Fantastic eyebrows usually require heading to a brow expert, but if you don't have the time or money, you can neaten them up at home. We asked eyebrow guru Gee Marji of Baroness Beauty in Sydney's Double Bay (02 9328 4359) her top tips.
1. Prep your skin. ''Use an antibacterial toner or cleansing wipe to make to make sure your skin is free from oil and make-up,'' advises Marji.
2. Work out where your brows should start and end. This is done in three steps:
- Step 1: Hold an eyeliner pencil or make-up brush vertically against the side of your nose. The same edge that touches your nose, is the same edge that indicates where the start of your eyebrow should be.
- Step 2: Hold the pencil or brush on an angle so that it touches your nostril, extends to the outer corner of your eye, and on to your brow. Where the inner side of the pencil touches your brow is where your brow should stop.
- Step 3: Hold the pencil or brush on an angle so that it again touches your nostril, but extends up and on an angle in line with the outer edge of your iris and to your brow. Where it touches your brow (about 1/3 from the end) is where the arch should be.
3. Use eyeliner to make markings on the above points if you think this will be easier to ''stay within the borders''.
4. If you're trying to grow your brows out, have gaps or brows that aren't even, use a brow pencil to fill in/even up the areas first. This will help you to better gauge the shape you're trying to achieve through tweezering.
4. If you have extremely bushy brows, use a small brush to brush them upwards, and trim only what noticeably hangs over the edge of the brow shape.
5. Using a set of good-quality tweezers, remove the hairs that don't fall ''within the lines''. Remove only a couple of hairs at a time, before standing back from the mirror and taking a good look. ''If you don't, you'll pluck away too much and end up with holes,'' explains Marji.
6. You can use wax to shape your brows, although Marji doesn't recommend this. ''It's too easy to make a mistake,'' she says. ''Although if you must, try using the Nad's Facial Wand — it's easy to use and doesn't require heating.''
7. Finish by applying a soothing cream or aloe vera to the area. If you have sensitive skin that tends to break-out, Marji suggests skipping the moisturiser, and cooling off the area with some ice.
