DIY Brows - Expert Advice On How To Handle Your Brows in Isolation

To start, it’s best to allow your eyebrows to fully grow out in order to figure out their full, natural shape. This lets you see what you're working with and helps you avoid making mistakes further down the line.

In isolation the cheapest and most convenient way to tackle your eyebrows is by tweezing and tinting your brow hairs. Start by brushing your brows up and across to determine the shape. Then get to work plucking any pesky stray hairs one or two at a time.

After tweezing your brows, it's time to get out the at-home tint kit - perfect for creating that microblading look. Prep your tint mixture and use the small spoolie included in the kit to carefully apply the formula across your brows, concentrating on any sparse areas. Sit back, relax and wait up to ten minutes. Once they are ready remove the tint with a cotton pad and there you have it; quick, easy, salon-worthy eyebrows in an instant.

How can you figure out your natural shape, size etc? Where should my arch sit?

This is super easy to do and just requires a pencil! To determine the length, hold a pencil up to your left/right nostril and point it straight up towards your forehead. This indicates where your brow should start. Turn the pencil diagonally, still holding it in line with your nostril to figure out where your brow should end, ensuring it is past your eye’s outer corner.As for the shape, this requires a little extra effort. Take the pencil you were using before, holding it next to your nostril at a 45 degree angle. This indicates where your natural arch should begin. Your pencil should just be going past your pupil, pointing exactly to where the brow arch should be.

How do I know what colour to dye my brows for my hair/skin tone?

A general rule of thumb to follow when choosing a brow dye is to go at least one to two shades darker than your natural hair colour (if you have a lighter hair colour). Dark brown and black hair tones should do the opposite and opt for a colour that is one to two shades lighter for a more natural, flattering finish.

Which areas of the brow should be targeted when plucking to give a clean & neat look?

When plucking your eyebrows, it’s important you don't get heavy handed. Stick to rogue hairs in the middle of your brows, under the brow bone and around the eyelid. For the ultimate neat look try drawing your preferred shape and use it as a guideline on where to pluck the hairs.

How often should I be plucking my eyebrows to maintain and keep them tidy but also avoid over-plucking? We all know how easy it is to get tweezer happy and start plucking anywhere we see a stray brow hair. But it’s crucial you don’t go overboard as your brow hairs may not grow back. So, put down the magnifier mirror and stay away from daily plucking. For a neat and tidy look, we suggest taking your tweezers out every 3 days or so, but this depends on how quickly your hair grows back.

What are some good tips and tricks for growing your brows?

Growing out brows can be a tricky task, especially when they go through the unruly stage. First hide the tweezers so you’re not tempted and then make sure you have your favourite eyebrow gel to help to tame them throughout the process. And if things are still looking a bit sparse try out hair regrowth serum or for an at-home remedy, try massaging a little coconut oil on your brows before bed.

What is your advice on tining; some things to avoid, products to use and what to do if it goes wrong?

As Covid-19 has ruined any chance of getting to a beauty salon, it comes as no surprise that we’re starting to DIY our usual treatments. If at-home brow tinting is on your list, then it might be worth learning some of the dos and don’ts. Do ensure that you’re starting with a clean, dry canvas. That means no traces of brow pencils, gels or powders and try to avoid applying anything that’s oily or greasy beforehand, such as self-tanners or serums. Much like any professional beauty treatment that involves dye, it’s also important to carry out a patch test, this is so you can match the tint to your natural brow colour and prevent any skin reactions. As for the don’ts; never pluck, wax or thread eyebrows before applying tint, as this leaves follicles and pores open and can cause irritation. Last but not least, it’s important to remember not to panic. If things go wrong, you can expect the dye to fade within a day or two, or you can gently scrub brows when you wash your face to lighten them. Our favourite at-home brow tint for both beginners and experts is the Eylure Dybrow – it’s quick, easy-to-use and leaves brows with a natural finish that lasts.

What are some waxing tips? Should I avoid it altogether?

Waxing helps your hair grow back less frequently and there’s less risk of in-grown hairs which means you can say goodbye to daily shaving. As we’ve entered a new norm, the last thing you want to do is shave on the daily. If you’re keen on keeping things tidy but you’re anxious about retaining the same professional results that your trusted wax lady gives you, Nad’s Hair Removal Kits are perfect. Nad’s also offers hair removal wax strips, easy to use and no heat.