When it comes to beauty trends, eyebrows are often at the forefront of a trend, for good or bad. Will we look back at the 2020s brow the same way we look at the overplucked brows of the 90s? Enter the era of the bold and bushy. A full bushy brow has connotations of health and youth while a thin brow is associated with aging. But at what price do we chase the perfect brow? Are we sacrificing our precious arches on the altar of beauty? Are there other options?
In our quest for convenience and perpetual perfection, we've embraced a plethora of in-salon treatments. Micro-blading is one such treatment, a semi-permanent option where tiny cuts are made to the skin barrier, and then a layer of pigment is applied that absorbs into the cuts and is meant to mimic natural eyebrow hairs. Cutting into the skin barrier at such a thin spot can increase the chance of infection and scarring. While some love the results others are less enthusiastic about the initial recovery let's also not forget the joy of repeating the process every six months to a year, praying each time for consistent results, while playing Russian roulette with our skin.
Then there's lamination, the trend du jour with the brushed-up brow look. Brows are treated with a lifting agent, which breaks down the bonds in the hair allowing for brows to then be 'glued' into a hair-rising shape. What we are not told is that there are potentially harmful chemicals lurking in the mix. Ammonium Thioglycolate (a hair relaxer linked to Allergies & Immunotoxicity on EWG's website) and Dimethicone (in the glue). Sometimes it's not the one-time use of a product that is toxic but the prolonged exposure over time, burdening our system. The process can dry out the eyebrows causing breakage and chemical burns. The process has a 10-week lifespan, considering eyebrows have around a 3-month growth cycle, any damage could take half a year to undo!
We advocate for a slow natural approach to brow sculpting with minimal fuss. Our tinted brow wax includes natural plant oils including Jojoba oil, Shea butter, and Castor oil that can be brushed through the brows (even upwards!) in a minute. Castor oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, while jojoba is so hydrating it can prevent brows from becoming brittle or dry. Shea butter is known for protecting against oxidative stress at the hair follicle level, which can help to prevent hair loss but also works to tame and shape brows. These plant oils and butter work in harmony to hydrate, protect, and promote healthy growth.
So, before you succumb to the allure of quick fixes and chemical cocktails, consider a gentler approach. Embrace the beauty of your natural brows and treat them with the care and respect they deserve. After all, there's nothing more glamorous than a pair of brows nurtured to perfection.