How to Apply Brow Makeup?

How do you apply makeup to over-plucked eyebrows without looking like Groucho Marx?
—Bette, Nyack, New York

The key lies not in your preferred formula—pencil, powder, gel—but rather in the color you choose. Overly dark brows can make anyone look like Norma Desmond, so beware.

"Definitely use a shade of pencil, powder—whatever you are using—in a shade or two lighter than your hair," says Warren Tricomi Salon brow expert Kristie Streicher. "If it's too dark, that's the first thing you notice."

Specifically, start by shaping your brow with a clear gel. (Valerie Beverly Hills makes a great one.) I like to apply a little bit of gel to get the brows pushed up, to make them look like more than you have," Streicher says. "Then, where you see holes, use powder to pencil to create the shape."

As far as color goes, "If you have red hair, use a warm brown," Streicher says. "If you're blonde, use a taupe or soft, light brown. Brunettes should use a medium brown, and grey or silver foxes should use an ash brown or taupe."

Streicher prefers the brow pencils from the Kevyn Aucoin brand. The brunette brow pencil looks good on everyone," she says, "for blondes, his blonde is beautiful."

And when in doubt, go see a specialist. Nothing is worse than a pair of wonky eyebrows.

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