Beautiful brows

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WHEN Sienna Miller stepped out at a Valentino party last year, she looked uber-glam, but also uber-different. Her scraped back locks and bright red lips were a big change from her usual laid-back boho look, but it was her heavy brows that really transformed her appearance.

Sienna was bang on this summer’s trend for bigger brows. Peaches Geldof paraded them during her catwalk debut at PPQ, and they were also a focus on models at Donna Karan and Balenciaga.

They may be bigger and bushier, but heavy brows still require big maintenance work – although you can take a breather from massive tweezer attacks. If you want to frame your face with this season’s most fashionable beauty must-have, let your eyebrows do the talking.

SHAPING UP

If you want show-stopping brows, you need to say goodbye to stray hairs. According to celebrity brow technician Shavata, dark, strong hair is removed more easily with pointed tweezers, while slanted-end tweezers make lighter work of fine hair. Take a brow check every morning in a magnified mirror and whip out any stragglers.

Ruby Hammer, international make-up artist, says: “Groomed brows can act as a instant face-lift when done properly. I would suggest going to see a professional to thread the brows into shape. Then you can maintain the shape at home by tweezing away any stray hairs.”

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: Revlon Diamond Grip Tweezers, £8.99 (0800 085 2716); JML Claritweeze, £7.99, Boots; Shavata Precision Tweezers from U.R. Beautiful by Urban Retreat, £19.50, Boots; Wax Away Eyebrow Shapers, £1.99, Boots; Eylure Brow Beauty Kit, £12.99 (0208 573 9907); Tweezerman TweezerMate 12x Magnifying Mirror, £12, Boots.

DEFINITION

We aren’t all naturally blessed in the eyebrow department but, like everything with beauty, there’s always a way to cheat. Fatten up fine eyebrows with a brow pencil or brow shader.

Make-up artist Jemma Kidd has advice for achieving a natural look.

“It is crucial to use a shade that suits your natural colouring,” she warns.

“Dark, heavy brows look awful on blonde or red-haired women, so find a tone that’s right for you.

“Use short, feathery strokes to apply the colour, filling any gaps and defining the arch, start and end of your brow. Always start a shade lighter than your natural colour and then, if required, go over the brow in a darker colour.”

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: Estee Lauder Brow Shaping Pencil, £12.50; Jemma Kidd Essential Brow & Eye Kit, £14, Boots; Mac Brow Shader, £11 (www.mac.co.uk); Ruby & Millie Brow Colour, £10, Boots; Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duo, £20 (www.spacenk.co.uk); Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil, £2.99.

FINISHING TOUCH

When brows are verging on the big and beautiful side, they’re naturally going to be more unruly. Using a brow brush or brow gel will help define the brow shape – simply brush through to keep hairs in check. Just as a mascara wand gives your eyelashes that finishing touch, a brow gel will really finish off your look and frame your face.

“Brush in the direction of hair growth with upward strokes,” Jemma advises.

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: The Body Shop Clear Brow & Lash Gel, £8.50; Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper, £12.50 (www.bobbibrown.co.uk); Dior Eyebrow Mascara, £13.50 (0207 216 0216); 17 Ultimate Definition Lash & Brow Mascara, £4.75, Boots; Shavata Brow Tamer from U.R. Beautiful by Urban Retreat, £13, Boots; Sukicolor Professional Brow Brush, £9 (www.asos.com).