Do your eyebrows need a rebirth? This is what you need to do

Eyebrows are our cornerstones when it comes to framing the face, but over the decades brow shape trends have come and gone. The ’90s, for instance, were all Gwen Stefani and sperm-shaped brows that had been tweezered into oblivion. But for a while now, the bushy brow, fluffy and full-blown, has been the one – our favourite rendition being actor Lily Collins and her full, soft-angled brows.

Actor Lily Collins has become known for her full brows.Credit: Getty Images

The transition from thin to fuller brows can be a time-consuming process. According to New York dermatologist Dr Hadley King, the first thing to understand when trying to reinvigorate your brows is the growth cycle. “Healthy brow hair has a growth cycle of about 12 to 16 weeks for a strand to regrow fully,” he says.

Amy Jean Linnehan, the founder and creative director of Amy Jean Brows, says, “As we age, brow hairs typically thin out, starting at the ends. Over time, overall hair growth slows, leading to reduced density. This can alter facial symmetry and eventually diminish brow definition.”

To this end, Amy Jean Brows’ Daily Mask ($78) will help hydrate brow hair and prevent damage, and Linnehan also recommends conditioning and nourishing brows using castor oil, almond oil or rosemary oil, all of which have antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and enhance micro-circulation. Try Kiehl’s Magic Elixir ($56), which mixes rosemary with avocado oil.

There are topical treatments you can use to help improve eyebrow growth. Minoxidil, found in products such as Regaine ($87.50), works by promoting the flow of blood and nutrients to the hair follicle. One thing to remember, though, is that you’ll need to keep using it to maintain results.

If your brows are disappearing and need boosting and redefining, you can try the latest in tattooing techniques, like Amy Jean Brows’ Mist Brow ($1495 for the required two sessions). Brow misting creates a soft wash of colour using an airbrush tattoo technique to give a pixilated effect rather than a solid block, helping to define and restructure brows while maintaining a natural finish.

Eyebrow tints are also a great option. A professional tint and shape gives eyebrows an instant boost by darkening all the wispy, transparent hairs in and around your eyebrows. For shading and shaping at home, wax-based pencils with a pigmented formula work well to create a more natural-looking brow. We like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil ($41).

ASK STEPH

How do I add volume to my hair?
Spray a dry shampoo on the roots, then give them a blast with your hairdryer. This adds height and volume, even to freshly washed hair. K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo ($85) isn’t cheap, but it has a non-aerosol formula (great for flying), gets rid of bad smells and absorbs oil without leaving a white cast.

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

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