I have been using my Shu Uemura brow pencil for a while now. However, it needs sharpening and I’m too busy to go down to the local Shu Uemura counter to get it sharpened properly.
So, I decided to fall back on an old method of drawing in my brows – using an eyebrow brush. I have 2 brushes which I use for this purpose – MAC 266SE (which came as part of their holiday travel set) and Shu Uemura 6OB badger brush.
The MAC 266SE brush that comes in the MAC holiday brush set has very stiff bristles whereas the full sized one sold at the store has softer more pliable bristles, if I recall correctly. Both can be used for drawing in the brows as they are angled which makes it easier to handle. The full sized version can even be used for drawing eyeliner, but not this travel piece. The 266SE brush does a good job of diffusing colour as it is stiff.
The Shu Uemura 6OB brush has softer badger bristles and I reckon can be used for drawing in eyeliner too although I haven’t tried. As it is soft, I sometimes have a problem with loading on too much colour for the brow, but it is easily remedied by brushing it off.
I use Milani Rich Chocolate eyeshadow as my brow colour but any dark brown matte eyeshadow or brow powder will do. I notice that Kanebo Media or Kate has a powder brow set that might work too. Black actually looks too stark compared to brown so it is advisable to use a dark brown for the brows.
I tap the edge of the brush on the colour and then shake some off so it isn’t so loaded on the brush. Then, I carefully draw in my brow shape. Make sure you keep your eye relaxed or you will end up with a very artificial surprised look with very arched brows. Then, I extend the color a little past where my brows end so it looks more balanced, as I don’t have very defined eyebrows. I then brush in the rest of the color and diffuse it slightly to make it look more natural.
It is quite easy once you get the hang of it, but it took me a lot of practice before I could make it for work on time every morning… hehe… I find that powder gives a softer look to the brows and its easier to correct if you have made a mistake, compared with using a pencil.
Do you use a brush for your brows? Do you have any fool proof techniques to share?
Stay beautiful,
fashionasia says
March 3, 2008 at 11:09 ami tend to feel that i look fierce when i do the brows so i prefer not to do anything with them….
Monstro says
March 3, 2008 at 5:09 pmLike you, I normally use the Shu pencil for my brows. I should give the powder technique a try though to see the diff:-) Thanks for the tip!
kimberlycun says
March 4, 2008 at 10:22 ami use a brow pencil to draw mine, and then brush it up for a natural look with a cleaned old mascara wand hehe
Paris Beaverbanks says
March 4, 2008 at 10:29 amFashionasia: You must be lucky to have nice dark brows! I find I look more refined with brows drawn in
Monstro: Do try and let me know how you like it.
Kimberlycun: Yes, thats the way to do it so you don’t end up with a severe pencil line.
gracie says
March 4, 2008 at 7:23 pmLike fashionasia, I feel that I look fierce with eyebrows done. But recently, I heard of quite good reviews and recommendations of MAC’s brow powder so I decided to give it a try. Seems like powder gives a more natural finish than pencils. I do fill in my brows now.
Btw, have anyone tried those eyebrow dyes. Heard that Japanese love to use those to dye and fill in their brows. It comes in a tube with a tiny mascara-like brush. The colours are usually light brown as Japanese women love to dyd their brows to a lighter colour.
akiki says
March 4, 2008 at 10:00 pmi normally use pencil to draw my brows for my schooling days. however, i do believe that using the brush do make the brows look nicer. that’s what i do for all the dinner, shopping moments~~ 🙂
geekchic says
March 9, 2008 at 6:28 amI’m a huge goose when it comes to brows. I still hadn’t found a good and/or trustworthy person who can touch up my brows for me in Melbourne.
I’ve always used my Dior powder in a pencil in Blonde. I don’t know why but the colour suits me well and it lasts quite well too. Considering i’ve had the pencil for more than 1 year and, my hair is always in my brows, I still get colour at the end of the day 🙂
Nikki says
March 25, 2008 at 12:52 pmI am so addicted to brows as well, this is great! 🙂 I’m using MAC e/s coquette for my brows 🙂 it works well with a brush 😀