Makeup

How do you fix “bad” brows? A guide to owning your face framers

Bad brow busters

30.08.2023

By Redzhanna Jazmin

How do you fix “bad” brows? A guide to owning your face framers

Whether you’ve tweezed too much or gone wild with the bleach, bad brows can break your spirit. Fortunately, we’re here with a fix for every arch conundrum.

Have you had a bad run-in with a set of tweezers? Did your at-home waxing session go very, very wrong? Fret not—it happens to the best of us, and we’re here to make light of a hairy situation (sorry, too soon?).

Ahead, we’ve compiled all the overzealous situations that may have led to the unfortunate demise of your face framers, as well as all the options you have for reincarnation:

 

You’ve gone too hard on the tweezing

 

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We’ve all been here. You think you’re plucking a few stray hairs here and there, and before you know it, you’re missing half of your brow! Unfortunately, there is no instant cure for overplucking—however, not all hope is lost.

READ: How to shape your brows the halal way

The fix: The obvious solution here is to fake it ’til you make it grow them back. An assortment of brow pencils, brow mascaras, and clever stencilling can do wonders in masking your oopsie. Of course, in the meantime, it’s worth looking into supplements for brow growth, such as lash serums (yes, they work!).

READ: 8 Lash serums that *actually* work (and ship to Malaysia)

Plan B: If it’s a section of your arch or the tail of your brow that’s missing volume, you could opt for a volumising fibre brow gel to mask the sparseness.

TRY: Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel, RM150

 

You’re still recovering from the ’90s

 

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If you were a proud purveyor of the pencil brow of the ’90s (and noughties), you may be struggling with a case of the “my brows won’t grow back” blues. The bad news is that, unfortunately, if your brows haven’t grown back by now, they’re probably never coming back. The good news is that makeup tattoos are significantly more sophisticated in 2023.

The fix: Try microblading on for size. It’s a tattooing technique that involves etching hundreds of tiny hairs into your skin to imitate brow hairs (convincingly, when done right). It lasts around 12-18 months, with a couple of touch-ups in between.

READ: How to get skinny eyebrows without tweezing, according to a makeup artist

Plan B: Brow shapes are constantly coming in and out of fashion (pencil brows were also the hot new trend in the roaring ’20s, FYI), but regardless, 2023 is the year of embracing the unconventional. Everything from bleached to skinny brows is in, as long as you have the attitude to carry it. If your brows won’t grow back, commit to them and wear them as they are!

READ: The return of the skinny eyebrow: Why we love this trend and how to wear it 

 

You left the bleach on your brows for too long 

 

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We get it—you were trying something new, and it just doesn’t work for you. Bleached brows are an art, and the results just aren’t for everybody.

The fix: It may not be that the bleached look looks bad on you—the issue may just lie in the tone of your newly lightened brow hairs. Are they too yellow? Try neutralising the unwanted hues with purple shampoo or toner. However, if you’re convinced that the problem is the lightened brows themselves, you can always remedy the situation with a little beard dye. Just make sure you’re colouring within the lines! (Writer’s tip: Coat any exposed skin with petroleum jelly to prevent the dye from staining where it shouldn’t).

TRY: Olaplex 4P Blonde Enhancer™ Toner Shampoo, RM150

Plan B: If you’re reluctant to go anywhere near colourants (understandable), we have another solution: Simply fill in your brows. Lucky for you, we’ve got a comprehensive tutorial on faking a brow tint and filling in bleached brows already set up!

READ:TUTORIAL: How to fake a brow tint (or cover up bleached brows) in two easy steps

Plan C: Alternatively, try going wild with your brows—you’ve made it this far, after all. You have the whole spectrum of colours to choose from with this one; pink, blue, purple, or green. Get creative!

 

You’ve overcompensated too much with the brow tint

how to fix your bad eyebrows

Okay, so we definitely did not intend for your little colour correction to go so very sideways. We should probably stress that it’s important to follow the instructions on the box, and to keep checking your dye’s progress periodically—eek! Either way, you’re stuck with brows that are a little too dark now and, ironically, you’re pretty much at the opposite pole from where you began.

The fix: Firstly, chill out for a second. The immediate colour of a brow tint is hardly ever the exact hue you end up with. Wait a week and you may be surprised to find that your brows have lightened up and returned to a normal shade. If not, the good news is that the tint will eventually fade. The bad news is that it could take anywhere between three to eight weeks. So, that’s a possible stressor in your life. Don’t panic, though: In the meantime, try using brow gels in lighter shades to lessen the impact of your power brows. Further, try gently scrubbing your brows for a minute with a clarifying shampoo—the more you wash, the faster the dye should fade. Alternatively, if the offending colour is the result of your skin having been dyed, try approaching the area gingerly with an oil-based cleanser.

Try: Dior Diorshow On Set Brow, RM130

 

Your brows are all over the place

 

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Okay, so this may not be through any fault of your own. Sometimes, genetics dictates that our eyebrow hairs grow in at odd angles. There isn’t much you can do about your genes, but there are a few things you can try cosmetically.

The fix: If you haven’t heard of brow lamination, it’s like a perm for your brows, only this perm makes your hairs lie perfectly straight in one direction. Think of it as a permanent soap brow.

READ: The best brow studios in KL for all your brow needs

Plan B: If you aren’t ready to commit to the whole brow lamination process, try getting your mitts on a good brow gel instead.

Try: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, RM120

 

Your brows have grown in… lopsided

 

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This one only really applies to those of you out there who are predisposed to uneven brows. In these cases, brow shaping is best left to the pros. however, if you don’t have the time nor the patience to get your brows shaped every two weeks, you can take matters into your own hands. It’s easy enough to maintain a brow shape, as long as you’re diligent about picking up stray hairs and grooming regularly.

That said, no one is perfect, and sometimes, adult priorities just do not align in our favour. One day you may wake up, and your once sisterly brows have become complete strangers. Now, it’s important to note here that most brows are uneven. That’s totally normal. However, if you find that one of your brows is thicker or straighter than the other (before you hit the brow salon, of course) here is a foolproof workaround for the issue.

The fix: Get a fringe. Not one of those cute microbangs, or those trendy curtain bangs. Live your best indie-sleaze, Zooey Deschanel life and commit to the full, straight-across action to hide your uneven brows. Alternatively, if you’re nifty with a brow pencil, you could always fill in the thinner and/or sparser areas to create the illusion of an even brow. Of course, this only works if you’re already blessed with a certain skillset, so if you aren’t—get those scissors out.

READHow to cut your fringe without ruining your hair/life — 5 important lessons I’ve learned

 

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