From waxing and threading to plucking and microblading, we sure put our brows through a lot in the quest for perfect arches. They’re the beauty obsession of the decade, so it’s no wonder tinting and threading searches on Treatwell are up by 50% nationwide. We’re brow obsessed! But we can all use a little help from time to time. Cue beauty guru Shavata Singh, CEO of Shavata Brow Studio. If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about keeping those babies in check, it’s her. We recently had a sit down at her flagship London salon to find out everything you need to know about creating (and maintaining!) a killer set of brows. So whether you’re thick as thieves with your local brow lady or are considering booking in for the first time, be sure to read her expert tips first…
By Rebecca Hoffnung
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1 Why are eyebrows so in right now?
There’s no denying that brows have been dominating the beauty industry for quite some time now, but where did the fascination start? Celebrities and A-listers have played a big part in catapulting brow maintenance into the mainstream in recent years, but it wasn't always like this as Shavata explained. ‘When we opened our first brow bar, women didn’t look at the importance of eyebrows the way they do today, but now with the enormous press they’re getting off the back of certain celebrities, we’ve actually been able to educate our clients on how great brows can not only frame your face but enhance your features too.’
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2 How often should I get them shaped and tinted?
‘How often you should book in for a top up totally depends on your regrowth, but on average, clients should come in every 4-6 weeks to keep them looking defined and manicured,’ Shavata explained.
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3 I over plucked in the 80s - help!
For a start – stop plucking! Put those tweezers down ladies. But for those whose brow damage is beyond repair and the hair simply won’t grow back, Shavata suggests a semi-permanent treatment such as microblading. ‘This is a tattooing treatment that lasts roughly 9 months to a year’ she explained; ‘though if you’re thinking of doing this, research is key. With any kind of semi permanent makeup, you always notice a bad job, never a good one, therefore it’s so important you invest in the right person and pick your therapist wisely…’
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4 Microblading - yay or nay?
Shavata advocates microblading, and agreed that if your brows are in a state of disrepair then the semi permanent treatment can be a great option. ‘I think microblading and more semi permanent treatments can be amazing, but it’s all down to the person doing it! Do your research and go with someone well recommended who is going to give you more of a natural look.’
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5 How can I reduce redness after an appointment?
We’ve all been there – booked a brow appointment before a night out, only to be left with those dreaded post-treatment blotchy patches. ‘When booking in for a professional brow treatment, if you can avoid it, don’t come in the week before or the week after your period as you’re most sensitive then’ explained Shavata. ‘And try not to let too much time pass between appointments, as the longer the hair, the more painful it will be when removed!’
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6 Best tips for at-home maintenance?
Maintaining your brows after an appointment can be tricky, but practice makes perfect with a bit of at-home pencil action. Shavata’s pro tip? ‘Perfecting your arch is key for brow touch ups, but where it sits on your face all depends on your age’ she explained; ‘the older you are, the further out the arch should sit as it can have an anti-ageing effect. Eyebrows should silently complement a face, they should never be a feature.’
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7 What gives a more defined look: waxing, threading or plucking?
‘Plucking doesn’t really add definition – it takes away the majority of the hairs but not the fine downy hair around your brows. Waxing and threading are often the same – they’re all great for maintenance, but like I said before, achieving a perfectly defined brow all comes down to the person doing it, not the method itself! It takes skill, as opposed to the tools that are used…’ Amen to that.