For most of us, thanks to the early 2000s trend of over-plucking your brows, we’ve been left with remnants and sparse areas of what could have been eyebrows full enough to make Cara Delevingne jealous. Alas, that’s not the case and we’re left filling in patches in the hopes of even a little bit of hair growth. Luckily, we don’t have to live in our past mistakes forever.
We’ve asked Hannah Mutze, Benefit Australia’s National Brow Artist, for the tips and tricks to growing eyebrow hair (and of course, how to manage it thereafter). Below, everything you need to know about eyebrow growth.
RELATED: This Is The Biggest Eyebrow Trend For 2019
First, What Do We Need To Know About Growing Eyebrows Out?
“Remember – it can be a slow and steady game but is 100% worth it!”, Hannah says., adding that working with a brow expert to guide you through the process is best.” Brow experts, of course, know which hairs to keep and which can be removed to keep your browline looking neat – even when growing.
Hannah’s top tip? “Maintain monthly appointments as a fresh tint will make your brows feel thicker instantly!”
Although, as we know, that can be a hard slog for some of us who are a bit more inclined to DIY. “Put down the magnifying mirror,” Hannah says. “Invest in some slant tip tweezers (they’re the best for precision!) and proceed with caution. Use a brow pencil to trace your desired shape and thickness, then only remove the hairs that lie outside these lines.”
“Brush them! Brushing the brows stimulates blood circulation to the area which can assist in growth. Be gentle, but aim to brush twice daily with a spoolie brush or old, clean mascara wand.”
RELATED: The Biggest Brow Mistake Women Make
What Should We Avoid When Wanting To Grow Out Eyebrows?
When looking for thicker eyebrows, these are the things to avoid:
Magnifying mirrors: Hannah says, “These only equal danger when it comes to brows as they make things appear bigger than they really are – brows included! Use a normal mirror, and regularly step back to gain perspective of your whole brow shape.”
Harsh cleanser/exfoliants/scrubbing – “Be gentle around the brow area. On finer hairs like brow regrowth – a harsh swipe of a towel can create a bald spot, so not sexy.”
Overtweezing! “The only way to grow out your brows is to leave the hairs alone. If you must tweeze, remove hairs one at a time and use slant tip tweezers for a precise finish.”
How Long Does It Usually Take For Eyebrows To Grow Out?
“Eyebrows grow differently from person to person,” Hannah says. “Most brows show signs of new growth within a couple of weeks, whilst others can take several months or years. Either way, it’s worth the wait! Ensure a well-balanced diet to ensure your insides are supporting the growth process too.”
“Try a brow conditioner or growth serum like Benefit’s Brow-Vo Conditioning Primer. The keratin-rich formula strengthens and conditions existing brows, whilst the applicator works to stimulate the skin beneath the brows – this can result in speedier growth!”
RELATED: How To Find The Eyebrow Show That Suits You
What Are The Ways To Maintain Brows While Trying To Grow Them Out?
“There are several easy ways to maintain your brows whilst growing them out. Firstly, partner with a Brow Expert for the growth journey. Regular brow appointments will keep your brows looking groomed through the whole process, say goodbye to unnecessary fuzz and hello to new growth,” Hannah says.
“Secondly, try an eyebrow tint. Brow tinting is an easy way to make your brows look thicker instantly. The colour is customised to suit you, and once complete will last up to four weeks. If maintaining your shape at home, use a brow pencil to fill in/outline your desired shape then only remove hairs that sit outside the lines – this tip is foolproof!”
“During the grow-out phase, it’s quite easy to keep your brows looking neat,” Hannah adds. “Use a fine-tipped brow pencil like Precisely My Brow Pencil to fake a fuller brow – the micro fine tip makes creating hair strokes easy! Then layer on a tinted brow gel like Gimme Brow +, it uses tiny micro fibres to fake fuller looking brows in seconds & is water resistant – ensuring it lasts all day.”