Which one is best for eyebrows?

Brows are a big deal to me. A makeup artist will tell you they frame your face, but liken my eyebrows to an extra special accessory. In the same way a ring adds a fancy something to your manicure or a great shoe complements your outfit, brows give your visage a little extra oomph. You can go bold with dark shades and pristine lines or keep it natural with soft with hairlike strokes and muted tones. As I experiment with brow products, I've tried to lock down the real differences between each one—and the results they yield. The best way to do so? Photographs.

Our editorial director, Faith, and I decided to try each offering for the camera to showcase the results on two different brow situations. I have a bushy, often unruly set, and Faith has a bit less growth. Before we got started, we turned to celebrity makeup artists for their best advice as well. Keep reading for the results.

Our bare brows

Paley Fairman

Who: Hallie Gould, editorial director

Brow concerns: I know that I have fairly full brows—so, I'm not complaining. But, I do have a few sparse areas around the arch and by the feathery sprigs at the top. I like to fill my brows in so they're dark and bold but still natural-looking enough that I come off effortless. Who knows if that's actually the case. I use a pen with a beveled edge (it's shaped like a brow brush) and lightly draw in lines. It's nice because it has the precision and control of a pen but the formula looks like powder. Then, I keep it all together with a clear brow gel.

Favorite brow product: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift in Cara D ($30)

Paley Fairman

Who: Faith Xue, former editorial director

Brow concerns: As you can see from the very exposing photo above, I am greatly lacking in the brow department. In fact, the fact I'm even allowing such a photo of myself to surface on the internet is somewhat shocking, and clear evidence of how much I care about you, curious reader. Hallie was very kind to describe my brows as needing a little more growth, but the truth is, I need a brow product (usually a pencil) that basically allows me to completely draw in my brows. None of that tinted "your brows but better" stuff. Also: no Sharpie brows.

Favorite brow product: The Brow Gal Skinny Eyebrow Pencil ($23)

Pencil

Paley Fairman

The product: Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil ($23)

First things first, this is what L’Oréal Paris celebrity makeup artist (and Queen Bey's go-to) Sir John has to say: “[A pencil] is actually my favorite application. Brow pencils nowadays are the wind-up, automatic types. They are great for applying fine, hair-like strokes and look very realistic. The only downside is the pencil formula can appear a bit waxy.”

That waxy texture issue he mentioned is the reason I stopped using pencils a few years ago. I couldn't find the right texture for the look I was trying to achieve. That being said, I really liked the Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil ($23). My biggest concern when choosing a brow product is the shade that suits my complexion—I need an ashy gray color instead of beige or brown. This one came through in spades. I was most impressed with the amount of control I had and how easy it was to shape my brows. They came out natural-looking and soft instead of overly done or sharp-looking (my nightmare). 

Paley Fairman

This isn't my best work, but girl's gotta do her best in a time crunch. I have used Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil ($23) before and love how easy it is to fill in my brows with short, hair-like strokes. I love the shade Medium, which isn't too warm or ashy, but rather right in between. Given a little more time, I would have brushed out the strokes a little more so there wasn't such a harsh line in the inner corners of the brows. But overall, this pencil was waxy and easy to use, and a great alternative to my go-to pencil from The Brow Gal.

Powder

Paley Fairman

The product: Tarte's Amazonian Clay Volumizing Brow & Hair Powder ($25)

“Brow powders are nice if you don't like the waxy nature of a pencil,” Sir John recommends. “The brow powder will take that waxiness away. They are great for people who have sparse brows, as they're a helpful fill-in product. The only flaw is they don't anchor to the brow and face as long as the other formulas.”

I was surprisingly into the powder we used as well. Tarte Amazonian Clay Volumizing Brow & Hair Powder's ($25) ability to cling to each hair and fill in the sparse areas in my brows was truly unprecedented. It was a bit harder to apply as I had to use a brush and I don't fancy myself particularly dextrous—so it took longer to finish than the first product. Overall, though, I loved the final product. 

Paley Fairman

Powders don't do much on my thin, sparse brows. The formula usually slips right through my brows and never really builds to the consistency I like; I'm usually left with patchy areas. However, Tarte's version was a pleasant surprise. There were definitely still gaps along my brow line, but I was impressed with how much pigment actually stuck to my brows and the natural finish it gave. If I were more brow-endowed, I would probably be tempted to swap my pencil for this silky powder.

Tinted Gel

Paley Fairman

The product: Benefit's Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel ($24)

“Brow gels are great for keeping the brows in place,” Sir John explains. He adds, “They do, however, lack the definition and shaping qualities the other products have. I often recommend using a clear gel like L’Oréal's Brow Stylist Plumper ($5) combined with the other textures as a finishing step.”

I've tried a bunch of tinted gels and usually end up getting them all over my face. Once, my friend asked me if I had melted chocolate on my face. While that's not completely out of the question, I realized after a mirror-check that it was my brow gel. So, I didn't have high expectations when I brushed on Benefit's Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel ($24). After combing out my brows, I was shocked. I really liked the way it looked. It added a nice sheen to the hairs, like a pretty highlight. The sparse areas weren't as filled in as I would have liked, but the product stayed put and kept my brows looking properly groomed.

Paley Fairman

I always slightly scoff at tinted gels because their entire pretense is built around the fact that they accentuate the brows you already have by tinting the hairs. But what if you don't have any hairs to tint?! I scream internally, waving a mental fist at the marketing claim's false promises. Suffice to say, I was not expecting much from Benefit's version. But then, surprise of all surprises, it actually sort of worked. Because the brush is so tiny, you can actually wriggle it below your hairs so that it tints the skin underneath. Since my brows stop right past my pupils, this was incredibly helpful in creating the tail end of my (non-existent) brow. I was so pleasantly surprised that I immediately stowed away the one I used for this shoot and brought it home with me. I still prefer to use it to set my brows after I pencil them in, but it's nice to know that in a pinch, it'll work solo too. 

Pomade

Paley Fairman

The product: MAC's Fluidline Brow Gel ($17)

“[Pomades] definitely last the longest and are the ‘tattoo’ product in the world of brows,” says Sir John. “You definitely need a great brush, and, while it is an easy formula to work with, sometimes you need a little bit of practice and expert technique to successfully apply it.”

I totally flubbed the application on this one, as Sir John predicted. Fortunately, you're looking at a profile picture of my face because the other side is a completely different shape. MAC's Fluidline Brow Gel ($17) formula was really slippery and thicker than I'm used to—a lot less friction than the other products. The color also threw me off, it looks brownish red against my skin rather than the cool tones I usually go for. I think it would be in best interest to practice my technique and only use a pomade when I'm looking for a really bold look.

Paley Fairman

Staring at MAC's pot of pomade immediately brought up visions of thick, filled-in Sharpie brows, aka my worst nightmare (other than no brows). Instead, I was blown away. The pomade applied smoothly and evenly, and somehow managed to disperse among my brow hairs for a soft, natural look that actually looked like real brows. Out of all of the products, this one was the one that surprised me the most. I actually liked this finish the best out of all the brow products I tried, but because of my lazy-girl tendencies (aka anything that requires a separate brush to apply is probably not happening), I knew it would be ambitious to assume I could adopt it as part of my everyday routine. I took the product home, however, and use it on nights out when I want to dress my brows up and take them out for a drink.

getty

Eyebrows not only accentuate your eyes they also frame your face and give it character. This is why choosing the right brow treatment is so important. But with so many eyebrow treatments available today—from tinting and laminating to microblading and microshading—choosing the right technique that will give you the brows of your dreams can be confusing and frustrating. 

To help you out, here, five of the industry's finest brow experts give the low-down on the most popular eyebrow treatments out there and how to find out which is the best pick for you:

• Eyebrow Threading: Threading is generally considered to be one of the safest methods of brow grooming. It's especially suitable for those who struggle with folliculitis or post-wax breakouts. "Threading is similar in its results to waxing with the benefit of being gentler on the skin as there's little if any removal of skin," says New York-based celebrity eyebrow specialist, Elke Von Freudenberg. "The only downside is a possible rug burn effect if the wrong type of thread (wool thread) is used instead of cotton or polyester thread which glides better over the skin," tells Freudenberg. "Another potential downside is possible breakage of the hair rather than completely pulling out at the root which makes the hairs grow back much sooner," adds the brow maven.
• Microblading: Microblading is a type of eyebrow tattooing technique in which tiny, fine-point needles are used to implant semi-permanent pigment into your skin in fine, feather-light strokes. The result is fuller-looking brows that look bold yet natural. "The depth of implantation depends on how heavy- or light-handed the technician is and what kind of pigments are used in the process," tells Cindy DiMaggio, Dallas-based eyebrow expert. Brow microblading lasts anywhere from 12 to 18 months though touch-ups are recommended every six to 12 months to keep the color fresh. "I personally believe that microblading should be used exclusively to cover up brow concerns like scars, bald spots or thinning eyebrows, etc," says DiMaggio. 
• Eyebrow Tinting: Eyebrow tinting is a technique that uses a vegetable-based tint to shape and define the brows. The color typically lasts anywhere from four to six weeks. "When done correctly it creates a very natural look to the brows," tells Freudenberg. "Tinting is great for those who want to cover up gray hairs or bring out new growth or lighter hairs to help create a fuller looking brow," she explains. "Tinting can be done over the entire brow or just in areas where more color or thickness is needed," adds Freudenberg. 
• Microfeathering: This brow treatment utilizes precise "hair-like" incisions that deposit dye in the top layer of the brow skin. The process is achieved without the use of machines or traditional tattoo guns.  "After numbing the area with a topical cream, small incisions are created by hand, using a fine and very precise blade.  The pigment is then deposited into these incisions, resulting in an incredibly natural-appearing 'eyebrow hair'," explains Kristie Streicher, creator of the Feathered Brow and co-owner of Beverly Hills-based beauty studio, STRIIIKE. "The biggest difference between traditional microblading and microfeathering is that there is a very specific type of stroke pattern that is followed with microblading because it can be done on anyone whether they have little to no hair.  Microfeathering, on the other hand, works with your natural growth pattern," tells Stretcher. "This is why with microfeathering you must first grow back as much of your natural shape as possible before the procedure," notes the celebrity brow specialist. The effects of microfeathering can last up to one year, however, Streicher recommends getting touch-ups done every seven to nine months to keep the look consistent.  Microfeathering is a great option for those that have any sparsely covered areas or gaps in brow hair that need to be filled in.
• Henna Brows: This is a form of eyebrow tinting that involves using henna (a plant-based dye) to stain the skin underneath your brows. "The biggest advantage of using henna over regular eyebrow tint is that the results of henna brows typically last for two to three weeks whereas normal tint stays on the skin for two to three days," tells DiMaggio. "It also covers gray hair really well," she adds. However, henna staining may not last as long if you have oily skin, the brow specialist points out. DiMaggio recommends this brow treatment for those who have dense, fluffy brows and those who have sensitive skin. 
• Eyebrow Lamination: This latest brow grooming procedure enables the brow hairs to be redirected and set in an even shape—creating a thicker, fuller feel to the brow. "It's almost like a perm for the brows," notes Freudenberg. Brow Lamination is great for those who want a feathery feel to the brows which is the hottest brow trend at the moment. It's also a great option for those who want to fix their brows' appearance after a bad wax or threading job. "Another benefit of brow lamination is that it can straighten brow hairs that are curly or kinky on the ends, so those hairs don't need to be cut, saving the overall style of the brow," adds Freudenberg. 
• Powder Brows: Also known as ombre brows, "powder brows are similar to microblading in that they are both temporary tattoo methods for the eyebrows," tells celebrity eyebrow and makeup expert, Ramy Gafni. "Microblading uses a hand tool to create hair-like strokes that mimic the look of real eyebrow hairs. Meanwhile, powder brows are done with a handheld digital machine that deposits dots of color in between brow hairs, resulting in a powdery look similar to when you fill your brows with a powder shadow," explains Gafni. "Microblading and powder brush are sometimes combined to create a fuller brow look, depending on the client’s brow goals," adds the brow guru. Powder brows can last anywhere from one to three years though you will require a touchup session four to six weeks after the initial procedure. This eyebrow grooming technique is ideal for anyone who has thinner brows and wants to achieve more defined, fuller-looking eyebrows. 
• Brow Extensions: Brow extensions are a little similar to lash extensions. The procedure involves attaching tiny fibers (mink or synthetic hairs) to your brow hairs or directly on the skin around your eyebrows using a medical-grade adhesive, explains DiMaggio. "Once they are applied, there is no rubbing, brushing or scrubbing," she tells. Its results typically last somewhere between five and 14 days. Eyebrow extensions that are glued directly to the skin shed the quickest as compared to those that are attached to brow hairs, adds the brow expert. "The most ideal client for this brow service would be someone that has a pretty good brow shape but is lacking density," says DiMaggio. She recommends this treatment only for special occasions.
• Brow Thread Lift: A thread lift is a temporary lifting method to tighten loose, crepey skin by placing dissolvable threads beneath the skin to perk up the area around the brows and forehead. The change is subtle and will typically last a few months. "If you're using Botox or neuromodulators to achieve a very conservative brow lift look, then the result typically lasts about 3-4 months and the downtime is very minimal, if any," tells Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, California-based board-certified plastic surgeon. A botox brow lift is only good for some patients with minor brow droopiness who just want a mild lateral flare of the outer part of the eyebrows," notes the plastic surgeon. Another popular way to lift the brow is using PDO threads (also called threadlifting), says Dr. Taghva. It's a non-surgical, in-office procedure that uses PDO (polydioxanone) threads to lift and firm up the skin around your brows and forehead. The whole process lasts about 30 to 60 minutes. "There is no incision, but there may be some minor swelling and bruising for about a week," tells Dr. Taghva. The results of a PDO brow lift will last about 12 to 15 months, she adds. "Threadlifting is more appropriate for someone with mild to moderate brow droopiness. Or, someone who wants the entire brow to be lifted as opposed to just the outer area," suggests the plastic surgeon. 
•  Microshading: Similar to powder brows, microshading is done using a handheld digital machine to fill in areas of the eyebrows that require more filling than microblading alone can offer, explains Gafni. The effects of microshading last anywhere from one to three years although you may require a touchup session six to eight weeks after the brow procedure. "Microshading is a good option if someone is getting microblading on top of previously microbladed or tattooed brows—to fill and even out the color," tells Gafni. 
• Eyebrow Waxing: This brow grooming method involves using hot wax to remove excess or unwanted hair by the root from around the brows. "Waxing needs to be done every two to four weeks depending on how fast the hairs grow," tells Freudenberg. It's a quick brow treatment that's suitable for those who have thick eyebrows and don't like threading or tweezing. However, it's important to note that "constant waxing can cause the hair follicles to get damaged over time, resulting in fewer hairs growing back," Freudenberg points out. "Long-term waxing can also cause hairs to grow back thinner and lighter in color," she adds. Also, when getting your brows waxed, always make sure that your esthetician or brow specialist is following safety measures which include wearing gloves, not double-dipping into the wax pot and using a clean wax stick for every application—so as to not spread any contamination, says Freudenberg.