How to Apply Brow Mascara

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Bold eyebrows are having a moment right now. If your eyebrows aren’t naturally Instagram-ready, don’t worry—giving them a boost is as quick and easy as swiping on a little mascara. Grab a tube of your favorite eyelash mascara, or buy one that’s specially made for eyebrows. You’ll soon be on your way to having the darker, fuller brows you crave! Eyebrow mascaras containing wax or gel can help you achieve feathery boy-brows or a more sleek, carefully groomed look.

1

Try regular mascara in a pinch for full, dark brows.

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  1. There are lots of mascaras on the market designed specifically for eyebrows, but don’t let the marketing hype fool you! If you don’t want to shell out for yet another makeup product, follow the lead of many pro makeup artists and just swipe on your regular eyelash booster. [1]
    • Mascara will make your brows look darker and fuller, and will also make the hairs appear a little longer, just like with your eyelashes.
    • If you’re worried about using the same mascara wand on your brows and lashes, clean the wand between uses. Soak it in warm water and wipe off the softened makeup, then let the spoolie soak again for a minute in a makeup brush cleanser or a bit of rubbing alcohol. Rinse it and pat it dry with a paper towel. [2]
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2

Opt for a clear eyebrow mascara for control without color.

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  1. Clear brow mascara is great if you like the look of natural brows since it gives you control and shine without adding any extra color. Look closely at the packaging so you know whether your product is tinted or not. Check for products labeled “clear” or “colorless.” [3]
    • Many of these mascaras also condition your brows to help keep the hair shiny and healthy.
3

Use tinted eyebrow mascara to define and tame brows.

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  1. Most products that are sold as “eyebrow mascaras” contain waxes to help groom and control your eyebrows as well as darken them. They come in a variety of colors, so look for one that’s close to the natural shade of your eyebrows. [4]
    • Darkening up your brows will give you a fiercer, more made-up appearance. Grab a mascara in dark brown or even black to really make your brows stand out. This is a good option for an evening out or a photo shoot. [5]
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4

Wipe the excess mascara off the wand first.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Apply Brow Mascara
    Don’t just grab your spoolie and go. Before you start, carefully scrape the excess mascara off the wand on the edge of your mascara tube. [6]
    • You can also wipe off the excess by lightly brushing the wand over a tissue before you use it. [7]
5

Swipe the wand over each brow once for a natural look.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Apply Brow Mascara
    Don’t worry about grooming your brows for now. Just follow the natural direction of each hair as you swipe on the mascara. This will help ensure that each hair is fully coated. [8]
    • If you’re using a mascara that matches your natural brow color, don’t be afraid to push down and apply a little pressure. It’s okay if a little of it gets on your skin, as long as you stay within the natural borders of your eyebrows.
    • If you’re using a darker mascara, be a little more cautious. Take it slow and make sure you’re just coating the hairs without getting any mascara on your skin. [9]
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6

Brush in the opposite direction for extra color and volume.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Apply Brow Mascara
    Take your spoolie and brush your eyebrows back the other way so that you coat the other side of each hair. [10] For an even fuller, bulkier effect, wait for your first coat to set a little bit before you go in with a second coat.
    • If you’re using a very dark mascara, experiment with skipping the first coat and just doing one coat against the grain. This will help prevent your brows from looking too overdone. [11]
    • To get a fluffy, tousled boy-brow look, just let the mascara set after this. You’re good to go!
7

Comb the hair with a clean spoolie after the mascara dries.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Apply Brow Mascara
    It also separates the hairs for a more well-groomed appearance. Let your mascara set for a minute, or until it feels dry. Then, grab a clean spoolie brush and gently comb it through your eyebrows in the direction of the hair growth. [12]
    • Brush the hair up instead if you prefer a feathered look.
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8

Fill in any gaps with a brow pencil or powder.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Apply Brow Mascara
    If you spot any, use a brow pencil or eyeshadow to carefully fill in the spaces with natural looking, hair-thin strokes. [13] Make sure you use a shade that matches your eyebrow color. [14]
9

Rub away smudges gently with a dry spoolie.

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  1. If the mascara is still wet, you’ll just smear it around more, so wait until it dries. Use a soft, clean spoolie brush to flake away the dried mascara, then brush it away with a powder brush. [15]
    • If the spoolie trick isn’t working, dip a Q-tip or concealer brush in micellar water and use that to clean up the smudge. [16]
    • If you prefer to just use finger, that’s totally okay as well. [17]
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10

Remove brow mascara before bed with makeup remover.

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  1. Grab a makeup remover wipe or pour your favorite makeup remover onto a cotton pad. Gently swipe the pad or wipe over each eyebrow, taking care not to tug or rub hard on your hair and skin. [18]
    • After you take off your makeup, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser to get rid of dirt, dead skin, and any remaining makeup fragments. Don’t forget to moisturize when you’re done!
    • You don’t have to use expensive makeup removers and cleansers to clean up your brows and eyelashes. Vaseline is a great, gentle makeup remover. Follow up by washing your eye area with a tear-free baby shampoo. [19]

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      Things You’ll Need

      • Regular mascara or eyebrow mascara
      • Tissue
      • Eyebrow pencil or powder
      • Clean spoolie brush

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a14309/why-you-should-be-using-mascara-on-your-brows/
      2. ↑ http://makebeautysimple.com/how-to-clean-a-mascara-wand/
      3. ↑ https://makeup.lovetoknow.com/Eyebrow_Mascara
      4. ↑ http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2015/5/8/why-you-need-brow-mascara-and-how-to-use-one
      5. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a14309/why-you-should-be-using-mascara-on-your-brows/
      6. ↑ Shara Strand. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/fashion-beauty/a559691/how-to-fix-clumpy-lashes-mascara-quickly/
      8. ↑ http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2015/5/8/why-you-need-brow-mascara-and-how-to-use-one
      9. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a14309/why-you-should-be-using-mascara-on-your-brows/
      1. ↑ http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2015/5/8/why-you-need-brow-mascara-and-how-to-use-one
      2. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/a14309/why-you-should-be-using-mascara-on-your-brows/
      3. ↑ http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2015/5/8/why-you-need-brow-mascara-and-how-to-use-one
      4. ↑ https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/tips/g8496/how-to-define-eyebrows/?slide=6
      5. ↑ https://theeverygirl.com/how-to-properly-groom-your-eyebrows-at-home/
      6. ↑ https://www.makeup.com/makeup-tutorials/expert-tips/how-to-fix-your-makeup
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a34677/fix-eyeliner-mascara-smudging-tip/
      8. ↑ Shara Strand. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
      9. ↑ https://aedit.com/aedition/dermatologist-tips-for-applying-removing-makeup
      10. ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-makeup

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Brow mascara can help make your eyebrows look fuller and darker. Before you swipe on any mascara, wipe the excess off of the spoolie on the edge of the tube. You can also lightly brush the spoolie over a piece of tissue. For a subtle look, swipe the wand lightly over each eyebrow once, following the direction of hair growth. To add extra color and volume, sweep the wand back in the opposite direction, going against the grain of your eyebrows. Once the mascara dries, grab a clean spoolie and gently brush it through your brows to tidy them and remove any clumps. When you’re done, check for gaps or bare patches in your eyebrows. Fill them in with a brow pencil or some eyeshadow in a shade that matches your brow color. Use thin, hairlike strokes for a more natural effect. If you accidentally get any mascara on your skin, wait for it to dry completely. Then, gently flake it away with a soft, clean spoolie. You can also clean it up with a cotton swab dipped in micellar water. Always clean off your eyebrow mascara with a makeup remover before you go to bed, since leaving it on overnight could damage your hair and skin. For expert tips on how to choose the best eyebrow mascara for you, keep reading!

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