Eyebrows 101: Shaping, Filling, and Microblading

Eyebrows 101

Since the days of Cleopatra, eyebrows have been a big deal. Like hemlines and hairstyles, brow trends have waxed and waned from full, bushy–even uni-brows! in Egyptian times, to shaved-off, penciled-on, fine and exceedingly plucked brows on silver screen sirens. When observing beauty trends in eyebrows, names like Ali MacGraw, Brooke Shields, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor are iconic examples of their respective decades.

Credit: Dior Backstage

Shaping

As with a haircut, the best result starts with a strong foundation. Getting eyebrows in their best shape depends on a few factors. For faces with a dense concentration of eyebrows, they’ll need to be tamed and possibly trimmed with scissors. When brows are thinner, the shape often needs to be supplemented with cosmetics or semi-permanent makeup, also known as microblading.

With all of the brouhaha around brows it’s important to avoid overdoing. Over-arching, over-filling, over-darkening can happen and brows become over-emphasized and unnatural looking. The best way to ensure against this is to consult with a professional.

At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, our trained esthetician tweezes or waxes the brows for a naturally-beautiful, classic, symmetrical shape. (Health note: It’s very important to share with your esthetician whether you use certain skincare products or medicines that are not compatible with waxing.) The process of redefining the shape of your brows can have a dramatic impact. It’s a subtle refinement that adds a visual lift to the eye area. It has even been referred to as a non-surgical facelift because it results in a beautiful, refreshed and refined appearance.

Filling

Because no two eyebrows are exactly the same mirror images on anyone’s face, there are often subtle differences between their position, length, arch and fullness. Filling-in the brow helps even-out these natural inconsistencies. Tools that are available today for helping define the shape quite numerous, from the drugstore to the salon or specialty boutique. There are pencils, pomades, waxes, gels, creams, and shadows, to name a few.

To choose the appropriate tool and method for filling your brows depends on a few factors:

• Natural hair density, height and length of eyebrows
• Natural color of eyebrows
• How much time can be spent devoted to morning makeup routine
• Potential skin sensitivity to products or medications

The most critical choice when deciding how to fill-in the brow shape is based on your hair color, skin tone and the geometry of your face. It should appear natural, hair-like and not too opaque. For cosmetic brow filling, technique and product are most important. To get the right solution, a makeup application lesson with a professional is recommended.

Microblading

Micropigmentation, or permanent makeup, also referred to as cosmetic tattooing may be the best solution if brows are thin, lightly colored, or sparse due to genetics or perhaps certain medical conditions that cause hair loss. This process has become a go-to as a time-saver, as it can last up to five years with regular touch-ups.

Because this process is considered tattooing wherein tiny particles of pigment are deposited into the dermal layer of the skin, the technique, professionalism and health standards of the technician are of critical importance to deliver the desired result. One just has to look online to see why it’s vital to choose an expertly trained professional for microblading. At Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair and Beauty, you can trust that the entire process–from initial consultation and color-matching, through the microblading procedure and follow-ups–will be performed with the high standards that our award-winning salon is known for. Book a complimentary consultation today!