FOR regular make-up wearers, mascara is a daily eye-opening essential, and we've all got our favourite.
But our eyebrows aren't so lucky. According to a Google consumer survey, 23 per cent of UK women say brows are the facial feature they struggle with most
"For many, eyebrow products feel like an extra step to add to their make-up routine," says Kristen Parker from beauty brand Wunder2. "We come across this quite often when we take our brow consultants on the road. But once they demonstrate the dramatic difference defining and shaping a client's eyebrows can make, that person will then usually continue this step in their routine."
"Now women are beginning to realise the power of the brow," agrees Lisa Potter-Dixon, head make-up artist and brow expert at Benefit Cosmetics, ahead of a major revamp of the brand's brow offering, which already includes the country's bestselling product, Brow Zings. "Groomed brows balance your face. If your brows start, arch and end in the right place, your eyes look more open, your cheek bones lifted and your nose slimmer."
Sounds good, doesn't it? But where to begin? Here's the expert advice on the three most common complaints and how to fix them, so you won't be browbeaten any more...
MIND THE GAPS
"Sparse eyebrows is a complaint that we see discussed on social media very frequently," says Parker.
"Brows look most beautiful when they're dense, rich and shapely. Fortunately, for those of us not naturally blessed with these, there are simple ways to achieve them."
"Using a pencil, such as Benefit's Precisely My Brow, allows you to create believable hair-like strokes where you need them, due to the ultra fine tip," recommends Potter-Dixon.
:: Hi Brow Growth and Conditioning Serum for Brows and Lashes, £24.95 (LashPerfect.co.uk)
:: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil, £21.50 (available June 24; www.benefitcosmetics.com)
:: Hi Brow Soft Eyebrow Pencil, in shades Light Brown to Charcoal Brown, £9.95 (LashPerfect.co.uk)
:: Collection Define & Perfect Eyebrow Powder in Dark Brunette, currently reduced to £2.99 from £4.19 (www.boots.com)
WHAT THE PLUCK?
"Eyebrows that have been plucked to within an inch of their life are the most noticeable. Unfortunately, this was a very big 90s trend that left its mark on many faces," says Parker. "We recommend WunderBrow to tackle these concerns. Not only does it contain tiny hair-like fibres, to give the appearance of natural hair, it's completely water-proof, so you can be confident it'll stay on until you're ready to take it off."
"A brow wax and tint will make your brows look surprisingly thicker and fuller, even if there's hardly any hair," Potter-Dixon advises.
"Using a fibre gel, such as Gimme Brow, will also mimic the appearance of real hair. This adds volume and will give you your brows back."
:: Wunder2 Wunderbrow in Black/Brown, £19.95 (www.wunder2.co.uk)
:: Benefit Gimme Brow, £18.50 (available June 24; www.benefitcosmetics.com)
:: Givenchy Mister Brow Filler in Brunette, £17.50 (www.houseoffraser.co.uk)
TAME THE BEASTS
At the other end of the spectrum, unruly brows can be just as tricky to tackle.
"Having them waxed regularly will keep them tamed. Also try using a brow gel, such as Ready, Set, Brow," Potter-Dixon says.
"This clear gel coats the hair from root to tip, and will keep brows in place for 24 hours."
:: Benefit Ready, Set, Brow! £18.50 (available June 24; www.benefitcosmetics.com)
:: YSL Beauty Couture Brow Palette in Light to Medium, £35 (YSLBeauty.co.uk)
:: Jane Iredale Greatshape Eyebrow Kit in Blonde, £26 (www.janeiredale.com)
TRIED AND TESTED
Our testers pucker up with a trio of subtle spring lipsticks...
:: Rimmel Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine Lipstick in Spin All Spring, £6.49 (www.boots.com)
"This is a light, gloss-like lippy, so it's easy to apply, non-sticky and moisturises lips while adding a translucent coral colour - perfect for spring. The downside is that it doesn't have great staying-power and bleeds a little around the edges, so works better with a liner."
3/5
:: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker lipstick in Naked Talent, £9 (www.soapandglory.com)
"This rich, creamy lipstick gave my lips a moisturising boost and I loved the peachy nude tone, which gives just enough colour for subtle lip definition. The satin finish falls halfway between matte and gloss, and it doesn't bleed at the edges, but I did need to re-apply a couple of times on a night out."
4/5
:: Kiko Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick in Vintage Rose, £10.90 (www.kikocosmetics.com)
"My new favourite product, this lippy combines a smooth texture with long-lasting colour. Perfect for daytime, it glides on easily and leaves lips feeling soft due to its hyaluronic filling spheres, while the orchid extracts make for a delicious smell."
5/5
BUY IT NOW
Wedding season's upon us, and if you're worried about weeping your eye make-up off, what you need is a 'tubing' mascara. Blinc Mascara Amplified, £21.50, which comes in brown or black, coats lashes with tiny tubes of product that, once set, will not budge, even when your tear ducts go into overdrive (www.blincinc.com).
BEAUTY BULLETIN
:: DOWNLOAD A NEW DO
Give your social media accounts a zhoosh up with OGX's cute and colourful hair emojis. Head to the brand's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ogxbeautyuk) to find an array of shareable animated heads, complete with fluoro dye jobs, flowing ponytails and pulsating curls.
STEAL OF THE WEEK
It's no surprise Jean Paul Gaultier Classique was recently voted the Most Iconic Fragrance Bottle of all time. If you want to adorn your dressing table with the curvaceous lady-shaped eau de toilette, head to the Original Factory Shop, where a 75ml bottle is just £35 – that's 40 per cent less than the RRP (www.theoriginalfactoryshop.co.uk).
