High Brow

Last week I had the pleasure of being treated to a makeover at a Bobbi Brown makeup event. It felt very indulgent to take an hour and be pampered, try out some new products and learn a few techniques that would make a big difference in how I apply my makeup. And especially since my DH had offered to take charge of the kids, running them around in the play area at the mall, and feeding them dinner (even if it was fast food). How could I resist?

One of the best techniques I learned from Bobbi Brown makeup guru, Ricki, was a wonderful way to define my brows. My brows are not model brows by any stretch of the imagination. They grow into my hairline and the hair grows downward. Plus, since I turned 40, I've noticed my brows getting more and more sparse (my mother warned me...) and not always growing back after I tweeze or wax them. So I was in need of some serious pointers to give my brows a lift.

Ricki came to my rescue with some indespensible advice that I'd like to share with you. Here are the steps she taught me to create fabulous brows:

1. Tweeze and define. If it's been awhile since you've done this, I recommend having a professional do it. Your hairdresser or local salon can usually do this for you. Make sure you choose a reputable salon, though (ask a friend for a referral), or you could end up with brows you have to draw back in. Once you've got a basic shape to work with, it's easy to maintain with a good pair of tweezers at home.

2. This step may seem counterintuitive, but trust me, it really does work! Brush your brow hairs DOWNWARD with a brow brush, or a clean (never used) mascara wand.

3. Using an Eye Definer Brush, you want to define the uppermost line of your brows using a powder shadow that matches your brow hairs. Begin at the inner, upper corner and follow your natural brow line using soft, feathery strokes. If you happen to get it too dark, soften the look by pressing loose powder onto your brows with a powder puff.

4. Brush brows upward, back into place.

5. Continue to fill brows in with the shadow, to give a full appearance.

This technique will not only give your brows nice definition, it will work to lift them as well. I couldn't believe the difference when I looked in the mirror! It was like a mini-facelift. I felt more polished, and (dare I say it) younger! This may take a few extra minutes in the morning, but I am adding it to my daily routine as much as I possibly can. Every little bit counts!