Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen

You may remember my obsession with the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Pen. There was just one problem with it; it was drying out so quickly, I was buying a new one every month. At that price point ($21), a product should last longer. A consultant at Sephora steered me toward the Anastasia Brow Pen Long-Wearing Brow Tint ($21), which I am absolutely loving.

I was a little skeptical at first because I was so used to the dried-up Stila pen, I pressed hard to get color out of the pen. That was a big mistake with the Anastasia version. The Universal Light shade (which I use because I’m blonde and fair) came out so dark, my brows looked drawn on. But with a lighter touch,

There are a few things I really like about this pen. The firm, fine pen tip holds really pigmented color, so I found myself naturally using short, quick strokes to apply it, which results in natural-looking brow hairs. Also, this pen feels sturdier in my hand than the Stila pen, which helps me get more precision when applying the color. The color doesn’t drip or run during application. And as the name implies, this tint stays on skin all day without fading (as does the Stila version).

As far as the pigment goes, this is a little warmer than the Stila version, which was more taupe-y. It has more of a reddish undertone, which I didn’t think would work for my cool coloring, but it does. I took photos of swatches on my NW20 skin without flash (left) and with flash (right) so you could see the true hue of the product.

Bottom line: this is an excellent brow product that beautifully defines and fills in sparse spots in my brows. Remember to use a light touch, and you can sculpt full, thick brows that are universally flattering. One more thing:  it’s also a hit with my mom, who has very faint brows (due to thinning and lightening that comes with aging). This fakes fuller arches and transforms her entire face. It makes SUCH a difference on her!

Honestly, I still do love the Stila pen. If you have a beauty budget that allows you to purchase it monthly, I would definitely stick with it. Personally, I need something that lasts a little longer. So far, I’ve been using the Anastasia pen for a month and it’s still going strong. I think it’s a keeper.

Fall 2012 Trend: Power Brows

The power brow is having a moment. Full, lush brows were spotted on fall runways everywhere, from New York to Milan. Unlike most runway looks, this enduring trend is something that looks good on virtually everyone. A heavier brow frames your face and balances out your features when shaped according to your facial features.

So how do you get these larger-than-life brows? If you’re genetically blessed like the model pictured here at the Alberta Ferretti show and you have naturally thick brows, all you need is something to keep the hairs in place. I swear by MAC Brow Set in Clear ($16), a gel that gives brows a little shine and really holds their shape. Another great pick is MAC Brow Finisher ($15), a clear wax stick that goes on matte for a really natural effect (you don’t get any of the glossiness of brow gel with this product).

Continue reading for more brow tips.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse

I am super obsessed with brows, and any product that can make them look better. And leave it to Tarte (there they go with their awesomeness again) to really it bring it for your brows with their Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse & brow brush ($28).

I am definitely a brow pencil kind of girl (see my favorites here & here). I don’t like brow powder, could never master it, and therefore never used it for more than about 2 consecutive weeks. I have pencil application down to a science, but just could never get on board with powder. But…mousse? That’s a different story. I never tried a brow mousse before, and that’s a shame, because this one absolutely rocks.

Find out why after the break!

Guybrows

Ladies, this is the for the man/men in your lives! I know very few men who give their eyebrows a second thought. But a little grooming is necessary to keep guys looking their best. The goal here is not a Jersey Shore-esque arch, but rather, a natural, masculine brow that flatters his features and opens his eyes. Here are some tips on how to (gently) guide your guy’s brow grooming — or better yet, get his permission and do it for him.

1. Erase the unibrow: If you do one thing for your guy, clean up his unibrow. This can make a drastic difference in his appearance. You can pluck (although he probably won’t sit still for that), wax (might be too painful), or shave away the unibrow. Just follow the basic principles for brow shaping: his brow should start directly above the outer edge of his normal. Don’t let them creep any further toward the bridge of his nose, and don’t take too much off.

Click through for more tips on how to whip your guy’s brows into shape.

Rx for Sparse Brows

Image of Rachel Weisz via beautyeditor.ca

Brows are having a major moment. When shaped correctly according to your facial features and bone structure, they can provide a gorgeous frame for your eyes, and create the illusion of symmetry on the rest of your face.

So, what’s a gal to do if she’s got sparse, thin, or overplucked brows? Fake it till you make it. Since I started caring about my brows 3 years ago, I’ve tried so many products as I’ve patiently waited for them to grow in, lower the arch, and take on a more flattering shape (sidenote: triangular brows are not flattering). With these brow-enhancing products, you’ll sport a set of golden arches. There’s something for everyone after the jump.

Beauty How-To Videos

Image via The Beauty Department

Dying to nail that chic updo you saw in a magazine? Want to create flawless skin? Look no further than the Internet.

With all the resources out there, it’s never been easier to become a self-taught makeup artist. The web holds the best beauty how-to videos, which break down looks step-by-step so you can replicate them at home. I’ve rounded up some of the best sources so you don’t have to dig for them yourself. Settle in, take notes, and get to work!

Best Brow Gels

Image credit

For brows that look polished and tidy, you need to keep up with regular grooming (tweezing, trimming, filling in, etc.). And to keep that polished, pulled-together look all day long, you heed a reliable brow gel. This makeup bag essential tames unruly hairs, helps brows keep their shape, and provides a glossy finish. Here are my top picks, broken down by category.

1. Best Overall: MAC Brow Set ($15)
Everything about this brow gel is fabulous, from the clear formula that helps brows stay put to the well-designed skinny brush that allows you to brush through your brows to set the hairs exactly where you want them. This is my favorite gel from any brand.

Image via Billion Dollar Brows

2. Best Celeb-Adored Gel: Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel ($15)
Celebs and regular gals alike flock to this chic LA salon to have the brow pros shape and style their arches. The salon has a product line that’s garnered an equally standout reputation. Their brow gel is superior, holding brows in place with a shiny, long-lasting finish.

More picks after the break…

Inspiration Board: Early Autumn 2011

Top row, from top left: Image via Pinterest; floral image via Terrain; Chanel Classic Flap bag via Chanel. 2nd row, from left: Wendy Mink Broken Teardrop Earrings ($80); Lauren Conrad via Lucky; OPI Lincoln Park After Dark nailpolish via Pinterest. 3rd row, from left: Floral image via Sullivan Owen; Luv AJ Crystal Chunk Knucklebuster ($175); Crystal Renn image via Pinterest. Bottom row, from left: Macaroni & cheese image via Pinterest; Ash Dune platform booties via Shopbop; Jenna Lyons at home via Lucky.

As fall gets ready to make its big entrance, these things are on my mind: big bouffant hairstyles, bold brows, booties, statement jewelry, muted florals, larger-than-life lashes, dark nailpolish, and comfort food.

Brows-ing The Web

Eyebrows are one of the first things I notice about people (yes, I’m oddly obsessed). Just as a really great pair of brows stands out, so does a truly unflattering pair (think: overplucked, overarched, shapeless). My brow obsession got me thinking about Hollywood’s A-list arches. These celebs nail it, with perfectly-shaped brows that flatter their facial features and make them look effortlessly polished.

Image via NY Daily News

Lauren Conrad: With the help of her makeup artist, Amy Nadine, (and before that, the pros at Billion Dollar Brows), Conrad transformed her overplucked, too-skinny brows into lush, to-die-for arches that provide the perfect frame for her eyes.

Image via Hollywood Reporter

Rachel Weisz: With some of the fullest, shapeliest brows in the biz, Weisz is doing for modern ladies what Brooke Shields did in the ’80s: bringing back the natural yet bold brow look.

Image via khloekardashian.celebuzz.com

Kim Kardashian (and all of the Kardashian sisters): With celeb brow guru Anastasia Soare on hand to make housecalls, Kim of course sports perfect arches.

Image via celebrityscoops.net

Mila Kunis: I recently read an “Allure” article by Heather Muir in which she referred to Mila Kunis as her “brow crush.” (Love that term!) It’s easy to see why…Kunis’s picture-perfect brows are shapely and tidy.

Who do you think has the best brows in Hollywood?

Take A Brow

I am (mildly?) obsessed with brows. A good pair can do wonders for your face. When properly groomed and shaped, they can open up your eyes, frame them, and bring the illusion of symmetry to your whole face (since all facial features are slightly asymmetrical). Keeping them groomed and polished will pull together your whole look.

If you’ve neglected your brows, visit a pro to have them shaped (at least once). From there, you can maintain the shape by conservative monthly plucking.

If you’ve overplucked, you’re not totally out of luck. Here’s a trick I learned from my brow pro to fill in without looking stenciled.

1. Slick clear brow gel onto bare brows, brushing them up (and over, if needed) to smooth them into shape.

2. Dip an angled brush into a brow powder that either matches your brows or is one shade darker. I’ve been using Billion Dollar Brows Brow Powder in Light Brown ($15), and I love it.

3. Gently press the brush into sparse spots on your arches. Don’t sweep it through the whole brow; just concentrate on the bare spots. The brow gel that you already applied will help it adhere and look natural.

You’ll end up with clean, shaped arches.

What are your brow grooming tips?