Bold brows make a statement
When it comes to revealing facial features, eyebrows are right up there.
Eyes are acknowledged as windows to the soul, but proximity gives eyebrows serious credibility. They not only express feelings, their shape makes a fashion statement. Especially this summer, when the look is all about the bold brow.
“Bold eyebrows have been around for a few seasons,” says makeup artist Nicola Gavins, referring to spring/summer 2014 fashion shows for Tom Ford, Erdem, Jill Sander and Victoria’s Secret. “They presented full, feathered, boyish brows, with minimal eye makeup, and fresh youthful skin.”
Sabrina Rinaldi, Toronto- and Montreal-based makeup artist and Tweezerman expert, agrees the bold brow has gone mainstream.
“It has been around for the last few years in the fashion world but is only now emerging as a wearable trend.”
Like many beauty trends these days, the modern bold brow is attributed to a socialite/model. Cara Delevingne’s signature brow is coveted by the masses. Just Googling her name will result in myriad how-to videos on achieving her legendary eyebrows.
“Cara Delevingne has dominated runways, editorials, and the Internet with her youthful carefree look,” says Gavins.
The second set of eyebrows that were instrumental to this trend are those of Carine Roitfeld, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris.
“Carine Roitfeld is still dominating the fashion show circuits, capturing the hearts of street style photographers,” says Gavins. “(She) is known for her slept-in smoky eyes and wild full brows, as much as she is known for her fearlessness and laissez-faire attitude towards personal style.”
The modern-day look can also be traced back to other historical figures who remain embedded in our psyches. “Elizabeth Taylor: Before her we hadn’t seen eyebrows so big and bold,” says Rinaldi. “She was such an icon of beauty in the ’50s and her brows were very instrumental in that.”
Gavins points to Mexican artist and feminist Frida Kahlo.
“She wore her brows as she pleased, full and uni-browed,” says Gavins. “Frida’s belief in the importance of her own thoughts and actions over meeting society’s expectations is certainly something to be desired.”
The new look is more than your average bushy brows.
“What makes this trend different is that this is a bold, groomed, and styled brow, not just a full natural brow,” says makeup artist Amber Prepchuk, an instructor at Eveline Charles salons. How to achieve the look: “Some are naturally blessed with full brows; some need a little help,” says Gavins. “The best tip, hide your tweezers! Figure out what works for your face shape, not everyone can pull off the boldest Cara-inspired brow.”
“Instead of just letting them grow wild and calling it bold, there are sharp edges starting from underneath the brow and following through to the arch and finally tapering off on the ends,” says Prepchuk. “This technique also allows for a brow to be dramatically thickened in a believable way.”
“Hair colour, eye shape, and face shape will dictate how full of a brow a person can wear without looking like the brow is wearing them,” says Gavins.
“That said, if you want to make it your signature statement, all the power to you. Makeup should be fun.”
“Less over-tweezing and waxing,” says Rinaldi. “Make sure to maintain a nice natural shape with minimal grooming as opposed to completely changing the shape of the brow by removing a lot of the growth.”