers and two brushes — it’s everything you need in one handy kit. As the hair grows back in, Soare recommends covering the little brow hairs with a brow highlighter or concealer. (We like the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil.) “This will highlight the brow and mask any hairs until they are ready for another wax,” she says.
Read More
Here’s Why Makeup Might Be Breaking You Out
5 Makeup Products That Will Make Your Skin As Reflective As A Mirror
The Ultimate Skin Care Gift Guide
