One of makeup's greatest tricks is its ability to create the illusion of an entirely different face. A few strategic techniques can sharpen features, reshape proportions and even make certain facial features seemingly disappear. Brows included.
That's why brow blocking has become a go-to technique among makeup artists, drag performers and beauty enthusiasts alike. By concealing your natural brows, you're left with a blank canvas that allows you to experiment with different brow shapes, dramatic editorial looks and even the illusion of a shaved eyebrow.
But first, what is brow blocking?
Brow blocking is a makeup technique used to temporarily flatten and cover your natural eyebrows. By concealing your natural brows, you can completely transform your look — whether that means creating a new brow shape, experimenting with editorial makeup or recreating the illusion of shaved brows.
While the technique has long been a staple among drag artists, performers and special-effects makeup enthusiasts, it has found its way into mainstream beauty. Whether you're experimenting with a dramatic editorial look, creating a character-inspired makeup transformation or simply want to look like you just completely waxed your eyebrows off, blocking out your natural brows creates a blank canvas to work from.
One of the biggest reasons brow blocking has become so popular is that it allows you to experiment with the shaved-brow trend without actually reaching for a razor. After all, shaving your eyebrows requires a level of commitment that many of us aren't prepared to make.
Fortunately, makeup's shapeshifting powers have come to the rescue once again. Thanks to a few clever makeup techniques, it's entirely possible to recreate the illusion of a shaved brow without removing a single hair.
How to block out your eyebrows
Step 1
The first step is flattening the brow hairs as much as possible. Start by brushing your brows upwards and coating them with a washable glue stick or a strong brow wax. Using a spoolie or flat tool, press the hairs firmly against the skin in the direction they naturally grow. The goal is to create the smoothest surface possible.
Step 2
Once the glue has dried, apply a second thin layer if necessary and allow it to set completely. Rushing this step can make the final result appear uneven.
Step 3
Next, neutralise the colour of your brows. If you have dark eyebrows, apply a thin layer of peach or orange colour corrector over the area to counteract any blue or grey tones that may show through later. This step helps create a more realistic skin-like finish.
Step 4
Follow with a full-coverage concealer, pressing the product into the brow area rather than swiping it across. Once covered, set everything with translucent powder before applying foundation over the top. Depending on your brow density, you may need to alternate between thin layers of concealer and powder to fully disguise the hairs.
@ehlieluna Brow blocking tutorial
Brow blocking do’s and don’ts
Do
- Prep the skin: Thoroughly wipe your brows with a clean alcohol pad to remove natural oils and skin buildup before applying any product.
- Use multiple layers: Apply your adhesive (such as a washable non-toxic glue stick) in alternating directions — against and with the hair growth — to completely coat every strand.
- Set generously: Pack the glued area with a translucent setting powder using a wedge sponge or fluffy eyeshadow brush. Press firmly in a patting motion.
- Colour correct: Before going in with your foundation or concealer, apply a peach, orange, or red coloor corrector (depending on your skin tone) to cancel out the dark shadow of the brow hairs.
Don’ts
- Don't rush the drying process: Avoid applying layers of concealer on top of the glue before it is completely dry and tacky.
- Don't swipe or drag: Never swipe or drag your foundation, concealer, or powder across the brow. Use a gentle dabbing or patting motion to avoid lifting the edges of the glue.
- Don't use heat: When using a blow dryer to speed up the drying process, stick to a cool setting. Heat can make the glue tacky and mess up the flattening process.
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