Why Every Guy Should Groom His Eyebrows (Yes, You Too!)
Alright, gentlemen, let's talk about something that often flies under the radar when it comes to personal grooming: eyebrows. While its romantic to think that your brows are a reflection of yourself – wild, untamed, unsymmetrical – the truth is they are an important part of your overall presentation. Men largely overlook eyebrow grooming, and I get it - you're busy and time-poor, and adding tweezing to your grooming regime just seems a step too far. But trust me, eye brow maintenance is not a big deal once you get the hang of it. And even better? It's a total game-changer.
Now, you're probably thinking: Why should I bother with my eyebrows? I hardly notice them, and I doubt anyone else does, right? Wrong. Your eyebrows play a big role in framing your face, and whether you realise it or not, ungroomed eyebrows can stick out like a sore thumb. Keeping your eyebrows neat and well-groomed can instantly elevate your appearance and make you look more polished. But it can also be a nerve-wracking task – because, let's face it, no one wants overplucked unmatching brows.
We're not talking about spending hours in front of the mirror trying to sculpt the perfect arch. A little goes a long way. Taking five minutes to pluck a stray hair or trim a couple of longer ones can have an immediate impact. So, let's put aside our worries and get to it—with three easy steps to eyebrow grooming.
The Right Tools Maketh the Man
A little note before we begin: You need the right gear to get the right brows. You don't have to get fancy, but here are the basics that'll make brow grooming a whole lot easier:
- Tweezers. These are a must-have. A good pair of tweezers (preferably with a slanted tip) will allow you to grab and pull out even the most stubborn hairs.
- Eyebrow Scissors. If you have longer eyebrow hairs that stick out like crazy, you may want to invest in some eyebrow scissors. Eyebrow scissors are cheap, effective, and a great tool to snip brows down to a more manageable length.
- Eyebrow Brush. If you're going to do a job, do it right, right? With this in mind, consider purchasing a small, angled eyebrow brush. These are perfect for brushing your brows into place so you can see exactly what you're working with.
- Clear Styling Pomade. A clear pomade can help keep hairs in place after grooming for those with particularly unruly brows.
Step 1: Brush and Begin
First things first, you are going to want to brush your browns. Brush them upwards (towards the top of your head). Brushing allows you to see the eyebrow hairs that are longer than others, falling outside the natural shape of your brows. Once you have identified these rouge hairs, trim the ends with eyebrow scissors. Remember to take it slow—nothing worse than cutting too much and ending up with a "bald spot" in your brows. Once you are finished, brush your brows back to their natural position and check the result. If you are happy, you can stop here. If you still have some grooming to do, move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Tweeze (with Care)
Grab your tweezers and remove hairs that fall outside your natural brow shape (such as between your brows). Go easy here – we are going for a natural look. If you're working up close to the mirror, remember to step back every few plucks and look at how your brows are shaping up. Check each brow individually and against each other to ensure uniformity.
Step 3: Finish With Some Styling
If you want to take it a step further, use a little clear styling pomade to keep things in place. This is especially helpful if your brows tend to be thick or wild. It'll give you that groomed, well-put-together look without making it evident that you've done anything. Pomade is also great for pulling hairs over bald spots you may have in your brows (or have created by being a bit too gung-ho when plucking). If you don't have a styling pomade, try this one here.
Common Eyebrow Grooming Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Plucking. It's easy to get carried away and start plucking more than necessary. Remember, less is more. You're not trying to turn your brows into a work of art—you're just cleaning up the natural shape.
Over-Shaping. Because we are trying to keep the brows as natural as possible, it's important to avoid creating perfectly shaped eyebrows. Let your natural eyebrow shape guide you, and go easy on the plucking.
Ignoring Maintenance. Eyebrows grow back fast. While you won't have to do a full grooming session every day, you will need to do a quick touch-up once a week to maintain that polished look.