No matter how unruly or full your eyebrows may be, doing a little eyebrow makeup works wonders in a way you may not have imagined. Eyebrow patterning, even though not painless, can dramatically alter your face appearance. However, not so many people know how to pattern their eyebrows to bring out that glamorous, subtle look. Here are basic tips on how to pattern your eyebrows safely.
1. Frame your Eyes
This is the single most important consideration when pattering your brows. It basically involves choosing the best eyewear style that suits your face and shape. To get better results, you need to keep in mind that opposites do attract. For instance, if you have a jaw line and cheekbones, choosing rounder frames would just be fine. The colors of your frame can also give your eye shadows a lift. For example, if you have a darker iris, consider enhancing them with a brightly colored frame. Size also matters a lot when patterning your eyebrows. If you have bigger eyes, keep the frame a little smaller to avoid getting your eyes magnified comically.
2. Mark the Start and End Points
Eyebrows can lift the eyes or even widen or narrow the face, depending on what eyebrow patterning angle one has taken. It is important to let your natural shape be the guide. This, however, involves marking the start and end points when shaping your eyebrows. The basic rule is to ensure that the inner edge of the eyebrow is lined up just outside of the corresponding nostril. In addition to that, the arc’s highest point should correspond with the eyeball’s outer edge.
3. Determine Your Brow Thickness
The next step involves determining the right thickness of your eyebrow. To some extent, it boils down to personal preference and there are no general rules to follow. However, you need to consider your features. If you have bold features, for instance, then you should not consider over plucking. Strong features that are prominent equally need prominent eyebrows. However, if you have delicate feature, then you may consider a thinner brow size.
4. Pluck the Perfect Eyebrows
More often than not, you may decide to pluck your eyebrows to achieve that perfect look. However a lot of caution should be taken. First, before you commit to plucking, you should use Taupe or White pencil to cover the areas you intend to pluck. However, you should be careful not to over pluck as very thin hair may make you look older than you actually are. You should also be careful when using stencils as they can make your eyes look unnatural.
5. Shape your Arch
The last step when it comes to eyebrow patterning involves shaping your eyebrows. Eyebrows that have scarce hair can be quite difficult to trim, hence require precise filling, tweezing and shaping. This involves trimming any unruly hairs that seem to stick out of place. On the same not, you need to be careful not to go thin when shaping, as this will most likely make your eyebrows thinner. After tweezing or waxing your eyebrow, you will need to use an eye pencil to put final touches and to wipe out any inconsistencies.
I’m Pauline Youngblood, founder and president of Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. I used to draw inspiration from nature as well as my own practical experience as a paramedical aestheticism to dermatologists and plastic surgeons.