Eyebrow boosters - pros and cons

Full, bold eyebrows have been on-trend for a while now, and thanks to full-browed-beauty Cara Delevingne, it doesn’t look like it will be going anywhere anytime soon.

Thankfully for those of us not naturally blessed with big brows there are plenty of products and treatments out there designed to boost our brows. But which one should you try? Take a look below for some pros and cons…

Tinting

Eyebrow tinting involves dyeing your eyebrows to make them look more defined.

Pros: This is a good option if you already like your eyebrow’s shape and thickness, but want to make them look more defined without having to use a product every day. Many women have blonde tips to their brows, so when the hairs get tinted they look fuller. Tinting is also relatively inexpensive (make sure your specialist has had adequate training).

Cons: The colour only lasts around two to three weeks, so if you want to keep the intensity, you’ll have to schedule in regular touch-ups.

Extensions

Synthetic hairs can be individually glued to your brows and the skin next to your hair follicles for a fuller look.

Pros: When done correctly, eyebrow extensions appear totally natural and are therefore ideal for those undergoing cancer treatment or those with alopecia. The results are three-dimensional and look great for special occasions like weddings or photo-shoots.

Cons: Although some claim to last up to three weeks, many eyebrow extensions only last a few face washes. You will also need to be very careful when applying skincare products/make-up to avoid dislodging them. Finally, extensions can be quite expensive, so are best saved for special occasions.

Pencil

A standby product loved for generations for drawing in hairs on the eyebrow.

Pros: This is a simple, low maintenance option for those looking for a less permanent solution. Eyebrow pencils are also great for filling in any gaps.

Cons: Pencils can look slightly waxy, and therefore fake. If you are too heavy-handed, your eyebrows can look drawn on.

Powder

Finely milled pigments can be used to lighten or darken your natural brow colour.

Pros: Creating volume and definition without looking too harsh, powder products are great for newbies. If you make a mistake you can easily wipe it off and start again. Most come in two shades so you can customise where you want your brows to be darker and lighter.

Cons: The soft nature of powder can make it difficult to fill in gaps in the brows. It also isn’t the most resistant of products and can wear off quite quickly.

Tattooing

This involves permanently tattooing eyebrows onto the skin.

Pros: Just like any other tattoo, this method is permanent, so you will never again have to worry about doing your brows in the morning. You can decide exactly what shape and colour you want and it will be water and sweat resistant.

Cons: As this is a permanent treatment, it can go very wrong if you are unhappy with the results, so be sure to explore all other avenues first and ensure you are seeing a qualified professional. This option can also be very costly and may need touch-ups over the years.

Embroidery

This procedure uses a semi-permanent pigment, pushing it into the skin with a fine blade to imitate the growth of hair you already have.

Pros: Unlike tattooing this treatment doesn’t use ink or a tattoo gun and doesn’t require as much time to heal. The line work is also finer, giving the brows a more natural look. The procedure requires a touch-up after one month and then your brows are good for one to two years.

Cons: As it is almost impossible to recreate the three-dimensional quality of hair in this way, the lines can still look a little harsh. Again, this is also quite a costly option.