Allow
me to begin our epic beauty sins discussion with a very special confession of a
makeup artist.
So,
let me paint you an ugly picture:
There
I was a couple of years ago working in what will remain an un-named makeup
boutique standing in the middle of the store so I could be more accessible to
the customers. Smiling and being approachable increases sales, people. It’s
Beauty Sales 101. Anyway, a cute, little platinum blonde (say about 19 years
old) walks in with her boyfriend. Of course, I greet them & let them know I
am here to help her find what she was looking for. But, boy was I in for a
surprise. After explaining to me that she ran out of her eyebrow color, she
simply wanted to find a match to what she was using. I explained the difference
between eyebrow pencil vs. shadow applied with a brow brush. For me, shadow
smudged in your brows looks most natural, in my opinion. (Everyone’s entitled
to their own opinion.) This conclusion has come after witnessing several bad
matching attempts by women using the wrong shade of brow pencil.
Using a brow
brush with shadow on it to do your brows can be accomplished in a couple
different ways depending on what type brushes you have handy. There are actual
dedicated brow brushes, which have firmer bristles for working into and in
between your eyebrow hairs. Or, you could also use an angled eyeliner brush in
a pinch. Basically, any brush little enough works. I even used a concealer
brush once. However, who really wants to worry about cleaning their brushes
daily when going from shadows to concealers consistently? If you pride yourself
on your perfect eyebrows, opt for purchasing a separate brush and save yourself
some time and aggravation.
 |
MAC's Shadow in "Orb", $15
When in doubt, go Orb...
Get it Here. |
Anyway,
I showed this little blonde what could be acceptable matches with her hair
color and skin color taken into consideration. She then asked to borrow my brow
brush off my brush belt. You could tell she felt naked without her staple
beauty product on. Typically, I do the artistry for you and have you look in a
mirror. You watch me so you can replicate what I do at home. Or, I will do one
side and you do the other so I can be assured you’ve got the hang of it.
Anyway, I was enlightened by her excitedness to do it herself. But the next
thing I know, she’s digging into the black shadow & smudging it in her
brows. Here’s the confession part: I really wanted to tell her that what she
was doing was no mas bueno. But as in all makeup stores, we want our customers
leaving happy. Girl, this is 2012 and dog-gone it if you want to rock out
with weird makeup you can. Why is it that all this time this poor girl has been
committing an epic beauty sin & no one even told her?
Not even close
friends, her boyfriend, or past makeup artists!
 |
Sonia Kashuk Brow Kit- Arch Alert, $9.99
Available at Target, or dare I say Tar-zhayyyyy?!
Get it here. |
Rule
#1 – Never, ever under any circumstances think that it is okay to rock black
brow pencil or black shadow in your brows unless you’ve got a really, really
dark skin tone.
If you’ve got a dark skin tone, maybe try a neutral brown or
dark brown. Black in some cases is even whack. There is no reason why everyone
can’t use taupe or a variation of taupe in their eyebrows… taupe, warm taupe,
cool taupe & light taupe pretty much sum it up. You’re blonde? Pick light
taupe. You’re a Hispanic? Pick dark taupe. You’re a redhead? Pick a warm or orangey
taupe. You’re Asian? I see taupe in your future. Albino? Maybe a bronzer could
benefit you more?! Let’s have a talk about what you value on your face and what
you’d like to accomplish. For each woman it’s totally different. Trust me. Any
skin tone & hair color you’ve got can pretty much go with taupe in their
eyebrows.
I totally “get” why you’d maybe pick black- to match your eyebrow
hairs, of course. But unless you’re going for the “I’ve got two huge black
caterpillars attached to my face” look, don’t ever commit this epic beauty sin.
When in doubt, always go for the lighter shade if debating between shades at
the beauty counter. Remember that the skin is fairly light beneath your brow
hairs and putting any little bit of color underneath them really, really darkens
them. Remember, it’s always easier to add pigment than to take away pigment,
friends!
I
think what we can take away from this is:
Let’s
all vow to be honest to our friends with their makeup choices. Real friends
don’t need to sugarcoat things like makeup counters do. Good friends offer
advice. Real friends tell you like it is. Real friends also show up unannounced
with masks, wigs, glitter, duct tape and a plan.
Gotta’
love the friends who know how crazy you are, yet still decide to show up in public
places with you. Hopefully for everyone’s sake and sanity… without black
eyebrows.
If
I haven’t told you lately, I love my friends, readers and followers. I thank my
lucky stars every day for you.
