The dos and don’ts of brow maintenance

There’s something about eyebrows that makes people nervous. Whether it’s a haunted past experience of over-plucking, a DIY wax gone horribly wrong, or you’ve left too many brow appointments feeling majorly disappointed. Whichever reason it may be, it’s the one beauty glitch that’s stuck with you for far too long.

Now it’s time to break down your brow fear, as bold brows are in (and we don’t foresee them being ‘out’ any time soon), and can dramatically transform your face in minutes.

In a quest for the perfect Cara Delevingne-like brows, we spoke to Rebecca Lissa, eyebrow specialist for The Bronzing Boutique in Sydney and Los Angeles, who shared the essential dos and don’ts for your next brow appointment. And more importantly, why you should never be afraid of your appointment again!

Do: Speak up

“ALWAYS speak up! Your brows have to be what you want at the end of the day,” Lissa explains. It’s important to go into your appointment with an idea of the type of brow you want to achieve, and chat to the professional about it. “I always start by asking what they want to achieve from the brow experience, it’s vital in creating the perfect arches.”

Don’t: Be afraid of tinting

Tinting is crucial in order to create a beautifully shaped brow. “If you want to gain a fabulous looking eyebrow with lots of body, tinting is so important,” Lissa says. Tinting often sets off alarm bells in some women’s heads (especially with light-haired girls) but it’s actually a gentle procedure, that’s really dependent on the person. “When people think brow tint, they naturally think dark. But there are numerous different colours that can be mixed and applied for various results, it all just depends on the actual person you’re treating, making tinting appropriate for all skin tones and hair colours.”

Don’t: Get them wet

What many people don’t realise is the next 24 hours after your appointment can majorly impact your new brow’s longevity. “A little trick I suggest, is to not get them wet for 24 hours, this really helps the tint last longer,” Rebecca advises.

Do: Expect different tools

“Expect both plucking and waxing. Waxing is great for getting those fluffy, fair hairs and tweezing is great for those stubborn, dark hairs.”

Do: Cover up

No one likes embarrassing post-appointment redness, so Lissa suggest applying aloe vera to the area, as it’s great for soothing and taking away redness. But a little concealer can never hurt if you have to rush off shortly after. Try Dior Diorskin Nude Hydrating Concealer or Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer.

Do: Use makeup between appointments

If you’re in between your next brow appointment, use an eyebrow pencil or powder as a great quick fix to help fill in any sparse areas. We love Lancôme Le Crayon Sourcils and Maybelline New York Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara, which are both simple to use but effectively fill in any telltale areas.

Don’t: Mess with the shape

Be mindful of plucking sparse hairs and not upsetting the actual shape of your brow. “You can tweeze hairs as they pop back up but just make sure you don’t go near the shape,” Rebecca explains.