I was born with blonde eyelashes and eyebrows. Well, okay, technically they are light red but who can tell – either way I can barely see them!
Of course, when I was growing up, wouldn’t you know it, my two best friends had long, dark eyelashes. So you can imagine that mascara was the very first cosmetic I asked my mother to wear, and I’ve been wearing it ever since (except for a 3-month stint back in 1979, but that’s a story for another day).
Why am I telling you all this? Because I have had a heightened appreciation for the hair on my face since I was 13 years old. I have also worked with women with alopecia (a medical condition that results in hair loss) or who are going through chemotherapy, and I can tell you for sure that you don’t realize how much you value something until you don’t have it any more. Eyebrows are one feature we tend to take for granted and, yes, often, neglect.
What’s so special about eyebrows? They help define your facial character. All on their own, they can help you express anger, surprise, joy, sadness…you name it. Without them you feel lost but knowing what to do with them when you have them is key.
While I have been hyper-aware of my eyebrows for decades, some women barely acknowledge theirs! Take a look at your brows now. What do you see? Beautifully arched, well-groomed brows that frame your eyes and make them sparkle or…well, you get the idea!
For years (shockingly until I was nearly 30!), I thought that because my brows were so light no one noticed them. Boy, oh, boy, was I surprised when I had them professionally shaped and added a touch of brow powder (in most cases, it is much easier to work with and more natural looking than a pencil). What a remarkable difference—from then on I have had a new appreciation for my eyes.
Trust me, I know. If you have been putting off doing anything with your brows, you are not fooling anyone nor are you making the most of a fabulous feature! Go see a professional. Not just anyone – someone who knows about brows. Ask friends who they use, or, if you live in the Boston area I can highly recommend two eyebrow artists (a great way to start, at least)*:
David Nicholas – www.makeupdni.com in Charlestown — 617-242-0177
Julie Michaud – www.michaudcosmedix.com in Wellesley — 617-262-1607
And, if you would like help learning more about brow powder vs. brow pencil (as well as other makeup tips), check out my upcoming workshops.
(*Hey, if you have a man in your life with unruly brows, drag him along for a shaping and trim. It won’t hurt his manhood, and he’ll look more polished and well groomed as well! (David Nicholas works with many men, and his space is very private.))
I welcome all comments: What has been your brow history? Do you go “au naturale,” tweeze them yourself, or have them professionally done? Did you ever over tweeze? If so, did they grow back? Anyone had permanent brows done? Do you prefer brow pencil or powder? Do you have a great brow resource you’d like to share? Anything else?
