Most brow products use the same language – tame, sculpt, build, accentuate. With such a myriad of products, it would be nice to know exactly what they do! Here's everything you need to know about all the brow products on the market, what they do, and how to use them.
Pencils: By far the most popular brow product on the market. The humble pencil has been a beauty favorite for generations, and for good reasons – easy to control, straightforward, and subtle. Everyone from Boomers to Zoomers can achieve significant results with a pencil. Adding a few strokes to fill in gaps or fix minor asymmetry is where the pencil really shines.
How to Use: Start at your most sparse! Work outward from the area that requires the most attention. Use short, hair-like strokes, following the direction of your natural hair growth. The tip of your brow pencil plays a huge role, so make sure it’s sharp and precise, and use a light hand when applying.
Gels: The quickest way to add color and sculpt your brows, gels come in a mascara-like tube. The color clings to individual strands and offers a hold akin to hairspray… taming unruly brows with the flick of a wand. Brows will look more ‘fluffed’ than with other products, and can help you achieve the coveted laminated brow look. Try award-winning RevitaLash Cosmetics Hi-Def Brow Gel – a multitasking brow gel packed with brow-loving ingredients and complete with a comb and styling brush for added sculpting and control.
How to Use: Use short, upwards strokes working from the inside towards the temple to cover each strand in an even coat of gel before combing out the brow following the pattern of natural hair growth. Where you brush your brows is where they’ll stay, so the option for fuller or more tamed brows is up to you.
Powders: A 'new' product from an old technique. While brow-specific powders have become popular, women have often found themselves filling in gaps with eyeshadow. (Who doesn’t love a multi-tasking product?!) A brow powder will provide a softer look when compared to pencils and gels. Use to fill in small gaps or sparseness while adding subtle fullness. Powders work best in companion to brow pencils to offer softness and help set the pencil in place.
How to Use: With a small, angled brush, follow the hair growth with short strokes. Again, start at the sparsest section of the brow. Once finished, comb the powder through using a clean spoolie brush to work the product into your brows to help blend and set.
Pomades: Almost like if powder and pencil had a baby. Applied using a brush, the crème based formulas offer color and definition with flexible hold. You don’t get the same individual strokes as you would with a pencil, but if you have unruly brows that need some control to keep them in line, this product will help. Pomades are usually used to create a bolder brow with more intensity and sharper lines, so women with sparse brows needing extra attention will love this product.
How to Use: A short angled brush works best for applying pomades. Work the brush into the product and smooth the bristles back into a tight line before working from the center of your brows in the direction of hair growth. Finish with a spoolie brush to blend and soften.
Markers: Similar to eyeliner, the marker is like a pencil on steroids – darker color, fine-tuned application, and long-lasting wear. You can really achieve hair-like strokes that will sit well on the skin and last even in humidity, which is perfect for women with sparse brows. The look will be bolder brows, with precise definition, which can be softened with the use of a gel or spoolie brush. You will need a steady hand for application as any erroneous strokes will be obvious!
How to Use: Light pressure will serve you well! Start in the gaps and follow hair growth in short, thin strokes. Make sure the product is fully dry before adding any additional gels or powders.
Soaps & Waxes: True to the name, soap brows have become a trendy brow technique, offering no color or fill, only full, fluffy brows. The soap brow technique works well for women with naturally thick brows that are looking for definition and hold. However, using a product not formulated specifically for the eye area can be risky… sweat and humidity can melt the soap into your eyes and cause irritation or worse. Stick with a brow-specific wax for the same style without the inherent risks.
How to Use: Run a damp spoolie back and forth through the wax, collecting a good amount of product. Gently coat your brows with the spoolie using an upwards motion, setting your arches and taming fly-aways.
Serums: Au natural, science-based bold brows. Serums like RevitaBrow® Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner condition and strengthen your brows to protect from breakage, creating bolder, healthier, more defined brows.
How to Use: Start with a clean face and brow, using a clean oil-free cleanser that won't create a barrier. Apply the serum with a few quick strokes over each brow once a day.
There you have it! So many choices… who knew? Time to experiment!
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