By Katie Martlew
Big, bold, brushed up statement brows are all the rage this summer, prompting us to put down the tweezers and consult the professionals to help us achieve the perfect arch. From unruly and unkempt, to highly defined and perfectly preened, brows are definitely ‘having a moment’. However like fashion, not all brow trends work for everybody, so it’s important to find the perfect shape to frame your face.
We quiz Benefit’s Eyebrow Guru National Training Manager Hannah Terrett on everything from how to fix a brow disaster, her views on tweezing Vs waxing and threading, and the best tools to keep our brows looking fab at home…
RESCU: How do we fix a brow disaster such as over plucking, or years of bad home eyebrow care?
Hannah: Step 1. Put down the tweezers and visit you’re brow specialist! Benefit boutique specialises in brow shaping, and correcting misshaped brows by recommending a brow program. By being on a Benefit brow program, our brow specialists create and maintain your shape, thickness and colour and give great brow advice. FYI- Benefit Brow Bars are located in Sydney (Myer Chatswood, Myer Sydney City and their freestanding store in Oxford Street, Paddington) or in Melbourne (Myer Chadstone and Myer City).
RESCU: What is the most common eyebrow shaping error?
Hannah: When women tweeze their own brows, a common problem is the tendency to focus on one particular side. In doing this they distort the shape not only making their brows uneven, but their whole face.
RESCU: What are your views on tweezing Vs waxing Vs threading?
Hannah: Waxing brows has many benefits over both tweezing. Waxing brows is fast, more thorough (removes all traces of fine hair), longer lasting as it removes hair from the root and gives a much more defined brow shape. Tweezing is a good idea to remove stray hairs in between brow wax visits, just don’t tweeze the actual brow shape! Both threading and waxing allow hair to grow back finer and lighter. Waxing however, is the quicker choice, less painful, lasts longer, and allows for a more unique brow shape as it’s done ‘freehand’. Threading dictates the shape, making brows look angular and straight, and so is best used on thicker eyebrows.
RESCU: What are the best tools to keep eyebrows looking fab?
Hannah: Benefit Brows A-Go Go, RRP $68.00 is your anytime-anywhere brow shaping kit. It contains shaping powders and wax to define brows, smokin’ liner to line eyes, eye bright cream and brow highlighter to brighten eyes, brow brushes, tweezers and of course step-by-step lessons. Having a brow pencil handy, such as Benefit Instant Brow, RRP $39.00, is a great way to add colour and definition to brows.
Benefit Cosmetics are available at Benefit counters nationally and www.adorebeauty.com.au For stockists call: (02) 8353 5000
Rescu. ROADTEST
We consult the Eyebrow Experts for a full brow makeover… Okay I admit it, I’ve always been a plucker, not a waxer, and like most DIY tweezers, I have been prone to the odd brow disaster in the past. Truth is, I don’t really know what I’m doing, and I’ve never put that much thought into my brows…until now. After deciding it was time for a full brow makeover (and the quest for perfect Miranda-Kerr-esque eyebrows) I book myself in for a brow shape with brow guru Svetlana Burckhardt at Eyebrow Experts.
The Treatment: Despite initially being a little embarrassed at the state of my unruly brows, Svetlana reassures me that they are actually not that bad at all (phew!). Svetlana examined my facial structure, and talked me through the shaping, explaining that natural, full yet tidy is good, thin and fine is bad, bad, bad! And away she went, trimming, waxing and shaping my brows. The whole process was super quick, and relatively painless, especially in comparison to my at home DIY tweezing jobs.
The Result: True brow love. They are perfect! I could not be happier with my new eyebrows. I could not believe just how much having a great brow wax can set off your facial features and compliment your face. They are the perfect shape and thickness, and as they are a more natural shape, at home maintenance will be a breeze. I admit it, I am now obsessed with eyebrows. OBSESSED!
We had our eyebrow shape with Chief Brow Stylist Svetlana Buckhardt at Eyebrow Experts Woollahra (they also have a salon in the Strand Arcade Sydney). RRP for a first visit with a Senior Brow Stylist is $75.00 (includes complimentary eyebrow tint or eyebrow pencil to match your brows) www.eyebrowexperts.com