How to Shape Thinning Brows

Before: Brows are sparse, thinning, and overtweezed.

Before you add color, define brow proportions by making three marks with an eye pencil. Brows should start above the inner eye point, arch above the outer edge of the iris and taper 1/4 to 1/2 inch past the outer eye.

A brow pencil to try: Dior Powder Eyebrow Pencil ($25, shown in Chestnut). This portable powder pencil ends in a spiral brush called a spooley.

Guided by the markings, smooth on wax with a flat angled eye brush. Dip brush in powder and feather hairlike strokes over the arc you have created.

Try this brow set: Lorac Take A Brow ($22, shown in Dark Brown), a powder-and-wax combo.

Another great brow set to try: Le Sourcil de Chanel Perfect Brows in Brun 20 ($65). In one compact, three brow-powder shades plus mini tools and a magnifying mirror.

After brow powder is set, eyebrows look fuller, healthier, and flattering.

Before: In midlife, brows can thin and lighten until they are barely visible.

First apply a wax balm or stick to provide a base for brow powders (bare skin won’t offer a stick-to surface). We used Anastasia’s Brow Fix Pencil ($19) but in a pinch you can improvise with a waxy lip balm like ChapStick.

A wax/powder combo to try: Estee Lauder Brow Perfecting Duo ($26). Powder and tinted wax kit; great for blondes, light brunettes.

Use a precut stencil as a guide, holding it in place at the sides while brushing on color to fill the cutout shape.

The Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Golden Blonde ($22) is perfect for blondes and redheads.

Barely-there brows are now darker and take on a defined shape.

Talika Lipocils for Brows ($40) contains botanicals (such as horse chestnut) that strengthen hair.

Osmotics Nutrilash Lash & Brow Enhancer ($38) is a nourishing hydrator with vitamins and minerals.

MAC Brow Finisher ($15, MAC counters). Tinted wax pencil fills, grooms, and works as a base coat for powder.

Tweezerman Polka-Dot Swarovski Crystal Slant Tweezers ($40). Angled tip grabs stubble easily.

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Gel in Clear ($6, drugstores) subtly darkens and polishes in seconds.

Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows ($13) draws precise hairlike strokes.

Originally published in MORE magazine, September 2008.