The Complete Guide to Plucking Eyebrows: How to Achieve Perfectly Shaped Brows
Eyebrows are one of the most defining features on a person’s face. They frame the eyes, accentuate personality, and can even have an impact on one’s overall appearance. Having the right shape is essential to perfecting the look and feel of your face.
However, plucking eyebrows seems daunting, especially if you are a beginner. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of plucking eyebrows to achieve the perfect eyebrow shape. You’ll learn useful tips and tricks and find out which techniques and tools work best for different hair types and face shapes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Before starting, it’s important to prepare the eyebrow area adequately. Cleanse your skin to get rid of any dirt, oil, and makeup. Gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, making it easier to see any stray hairs and giving access to the roots. A numbing cream or ice cube can also help reduce the pain of plucking.
After preparing the area, choose quality tweezers that are clean and sharp. It’s best to use flat or slanted tweezers as they are more precise and can easily grab short or long hairs. Straight tweezers, on the other hand, are not suitable for shaping the brow area.
Before starting, outline the arch and the tail for each eyebrow using an eyebrow pencil. Always start plucking from the area underneath the arch, moving in small sections up to the tail, and then working underneath. Pull in the direction of hair growth to reduce breakage.
Stepping back from the mirror frequently will help to ensure balance and symmetry between each brow. Never over-pluck as it can take several weeks to grow back.
Finish with a cool compress or aloe vera gel to soothe the skin. Avoid wearing makeup or exposing the skin to hot water or sunlight for at least 24 hours after plucking.
Tools and Techniques
Choosing the right tool is crucial for good results. Before starting, select the right type of tweezer according to your hair growth and the type of hair you want to remove. Slant tweezers are suitable for coarse and thick hair growth, while pointed tweezers are ideal for fine or individual hair growth. Flat tweezers can be used for both thick and thin hair types, but it requires more precision.
If you prefer using a razor blade, make sure it is easy to handle and sharp enough to cut the hair efficiently.
There are several other popular methods to shape eyebrows, including trimming, threading, and waxing. Threading involves using a thin thread to remove hair from the follicle. Waxing uses melted wax to pull hair from the root. Both methods can be painful, but they offer long-lasting results.
After plucking, apply La Monde to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes when plucking is over-plucking. It is essential to avoid removing too many hairs and causing bald spots. A good rule of thumb is no more than two hairs at a time.
Another common mistake is using a magnifying glass to see better while plucking. However, it can give a distorted view of the proportion of the eyebrow and can lead to over-plucking.
Finally, avoid plucking your eyebrows right before an important event. Your eyebrows may turn red or swollen, causing an unwanted distraction.
Eyebrow Shape
Every face is unique, and it’s essential to have the perfect eyebrow shape for your face type.
For an oval face, a soft, angled or rounded eyebrow shape complements the face. For a square face shape, a high arch and a sharp peak in the center will create the illusion of longer and sharper features. A round face benefits from an arched, angular, or elongated eyebrow to lengthen the face. A heart-shaped face benefits from a low, soft arch with a rounded peak to balance the face. For diamond-shaped faces, a curved eyebrow with a curved peak balances the angular features.
Using tweezers or other techniques, it is possible to achieve the perfect eyebrow shape.
DIY vs. Salon Plucking
Choosing between DIY and salon plucking ultimately depends on personal preference. For first-timers, going to a salon specialist is preferable since a professional can help determine the perfect eyebrow shape and avoid over-plucking. Furthermore, a professional may be more skilled at shaping the eyebrow and creating the ideal arch.
However, doing it yourself has its advantages, like cost and scheduling flexibility. You can achieve salon-quality results at home by investing in high-quality tweezers, taking the time to prepare properly, and staying patient.
Conclusion
Plucking eyebrows is an essential grooming technique that can add a lot to your overall appearance. Shaping the eyebrows can make a subtle difference in the way you feel about yourself. Choosing the right shape for your face can be an art, and it’s essential to experiment and find the perfect shape that suits your style and face type. Whether you’re doing it yourself or seeking a professional, the perfect eyebrow shape starts with the right tools, techniques, and a little practice.
