BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

Brow Pencil Death Match!

 

Brows are a key feature in a makeup look. I recently told you about one of my favorite brow products, Chanel's le Sourcil de Chanel - Perfect Brows, but I also love a good brow pencil!  Who needs more reason than that to conduct a Brow Pencil Death Match?

The combatants*: Clinique,  Kevyn Aucoin, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and Urban Decay. Let's see how they stack up!

*It's not clear who invited the sheep.

Product Round-up / February 2010 / Chanel le Sourcil de Chanel - Perfect Brows

 

Think the perfect brows are out of reach? You can probably get really damn close with the Perfect Brows kit from Chanel.  Granted, if you're really blessed-of-hair, you may need a professional to help you get started with the right shape, but this kit may be the best way to keep them perfect from day-to-day.

Keep reading for more info...

Code.ai <-- Not a computer language, but a lash and brow boosting serum!

 

You, too, can have full and lush brows. Lashes, too. You don't have to use that Latisse stuff that "could" stain your skin - oh, and your actual iris.  YOUR IRIS!!  Go to a doctor, get an expensive prescription, stain my eyelids and permanently mess up the eye color I've had since I was a baby? Sure, sign me up! Um...NO.

Code.ai to the rescue with their non-prescription lipo-peptide-infused* boosting products. They've put a lot of research into making a safe, easily-absorbed, product containing fully-disclosed and high-quality ingredients. And it meant to do what it says while not changing the color of your iris. (YOUR FRIGGIN' IRIS, MAN!!) 

And as a special bonus, you don't have to look at Brooke Shields mugging for the camera!

*they're compatible with the skin's natural oils
and so don't need extra chemical soup to get absorbed.

In as quickly as a few weeks, lashes will be darker, longer and fuller-looking and brows will be filled-in and fuller. The only downside to products of this nature is that you need to keep using them, especially on the lashes. The natural life cycle of hair is that they fall out, right? So keep on applying the serums to keep up the full-fringed and -browed look you desire.

• No prescription needed

• Clinically Tested

• Dermatologist Tested

• Paraben Free

• Not Tested on Animals / no animal byproducts

• Hypoallergenic / Non-Irritating

• No Harmful Side Effects

• Safe for Chemo Patients

The products

There are actually three Code.ai products:

1. LASH EXTEND SERUM L-117 | LIPO-PEPTIDE AMPLIFYING COMPLEX WITH MYRIPLEX TECHNOLOGY^TM

   
   
   
   According to the company, naturally darker, longer, fuller lashes are yours thanks to the fancy peptide science. Other ingredients include "hydrolyzed wheat protein, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol" which are found in "high quality hair products". Basically, they're going to keep your lashes nice and soft and conditioned and healthy.

2. LASH EXTEND PRIMER L-122 | PROTECTIVE LASH BUILDING CONDITIONER, DARK NATURAL TINT
   

   
   
   A colored (rather than white or semi-translucent), clump-free mascara primer is a novel idea! You can wear it alone, if you wish. In addition to adding length and conditioning the lashes, this primer serves as a protective barrier for the lashes, protecting them from the potentially drying or damaging effects of mascara, curlers, makeup remover, and tears of rage. Wait... maybe that's just me!

3. BROW BOOSTING SHAPER B-216

   
   

   "Dual-action"! It helps boost hair growth, saving those of us with sparse or patchy brows, but it also helps shape the brow like a brow gel. Well, that's because it is part brow gel! The holding factor* also ensures that the ingredients easily make their way where they need to.
   

   *psuedo-scientific-sounding phrase I made up
   
   
   source
   
   

How to apply

Super-dooper easy-peasey! Admittedly, I may have been hanging around kids too much with that correct-but-irritating phrase. Let's just pretend it didn't happen. The facts remain: it's no problem to use these products.

• Lash Serum goes on top and bottom lashes, if you like. Draw it on the base of the lashes, just like you do when you're putting on a liquid liner. In fact, the pointy and skinny brush resembles most liquid liner applicators. Careful now: don't get it in your eyes, friend! Those bottom lashes can be tricky. My tip: go from underneath the bottom lashes and dot it on the base of the lashes and in-between them. Use it twice a day and let it dry completely before putting makeup on top.
• Lash Primer is applied prior to (or instead of) mascara in the way you would apply any other lash product. Duh! However, if you're following it with mascara, put the mascara on while the primer is wet, which is different from many other primers. You can reap the conditioning benefits by also applying this at night, after your serum.
• Brow Serum whisks right onto brows with a mascara-style "spoolie" wand. Put it on twice a day by stroking upwards and outwards, starting at the inner corner of the brow. If you must fill-in your brows with makeup, please do so first and top it using the technique just described.

source

Testimonials

Completely un-retouched* images of a happy patron:

*That's a lie. I may have photoshopped this picture.

Actually, there are some great testimonials and before-and-after shots on the Code.ai website.

My review

I got the opportunity to test both serums (but not the primer) in small sample packages.

• How long does it take? Code.ai says it may take 6-8 weeks for maximum impact and that you should keep using it to maintain the new growth. The sample packages were small, so I only tested for about 3 weeks, but I was pleased with the results nonetheless!
  
• Applicators The applicators on the samples, were good. They did exactly what they needed to do, and the size was perfect: not too clunky or cumbersome. I can't promise that the applicators on the full-sized products are the same, though.
• Packaging Again, I had samples, but one thing I can tell you is that I love that the lash serum and brow serum tubes have different colored text on them. It makes it easy to grab the right one without any of that pesky reading nonsense. For the record, the lash serum has silver text, the brow is gold.
• Formula From a user's standpoint, the formulas were great. I can't speak to the science of the whole thing, though. The brow serum was a nice viscosity, sliding onto the brow area well and grooming the brow hairs as advertised. It wasn't terribly sticky, but there was a degree of what I can best describe as wet tackiness left that may not be pleasing to some consumers. The lash serum was more liquid than the brow serum - quite light and fluid. It was easy to put on, though, and didn't run all over the place because the brush was small and didn't pick up too much product. Also, it didn't get in my eyeballesque area, which is good.
• Results Sadly, I took before pics, but the computer ate them when it died a few weeks ago. Rats.
  
  Lemme show you a recent pic, though, on which I put some handy-dandy arrows to show you where I had real problems with sparsity on the brows. These areas are much improved! I had been suffering from that nasty trick of aging - fading brows on the outer half. I also had over-plucked the inside of the brows (closest to the nose) and have a tricky area that gets dry and thin. Those areas have changed, and now I'm quite please with the inner corners and got such great results with the dry-and-weird spot that I may be purchasing this product for ongoing use.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  My lashes showed a bit of growth - not drastic, but they were really starting to lengthen when I ran out of the sample! I'd say it's completely worth a try if you have short, sparse, brittle, or otherwise wimpy lashes.
  
  I would strongly recommend this product, especially for women and men who have lost brow and lash hair to illness or chemotherapy.

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me by a PR company for consideration. I got tiny little sample sizes, not full-sized products, in case you're really nosy. And no one bribed me or even told me I must write a review - positive or otherwise.

When *jen fondled Illamasqua in public... (includes sexy photo shoot)

Not every brick-and-mortar Sephora carries UK import and beautyaholic obsession Illamasqua, but some do and I finally got to see the line in person. Here is my story...

I used to refer to Sephora as "Makeup Mecca" and I believe I'm going back to that. In "the olden days" there was no Sephora nearby, and so I'd visit when I went to NYC (not often). I'd twitch and shake through my trip until whomever I was with finally caved and let me hit Sephora, then I'd finally calm down. I couldn't get enough of the smells (the melange of perfume was somehow always pleasant), the colors (!), and the hustle and bustle, and I'd spend as long as I could swatching and sniffing and wishing for more expendable income.

Thankfully, I'm not the only one who loved the store and so they have spread and there's a Sephora near my home and near my old home and probably near your home! It's still exciting to go in and see so many choices, but I'm not quite so antsy about it. NOW THEY HAVE ILLAMASQUA - but not at my local store, so I had that whole twitchy feeling and eager anticipation going, just like back in the day!

I got a chance to scurry on up the hell that is I-95 and see the line in person at Sephora Georgetown. I have to say, after having admired it online for months and having fallen in love with MILF, a sexy mint-green polish that wears like the biggest badass on the block, I was not at all disappointed! 

I met my best friend, Angela, in Georgetown and she indulged me in a swatchfest that lasted around two hours! Meanwhile, the lovely staff of Sephora watched with bemused smiles as they perdiodically darted by to swatch the products themselves (the collection had literally just landed in the store the day before!). I had a great time swimming in the colors and textures, and wanted to buy just about every item.

I can't wait to go back up for the official launch fete they will have, but until then I'll be playing with what I bought and admiring my own swatches.

SHOUT OUT TO THE AMAZING STAFF
AT SEPHORA, GEORGETOWN (DC)!!!

This is Part 1 in a series in which I fondle Illamasqua. Take a look at the display below and stay tuned, because part 2 is coming in a matter of moments...

 

ILLAMASQUA is also available at SEPHORA.COM

10 MAC Must-haves (and 5 you should just skip)

Above is a picture of a MAC counter. That's a lot of makeup, isn't it? And it's not even as fully overwhelming in pictures as it is in person - and that's coming from someone who used to work at one of these counters! As a former MAC artist (and one who makes certain to stay on top of new releases), I think I have some insight into the brand and I'm going to start sharing some bits here and there.

So here are 10 things I think everyone should have or at least try, and 5 things you needn't bother getting. This list only comprised of permanent items - nothing Limited Edition.

When you ask any MAC fan what their "must-haves" and "skip its" are, the list will vary, but having worked with hundreds of women these are the ones I think should be basics for those of you just starting to build a makeup stash. And for those of you with ginormous collections: if you're missing any of these you may want to check them out!

10 MAC Must-Haves

1. Tempting eyeshadow - MAC describes this eyeshadow as "sinfully rich cocoa". The Lustre formula shadows have intense frost and pearl and give a metallic finish, but don't let the reflective qualities scare you! This color starts off my list because it is my number one favorite MAC product; this is the one I would be devastated to find discontinued if it ever were! It's a completely neutral brown that might be lumped into the "bronze" category, though not everyone can wear bronzes. Not only does this shade go perfectly on any skintone, it also works with ANY other eyeshadow color. ANY color. I have worn this with grey, black, white, purple, blue - even acid green and stark yellow. It's what I call "the great shadow stabilizer" and perfectly balances any "out there" color you may want to try --- but aren't sure how to wear! It's also fairly buildable: you can put on a light sweep for a delicate glow or build up layers to get a fairly deep shimmery brown radiance. PERFECTION.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. You need a Paint Pot in a shade approximating your skintone. No, you're more than likely not going to get a perfect match - but here's the thing: you're going to cover it anyway. That's why you just need one that's in the general range of your skintone. Do I wish they'd make a few more matte, skin-like shades? Yes. But is that necessary? NO.
   
   The Paint Pot is a creamy dries-to-powderish goodness eyeshadow that many people use as an eye primer. It can help you neutralize your lid color (hides veins or discolorations), and since it's long-wearing and creaseproof it's PERFECT as a base to other eye colors. Lay this down first, then press powder shadows on top - color is closer-to-true and holds on like there's no tomorrow.
   
   
   • Fair-to-medium-skinned girls with cool undertones need Painterly, an odd putty-colored pinky-brown-nude oddity.
   • Fair-to-medium-skinned girls with warm undertones need Soft Ochre, described by MAC as "yellow beige". 
   • Darker complexions should grab Groundwork ("midtone neutral taupe") or Quite Natural ("dirty chocolate brown"). You'll have to see which you prefer, and again: neither will match your skin exactly, but choose whichever one gets closest to your depth of color rather than matching your skin exactly.
     
     
     
     

      
     
     
3. Prep + Prime Lip is a staple in my makeup kit and my personal stash. I wear it every time I use lipstick, and I put it on every client I work with (especially brides!). It's a solid, twist-up product that is meant to condition your lips and help the lipstick you put on top of it look good and look beautiful. It minimizes feathering and contains Vitamin E and antioxidants. But most of all, it works! There's a trick to getting nice long wear: put it on and let it set (do something else for awhile) before slicking on the lipstick. AMAZING WEAR WILL ENSUE!
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Blot Powder (Pressed or Loose) is an absolute must for anyone who gets even the slightest bit oily. NOTE: The Loose version of this powder used to be sold at counters, but now is available only at Pro locations or by calling the Pro toll-free number: 1-800-866-6464- you need not be a Po to buy either way.) Use it to control shine or to set your foundation or to absorb the oil on your lids/cheeks/chin/t-zone before putting on other makeup.
   
   Here's the story about Blot Powder: it was created for backstage -fashion shows and photoshoots- and meant to absorb oil without adding any color or texture. That's it. That is its whole purpose: absorbing oil.
   It's jet-milled (tiny, tiny particles) silica and mica with only 3% pigment, so it's not going to change the color of your skin or the makeup you layer it over.
   
   Let me reiterate the main point here: it will not build up, look cakey, or change colors.
   
   As for the "which color should I get" dilemma, really don't stress over it in this case. There's only 3% color pigment, folks, so just pick something in the general area of your skintone and go with it. No one will notice if you don't pick the exactly correct color, I SWEAR! If it helps, I am the fairest of the fair-skinned and I can wear the Deep Dark Blot without it being noticeable. Really.
   
   Seriously. Try it. Then send me an email to tell me how right I am - I never tire of hearing it!
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   
5. Every girl needs a good cheek color, and Springsheen fits the bill. I'm a bit of a blush junkie, but if I have to pick just one this is it!  It's a semi-sheer sexy pinky-peach with a shimmery - but not chunky-glittery- sheen. Since it has a bit of pink (cool) and a bit of peach (warm) it works on cool or warm skins and with whatever look you pick for eyes and cheeks. I like this better than that other pinky-peach, NARS Orgasm, which just isn't as versatile as Springsheen, despite its cult following. By the way, darker complected lassies can surely wear Springsheen - it works great!
   
   

   
   
   
   
6. Lipstick is key, but it's nearly impossible to find one that all women will agree upon, even those some are foolish enough to deem "universally flattering." A shade may look acceptable on all women, but one thing I learned early on in my artistry career is this: women are VERY opinionated about their lipsticks! The must-have I'm going to suggest for lipsticks is this: you must have a peek at the Viva Glam line. The quick run-down for those who don't know: Viva Glam lipsticks are sold for charity (to support HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention - read more here). MAC isn't comprised of a bunch of dummies, so since they want to sell as many Viva Glam lipsticks as they can, most of the Viva Glam lipsticks (and glosses) are fairly neutral, so you're bound to find one that works for you and that you love! Here they are:
   
   

   
   
   VGI - Intense brownish blue-red; matte
   VGII - muted pink-beige with shimmer; satin
   VGIII - muted brownish plum; matte
   

   VGIV - midtone rose with gold pearl; frost
   VGV - neutral pink with pearl; lustre
   VGVI - terracotta plum with plum; lustre
   VGVI SE - soft blue-pink; lustre
   
   VGI is a great red, wearable on most skintones, so if you're looking for a red, start there! VGVI is beloved by many (though I'm partial to the SE version, which is a sheerish pink). VGIII is a nice neutral for mid-to-dark skins, and a pretty deepish color on those with fairer skins.
   
   
7. Everyone needs a good black eye pencil, and my pick for a basic black is Smolder. This Eye Kohl wears pretty well (though may not hold-up in the waterline) and can be dotted on between the lashes for a natural look, slicked on the lashline, and smudge if desired. Also good for faking a beauty mark!
   
   

   
   
   
   
8. My next must-have is another Eye Kohl: Teddy. MAC describes it as "intense bronze" and it's an incredibly wearable liner. It's just the right amount of brown with a tiny smidge of shimmer - just enough to look lively but not enough to call too much attention. Perfect for any skintone and a major part of my kit!
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
9. If MAC is famous for two things, it's their colorful eyeshadow and their Lipglass - a semi-sticky (so it stays put!), vanilla-flavored lipgloss formula. It may be more tacky (sticky, not tasteless!) than you like, but you've got to at least try it. I adore it! Try neutral shades first. My suggestions:
   
   
   
   
   

   C-Thru - peachy-beige with shimmer; cream
   

   Nymphette - sunny golden pink; frost
   Oh Baby - golden bronze with sparkling shimmer
   

   
   

   J'adore! C-Thru is a lovely "nude lip" shade that really suits fair-to-medium complected folks with warm undertones, but even cool-toned girls can wear it sheerly. It's probably a bit too chalky for very dark-skinned lasses, but worth a try! Nymphette works on most people because it's a bit peachy, a bit pinky. LOVELY! Since it's both pink and peach, it goes with cool and warm colors on the cheeks and eyes, too. Oh Baby is is beloved by many a dark-skinned girl, but those of us with fairer skins shouldn't overlook it! It's one of my favorite fall shades, and I'm as pale as they come. The multi-colored shimmer (not chunks!) helps it work on all skintones. I love it. All three of these shades layer well over a ton of other colors - make sure to try things that don't even seem like they'd "go" - play around!
   

   
   
10. OK, OK, so it's not makeup, but I consider the Pro Makeup Remover a must--- BIG TIME. This unique formula removes makeup gently and leaves behind NO RESIDUE. Big deal, right? Actually, it is. This was created for backstage environments, enabling artists to quickly and easily remove makeup from a model leaving a surface that is ready for immediate reapplication! Normal cleansers leave bits of product or oils behind, and that residue erodes any makeup put on top of it. How does this apply to your life? Well, most of us aren't perfect, and keeping a bottle of this lifesaver lets you take off that poorly applied red lipstick or that wobbly eye liner so you can try again right away. It's a huge time-saver. Also ab a bit on a Q-tip or makeup wedge and neaten up your winged liner for sharp perfection!
    
    (Only have enough $$ to have one remover around? Pick this one and make a little bottle of olive oil to keep by your vanity - that will dissolve any tricky long-wear products or mascaras. Then sweep Pro Remover over the area to remove the oil. VOILA!)
    
    
    
    
    

5 MAC items you can SKIP!

1. Any MAC mascara. Every company has things they do exceedingly well and things they just can't make well. MAC's Achilles Heel is their mascaras. Yes, some are passable (Plushlash, Mascara X) and every one has its fans, but the cold hard fact is that the MAC mascaras are simply not good.
   
   
2. Most MAC foundations. OK - I know, you're a fan of __________, but the honest-to-goodness truth is this: MAC foundations break out a lot of people and clog the pores on almost all of us. Sorry. If it works for you, great! The shame of it is, MAC's color range for foudations can't be beat anywhere, so if you're hard-to-match you've gotta try them anyway. Just make sure you have GREAT skincare.
   
   
3. Which brings us to this: you can pretty much skip MAC skincare. Yes, some of it is good, but most of it is not very good. You can get much better skincare from other lines. I say this not to insult MAC, because I love MAC. But this is a makeup line, not a skincare line. 'Nuff said.
   
   
4. A skincare product deserving its very own bullet point is STROBE CREAM. I can hear the screaming already from some of you. Here's the thing about Strobe Cream: it's meant to be a special effect. It was never desigined to be your everyday moisturizer. It was never created to be used mixed in your foundation every single day. It's meant to create a highlight or shimmer effect, and can be used as a moisturizer or mixed in your foundation (or a zillion other ways), but don't do it every day! The product has ingredients that are probably too emollient for your combo or oily or sensitive skin, and even parched skin gets blocked-up pores from the shimmer ingredients in it. It's a fab product used sparingly, every now and again, for effect.
   IF YOU USE STROBE CREAM DAILY AND YOU HAVE BAD SKIN, ACNE OR CLOGGED PORES STOP USING IT EVERY DAY!!!
   
   
   
5. Prep + Prime Eye is terrible. It's supposed to be a primer for under your eyeshadow. It's supposed to neutralize eyelids. It barely does either. On many of us it creases. The colors are not really skintone. Use a cream eye shadow as a base (see Must-Have #2 above). This stuff is worthless to most of us.
   

Are there any MAC secrets I can expose for you? Drop me a comment below or send me an email! Or Tweet me. ;)

MAC Collection: Colour Ready | 4.2.09

Colour Ready. It's a repromote of a few items, and a release of some new Perm items. So who can complain, right!? I love the "new-perm" collections, because even if they're squoze in between some other great collections, I feel like I can wait 'til the time ($) is better. Don't you?

By the by, the powder is getting rave reviews from makeup artists who have been testing it for a few seasons. Sounds promising...

Well, enough chatter. Here's the scoop, as always to be updated when I get more info!

Tweeze for the environment...

That's right, you heard me sistah. Tweeze for the environment. I'll explain in a moment...

I may be the only makeup artist in the world who does not own a Tweezerman tweezer. In fact, most have more than one (two for on set, and another for home). I hope to rectify this situation shortly, and plan to start with this great tweezer offering from the legendary company:

This is the Go Green Mini-Slant tweezer, a smaller version of the very popular Slant Tweezer. The Slant Tweezer has won plenty of kudos, including being an InStyle Best Buy and consistently being mentioned in Allure's Editor's Choice Awards. This mini has all of the features of the grown-up sized version: quality craftsmanship, precision plucking, hand-filed tips, free repair/replacement of damaged equipment, free sharpening, and repair of items you may have broken (for a nominal fee).

The bonus, though, my friends, is that Tweezerman will donate $1 of the purchase of any Go Green Mini-Slants to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Doesn't sound like much, but that translates to one tree being planted per purchase, which is stellar!

Oh, and by the by, Tweezerman has packaged these Go Greens in 100% recyclable paper, printed in soy ink.

Go Green Mini-Slant tweezers are available at Tweezerman retailers and online at drugstore.com.

Interview: Ramy, brow guru

I had the distinct honor of interviewing Ramy Gafny, known as "Manhattan's Brow Guru". His spa is on East 31st, between Park and Madison, and his line of cosmetics is growing steam in the industry.

Not sure you've heard of Ramy? You may have seen this makeup artist, whose theme is "minimum makeup, maximum impact," on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Entertainment Tonight, or E!. Or perhaps you read about him in Vogue? In Allure? InStyle? Shape? Self? Town & Country? (I'm a confessed magazine junkie, so that's how I first heard of him) He has worked with Britney, Lindsay, Nicole, Halle, Regis, Ivanka, Naomi, Mariska, and a bunch of other folks whose names you'd recognize even if I do have to use their last names!  Hullo, Katherine Heigl, Liev Schrieber, Rhianna, Emme, Carol Burnett, Julia Stiles, Ray Romano - random much? - Barbara Walters, Debra Messing, Renee Zellweger and the Queen of the Red Carpet: Joan Rivers.

Now that we've established his credentials, let's talk philosophy. He believes that women don't need tons of products that languish in their cabinets or drawers. (He would shudder at my makeup collection, no?!) Ramy beauty therapy - that's the name of his line - was created to give women multi-purpose products that will give them a quick way to enhance their natural look. And he also believes that brows are important - so important that he's picked up that moniker: Manhattan's Brow Guru.

So here's what he had to say. Hopefully I'll have some Ramy product reviews for you soon...

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How did you come to be known as a specialist in eyebrows?

I was hired to be Makeup Director at a top Fifth Avenue salon and they said "You're going to be in charge of eyebrows too" and I said "OK" and started practicing on the staff. It turned out that I had a natural eye for brow shaping and people started lining up. Then the salon started booking me clients and next thing I knew, I was written up in Vogue as New York's Best brow shaper!

Are there trends in brows? If so, what is the next trend you see on the horizon?

The current trend is having very full, strong brows that look polished and arched. I happen to think this look is classic and that brows should be classic and not trendy. You don't want to see a picture of yourself in ten years and have to say, "That was the trend back then" I think brows should always be as full as possible with a nice arch. The next trend will probably be too go a touch thinner - which will then lead to overly thin brows and come back full circle to the full brow.

What is the worst faux pas one can commit with her brows? What about for men?

 Making the brows too thin or creating the dreaded hook shape (or both!) are horrible and common mistakes. No one should ever wax, but men especially look overdone and like drag queens when their brows are waxed.

How do you feel about brow color? When one changes one's hair, should the brow color change as well? 

Your brow color can be up to two shades lighter or darker than your hair color, but no more than that. Your brows do not have to match your hair color exactly, but you don't want a huge discrepancy, like black eyebrows with blonde hair or blonde eyebrows with red hair.

 
What's best: waxing, threading, tweezing? Why?

Tweezing is best because it's the most precise method that offers the most control. Waxing is the worst as you're just indiscriminately removing rows of hair and one wrong move means "bye-bye eyebrow". Waxing is also aging and bad for the delicate skin around the eye area. Threading is what was done before tweezers were invented and its a trend. I hear it's more painful than tweezing and that sometimes hair breaks instead of being removed from the root, so it may not grow back in a uniform manner.

Advise us on how to fill brows in for a most natural look, please. And tell us what products you like for this task.

You can use a pencil, a powder or a pomade to fill brows. As a rule, choose a color a shade or two lighter than your brow color. Lighter looks more natural, darker, more artificial and heavy. When in doubt, choose taupe. Whatever you use to fill brows, always brush it through to remove excess product and blend. This leaves you with a natural looking borw, not a made up looking brow. My favorite products are my Miracle Brow Compact ($28.) which has two universal shades that work on most everyone, my Neutral Impact eyeshadow, and coming in April, My Perfect Brow Wand, which will be a double ended pen witg a neutral brow filler on one end and a highlighter on the other!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I'd like to ask about my own brows. They used to be full but are more sparse now (overplucking, age, and a touch of trichtillomania). What's the best way to encourage them to grow back, or is it too late? Do I go in stages or just not touch them for a few weeks/months? 

The fastest way to grow them back to former glory is to touch NOTHING for up to three months. Really go back to square one. Be sure to take a good multi-vitamin to ensure your body has all the nutrients it needs for optimum hair growth and try a product like my Eye GROW Brows! which can be applied nightly to help hair grow faster and fuller.

 
Is there something you want to tell the world about eyebrows?

Having your eyebrows professionally shaped is the fastest way to improve your appearance without plastic surgery. A proper shaping  can make you look younger, more sophisticated, and generally more perfect!

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Thanks to Ramy for his time and expertise!