If there’s one thing I know to be true and can personally vouch for, it’s that eyebrows aren’t unchanging. Even if you think your brows have maintained the same size, shape, and density for years, look back at old photos, and I guarantee you that you’ll notice a difference. I know I did. And yet I was under the impression they’ve looked the same ever since high school (when I went through an unfortunate obsession with eyebrow waxing).
The only thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m picky about my eyebrows, and I rarely allow anyone other than myself to work on them. That’s because they’re my favorite facial feature, and whenever I get compliments on them, it only reinforces my desire to keep them looking pristine (or, as pristine as I can get them, anyway). Luckily, I have my brow routine down pat. From growth-boosting serums to expert grooming tools and the most natural-looking makeup products, I truly believe that I’ve nailed the perfect eyebrow-maintenance lineup. Keep scrolling to see it. Plus, see my personal brow evolution in three photos…
I’ve been obsessed with this French brow serum for YEARS. It’s one of the only serums that I consistently see real, visible results from. In as little as six weeks, it promises to stimulate new growth and enhance the natural pigmentation of the eyebrows for added definition. It’s all thanks to a plant complex of witch hazel, apple, nettle, horse chestnut, and St. John’s Wort. There are also peptides and silk proteins to prevent shedding and protect brows from damage.
About twice a year, I’ll purchase one of these little miracle-working serums, apply it morning and night for about two months, and wait to see the results. It’s so easy and I’m never disappointed. (By the way, I’m also obsessed with the brand’s lash serum. It works in a similar way, and it’s fully the reason why I feel like I don’t need to wear mascara every day.)
This, my friends, is my OG eyebrow pencil. Who What Wear’s beauty director Erin Jahns recommended it to me a million years ago when we first started out in the beauty industry, and I’ve been loyal to it ever since. I don’t know if it’s the budge-proof formula or the natural-looking, gray-toned shade, but it never fails to provide a real, hair-like effect.
This brow pencil is a more recent addition to my brow routine. I only started using it this year, but it was love at first swipe. The shade I use, medium brown, is so natural-looking that it’s almost indistinguishable from my real hair. Then there’s the ultra-fine point of the pencil. Because it’s so tiny, I’m able to create impossible thin, hair-like strokes on the arch and tail end of my brows.
In my opinion, this one isn’t as good as the others for creating super detailed, hair-like strokes, but I still love using it when my brows need some major filling in. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like my brows go through stages of being super dense and then sparse. It’s during those sparse stages that I’ll reach for this pencil. The angled tip makes it easy to work in broad strokes.
In my opinion, this brow gel is vastly overrated. When I use it, my brows look instantly lifted, fluffed, and defined. They also stay put for hours (which is why I swear by it for achieving a temporary laminated look).
One thing worth noting is that the formula looks bright white on the brush but don’t let that deter you. It dries clear on the brows. Sometimes, I’ll wipe some of the product off the brush before combing it through my brows for a more subtle effect.
What can I say about this product that hasn’t already been said? It’s a classic for a reason. Not only does it lift, fluff, and define my brows, but it also adds density so they look extra thick and full. It’s been a go-to brow gel for years, and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.
If I want to embrace that super-laminated Instagram brow look, I reach for this gem. It costs less than a large latte, yet it sculpts, holds, and feathers my brow hairs effortlessly. It also stays put for hours, so I never have to worry about touchups.
I swear the best way to make your brows look pristine is to use a concealer-highlighter combo as the final step in your makeup routine. I like this one because it has a fine-tipped pencil for detailed application. I like to conceal along the top of my eyebrows and highlight underneath them. It’s just the best finishing touch.
Fun fact: I never use a magnifying mirror for makeup, but I do use one when I’m tweezing and shaping my eyebrows. I like that this one is lighted and offers 10x magnification so I can get every little rogue hair that I wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. It might seem unnecessary if you’ve never used one before, but trust me, it’s a total game-changer.
A good pair of tweezers is a MUST. These ones have a pointed tip that grips the tiniest hairs.
Listen, I use a spoolie literally every single day, so instead of using those cheap, plastic ones, I like to invest in something sturdy that will last me a long time. This one, from Jenny Patinkin, is dual-ended. The spoolie is on one end, and a super-fine line brush is on the other, so if you like to use brow pomades, this is a must.
Never underestimate the power of a brow trim. My brow hairs are naturally long, so trimming them (just a little) every so often makes them look polished and refined.
Next, Chanel, Dior, and Valentino: The 22 Designer Makeup Products Worth the Money.