Whether you're filling gaps, adding definition or taming wiry hairs, our beauty expert has the best choices to help create a fuller, more polished look.
Sadly, I didn’t end up winning the genetic eyebrow lottery in my family. That prize went to my sister, who had such astonishingly perfect feathery arches that a male scent sprayer in Bloomingdale’s once felt compelled to grab her and whisper in tones of hushed reverence: "Ma’am? You seriously have great brows." If my sister was blessed with the Maserati of eyebrows, mine were a little more comparable to the Renault Espace. Very reliable, entirely functional, but destined never to stop traffic.
One thing I will say in their favour is that apart from briefly falling victim to the mass epidemic of overplucking in the Nineties (I blame you, Kylie), they’ve always remained reassuringly thick. And then the menopause came along and decided to show off one of its less appealing party tricks – stealing my eyebrow hair. Reader, I was a woman in need of a full-scale brow restoration programme.
The reality is that as we get older, our brows tend to change quite significantly. Hair follicles become less productive, leading to slower growth and thinning. At the same time, hormonal changes can make the hairs that do remain, coarser and trickier to tame.
But fortunately, there’s a whole world of eyebrow products out there with an even more impressive work ethic than Beyoncé, putting in the hours to restore fullness, create definition and fill in those pesky gaps. Allow me to introduce you to these gems doing the Lord’s work.
There was a huge buzz about the NYX Micro Brow Pencil (1, RRP: £10) when it landed around ten years ago – and with this one, believe the hype. The ultra-fine tip makes it easy to recreate tiny hair-like strokes so you can fill in sparse patches and build fullness without veering into Groucho Marx territory. But what really sets it apart is just how premium this pencil feels for the price.
If you’re happy to splurge a bit more cash, you won’t regret throwing it at Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat (2, RRP: £27). The angled tip makes application effortless, allowing you to build defined, full arches in seconds. The formula contains vitamin E to condition brows, and the pigment has unbeatable staying power for up to 16 hours – all hail, Charlotte, for gifting us brows that simply refuse to quit.
Known as the ‘eyebrow queen’, Anastasia Soare has shaped the brows of everyone from Kim Kardashian to Michelle Obama, so it’s no surprise she’s behind one of the world’s most celebrated brow brands.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (3, RRP: £27) has been a game-changer for my brows. The powder formula delivers an incredibly subtle finish, and the choice of two shades means you can blend the colour for a perfect match. Best investment I’ve made since buying an air fryer.
For those who need to fake thicker, fuller-looking brows – and who doesn’t with the possible exception of Liam Gallagher? – get involved with e.l.f Wow Brow Gel (4, RRP: £7) which works a bit like a mascara, coating individual hairs with tiny wax-gel fibres to boost volume.
Not only is it fabulously speedy – a few strokes and you’re done – it also comes in a clear gel if you’re just after a quick tidy.
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