Though last season's stenciled arches may have evolved to a more natural, slightly bushier style, there's no denying that brows remain a huge focus of beauty these days.
And for good reason. Just ask any girl who's had her look transformed by a reputable brow bar or, conversely, had her brows (and confidence) destroyed by a bad wax job. Though they may have grown back since, the thought of the experience still stings.
If eyes are the window to the soul, the eyebrows are the shutters . . . and often one of the first things people see of you. That's why we took to the experts to find out exactly which products they've come to trust for themselves and their high-profile clients. Read on for some of their top picks and tricks for achieving brow perfection right in the comfort of your own home.
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil
"This product really is what it says it is: universal. By pressing softly with the pencil, you get a nice ashy shade perfect for blondes; press a little harder for medium brunettes, and then really go in with the pencil for dark brunettes. I tend to lean toward cooler tones on the brow and this pencil is the perfect color payoff.
A quick hack to keep the tip sharp is to press your dull tip onto a paper towel and it 'mashes' it flat again." — Ashleigh Ciucci [4]
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil [5] ($24)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel
"I don't go anywhere without using the Anastasia clear brow gel. Most days I won't even fill in my brows. Because I tint them, I can get away with running out the door with a matte lipstick and this gel. It's truly magic! I brush my brows straight up to make them look as wide as possible and they literally stay 'glued' for 12 hours. I'd also recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express kit [6] for anyone on the go." — Joyce Bonelli [7]
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel [8] ($22)
PUR Cosmetics Browder Perfecting Brow Powder
"I use this on victims of overtweezing or those who have naturally thin brows. It fills in brows without that telltale sheen some products can leave behind. The applicator is foolproof, and the fiber-like texture makes it OK to use in conjunction with a pencil or pigment powder for realistic, full brows.
I like to use it after I've filled the brow in with powder to diffuse the lines slightly and bulk up the brow hairs for a natural full brow look." — Tasha Reiko Brown [9]
PUR Cosmetics Browder Perfecting Brow Powder [10] ($22)
Swanson Certified 100% Organic Castor Oil
"Castor oil is used in a list of beauty products, but using it alone is great for brow growth. It does wonders for the skin because it is a follicle-stimulating oil — full of vitamins, minerals, and ricinoleic acid. I recommend testing on the skin first, and then applying by dabbing at night with a Q-tip. You can start with two times a week. Olive oil is another option but may take longer to achieve growth." — Tedrick LaMar [11]
Swanson Certified 100% Organic Castor Oil [12] ($14)
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color
"This is the tiniest little marker and allows you to fill in brows hair by hair. It's amazing for creating natural, full-looking brows. I usually like to apply a brow pencil first to enhance/create the shape of the brow, then go in with this. They come in a good range of colors so you can use more than one color for extra depth." — Michelle Coursey [13]
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color [14] ($21)
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
"Pressing lightly, I like to brush this upwards for a very natural undone brow look. It's great for those who don't want an overly heavy brow, but want to fill in any empty spaces." — Sally Duvall [15]
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara [16] ($8)
MAC Cosmetics Powder Eye Shadow
"Sometimes, just a touch of powder shadow with an angled brush gives brows the subtle depth you're looking for. My classic old-school go-to is MAC eye shadow in shades Charcoal Brown, Soft Brown, Saddle, Omega, and Espresso – these have all hair colors covered!" — Ashleigh Ciucci [17]
MAC Cosmetics Powder Eye Shadow [18] ($16)
Urban Decay Brow Beater
"I am currently in love with this pencil! The point is so thin that it is easy to mimic actual brow hairs. It also has a brush on the end, which makes blending easier and is great for the girl on the go!" — Sally Duvall [19]
Urban Decay Brow Beater [20] ($20)