Brows are one powerful facial feature that we can use to meet multiple beauty goals, particularly as we mature. Whether that’s creating a lift in the eye area to enhance youthfulness or influencing the way our resting expression and...
Brows are one powerful facial feature that we can use to meet multiple beauty goals, particularly as we mature. Whether that’s creating a lift in the eye area to enhance youthfulness or influencing the way our resting expression and facial shape appears. Brows also help us create facial symmetry, which studies show we subconsciously associate with beauty.
Just like you might with a hairstyle, it is essential to discover your ideal brow shape, size, and volume. Brow design relies upon a brow expert analysing your facial features to determine how to best balance and compliment them.
The brows frame and accentuate the eyes, so working with your eye size and shape is also important. For example, if you have small or hooded eyes, the brow expert may focus on creating a more prominent arch so that your eyes appear larger and the eye area is more lifted. A helpful concept to keep in mind with both brow design and at-home brow care is the Golden Ratio method.
What is the Golden Ratio?
Golden Ratio Image from Anastasia Beverly Hills
According to Anastasia Beverly Hills (the queen of brows who patented the ABH Golden Ratio Shaping Technique), each brow should start above the middle of each nostril. If you trace a straight line from the outer nostril to the outer corner of the eye, this tells you where each brow should end. The highest point of the arch should be a straight line from the middle of the nose tip to the middle of your iris. (Refer image above).
Well-groomed brows create a polished look even with little to no makeup. The opposite is also true – messy brows make us look and feel unkempt. With the importance and impact of brows in mind, let’s explore which treatments are currently the most popular, and how you can discover your brow match.
The Latest Brow Treatments
1. Brow Lamination
Ideal for: Those with thin brows or fine hairs who desire a full, structured or feathered look. This treatment continues to trend amongst women in their 20’s and 30’s. Also great for mature-age women whose brows might be growing in various directions and becoming harder to groom.
What it is: A 3-step process of lifting, fixing, and nourishing. By using a professional perming solution to first relax and then straighten the brow hair, the natural bonds are broken. The hairs are combed into the desired shape and then a fixing solution is used to set them in place.
A moisturising brow serum is applied at the end to ensure a hydrated, polished finish. This treatment lasts anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on your skin and hair type. This is a non-invasive treatment with no downtime, so it can be right before an event or holiday. (Read my previous blog on Brow Lamination).
Pair with: Brow Threading or Waxing (prior to lamination) and Henna Brows or Brow Tint (after lamination) for darker brows.
Price Range: $70-100 (1h)
2. Microblading
Ideal for: Those with sparse brows who desire thicker brows or a different shape, and a long-lasting result. Also, ideal for those experiencing health issues such as alopecia or going through chemotherapy due to which the brow contains gaps.
Image of Microblading from Nath Ficks
What it is: Microblading is a temporary form of brow tattooing that fades over time. A solution is first applied to numb the brow area and this minimises discomfort. Semi-permanent brow ink is used with several tiny needles to create very natural-looking, fine strokes that mimic natural brow hairs.
The pigment sits in the skin’s top layer, shading the area and creating the illusion of a new brow shape as well as full and balanced brows. This is a semi-invasive procedure and involves four to six weeks of down-time, however, the result lasts anywhere from one to one and a half years depending on the person’s skin and how well it holds the pigment until it starts to fade.
Pair with: Brow Threading or Waxing (prior to treatment) and touch-ups of Microblading if required (after treatment)
Price Range: $300-350 (2h)
3. Powder Brows
Ideal for: Those with both thin and sparse brows containing gaps, who want a natural-looking and long-lasting result. With a soft, faded finish, your brows will have more definition, volume, and enhanced colour.
Image of Powder Brows from Nath Ficks
What it is: Powder Brows are also a type of temporary brow tattoo, however, the procedure uses a handheld device that creates little dots of pigment for a soft, “powdered” look. If you’re someone who usually fills your brows in with eyeshadow or brow pigment, this will create a very similar result.
Also called Ombre Brows, the brow expert can create a soft, diffused colour that becomes darker from the middle to the end of the brows. This treatment last from 2-3 years after a 4 weeks touch-to ensure longevity.
Pair with: Brow Threading or Waxing (prior to treatment) and Brow Tinting (after the treatment) for darker brows.
Price Range: $300-350 (3h)
4. Henna Brows
Ideal for: Those who need more colour in their brows alongside natural-looking volume. This treatment creates more prominence and intensity, and lasts much longer than a brow tint.
Image of Henna Brows from Nath Ficks
What it is: Essentially a brow tint but created using Henna, which is a natural, plant-based hair dye. The brows are first groomed using either tweezing, waxing, or threading methods.
The Henna mixture has a paste-like texture, and it is applied on to the brows in your desired colour. The skin under the brows is tinted and holds the colour in place. It can last up to six weeks, whereas a brow tint usually only lasts ten days to two weeks.
Pair with: Brow Threading or Waxing (prior to treatment) and Brow Tinting (after the treatment) for darker brows.
Price Range: $45-60 (20min)
Connect with Nath Ficks for your Personalised Brow Design:
As you may know from my Instagram posts, my go-to brow and lash artist in Melbourne, Australia is Nath. Nath has over 8 years of experience with Eyebrows, Lash Extensions, and Cosmetics Tattooing, Nath works from her home studio and takes a highly-personalised approach to all of her treatments.
Special offer: Nath is offering 20% off all brow and lash services for a limited time only. Simply follow Nath on Instagram and mention this post for your discount on brow and lash treatments.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/proartistic.byficks
Phone: 0473-842-577
Email: nathaliaficks@hotmail.com
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