Discover the secrets to beautiful brows with Benefit
Lauren Hogsden (IG: @lauren_hogsden) – National Brow and Beauty Authority at Benefit Cosmetics
As the #1 Brow brand worldwide*, Benefit Cosmetics has got all the goods for newbies, pros and everyone in between!
Why are brows so important?
Well-groomed brows frame your face with a flattering shape, look polished & symmetrical AND help make the eyes look fresh & wide awake. Women used to say the one product they couldn’t leave the house without applying was mascara, nowadays it’s their brows that make them feel put-together.
Jared Bailey, Benefit’s Global Brow Expert, says that brow bring balance and proportion to the face and eyes. For example, if you want the bridge of your nose to look thinner, bring your brows closer together. If you want your face to look a little more full or round, shorten the length of your brows.
Brows help break up the planes of the face and create many difference illusions, similar to those created through contouring.
Brow mapping
Determine your desired brow shape by mapping out your brows from start, arch to end. It’s often best to work with your natural bow shape. This will help guide your grooming process and prevent you from removing brow hair that is needed to build your desired brow look.
How to map your brows
Step 1
Start with a makeup-free brow and use a brow brush/spoolie to brush your brows through, so that all hairs are sitting in the correct place. Hold a pencil parallel to the side of your nose, meet the top of the pencil to the inner corner of the eye – this is where your brows should start. Using Precisely My Brow pencil, mark this point.
Step 2
To determine the highest peak of your brow, place the pencil at an angle from the outside corner of your nose through the centre of your pupil. Use your brow pencil to mark this point.
Step 3
Hold the pencil diagonally from the outside corner of the nose to the outside corner of your eye – this is where your brow should end. Use your brow pencil to mark this point.
Step 4
Now use the brow pencil markings as a guide when tweezing and styling your brows with product.
Brow Care
Styling your brows
Fuller & Sculpted Brows
For those looking for fuller and sculpted brows with a hold, look no further than Benefit’s new Precisely, My Brow Wax! This lightweight wax delivers bold pigment with instant payoff while shaping and positioning brows precisely into place. The key to using this wax is it’s targeted, dual-sided brush that helps colour stick to skin and brows, and grooms brow hairs in place. Brush through your brows with short, upward strokes using the flat side of the applicator to add colour, then sculpt with the domed side to get those hairs into place.
This is perfect to pair with Precisely, My Brow Pencil to deliver natural hair-like strokes to fill in any missing hairs. Use short, light, upward flicks, drawing in the direction of natural hair growth for a more natural finish.
Lifted and Laminated
Lamination can seem daunting with your brow hair straightened and glued in place. Here at Benefit we like the option to style our brows to the vibe of the day, which is why we can fake the laminated lifted look with our trusty 24 hour Brow Setter!
24 hour Brow Setter is our clear setting and shaping gel, with a quick dry formula that is flexible and flake free.
Using the longer bristled side of the wand, comb through the brows fully saturating the brow hairs.
Brush the hair upwards towards the hair line and out towards the temple to really create a lifted look.
Leave to air dry for about 30 seconds – we want the gel to be pretty tacky but not fully set.
Take a spoolie (like Benefit’s Dual-Ended Angled Eyebrow Brush) and slowly press and roll the brush upwards and outwards to straighten the brow hair, lift it from the skin and remove any excess product.
To fill in any missing brow hair use Benefit’s Precisely My Brow Pencil, a ultra-fine brow pencil that gives natural-looking, hair-like strokes. Or if you’re looking for microfine detailing, try Benefit’s new Precisely My Brow Detailer Pencil, which has a 0.8mm tiny tip (the teeniest tip in the market!).
Take your brow pencil and using short, light, upward flicks, drawing in the direction of the hair growth for a more natural finish.
Fuller & Volumised Brows
For those looking for full but natural-looking brows, you need to try Benefit’s Gimme Brow+ gel. This coloured gel contains tiny volumizing microfibers that adhere to the brows and skin for natural-looking fullness. It adds a sheer tint and has a tiny, tapered brush for easy and mess-free application.
How to use:
Stroke the brush tip along the brow to define shape.
Brushing against the natural hair growth (like backcombing your hair) and then brush through and to blend and build.
For even more volume and definition, pair it with Gimme Brow+ Volumising Pencil.
FAQs:
What are the differences between Benefit brow pencils?
What is the difference between the original Precisely, My Brow and Precisely, My Brow Detailer?
How do I know which shade to use for the detailer?
What is the difference between Precisely, My Brow Wax and Gimme Brow+ Gel?
What is the difference between 24hr Brow Setter and Fluff Up Brow Wax?