6 must-know eyebrow tips from Lucy Hale’s brow artist

Whether you’re blessed with naturally thick eyebrows or have to rely on a team of pencils, gels or pomades to perfect your arches on the daily, there’s no doubt that a well-shaped brow can transform your face by giving it structure and balance.

If you’re still struggling to master the perfect brows, listen up. Kelley Baker, the brow artist in charge of the arches belonging to Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell and Kourtney Kardashian, has been perfecting brows for over 15 years and recently spoke to Refinery29 to reveal her top tips for turning your brows into the best version they can be. Here’s what you need to know:

#1 / Never underestimate the power of a highlighting pencil

Baker revealed that the product she uses most on all of her clients is a highlighter, which she applies under the brow bone to make the hairs stand out. She says, “It just opens up everyone’s eyes and make you look wide awake.”

She also uses it to minimise the appearance of sparse areas. Baker suggests applying highlighter first before filling in the brows and smoothing the product up in to the brow. “That way, you can see all the sparse spaces clearly,” she explained.

#2 / Stick to your natural shape

While keeping your brows full and tidy is important for many people, Baker suggests avoiding dramatically changing the shape of the brow and instead recommends working with what you’ve got. “Personally, I enhance what they already have. With a rounder brow, I’ll fill in the outer corner. With pencil or powder, you can make the line more straight and turn it down for a more defined shape,” she explained.

#3 / Put the scissors down

Trimming might seem like standard practice when it comes to tidying up your brows but Baker isn’t a fan. “I don’t trim at all,” she shared. “If you don’t want them too tame, let it do its thing and find the shape after the fact.”

#4 / Choose the right gel

Eyebrow gels are possibly the easiest brow product to use and are great for adding quick depth and definition as well as setting your hairs in place to finish off a flawless look . However, Bakers says it’s important to choose the right gel for your skin tone and hair colour. “I use a colour brow gel for someone with blonde or thinning brows, because we fill them in a lot more,” she said. If you have darker hair and fuller brows, “Go for a clear gel, so it doesn’t appear overpowering for your face,” she added.

If you want to give eyebrow gel a try, we recommendAnastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, L’Oréal Paris Brow Artist Plumper and Benefit Gimme Brow.

#5 / Brush up and out

If you’re looking to recreate the ‘on trend’ thicker brow look, Baker says the first step is to brush your brows up and out. “A lot of people make the mistake to brush to the side. But when you brush it up and out, it lifts and opens the whole eye and face,” she explained.

#6 / Less is more

Perhaps one of the biggest brow mistakes people make is being too heavy-handed when applying product. Baker stresses, “Less is more!” and suggests pressing softly with your chosen brow product to draw quick, little flicks that look like real hairs, especially at the front of the brow. If you make a mistake and press a little too hard, simply smooth out the product with a spoolie or clean mascara wand and start again.

Not sure what brow shape will suit you best? Here is your ultimate guide for choosing the most flattering arch for your face shape.

Image credit: @kelleybakerbrows