Whether it's pencil-thin '90s
brows or the full and fluffy arches that dominated the 2010s, there might be
only one constant when it comes to brow trends: Impeccable grooming.
And just as there are
countless shapes for eyebrows, there are also countless ways to keep them
tidy—including tweezing, waxing, and threading. And while it's
always best to trust your brows to the pros, it can be very tempting to tweeze
or wax your brows yourself; after all, the tools are easily accessible and the
online tutorials are endless. Threading, however, can prove more challenging,
as there are fewer guides on how to thread your brows at home.
Turns out that's for
good reason: Threading your brows is not exactly something you want to take
into your own hands. Read on to find out why, straight from eyebrow experts
Sonam Choeden, Sadia Brangan, and Azi Sacks.
What Is
Eyebrow Threading?
You've likely heard
of eyebrow threading, but just in case: "Eyebrow threading is an ancient
hair removal technique that originated in South Asia and the Middle East which
is used to shape and provide well-groomed eyebrows," Choeden explains.
Both
experts share that threading requires two things: a cotton thread and a
professional who can skillfully use the cotton thread to remove short rows of
hair precisely at the follicle level. This generally results in sharp, defined eyebrows, and makes
the unwanted hair grow thinner after each session.
Can I Thread My Eyebrows Myself?
Technically,
yes. But should you? No.
Cheoden
likens it to whitening your teeth or,
say, Brazilian waxing: You can do it at home, "but the difference is
knowing that a professional who has been educated, trained, and professionally
licensed with many years of experience can provide you the quality and reliable
service that you need. Especially concerning your eyebrows, which are the
most important feature of your presentation—professionally and
personally."
If
you've experienced threading services, you'll note that you are typically
laying down on a reclining chair and that your professional threader is
standing above you while grooming your brows. "The process of holding the
threading, seeing the hair, and creating the loop is best done by another
person who can do the service from a higher vantage point," explains
Brangan. So, in this case, you quite literally need a second pair of eyes.
How to Thread Your Brows Yourself
Per
expert recommendations, you don't. That being said, there are important steps
to make sure your professional takes during the threading process. Choeden
recommends a consultation prior to your first appointment to help both you and
the threader get on the same page about requirements, goals, and steps to
achieve the perfect design.
Physical
preparation begins by "first sanitizing the area with a gentle
cleanser," says Choeden. "Following that we utilize a cotton thread which
is twisted and turned into a lasso to pluck hairs at the follicle level."
Brangan
also notes that while the technical process is the same across the board, every
brow expert has their own flare when it comes to threading. "The
step-by-step process of threading brows is different for
each esthetician," she says. "It does require a bit of
artistry as some technicians have a better understanding
of brow shape and lines than others. Each has their own way of
doing brows. The actual process of threading is the same,
creating the loop and taking the hair out, but some may take the hair out one
by one, [while others] do a few at a time... there is no one step-by-step
process."
Advice
From the Experts
When
it comes to threading, there are a few things to know.
- Put down the tweezers: Brangan does not recommend at-home touch-ups between
sessions. "We advise our clients to just leave it to us—please no
tweezing at home. More often than not, most will ruin their brow shape
with tweezers by going into their shape, even if they think they are only
tweezing stray hairs," she shares.
- Make that follow-up appointment: Brangan also recommends threading
every two to three weeks depending on your desired look and personal factors,
including hair growth speed and pattern.
- Come to your appointments prepared: When it comes to appointment prep,
CC Brow Bar recommends keeping the skin around your brows healthy and
clean. "We recommend our clients skip any facial makeup, especially around
the eyes and brows, so our professionals can provide a smooth
process and precise shaping," says Choeden. "We also recommend
our clients stay hydrated to make their skin less sensitive. Also,
talc-free baby powder helps with soothing the skin and absorbing oils that
can cause the cotton thread to slip during the session."
Alternatives to Threading Your Brows
"I
do believe a more natural brow is actually beautiful on all of us," says
Sacks. "It's not necessary to maintain. And just like anything, when it
comes to the face, it's an art and it requires perspective. You need someone to
stand in front of you and over you."
All
three experts are in agreement that a professional knows best when it comes to
the art of brows. Sacks compares grooming your own brows to trimming your own
bangs. "It feels like it should be easy," she laughs. "I've
tried to do it I can't tell you how many times, and every single time I destroy
my own bangs because it's just impossible to fold my wrist and hair in the
correct way."
When
asked what she recommends for brow hair growth and health between any brow
session (regardless of your grooming choice), Sacks suggests anything with castor oil, almond oil, pea
peptides, and coconut oil. Also, "allow time for your brows to truly grow
in," she advises. "Your hair grows in cycles and the cycle is around
three weeks, so you should give your brows a minimum of three to four hair cycles
to start shaping. Ideally, it's best to even go as far as four months for full
growth."
The
Final Takeaway
The
experts agree: Regardless of what route you take to keep your brows perfectly
snatched, simply put, the professionals know best.
