Milani Easy Brow Pencil

I refuse to ever stop giving eyebrow advice. REFUSE. And I'm aware that I've recommended numerous eyebrow products. But I think I've finally found one that's reasonably priced and actually good quality. Here's an example of what it looks like when used.

It's pretty weather proof and won't run on you in the rain or snow or anything - it'll even stay on and not smudge off if you decide to not take it off with the rest of your makeup at the end of a day. I've done that a few times. Goddam it, I just love having fuller eyebrows. Did you know that the number one facial cosmetic procedure among women in NYC this year was eyebrow restoration? So funny that that's a thing now. 

In any case, this Milani pencil is magic and you can get it at basically any CVS in New York. It ranges from $7 - $10, which is pretty decent, too. 

Mom Says

“Beware of the one whose eyebrows meet. In their heart there lies deceit.”

“Eyebrow tip: If you tweeze them yourself, you should do so after you take a hot shower and it’ll hurt less when you tweeze.”

“Eyebrow Tip: Don’t touch/tweeze/wax them until you’re 21. Trust me. Let them grow as much as they want to.”

— #lizadvice

e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit

If a) you're not picky and b) it's not raining outside - then this is the eyebrow system for you.

Every time I'm in the vicinity of e.l.f. products, I find it extremely hard not to overindulge and buy everything in sight. Their prices are insane and some of the products actually work better than some I've sampled from Sephora.

Normal, sad eyebrows (left) & e.l.f-ed up eyebrows (right)

I'm sorry you have to look at my creepy one eye shots (I'm purposely not making that an image you can open/zoom - in fear of someone walking in on you looking at such an enlarged eye photo and labelling you a serial killer), but you can see the difference that an eyebrow filler makes.

The worst part? If you touch your face a lot, it smudges like mad. I tend not to touch my face, so I haven't really run in to this problem. But also, why would you touch your face a lot? That's gross, stop that.

I started using this kit as the backup (or sometimes in conjunction with) the Anastasia one I like and there's probably no going back for me now. I will continue to sample new eyebrow pencils and systems until I magically find one that isn't over $20 and is somehow all-weather friendly. 

Grace Hair Design & Beauty Parlour

The only reason to go here is to get your eyebrows threaded. It's $4 and it's done perfectly every single time. I've been going here for roughly thirteen years now and whenever I'm in town visiting my parents, I get them threaded. I will purposely wait and not get it done anywhere in New York, since I know they'll do it exactly the way I want it done here. 

And when you go, if you have a specific request (like "keep it as thick as you can" or "I want a higher arch"), then make sure to tell them otherwise they'll do what they want. 

The place is usually rammed with people since they're so popular and good, but the most I've ever waited was around twenty-five minutes or so. 

You can find their hours here (they're closed on Tuesdays), and they're less busy in the earlier hours of the day. Love this place so much. 

Lessons of the Week

1. Pinterest Tip: Highlight text on something before hitting “Pin It” and the highlighted text will automatically appear in the description box.

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2. Twitter Tip: You can create lists for people whose tweets you don’t want to miss. Am I the only person who didn't know this already?

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3. A beautician just told me that the best (least painful) time to pluck your eyebrows is right after you get out of a hot shower. I just tried this, and she's completely right.

For past lessons of the week, you can find them over here: July 2013, October 2013, and December 2013.

Full Eyebrows

This is the Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil that I use daily. Now listen to me, I do not use it to draw on some eyebrows. I use it to fill in the eyebrow area (not the entire area, but more of a dusting over the areas that are sparse) and to create the look of a normal human being who has effortless eyebrows. (Though it could be a myth, that anyone on earth has effortless eyebrows... usually everyone could use a bit of darkening in that area.) If I had to use one makeup item for the rest of my life, it would definitely be this one. They come in different colours and the best one to choose is, obviously, the one closest to your own hair colour.

Some people use it to give themselves more of an arch in their brow, but I primarily use it because when I was 13 I shaved off half my brows (also known as the eyebrow incident of '98) and they never grew back as full as they once, beautifully, were. To this day, my main piece of advice to my 14 year old niece is constantly, "Whatever you do, don't touch your eyebrows yet. You'll regret it later. Just wait a bit." (Well, that and incessantly telling her to lotion her elbows every day so they'll be soft for life.)

Just to prove my point further, here are before and after shots of me not using and then using this brow pencil. (Please excuse the ridiculous eyelashes. I love them. Bury me in them, please.)

Before

After

They're a little pricey for a pencil ($23 at Sephora), but considering that it'll last you for at least about seven months or so? Definitely worth it. 

Also, this is kind of an embarrassing post. You know? To admit you use this product? But I realized that's a dumb thing to be embarrassed about. (Anytime I use fake eyelashes or fill in my eyebrows I think of that scene on Fresh Prince where Will gets locked in a room with that girl (Gina!) who has the fake hair and fake nails. Love that scene so much.)

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This is the updated version of the pencil - still the same product, just a new black design and box.

“Beauty does not lie in the eye of the beholder. It lies in REALLY STRONG, DEFINED EYEBROWS.”

— #lizadvice #kateupton