Beauty Feature: Anastasia Knows Brows

Audrey Hepburn knew the power of the brow and how the right shape could instantly transform your face. Anastasia Soare, celebrity brow guru and founder of her famed brow collection, also knows the power of the brow and how it can instantly polish your look and make you look younger.

Are your brows apart of your overall look or just an after-thought? I've come to learn after many years of over-plucking that I need my brows! I was looking back on old photos and my brows were scary - thin and rounded. Not a good shape especially since I have a round face. Thanks to Anastasia's brow line, all us over-tweezers can finally stop agonizing and achieve the perfect brow!

All About Brows Kit ($75 USD, also sold separately): This kit has everything you need to help you find the perfect brow shape for your face. The chic little case includes Brow Gel, Tweezers, Brow Powder Duo, four Brow Stencils, Duo Angle/Spooley Brush, and an Eye Lights Matte highlighting pencil. Select the stencil that best matches the shape of your brows. Fill in the stencil with the Brow Powder Duo using the Duo Angle/Spooley brush and tweeze the stray hairs outside of the stencil. I like to use the Spooley side to blend the powder into brow for a natural finish. Set your brows using the Brow Gel brushing the upward to hold the shape all day. Highlight the brow bone with the Eye Lights pencil for lift and definition. Easy right? Who says you can't have celebrity worthy brows?


Go Brow - Universal Brow Pencil ($21 USD): This double-ended brow pencil and highlighter duo is perfect especially if you're on-the-go. Lately, this is all I have been using on my brows along with the clear Brow Gel. The medium-brown shade is meant to be universally flattering. So far so good but I've haven't tried it on anyone with deep dark skin yet. The pencil glides on smoothly and filling in the brows is quick and easy. The highlighter definitely lifts the eyes but if you have medium-dark skin be sure to blend it in really well. I think a light peach shade would be better for us darker skinned women. Also, make sure the brow bone is well moisturized. It tends to emphasize dry skin. My biggest issue with the pencil is that it doesn't sharpen well with other sharpeners. I don't know if the texture is too soft or if my Sephora sharpener doesn't sharpen well. The tip never really sharpens and I sometimes have to shave the sides of the pencil manually. I'm going to pick up the Anastasia sharpener and see if that makes a difference. Other a than that, I think it's great when you're in a pinch!

Tweezers Anonymous ($55 USD, also sold separately): Over-tweezers no longer have to hide because this kit has everything you need to get your brows back in shape (literally) and better than ever before! The Brow Enhancing Serum, a gel-based formula is designed to help condition, repair and make those brows grow. Seriously, it works. I was trying out this new hair removal razor tool near my brows and accidentally shaved a few hairs off where my brows start. I've been applying this over my brows for the last few weeks and my they are almost back to normal. The Brow Filler is a spring loaded powder tipped sponge duo for eyebrows that accommodates Blondes on one end and Brunettes on the other. You can also mix the powders together for a customized colour. Brow Stix is for the stencil-challenged. These handy stencils stick onto your skin - just peel off the back, position over your brows, and fill in. You won't have to worry about holding them steady in place. I've tried to save it after and reuse it but it doesn't stick as good as the first time.

Perfect Brow Pencil ($22 USD): If brow powders and angled brushes seem too complicated, Anastasia's brow pencils are wonderful for achieving a natural brow shape. The pencil has the perfect texture - not too soft, not too hard. Overly soft pencils can make your brows appear too strong and hard pencils take longer to fill in because the colour is barely noticeable. Just apply in short hair-like strokes in the same direction your hair grows. Use the spooley side to blend the colour in with your brows for a natural finish.

Don't be afraid to fill those brows in or to let them grow. Put the tweezers down (unless you have a uni-brow goin' on)! lol Many clients I've worked on resisted a little brow filling but realized after seeing themselves in photos what a huge difference brows make. You don't have to fill in the entire brow - just where the hair is sparse or where the shape is a little off. Thin brows or brows that are too penciled in can age you and really throw off the balance of your face shape. If you're not sure where your brows should start and where they should end, then stencils are a great guideline. Well-groomed brows should be the first step before applying your makeup. A strong brow calls for less makeup and vice versa. Brows are your friends so don't over-pluck and make them disappear!

Have you tried Anastasia brow products? Love it? Hate it?

www.anastasia.net and www.sephora.com