For years I’ve listened passively as makeup artists and bloggers have talked about the importance of a strong and shaped brow. But it finally sunk in about 6 months ago that this was critical for me as well. So I’ve recently gotten serious about brow makeup.
Sadly, my brows are prone to looking like flat (un-arched) lines across my face. They really have no shape to them. When I was younger I thought I was lucky because I have naturally “contained” brow hair that can go without plucking (I never had a uni-brow problem, is what I’m saying). But at this age it disappoints me that my brows aren’t thicker and that I can’t simply pluck them down to a flattering shape.
Instead, I have to build up my brows with product to shape and define them. In the past I’ve used brow pencils or clear brow wax, which I thought was serious brow stuff. But I’ve watched with curiosity as many different forms of brow makeup have flooded the market and gained followers.
Since I love Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and trust the quality and usefulness of the items, I naturally went to BobbiBrownCosmetics.com to look for brow help. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I really think you can and should trust what is written on Bobbi’s site regarding how to use products and who (what coloring) should use which shades.
I also really appreciate the little cheats you can find on the site, such as a comparison of the different brow products, and which brow product will do what. The “cliff notes” version is that the Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up is right for those who want the most natural brow, and the Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil is for those seeking the most defined brow look. The Brow Kit, Long-Wear Brow Gel, and Brow Pencil fill in the middle range from natural to most defined.
I was leaning towards trying the Natural Brow Shaper anyhow because of the fact that it is a dual use product. I won’t go into detail about this, but I am always needing a hair root touch up product, and I’ve never found a good one. (I have grays sprouting at my temple, that are the first and fastest to grow of all my hair. Dying the sprouts does almost nothing because new ones constantly grow.)
Natural Brow Shaper & Hair Touch Up is available in seven shades: Auburn, Clear, Brunette, Blonde, Mahogany, Rich Brown and Slate. I chose Brunette (“a rich warm brown”) because I have medium/dark brown hair with reddish natural highlights. However, I think I could possibly have gotten away with either Auburn (“a brownish red”) or Clear (of course).
Before even applying this to my brows, I tested it on my gray hair. The first time I used it, it turned out very stiff and unnatural feeling in my hair. But the second time I used it in my hair right after a shower, while my hair was still damp. That proved to make a huge difference. It covered my gray roots and left my hair as soft as it usually is.
Then I tried it on my brows. I did one brow first. I colored outside the lines a bit initially, but then I was more careful and got a good result. I attempted to photograph my brows side by side, to show one bare brow and one made up brow. The photos I took didn’t capture the difference well, but here is one of a bare brown v. a done brow.
I want to steer us to the ingredients for a moment. Here is a classic case of my failing to find an ingredient list before buying a product. I’m only highlighting the ingredients here because there is one ingredient that may be of concern to some of us: Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein. … That’s pretty much gluten at it’s best, and an ingredient I avoid as a celiac disease sufferer. It probably isn’t a hugely-huge threat to me to have gluten in a product that goes on my hair and eyebrows, but there are experts who say gluten even topically, can trigger reactions. Therefore I would not have taken the chance and bought it had I known about the gluten in it.
Aside from that, I recommend this brow product to anyone not concerned about gluten, who is looking for beginner level or natural brow color and shaping tool. And I recommend it to anyone primarily needing a root touch-up product. Finally, I want to mention that I plan to try the new Long-Wear Brow Gel as well, and I’ll post about it once I do!
Thanks all!
Leave me your comments, etc.!
-JGG
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