Using a pencil to create properly arched eyebrows may give your face a polished, elevated look that accentuates your best features. Whether you wish to define your arches or have naturally thin brows or sparse areas, using an eyebrow pencil offers precise control and fine detail. This is a detailed tutorial on creating naturally framed, gorgeously arched brows.
1. Get your eyebrows ready
Ensure your brows are clean and free of makeup before wearing any makeup. Use a mild cleanser to remove any extra oil or residue from your skin to improve the brow pencil’s adhesion and prolong its wear. To align the hair in its natural direction, use a spoolie, a clean mascara wand or a brow brush to brush your brows after cleansing.
Any stray hairs outside your ideal brow line must be trimmed or tweezed for the best shape. However, refrain from overplucking; preserving natural fullness is the secret to achieving a pleasing arch.
2. Identify Your Brow Shape
Achieving an attractive arch starts with knowing the structure of your brows naturally. A well-structured eyebrow shape is typically guided by three primary points: the inner corner, the arch, and the tail. Here’s where to find them:
- Inner Corner: Place your eyebrow pencil vertically next to your nasal bridge. Your brow should ideally begin where the pencil lines up with the inner brow.
- Arch: Angle the pencil from outside your nose, just outside your iris, while facing directly ahead. Your natural arch should peak at this point.
- Tail: Finally, place the pencil between the outside corners of your nose and eyes. Your eyebrow should terminate at this point. A drooping look may result from bringing the tail too far down.
To help you contour your brows, lightly mark these three places with your eyebrow pencil.
3. Select the Proper Pencil Shade
Achieving a natural look with your eyebrow pencil requires careful color selection. If you have light hair, your brow color should be one to two shades darker than your natural hair color. A one to two-shade lighter pencil might give a gentler look to people with darker hair.
An excessively black pencil can give the brows a heavy, unnatural appearance. Choosing the correct tone will give your makeup depth without dominating it.
4. Outline Your Brow Shape
Begin by sketching the contour of your eyebrow, paying particular attention to the lower portion. Draw a line from the inner corner of your brow to the tail using light, quick strokes. This will act as the base to give your brows a crisp, defined appearance. To maintain a natural arch, repeat the same method along the upper line of the brow, ensuring that both lines are parallel and never touch.
5. Describe the Arch
Your eyebrow’s arch is its main feature. Start by adding a little extra product and drawing sharper lines to define where your arch rises. Hold the pencil softly to prevent harsh or excessively thick strokes, and then build up the shape gradually as necessary.
Instead of outlining your arch clearly, concentrate on blending if you like a softer look. Make the apex a little longer without making it too sharp for a more noticeable arch. Remember that a smooth curve appears more attractive and natural than a harsh point.
6. Fill in Sparse Areas
After defining the arch and outlining your brows, use small strokes to fill in any sparse areas, simulating the development and direction of your natural hairs. Since most people notice thinning in this area, focus on the middle to tail end of the brow.
To preserve a natural gradient effect, avoid overfilling the inner portion of the brow, which should appear softer than the outer portion. Use the spoolie to mix and soften the color if you inadvertently apply too much.
7. Blend for a Natural Look
Avoiding a drawn-on look requires careful blending. Blend the pencil strokes and distribute the product evenly by running the spoolie through your brows. When you get to the tail, follow the natural curve after brushing upward in the inner brow area. Softening hard lines gives your brows a more polished and natural appearance.
Blending should be done slowly because it can significantly impact getting a perfect, natural-looking appearance.
8. Set Your Brows
Think about using a thin coating of translucent powder or transparent brow gel to keep your eyebrow pencil in place all day. This step is beneficial if you have oily skin or will be in a humid area. Thanks to the gel’s ability to lock in its shape, your brow will remain in place without smudging or fading.
Without a gel, a small dab of clear lip balm can also secure the hair and give your brows a glossy appearance.
9. Highlight Your Brow Bone
Apply a light, matte concealer or highlighter right below the arch on your brow bone to accentuate your arch even more. This slight touch will elevate and highlight the form of your eyebrows, so blend it properly to avoid any apparent lines.
A thin line of highlighter along the upper edge of the brow can also be used for a more defined effect, highlighting the entire arch without attracting attention to the makeup.
10. Perfecting Symmetry
The most challenging aspect of eyebrow makeup is frequently achieving symmetry in both brows. Aim for a balanced appearance rather than meticulously matching brows. To maintain uniformity in each eyebrow’s length, height, and thickness, refer to your guide points and the outline you made.
Make little pencil tweaks and blends to balance both brows if you see any significant asymmetry. Remember that eyebrows are sisters, not twins; a slight variation is normal and usually undetectable.
11. Common Mistakes to Avoid
When designing arched brows, avoid the following frequent mistakes:
- Using Heavy Strokes: Using heavy strokes can result in brows that are too black and unnatural. Instead, use small, light strokes to build up the color gradually.
- Over-Filling the Inner Corners: Brows with too much product applied to the inner corners may appear harsh and blocky. For a more organic appearance, keep the inner corner soft.
- Your eyebrows will appear artificial, and your face will be taken aback if you draw the arch too high or too far out. For the most attractive results, stay true to your original shape.
- Ignoring Blending: Your brows may appear harsh if the pencil strokes are not blended. To uniformly soften and disperse the lotion, always use a spoolie.
12. Touch-Ups and Maintenance
Check your brows for touch-ups throughout the day, particularly if you have oily skin or an extended schedule. A cotton swab or a travel-sized spoolie can fix minor smudges or stray hairs. Avoid touching your face too much for long-lasting effects because this can mess up your brow makeup.
To read more blog: 9 Best Makeup Products Help to Achieve a Natural Glow
Final Thoughts
Although using an eyebrow pencil to create arched eyebrows requires some technique and patience, the results are well worth the work. You can get gorgeous, natural-looking brows that accentuate your facial features and give you a polished, self-assured appearance with the correct equipment and procedures. Try out many styles to determine which one best fits your face shape, and remember that each brow form is lovely in its own right.