A quick-and-dirty guide for different eyebrow makeup types to try

Have you heard the saying “Your eyebrows are sisters and not twins”? Well, grooming my brows was one of the makeup steps I had a really tough time learning. From being heavy-handed to not knowing how to properly shape my brows, it was a rough process to try to get them to look like cousins - let alone siblings.

Seven years into my makeup journey, I would like to think I have gotten better at it, especially now that we have so many products and styles to try and choose from! So here is my quick guide to locally available brow product options and how to style your brows with them.

Before we begin, here is how my brows look without any product! I usually shape them into this soft arch by plucking because that is the most sustainable way for me but you can definitely look into threading, waxing, and other hair removal and brow grooming practices.

Makeup-free brows!

Retractable Pencil

This was the first brow product I learned to use and they used to exclusively come in triangular or rectangular tipped pencils. Now we have thinner and rounded pencils that give us both the option of shaping the brows and also creating hair-like strokes to shade in the sparse parts of our eyebrows.

Brow pencils are also the most versatile in regards to the variety of styles you can achieve. From natural brows with the use of lighter shades and softer application to a sharper, more dramatic look with deeper shades and more precise lines.

It is also a super convenient choice because the majority of eyebrow pencils are dual-ended with one end dispensing the product and the other with a spoolie to blend out the product and brush through your brows.

The Chu Chü Beauty Skinny Brow Pencil, Detail Cosmetics Superfine Liner, and Vice Cosmetics Gandoll Micro Brow are some of my favourites and as you can see, they are all different shades of brown and yes, they all work on me! It will all just boil down to the look you want to achieve.

Mascara

Similar to eyelash mascara, this is meant to add volume and shape then hold your eyebrow hairs in place.

Brow mascaras are packed with pigment and fibres that naturally imitate your brow hairs. So just by brushing through your brows then using the product to shape the hairs into your desired shape can easily keep the brows tame while adding some fibre and pigment to provide a fuller look to them.

You can easily use this for a brushed up feathered brow look or just brush them into the natural shape by following the direction of the hair’s growth.

The Issy & Co. Brow Refiner has been a staple in my on-the-go beauty kit ever since my first use because of how easy it is to use and the fact that it has shade options that work naturally for my brows! You can also get this in clear if you are just in it for the hold.

The hold really depends on your type of brows but adding a second layer works great for adding to its longevity for my type of brow hairs.

Soap

When feathered brows and laminated brows became all the rage in 2020, I just had to give this a try!

Some people use this product dry but I prefer to use it with a few spritzes of water to activate the formula. After that, all you have to do is swipe a spoolie into the tub, comb the product through your brow hairs, and shape it!

You can just tame your eyebrow hairs in place for a laminated look or comb them up for that feathered look and it is a guaranteed way to add some volume to your brows because of the way it emphasises each strand.

I enjoy the BrowBizz Brow Soap because it is affordable but also highly effective on my brow hairs! I get why it is so raved about in the local beauty community.

Wax

Similar to the brow soap, a brow wax has the exact same effect and purpose but is a quicker option without the need to activate the formula - making it an easy way to tame your brow hairs.

It also offers a stronger hold and more pigment which is why this is my weapon of choice for my daily brow.

This is the Hello Bloom Brow Fluff and it is one of the first local brow wax options. It does not disappoint! Plus a very little bit of this goes a very long way.

Fun fact: this was my brow product of choice for an outdoor event and it lasted at least 12 hours in the heat of a Metro Manila afternoon and all the way through an intense evening commute.

Pen

Eyebrow pens were tough for me to get into because I am quite heavy-handed but once I figured it out, it was another instant hit especially for the days I want to keep it natural.

With its thin tip and liquid formula, you can create fine hair-like strokes to just fill in the sparse areas of your brows and define the tails of your brows for a groomed effect. This Issy & Co. Precision Brow Pen is an affordable option to a more luxe brow product. The thin brush tip on this makes it beginner-friendly.

There really are so many products and techniques to try. Apart from the goodies in this list, there are also the options of eyebrow pomade and eyebrow powder that I am yet to get into.

It will all boil down to your preferences. For example, I have a preference for tamed brows rather than filled in brows. That is why I prefer eyebrow mascara, soap, and wax over the other styling products.

I also have brow techniques that I really enjoy incorporating into my routines such as:

Brow Mascara + Pencil

Start by outlining the bottom of my brow then defining the tail and arch of my eyebrows. Then I will fluff up the inner part of my brows and set to place the hairs I defined with the pencil for a natural but still very groomed look.

Highlighter

Adding a dash of highlighter on your brow bone is an easy way to bring more attention to your eyes and make them appear fuller.

Concealer

Whether it is to clean up and define your brow shape or to create that bleached brow effect, concealer is a great addition to your eyebrow styling routine.

The eyebrows are really one of the easiest ways to freshen up a look so I hope you got to pick up something new from this to add to your routine!