How to Pluck Your Eyebrows: Tips & Techniques

By Your Beauty Plug
December 21, 2023

Eyebrows are one of the most important features of your face. They frame your eyes, express your emotions, and enhance your beauty. But how do you pluck them without making them too thin, too thick, or too uneven? In this blog post, we will share some tips and techniques from brow experts on how to pluck your eyebrows like a pro.

Why Pluck Your Eyebrows?

Plucking your eyebrows is a simple and affordable way to groom and shape them according to your preference. Unlike waxing or threading, plucking gives you more control over the hairs you remove and the ones you leave behind. Plucking also lasts for weeks, as it removes the hair from the root.

What Do You Need to Pluck Your Eyebrows?

To pluck your eyebrows, you will need the following items:

A pair of fine-tipped, clean tweezers. This will help you grasp the hairs easily and precisely. Avoid using blunt or bulky tweezers, as they can cause more pain and breakage. Some of the best tweezers recommended by experts are Tweezerman Slant Tweezer and Joey Healy Pro Sculpting Tweezer.
A mirror. Preferably a magnifying one, so you can see the hairs clearly and avoid over-plucking. Make sure you have good lighting as well.
A white pencil. This will help you mark the areas where you want to pluck and the shape you want to achieve.
A brow brush or comb. This will help you tame and trim your brows before and after plucking.
A pair of small scissors. This will help you cut any long or unruly hairs that stick out of your desired shape.
A soothing lotion or gel. This will help you calm and moisturize your skin after plucking.

How to Pluck Your Eyebrows: Step by Step Guide

Now that you have everything you need, let’s get started with the plucking process. Follow these steps to get the best results:

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before you pluck, you want to make sure your skin is clean and soft. This will make the hairs come out more easily and reduce the risk of infection. To prep your skin, you can either:

Take a shower or wash your face with warm water. This will open up your pores and loosen up the hairs.
Apply a warm compress or a washcloth soaked in hot water to your brows for a few minutes. This will have the same effect as above.

After you prep your skin, pat it dry with a towel. Avoid applying any skincare products or makeup, as they can interfere with the plucking.

Step 2: Mark Your Shape

The next step is to decide on the shape of your brows. This will depend on your personal preference, as well as your face shape and natural brow line. To find the best shape for you, you can use the following technique:

Hold a white pencil vertically against the edge of your nose and the inner corner of your eye. This is where your brow should start. Make a dot above the spot where the pencil crosses your brow.
Move the pencil diagonally across your eye, aligning it with the edge of your nose and the outer corner of your eye. This is where your brow should end. Make another dot above the spot where the pencil crosses your brow.
Move the pencil to the middle of your eye, aligning it with the edge of your nose and your pupil. This is where your brow should arch. Make a third dot above the spot where the pencil crosses your brow.

Repeat the same steps for the other brow. You should now have three dots on each brow, marking the start, end, and arch. Connect the dots with the white pencil to create an outline of your desired shape.

Step 3: Trim Your Brows

Before you pluck, you may want to trim any long or unruly hairs that stick out of your shape. This will make your brows look neater and more defined. To trim your brows, you can follow these steps:

Brush your brows upward with a brow brush or comb.
Use a pair of small scissors to cut any hairs that extend beyond the upper edge of your shape. Be careful not to cut too much, as this can create gaps or holes in your brows.
Brush your brows downward and repeat the same process for the lower edge of your shape.

Step 4: Pluck Your Brows

Now you are ready to pluck your brows. This is the most important and delicate step, so be patient and careful. To pluck your brows, you can follow these steps:

Hold a pair of tweezers in your hand like you would a pencil. The open end should be up.
Identify the direction in which your brow hair grows. For most people, the hair grows outward from the nose toward the hairline. In some cases, people’s brows have hairs growing in more than one direction. Take note of this, as you will want to pull the hairs in the direction of their growth. This will help them come out cleanly and reduce the pain.
Place the tip of the tweezers at the root of the hair you want to pluck. Get as close to the root as possible and pull, always pulling in the direction of hair growth and keeping the tweezers angled as close to your skin as possible.
Start with the hairs that are outside of your shape, such as the ones between your brows, below your arch, or beyond your tail. Pluck one hair at a time, and check your progress frequently in the mirror. Avoid plucking too many hairs at once, as this can cause over-plucking or unevenness.
Move on to the hairs that are inside your shape, but still need some refinement, such as the ones that are too thick, too sparse, or too long. Pluck them carefully, following the outline of your shape and maintaining the natural thickness and curve of your brows. Be especially cautious when plucking the hairs on top of your brows, as this can alter your brow line and make your brows look unnatural.
Continue plucking until you are satisfied with the result. Remember, less is more. You can always pluck more later, but you can’t undo what you have already plucked.

Step 5: Soothe Your Skin

After you pluck, your skin may be red, swollen, or irritated. This is normal and will subside in a few hours. To soothe your skin, you can do the following:

Apply a soothing lotion or gel to your brows and the surrounding area. Look for products that contain ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or witch hazel, as they have anti-inflammatory and calming properties.
Avoid touching, rubbing, or scratching your brows, as this can worsen the irritation and cause infection.
Avoid applying any makeup or skincare products to your brows for at least 24 hours, as they can clog your pores and cause breakouts.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about plucking your eyebrows:

How often should I pluck my eyebrows?
This depends on how fast your hair grows and how often you want to maintain your shape. Generally, you should pluck your eyebrows every 2 to 4 weeks, or whenever you notice new growth. However, you can also pluck them as needed, as long as you don’t overdo it.
How can I reduce the pain of plucking?
Plucking can be uncomfortable, but there are some ways to make it less painful. You can try the following:
Pluck after a shower or a warm compress, as this will soften your skin and loosen your hairs.
Pluck in the direction of hair growth, as this will prevent pulling or breaking the hairs.
Pluck one hair at a time, and take breaks if you need to.
Apply ice or a cold compress to your brows after plucking, as this will numb the pain and reduce the swelling.
How can I fix over-plucked eyebrows?
If you have over-plucked your eyebrows, don’t panic. There are some ways to fix them and make them grow back faster. You can try the following:
Stop plucking your eyebrows for at least 6 to 8 weeks, or until they grow back to their natural shape. Resist the urge to pluck any stray hairs, as this will delay the healing process.
Use a brow pencil, powder, or gel to fill in any gaps or sparse areas in your brows. Choose a color that matches your natural hair color and blend well with a spoolie brush.
Apply a brow serum or oil to your brows every night, as this will stimulate the hair follicles and promote growth. Look for products that contain ingredients like castor oil, coconut oil, or biotin, as they have nourishing and strengthening properties.

Conclusion

Plucking your eyebrows is a great way to groom and shape them according to your preference. By following the tips and techniques we shared in this blog post, you can pluck your eyebrows like a pro and achieve the perfect arch. Remember to pluck with care and patience, and to soothe and protect your skin after plucking. Happy plucking!