Eyebrow shapes may change according to fashion, but a tidy brow is never out of style. From the fifteenth century when women plucked every bit of their eyebrows off, to today where big brows are making a comeback, women have always carefully groomed this part of their face. Now with options ranging from traditional plucking to exotic threading, the opportunities for getting the brows you want are better than ever.
Plucking
Plucking can be done at home with tweezers or by a technician in a salon. Many people use plucking as a way to maintain their brows in between salon treatments. Although plucking is considered the least painful method of brow maintenance, it also takes the longest to shape the eyebrow. Some salons will not offer only plucking to groom eyebrows, instead combining it with waxing or threading to shape the brow.
If you find plucking your eyebrows to be painful, you can try using a topical anesthetic before grooming your brows. Also consider using a warm compress to open the pores and reduce pain while removing hairs.
Waxing
Waxing remains one of the most popular methods of eyebrow grooming. Normally done by a technician in a salon, warm wax is placed on the outer edges of the brow to remove any wayward growth. Once the brow has been defined, the technician may clean up the eyebrow shape with a pair of tweezers.
Waxing is often considered a painful way to groom the brows. People that regularly have their eyebrows waxed claim that the procedure is less painful over time. However, regular waxing can cause follicles to be permanently damaged, making the shape you have now the shape for life. Some people say that waxing over time can cause premature drooping of the skin around the eye socket.
Threading
Threading has gained more popularity as a method of shaping brows that is more exact and less painful than waxing. Threading is a technique that uses cotton thread that is run over the skin and removes the hair. A skilled technician holds a piece of the thread in his mouth and moves the other part of the thread over the skin in a rolling motion.
Threading enthusiasts claim that threading is less painful than waxing because it only targets the brows and does not damage the skin underneath. Some people believe threading is just as painful as waxing, due to the extended time required for this form of eyebrow maintenance.
People who get their eyebrows threaded regularly say they shape they receive from threading is far superior. This may not be because of the threading technique, but because of the skill of the technician. Because threading is still considered an unusual technique, there are less unskilled technicians practicing it.
No matter what technique you use to shape your brows, consider having a professional do the initial shaping. That way your brow shape can easily be maintained by plucking. Different stylists may have different ideas on the shape of the perfect brow; the best idea is to take a photograph of the brow you want. Then your stylist should be able to alter it to fit your face, or recommend a shape you are better suited for.
