Ask Elle: Filling In Your Brows

How was your weekend? Did you have a fun Labor Day? I didn't do anything spectacular, but did get a lot of little things done around the house. Sometimes I need a weekend for that. And sometimes I get asked beauty advice--check my sidebar and look for the ASK ELLE button where you'll find my email. I always answer back. Today's question comes from (a fellow UGA fan) Blue Dog Belle who asked:

"What should I use to fill in my brows?"

Filling in the brows helps to define the face and is just the thing to finish off your makeup. Sometimes our brows don't grow in as full as we'd like. Luckily, there are some options to help!

D E F I N E

       

        1. If you already have semi-full brows, use an eyebrow pencil to define them. There are plenty of excellent drugstore options. Try Maybelline Define-a-Brow for starters, $6.

• Be sure to apply the most pressure at the beginning of the stroke--where the roots of your hair would be. Then lighten the pressure as you go up. 
• Use small strokes to keep it looking natural.
• Pick a pencil a shade or two lighter than your hair. Never go darker. You'll look angry and older than you are! 
• If you have white or dyed platinum hair, then you'll need to go darker than your hair.

F I L L

      2. An important step ladies forget is to seal the look with brow gel. Use a clear mascara or brow gel,   like this one from Revlon.

      3. To fill in brows, use a powder. ELF Studio Eyebrow Kit, $3, is a great drugstore choice and is my favorite. It comes with a powder and wax, but I've found most prefer just using the powder and a gel. 

• Again, choose a shade or two lighter than your hair, unless you're hair is white or platinum.
• To use, brush the powder in your inner corner and work your way out. Working against the hair growth direction makes it look more natural. I do not care for the brush included, so I use one from Coastal Scents or Real Techniques. 
• The arch should be the most defined section, and tapering off at the ends.
• Other pricier powder/gel options: Bobbi Brown, Bare Essentials, Benefit, and Too Faced

       4. If you need to design, fill, and shape your brows, I'd recommend one of these kits. They are pricey, but if you want a complete, lots-of-help kit, you'll want these to start off. Sigma's Beauty Expert  Brow Design Kit, $69, has the powder, gel, stencils, and more.

       5. If you want the creme de le creme, get the All in One Anastasia Brow Kit, $85. Anastasia is THE brow groomer of the stars, and this kit has everything you'll need. Check her site for other kits to find the one right for you.

Do you fill in your brows? What do you use?
Do you have a beauty question? Let me know, below!