After decades of fighting my eyebrows day in and day out…plucking, waxing, trimming, and filling to no avail…I realized there was a much smarter way of going about it: eyebrow training!
The fact is that when you understand eyebrow hair growth, you’ll realize there’s a way to work with it, rather than against it. And when you learn how to use growth in your favor, find your natural brow shape, and put just one minute a day into regular maintenance, you’ll ultimately train your brows to go where you want them to go and do what you want them to do.
So…let’s talk about exactly how to train your eyebrows!
Understanding Eyebrow Growth
Eyebrow hair growth follows a specific biological cycle that determines how your brow hairs develop, rest, and shed. The hair follicles in your brow area respond to various internal and external factors that can speed up or slow down the process of growing thick eyebrows.
Hair Growth Cycle
Your eyebrow hair growth happens in three distinct phases.
The anagen phase is the active growth period when new hair growth occurs. This phase lasts about 4 to 7 months for brow hairs, which is much shorter than the hair on your head.
The catagen phase comes next and lasts 2 to 3 weeks. During this transition period, your hair follicles shrink and hair growth stops. The hair detaches from the blood supply but stays in place.
The telogen phase is the resting stage that lasts about 3 months. At the end of this phase, the old hair falls out and the follicle begins growing new hair.
Understanding your natural eyebrow growth cycle will help you set realistic expectations for when you’ll see results.
Factors Affecting Eyebrow Hair Growth
Your age plays a major role in how quickly your brows grow. Hair follicles become less active as you get older, which can lead to thinner eyebrows.
Nutrition directly impacts the health of your brow area, too!
Your body needs enough protein and iron to support healthy hair growth. A diet lacking these nutrients can slow down or stop eyebrow hair growth.
Hormonal changes from pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid issues affect how your hair follicles function. Stress and certain medications also interfere with the hair growth cycle.
The Role of Hair Follicles
Hair follicles are small pockets in your skin where each eyebrow hair grows. Each follicle in your brow area contains a root that produces new hair cells during the growth phase.
The follicles need proper blood flow to deliver nutrients and oxygen for healthy hair production.
When follicles get damaged from excessive tweezing or waxing, they may stop producing hair permanently. This explains why some people struggle to grow back their eyebrows after years of over-plucking.
The number of active hair follicles you have determines the density of your eyebrows. Some people naturally have more follicles that produce thick eyebrows, while others have fewer follicles that create thinner brows.
Effective Methods to Train Your Eyebrows
Training your eyebrows involves encouraging healthy growth, using the right products, and maintaining proper grooming habits. These methods will work together to help you achieve fuller, better-shaped brows over time.
Best Way to Encourage New Growth
Growing out your eyebrows requires patience and consistent care.
The best way to start is by stopping all tweezing, threading, and waxing for at least 8 to 12 weeks. Yuck, I know! But this gives your hair follicles time to recover and grow back.
Your diet plays a big role in eyebrow health.
Eating foods rich in biotin, vitamins A, C, and E will help support hair growth. You’ll want to drink plenty of water too, to keep your hair follicles hydrated.
Avoid using harsh makeup removers or rubbing your eyebrows too hard. This can damage the hair follicles and prevent new growth.
Using Serums and Natural Oils
Eyebrow serums can help strengthen and encourage hair growth. These products contain ingredients like peptides and vitamins that nourish your brow hairs.
Apply serum once or twice daily for best results.
Castor oil is a popular natural option for eyebrow growth. It contains ricinoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids that can help promote thicker brows.
Apply a small amount to your eyebrows before bed using a clean spoolie brush or cotton swab.
Other beneficial oils include:
- Coconut oil for moisture and strength
- Olive oil for conditioning
- Jojoba oil for nourishment
Remember that these products take time to show results! You need to use them consistently for at least 6 to 8 weeks before you’ll notice changes.
Grooming and Shaping Techniques
A brow brush and spoolie brush are essential tools for training your eyebrows to grow in the right direction. Brush your brows upward and outward each morning to train the hairs to follow your desired shape.
Apply a clear brow gel after brushing to hold hairs in place throughout the day. This will help retrain stubborn hairs that grow in unwanted directions.
Trim long hairs carefully using small scissors. Brush hairs upward and trim only what extends past your natural brow line. Never trim too much at once!
When you’re ready to shape, tweeze only stray hairs outside your natural brow shape. Avoid over-plucking, which can permanently damage hair follicles.
If you need help with especially difficult brows, consider visiting a professional brow stylist!
Styling and Maintenance for Beautiful Brows
Your eyebrows need regular attention to look their best. You can achieve polished brows by filling in gaps, controlling unruly hairs, and working with your natural shape.
Filling Sparse Areas
An eyebrow pencil works well for creating hair-like strokes in thin spots. You’ll want to pick a shade that matches your natural brow color or go one shade lighter for a softer look.
Start at the inner part of your brow and use light, feathery strokes in the direction your hair grows.
Ooooor you could try brow powder for a softer finish than pencil. It’s perfect if you have thick brows but want to add a little more definition.
Apply it with an angled brush using small, tapping motions to build up color gradually.
The good news for your wallet is that you don’t need both products! Pick the one that fits your needs and comfort level.
If you want more control and precision, stick with a pencil. If you prefer a natural, diffused look, choose powder.
For shaping and defining your eyebrows, blend the product with a spoolie brush after applying it. This will help everything look seamless and natural rather than drawn on.
Taming Stray Hairs
Stray hairs can ruin an otherwise perfect brow shape. You’ll want to pluck them right after a warm shower when your pores are open, and hair removes more easily.
Tweeze in the direction of hair growth to avoid breaking the hair or causing ingrown hairs.
Only remove hairs that fall below your brow bone or between your brows. Never pluck from the top of your brow unless absolutely necessary, since it can pull your eye shape down and make for a less natural brow shape.
A clear brow gel will help keep hairs in place all day long. Brush it through your brows in an upward and outward motion to lift the hairs and make them appear fuller.
Trim any extra-long hairs that stick out after brushing. Use small scissors and be sure to cut carefully so you don’t create gaps.
Regular eyebrow maintenance will help prevent wild, unruly brows and keep them looking neat.
Creating a Natural Brow Shape
Your natural brow shape is the shape that will work best for your face. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t enhance it!
The inner part of your brow should align with the inner corner of your eye.
Your can find your natural arch by holding a pencil from your nostril through your pupil. Where it crosses your brow marks your highest point.
Your brow should end where an imaginary line goes from your nostril to your outer eye corner.
Key measurements for natural brows:
- Start point: Inner corner of eye
- Arch: Above the outer edge of pupil
- End point: Outer corner of eye
Don’t make your brows too thin or too thick compared to your features. They should balance with your eyes and not overpower them.
The space between your brows and lash line matters too! Keeping this area clean makes your eyes look bigger.
Training your eyebrows takes patience but gets easier with practice. Brush them daily in your desired direction and they’ll start to grow that way naturally over time.
And there you have it…how to train your eyebrows!
Have any tips or ride-or-die products you swear by? Be sure to share in the comments.
And happy training!
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