If you weren’t convinced before, then protective face masks have likely converted you to a believer—bold eyebrows are way more than just a passing beauty trend. Big, beautiful brows are in fact a beauty staple! As you probably also know, achieving and maintaining picture-perfect brows isn’t always easy. We consulted celebrity makeup artist and brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, Sir John, for the ultimate expert opinion on a very important subject matter—eyebrows. From the latest brow makeup trends to how to choose and use the best brow products, read on for Sir John’s top tips on all things eyebrows.
WHAT BROW PRODUCTS SHOULD EVERYONE HAVE IN THEIR MAKEUP BAG?
Keeping mascara and eyeliner handy is a no-brainer. But when it comes to eyebrow products, between all the different pencils, gels and powders, it can be confusing to figure out which products are best to have at the ready. Sir John shares that pairing an eyebrow pencil with a longwear product, like the L’Oréal Paris Unbeliva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel, is the ideal combination.
“A brow pencil gives hair-like definition and precision, and Unbelieva-Brow gives overall full coverage and long-lasting power,” he says.“Unbeliva-Brow is the right product for someone who needs their brows to last a very long time or for someone who loves the longevity of a longwearing pencil but has less time to reapply.” He also adds, “It has staying power that lasts all day and you’ll really enjoy the hair-like texture it provides.”
WHAT BROW PRODUCTS SHOULD YOU USE IF YOU DON’T WANT A LONGWEAR LOOK?
Not looking for 24/7 brows? That’s okay. We love longwear makeup but it isn’t right for every occasion! Instead, use an eyebrow pencil, like the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Shape & Fill Mechanical Pencil. From there, you can decide if another product is necessary.
“If you have time, I like to use a powder as well,” Sir John says. “Powders take away the waxy appearance that a pencil may leave behind.” Use an eyebrow setting powder for the second step or find a kit that includes both brow powder and wax.
SHOULD BROW PRODUCTS MATCH THE COLOR OF YOUR BROW HAIRS?
Just as the right shade of blush or highlighter ultimately depends on your individual skin tone, so does the right shade of eyebrow makeup. There isn’t a single answer to whether your brow product should be lighter or darker than your actual brow hairs because it should be based on your skin tone. One question that can be answered definitively is whether to wear warm or cool shades. In Sir John’s expert opinion, “You should always veer on the side of a cooler brow. Something that doesn’t look too warm or too red because that never photographs well.”
IS IT ESSENTIAL TO USE A CONCEALER AROUND BROWS?
When you see perfectly-sculpted, overly made-up brows on social media, it may make you think that in order to achieve timeline worthy eyebrows, the more makeup the better. However, Sir John doesn’t agree. “I don’t suggest using a concealer to shape the brows because it begins to look unnatural,” he says. “If you have a good shape, you don’t necessarily need to spend so much time on your brows.”
WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR BROW LOOK OF THE MOMENT?
In the past couple of years, we’ve seen plenty of eyebrow makeup trends, from feathered brows to glittery arches and even the short-lived squiggly brows (oh, how we’d love to forget). But as trends come and go, some looks remain classic. And according to Sir John, “voluptuous brows are not a trend.” Rather, they’re a traditional outlet for looking beautiful, as more hair around someone’s eyes is proven to make them look younger. If you want to use eyebrow makeup to fill in your brows for a more voluptuous look that will stay put, grab the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil.
IS IT NECESSARY TO SHAPE YOUR BROWS BASED ON YOUR FACE SHAPE?
If you see a brow shape you love, but it isn’t the shape recommended for your face shape, is it a total no-go? Not exactly!
“If you find the right brow shape, it becomes more universal and will look great on all facial shapes,” Sir John says. And remember, when it comes to the shape(s) of your eyebrows, despite what pop culture may show, they shouldn’t be absolutely identical! It’s just like the old adage says, eyebrows should be sisters, not twins. As Sir John says, “As long as they are going to the same party you are in a good place.”
HOW CAN YOU EASILY REMOVE LONGWEAR EYEBROW MAKEUP?
If you’re wearing long-lasting formulas, in particular, you may need to put a little thought into the makeup remover you use. Sir John recommends looking for an oil-based makeup remover or a cleansing oil. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types which uses small oil molecules to lift dirt and makeup (even the waterproof kind) up and away from the skin.
Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn
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