7 Tips for Growing Out Your Brows the Right Way
If You Have Over-Tweezed Brows
Tip No. 1: Back Away From the Tweezers
So, you've gone a little pluck-happy. Maybe you had one mishap during a plucking session, or maybe you've been overdoing it for a while now. Either way, there is only one way to fix the problem. "I know it's hard, but seriously ditch the tweezers and let them grow!" says Shannique Austin, master stylist and owner of Glam Spa in Westlake Village, California. You heard the lady!
Tip No. 2: Tolerate the Awkward Growing-Out Phase
If you want full brows, you have to power through the growing-out phase sooner or later. Why not get it over with now so you can move on to a bolder, fuller future? In the meantime, Austin suggests using brow pencils, powder, or gel to disguise uneven growth and stray hairs.
Pro Pencil by Anastasia Beverly Hills, $18, sephora.com.
Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define by Benefit Cosmetics, $24, ulta.com.
Tip No. 3: Get Some Product Help
You don't have to wait for your eyebrows to be fully grown in before starting to shape, but you may not want to do it alone. "For the absolute best results, I recommend using a growth serum and finding an eyebrow specialist to help you master your favorite look along the way," Austin says.
neuBROW Brow Enhancing Serum by Skin Research Laboratories, $100, nordstrom.com.
Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner by RevitaBrow, $110, nordstrom.com.
If You Have Thinning Brows
Tip No. 1: Get a Good Shape Going
If your brows are already sparse, you may be afraid that plucking will only make the problem worse. But if done well, giving your brows a shape could make them look fuller than they really are. While you may want to see a professional to get the shape just right, feel free to get rid of stray hairs that you are positive don't belong as part of your desired look.
Pink Perfection Slant Tweezers by Tweezerman, $23, sephora.com.
Tip No. 2: Try a Serum
Waiting for over-plucked brows to grow out is one thing, but if your brows just don't grow, no amount of waiting around will get you results. It's time to bring on the eyebrow serums. Yes, they can cost more than your average beauty product, but the truth is they really work. Austin can attest that many of her clients start seeing results in as quickly as 2–4 weeks.
GrandeBrow, $80, grandecosmetics.com.
If You Have Fair Brows
Tip No. 1: Find Your Go-To Shade
Fill in your brows with a shade that suits you. For lighter brows, this means using a shade just slightly darker than your natural color. "My biggest pet peeves are over-plucking and choosing the wrong color for your eyebrows," Austin says. "I cringe just thinking about it! I know it's terrible to say, but it reminds me of clowns. And you do not want to look like a clown!"
Legendary Brows by Charlotte Tilbury, $23, bloomingdales.com.
Great Brows & Brushstroke Liner Collection by Mac Cosmetics, $30, bloomingdales.com.
Tip No. 2: Keep Them Healthy
If you don't want to splurge on a serum to get a brow boost, there are some much cheaper options out there. "A little but mighty trick I tell my clients is to use castor oil and Vaseline to strengthen brows," Austin says. "The more you strengthen, the faster and fuller they'll grow."
Cocoa Butter Petroleum Jelly by Vaseline, $4, walmart.com.
Castor Oil Organic Skincare by Aura Cacia, $6, vitaminshoppe.com.
If You Already Have Full Brows
Tip No. 1: Work With Them!
If you've learned anything from this guide, it should be this: trends are fleeting. "We find that because all of our brows are so unique, it's best to attempt a more subtle version of a trend," Austin says. "Try different ones, using powders and pencils to recreate a look before turning to plucking. You don't want to risk over-plucking and having to wait out growth-or worse, finding out that your hair might not grow back!"
