We can barely remember life before the wonders of HD brows and microblading. While the likes of tinting and tattooing can really transform your look, they come with a bit more commitment. When it comes to everyday brow maintenance, plucking and threading are both reliable short-term fixes. The question is, which is better?
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1 First things first: which is more precise?
Threading traps and pulls the tiniest hairs – even the ones that are tricky to grab with your best set of tweezers. If you're plucking, you can get as precise as your patience (and time) allows.
Magnifying mirrors and good lighting can make it easier, but if patience isn't your strong suit, it might be better to pop along to the threading pros.
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2 The 'ow' factor: which hurts less?
Some methods are gentler than others. Plucking can make your eyes water if you catch a stubborn hair. Because threading is so quick, it feels a bit tingly more than anything else. You might wince once or twice, but that's pretty much as far as it goes.
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3 Time: which is quicker?
The time it takes for a DIY-shaping session really depends on how well you know your way around a set of tweezers, and how diligent you are at keeping on top of the regrowth. Plucking could take between 10 and 15 minutes, whereas threading takes between five and seven. Handy if you have a little window between meetings and it's really not worth going back to the office.
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4 Maintenance: which is easier to keep up?
Plucking is easy to maintain – just keep some tweezers in your handbag and you can tackle stray hairs when you're out and about. (Not literally – we'd recommend finding safety in a cubicle in the ladies'.) Plucked hairs tend to grow back after a week.
Threading, of course, means you need to book an appointment – but the results last longer – up to five weeks). So you just need to pop in for a five-minute touch-up every month or so.
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5 So – which way?
With threading, someone else does it for you, so it's minimum effort. And overall it saves time, as you only need to go to an appointment every month or so. And what with brunch, pilates, drinks with your bestie (oh and tidying your shoe cupboard – often on the to-do list for at least six months) to pack in over the weekend, we bet you could do with those extra 15 minutes.
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FAQs
Which eyebrow shaping method is more precise, plucking or threading?
Threading is more precise than plucking because it traps and pulls even the tiniest hairs, including those difficult to grab with tweezers. If you use plucking, your results depend on your patience and time, but threading can pick up finer hairs more consistently for a defined look.
Does threading or plucking hurt more when shaping your brows?
Threading tends to feel just a bit tingly or may cause a quick wince, while plucking can make your eyes water if you pull a stubborn hair. Threading is quick and usually gentler, so you might find it less painful overall during each session.
How long does each eyebrow shaping method take to do?
Threading usually takes between five and seven minutes, making it a faster option. Plucking typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes, especially if you’re shaping your brows yourself and keeping on top of regrowth.
Which eyebrow method is easier to maintain between appointments?
Plucking is easy to maintain because you can use tweezers on stray hairs whenever you spot them. Plucked hairs regrow in about a week. Threading requires you to book an appointment, but the results last longer, up to five weeks, needing just a monthly touch-up.
Why might you choose threading over plucking for your brows?
Threading requires minimum effort on your part because a professional handles it for you. It also saves time since you only need an appointment every month or so, giving you more free time for other plans and less frequent maintenance.