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Eyebrow Waxing
Eyebrow Waxing
By Joanne Elliott
Unless you have very sensitive skin, waxing is a quick
and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows.
Although it is generally best to get eyebrows waxed
professionally it can be expensive - up to around $15 as a
general rule, although salons do differ. If you have a
tighter budget, or if you are feeling fairly brave, here
are some simple steps for you to try at home...
1) Preparing the Eyebrow
Brush the eyebrow into place with a baby toothbrush or
clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly
defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to
anesthetize the sensitive skin under the brow. Work out
your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from
a mirror, and following these simple steps…
Working out the length of the eyebrow
Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the
inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should
begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap
between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don’t
wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are
closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.
Working out the curve of the eyebrow
You can work out where the highest point of the curve/
arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the
nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part
of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a
dot.
Final planning
Now link up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the
ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This
will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax.
You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers
slightly at the outer ends.
2) Applying the Wax
Buy a professional waxing kit - basically a jar or tub
of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied
with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin)
removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure
to read the manufacturers directions carefully.
Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the
small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth.
Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the
spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied.
Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in
the same direction that the hair grows in). You don’t need
to use much, and you should not let the wax dry.
3) Removing the Hair
This is the painful bit! Ouch!!
Never wax above the eyebrow, only ever shape from
below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes
and help to get the line even. This will make you look
younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon
as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth,
(i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in).
This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin
over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand,
and pulling the muslin off with the other.
It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time,
especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be
surprised how much difference a little hair removal will
make to your appearance.
4) The Aftermath
Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily
plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing
balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You
should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial
treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.
To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an
eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any
gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Don’t worry if
you make mistakes, even if you have bald patches or empty
spaces. Practice makes perfect, and anyway, the hair will
have grown back before you know it!!
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