No More Raised Eyebrows

Hey Girls, 

Following on from the success of my latest post on hair growth, I have decided to go for something similar and this time cover brows. 

Its taken me a while to get the fullness & shape
but it has been worthwhile

Over recent years especially, eyebrows have become an important focus in make up and grooming. They can frame your face, and complete and change an entire look if done the correct way. I recently took a course and I am qualified now to do the ‘7 step celeb brow’ which is very similar to a number of the better known, and branded eyebrow regimes out there (possibly a little more cost efficient). It follows all the steps it takes for perfectly groomed brows. 

My brows are something a number of my instagram followers, and friends compliment me on often, but they used to be two shapeless thin lines! So how did I do it? 

Well here are a few things I did to grow them: 

• I stopped having my eyebrows regularly threaded, and decided to take a break to grow them out
• Using tweezers in between if absolutely necessary, but try not to touch them more than once a week, and DON'T over pluck- strays only!
• My secret ingredient to growing my brows has been Castor Oil... seriously go buy a tub NOW! it has made my eyebrows thicker, and enabled me to grow them into a more appealing shape

The Growth

Before: Shapeless, over threaded &thin
After: Arched and thick with definition

I use castor oil £1.45 (with mink oil) every evening after removing my make-up, the smallest amount is needed as its of quite a thick consistency, just use fingers to evenly spread over the eyebrow area. I saw a difference within the space of two weeks of doing this. I have never tried pure castor oil as of yet, that may be my next step, but so far castor oil with mink oil has worked well for me.

The Shaping Products

Like with any hair growth, whether its in between a wax or haircut you have the period where your eyebrows look unruley but the trick is brow powder! I swear by the nyx eyebrow powder, its cheap and cheerful and really helps make your eyebrows “look” tamed even when they aren’t perfect. I usually just tweeze any obvious hairs outside of the shape once I have filled them in. The trick to applying the powder to look natural is of course an angled brush, and a light hand (don't get too excited with the amount of product on the brush). 

Maintenance  & Presentation

Now my eyebrows have grown out, I shape them once every two weeks (using the threading technique). On a day to day basis I use my NYX brow powder (£13.50), and for those special occasions I have been using Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Promade in Ebony (£13.00). This product has had some AMAZING reviews from top bloggers, so of course I had to get my hands on it.  I luckily had a friend willing to pick it up on a trip from America, but it is now also available at cult beauty online for those in the UK. I have to say, it takes some time to get used to, and the first few times I didn’t like it as it was thick and heavy and a bit ‘scouse brow’ but now I have been able to perfect the technique of limiting the product on my brush and blending out as much as possible I love LOve LOVE it! 

So guys its that simple... castor oil, brow filler and lay off the shaping for a few months and it really does make a difference, believe me when I say its worth it! Remember theres a thin line between groomed, and marker pen brows- those are not so hot, so try and maintain your look to keep it as natural as possible. 

Do you have any brow shaping tips and favourite products? Share them below... 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Faking It: Has Natural Lost It’s Touch?

Hi Beauty Lovers, 

I wanted to use this blog to highlight a few of my favourite back to basic eye make up products, and also have a little rant about “faking it.” Just recently I have conversed with many in regards to fake lashes, drawn on and tattooed brows, lip fillers, botox and more. It feels as though TV shows such as TOWIE, Desperate Scouseives and Geordie Shore have brought forward trends which encourage both females and males to “fake” part of their appearance. Personally I feel natural is always in, its classic and will never make you look back and think “oh god, what was I thinking?.”

All of us do it whether it be a subtle change such as false lashes, hair extensions, heavy make up or a fake tan to bigger changes such as coloured contact lenses, or dying your hair. About a year ago I had hair extensions, coloured lenses, fake nails, and lashes. To be honest it was a lot of time, effort and expense to maintain. As time has moved on I have come up with alternative ways of working with my make up to get the results I want, without having to resort in drastic measures. 

My biggest fear has always been false eyelashes, the main reason being the fiddly bit; eyelash glue everywhere and in a bad mood I go. If you are using  false eyelashes I would highly recommend Revlon glue, it dries clear rather than white and is much better than the little tubes included in a lash pack. Although I think lashes enhance a look, I feel investing in some good mascaras can also do a great job.

My go-to with lashes would have to be Chanel Inimitable Waterproof mascara in black (£23) and Lancome Cils Booster (£21). Although they are a little on the expensive side they have pulled me away from fake eyelashes and I have never looked back. A coat of the Lancome Cils Booster as a lash primer gives an instant volume and length boost. I use the Chanel Inimitable on top to coat the lashes and add more volume without clumping. I have tried many mascaras and this combination is my favourite for a volumised look. I am lucky enough to have naturally long and curly eyelashes, so I tend not to wear much mascara in the day, however for evening and night make up looks these are perfect. 

The eyebrow definition trend is one which I feel many have gotten horribly wrong, it all comes down to the tools and technique. I shade my brows to enhance my natural eyebrow shape and add a little definition. I have recently invested in Benefits Brow-Zings kit in dark (£22.50). It was a tad more expensive than other gels, pencils and shadows I have used but has given the best results and most natural look. The end result is natural looking eyebrows with soft lines and blended colour. Harsh lines and bold colour should definitely be avoided unless you are going for the “scouse brow” look. A good angled brush is key, although the kit comes with a brush and tweezers I use the ecotools angled brush, which is available from Boots. 

It seems the trends of harsh brows, big lashes, layers of make up, and so much more are on going, however more dramatic treatments are also becoming the norm. We are in an era where a chemical peel can be done over a lunch break, or botox parties are the new social scene; it seems there is no end to how far some will go for the "perfect" image. I have had discussions with male friends who have voiced the opinion that they no longer know what females really look like, and natural beauty no longer exists. 

 Do you think natural has lost its touch?  

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.