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There are so many reasons you could have sparse brows or no eyebrows at all – anything from medical procedures and hair loss to years of over-plucking could be the cause. And if you want to create the look of full defined eyebrows again, we know how tricky it can be.
Of course, you can consider long-term solutions (like microblading); however, as with any of these longer-term semi-permanent beauty treatments, they will require upkeep for years to come.
However, if you prefer to take matters into your own hands, we have all the guidance you need. We asked celebrity make-up artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis what the secret to creating realistic eyebrows with make-up and the best make-up brushes to use.
Brow mapping is a great solution to achieving your best brows yet. Mapping should work for everyone, as it ensures that the brows that you create are right for your face, as you’re using your features to determine its shape and size.
“Brow mapping shouldn’t be difficult if you know how to do it properly,” says Nguyen-Grealis. “I find it easiest to search for the inner corner of the brow first. I use a pencil or make-up brush to help me do this – by lining it up with the edge of the nose and lightly marking the skin where the tool touches along the brow bone.”
“Then, I find where the natural tail of the brow should be placed by holding the tool diagonally across the face, with the lower end touching the edge of the nostril and the end touching where the tail of the brow should sit. Mark the skin again lightly on this point.
“To find where the brow’s arch should be, line up the tool diagonally, again going from the edge of the nose, and up through the centre of the eye and mark the skin as the pencil touches the orbital bone. This is where the highest point of the brow should be.
“Draw lightly along the eyebrows to join up the three marked points, before creating natural, hair-like strokes gently onto the skin on top of the natural hairs with a fine-tip eyebrow pencil or product. Be sure to set it with an eyebrow fixing product for all-day wear,” Nguyen-Grealis explains.
Eyebrow pencils are designed to enhance or re-shape the eyebrows. They have a pointed tip which allows for precision application and are usually well pigmented to fill in any sparse areas. Eyebrow pencils are also ideal for anyone that has gaps in their eyebrows, asymmetry and sparse ends.
If you’ve got no brow hairs to start with or very spare or thin eyebrows, pencils will look the most natural, compared to powders.
You need a brow pencil with a soft, slightly waxy texture that can be sharpened to a point. This will help you draw on natural-looking hairs.
Try: The classic Clarins Eyebrow Pencils, £21, have a vast shade range and a creamy, long wearing formula. They also come with a brow brush on the other end of the pencil – so you don’t need any extra tools.
If you want to achieve a softer look when it comes to your natural brow, opt for an eyebrow powder. Powders are designed to fill in sparse areas and add more definition to the brow shape, and if used sparingly, generally give a much subtler finish than pencils or other eyebrow products. The best brushes double-ended – so you get a tapered pointy version on one end and the brush or comb on the other.
Try: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Brush, £18
Pomades are wax-based formulas that are used to fill in, define and shape the eyebrows. They are perfect for anyone that wants a bolder, more dramatic look.
If you live in humid conditions or have a tendency to sweat or come into close contact with water regularly, a brow marker may be the way to go. Markers are generally highly pigmented, waterproof, long-lasting and easy to use, and also have the ability to create definition with just a few strokes. There are even some semi-permanent eyebrow markers available if you prefer a longer-lasting look.
Eyebrow gels help to shape, define and fix eyebrows in place all day. They usually look like mascaras – they come with a spoolie applicator and can be brushed through the brows until the desired look and shape is reached. Gels can be used on their own, or on top of other brow products to properly fix them in place.
Try: Lash & Brow Double Fix Mascara, £25
If you’ve got unruly brows, an eyebrow wax might be your best bet. Eyebrow wax can be clear or tinted, and is more of a solid consistency – making it better for taming brows that easily lose their shape.
Want to make more of an impact? Test the Clarins Lash & Brow Double Fix Mascara, £25 for added longevity.
When choosing a brow product, it’s mega important to choose the right shade for you.
No matter what colour your hair is, your brows are nearly always a cooler tone. If you have very dark hair, you can choose a shade that’s slightly ashier (and maybe even a tad lighter) than your natural hair colour. On the other hand, if you have light hair, consider going for a shade darker for more definition. But always ensure the brow product has a cool undertone.
If you’ve got red hair, you don’t need red eyebrows. Instead, choose a cool-toned auburn.
Read Next: Men’s Eyebrow Grooming: How to Nail Your Brows At Home
So now you’re armed with the right brow product and have your shape ready; it’s time to fill the brow in. Sharpen your pencil, so it has a precise tip.
Begin by drawing tiny little hairs in the front of the brow. Brows in the front tend to grow straight up. Mimic this when you’re drawing them.
Use short, light strokes to draw these vertical lines. Keep drawing them in an upward direction until you reach the arch. This is where brow growth tends to change direction and go sideways.
Once you’ve finished, take a cotton bud and wipe off the dots. You can then give the hairs another brush or set them with a gel.
If you really want to invest in your brows, invest in a growth serum, which can be applied twice per day to encourage new growth.
Clarins Eyebrow Pencils, £21
Want to create a thin 90s brow without sacrificing your brows’ future? We’ve got you covered.
Read Next: Men’s Eyebrow Grooming: How to Nail Your Brows At Home
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Makeup for missing eyebrows is fairly easy to find these days. The beauty supply market features a range of choices that even beginners find useful and convenient in their daily routines. However, three main concerns when narrowing down the best brow products for sparse brows, or even the best eyebrow filler for beginners, are:
The difficulty level
The time it takes to accomplish
Personal preference
Because of this, we have designed a product that not only provides a quick and easy way of filling in missing or thin brows but we also made sure to provide each customer with ample options to figure out which is best suited to their individual needs.
Below, we discuss what we believe is the best brow product for sparse brows, along with our top alternatives:
You have a few options when determining which type of makeup for missing eyebrows suits you best. Here are a few ways to fill in sparse or missing eyebrows:
Eyebrow pencils or powders are two easy ways to mimic the natural hairlines and pigment of your brows. They are so user-friendly that they are now one of the most popular choices for both beginners and experienced makeup users. Some products make it easier to blend into your skin to reduce harsh lines and the chances of them looking overdrawn.
This can be applied daily by creating small brush-like strokes, which are usually very easy to blend, should you make a mistake.
Unfortunately, drawn-on eyebrows are also quick to melt off when you start sweating or enter a sauna, pool, or shower.
Eyebrow tints come in a liquid dye form and are designed to color the brow hairs temporarily. They are also waterproof and water-resistant, which makes them perfect for summer getaways and long days spent at the beach.
Each application typically lasts about 4 to 6 weeks, depending on lifestyle, hair type, and what other beauty products you add to your routine.
Growth serums are infused with the necessary proteins, peptides, and other nourishing ingredients to promote natural hair growth in the areas you need most. These are simply brushed onto the thin eyebrows twice daily (once in the morning, then again in the evening).
The more natural option under growth serums is Castor Oil, which contains ricinoleic acid that has proven to reduce hair loss, though it is not a guaranteed solution to growing it.
Eyebrow gels are perfect for taming and shaping sparse eyebrow hairs. They usually come in a clear brow gel or tinted in various shades, with a few fibers incorporated to mimic natural brow lines and help them appear lusher. With gels, a simple swipe can instantly fill in most, if not all, gaps while shaping and taming hair strands at the same time.
As opposed to the options above that require daily application, microblading is a method that offers a semi-permanent way to fill in brows. With microblading, you may get your eyebrow hair drawn on through the insertion of pigments under your skin. Depending on your skin tones and type, your lifestyle, and how often you go in for maintenance, it can last anywhere from 18 months to 30 months.
Temporary eyebrow stickers are the best eyebrow makeup for no eyebrows. They have an ultra-realistic 3D appearance that mimics the hair-like strokes in each brow. They provide an easy application as well. You put the eyebrows on your forehead, dab them with a wet cloth, and gently remove the paper. The application lasts for about a week and is waterproof and resistant to scratches, so you can exercise and live your daily life without worrying about losing a brow or smudging your makeup.
Whether you prefer clean and sculpted or thick and messy brows, mapping your brow hair with an eyebrow pencil is crucial if you want symmetrical eyebrows. Even better, it is only a 3-step process:
Step 1: Place the tip of your pencil vertically, starting at the dimple of your nose to the inner corner of your eye. Mark this point as the front.
Step 2: Then, from the dimple of your nose, lay your pencil towards your brow so that it is diagonally in line with the outside of your iris. Mark this point as the arch.
Step 3: Lastly, with the pencil still on the dimple of your nose, tilt it further to the side of your nostril and the corner of your eye. Mark this point as the tail.
Simply outline the top of your brow by connecting these 3 points with your pencil, then follow suit with the bottom. The thickness is entirely up to you.
If you prefer not to map out your eyebrows, applying temporary eyebrow stickers is your best option. Before sealing them in with moisture, you can already confirm if they are symmetrical with one another and are the right size for your preference.
You may easily cover your missing eyebrows using a brow pencil, powder, brow gel, or microblading or tinting sessions. You can also use temporary eyebrow stickers that instantly fill your desired brow shape.
Temporary eyebrow stickers are the best product for those with no eyebrows as they can be applied in a few seconds, are easy for beginners, and can last up to a week. Moreover, they comes in many sizes, shapes, and colors.
The best product to fill in sparse eyebrows are eyebrow pencils, powders, or gels, as these can easily be applied daily to have thicker brows that can be lusher and/ or darker in an instant.
As you probably know, eyebrows are one of your face’s most important features. They bring everything together by framing your eyes and even softening your cheekbones.
If you have sparse eyebrows or no eyebrows at all, there is a variety of makeup for missing eyebrows available today. Access to these is easier now than ever; finding the right one for you takes little time and practice. Our personal pick are temporary eyebrow tattoos that stay on for days and look more realistic than any other option.