How to Get Perfect Eyebrows

It's amazing how much of an impact well-groomed brows have on a face. Eyebrows provide a frame that can completely change the way your face looks, depending on their shape and upkeep. Learn how to get the perfect eyebrows, and you'll be one step closer to looking your best every day.

Shaping the brow

The most important aspect to perfect eyebrows is shape. When eyebrows haven't been groomed at all, they often have an overgrown, indistinct shape. The more polished and clean the shape of the eyebrow, the better it will frame the eye and face.

Because shape is so important, it can be a good idea to visit a professional the first time you shape your brows. A professional will have the expertise and tools to give you the best shape for your face. If you have specific desires or concerns about your eyebrow shape, a professional can work with you to get the look you're going for.

Basic rules for shaping on your own

If you don't want to visit a professional, there are a few standard guidelines you can follow to shape your brows at home. Though all the guidelines are generalizations and might not apply to every specific situation, they are good rules to start from.

1. Always shape from below the brow. Usually, the top of the brow already has its own definition, and trying to shape it further can make the brow look awkward.

2. To create a basic shape, use a piece of string. Hold the bottom of the string on one side of the bridge of your nose and stretch the top of the string straight up to your eyebrow. This is where the inner end of the brow should start.

3. After you have the inner edge defined, hold the bottom of the string in the center of your nose and stretch it up to the point of your brow located directly above the center of your eyelid. This is where the brow should start to arch.

Methods for shaping and upkeep

There are a number of methods you can use to shape your brow, each with its own pros and cons. Common methods include shaving, depilatories, plucking, threading and waxing. Waxing and plucking give precise results, but are moderately painful. Shaving and depilatories are not as painful, but also not as precise. Threading is usually less painful than waxing or plucking and still precise, but it usually requires a certain amount of expertise to achieve the desired results.

Create a polished shape with your brows and you might just think you have a whole new face. Once you have a shape you like, pluck, wax or thread stray hairs every day to keep them looking well-groomed.