The Ultimate Eyebrow Makeover Challenge

Browhaus's general manager Roman Padilla recommends threading since it can quickly clean up Elizabeth's fine strands. Those with sensitive skin take note: This method is preferred, since unlike waxing, nothing touches the epidermis. The area around the brow is stretched (which reduced the pain factor), while a specialist holds the string in three places (in both hands and her mouth). Hair is swiftly removed from its roots, and the results last three to four weeks. The service concludes with a bit of tweezing to add more definition. "Her eyebrows are a little short on the ends," say Roman. "So we will create an arch to make them look longer (the same way getting leaner makes you appear taller)."

Brow thread and tweeze, $24; strip-usa.com

It felt like a combination of pinching and tickling," notes Elizabeth. "It wasn't any more painful than plucking, and I am very happy with the shape. Since I'm a teacher, this may help me look a little more serious. I'll wear my hair in a bun and keep a ruler in my hand!"

Expert Tips:

"We used a bit of brow powder to elongate her tail ends," explains Padilla. "And we calmed her post-treatment redness using our house brand anti-inflammatory Ice Cream ($34; strip-usa.com). It contains mint to cool the area and licorice to decrease the color."

The Dilemma: Jean, a 55-year-old (stylish!) nurse is seeking a way to fix an over plucking faux pas from the ’80s. After tweezing too many hairs, some never grew back. "My eyebrows do not match," she admits. "I want to make them symmetrical."

Jean courageously chooses a semi-permanent option that involves building up her arches with a soy-based pigment. The procedure takes about two hours and lasts for up to two years! She begins with a consultation, during which a specialist sketches the ideal shape for her face using an eyebrow pencil. The upper-eye area is then coated with an in-house numbing cream. The technician makes small scratches into the skin, and the formula is inserted into the marks. It takes about a week to heal, and there might be a bit of scabbing. Clients return after two months for a tune-up that takes about one hour and a half to two hours. During this time, more dye is added to seal in the treatment.

Brow Resurrection, $925, includes a complimentary tune-up (usually $195); Fix anti-scarring balm, $27; and Build post-treatment serum, $45; strip-usa.com

"It was relatively painless," says Jean. "But my brows are a little sore now—they feel like they could use an ice pack. It was a teensy bit of discomfort when the dye was added, but painful is way too strong of a word to describe [the sensation]. It looks symmetrical, which is exactly what I wanted."

Expert Tips: After the pigment is first applied, the hue will look a bit darker than expected until it settles into its natural shade about a week later. Also, brows should not get wet for fourteen days following the application (though it’s not a catastrophe if they do). Padilla advises to wash your face carefully.

The Dilemma: Tiffany, a 24-year-old accessories assistant at a fashion magazine, has been told that her lovely large peepers will look more proportionate if her eyebrows are arched instead of rounded. "I have a scar [on one brow] from getting stitches," she add, "So it's difficult for me to remove hair without it looking too sparse." She also relies on makeup to beef up her brows, but feels she could use some application tips.

Like with Elizabeth, the technician relies on threading and tweezing to slightly sculpt her eyebrows, making sure not to take away too many strands near the scar. Eyebrow powder is then applied with a brush, starting at the tail ends and working towards the center. If the inner corners are darker people tend to look angry, so emphasis is placed on the outer parts. Color is added above and below the brows, creating a more dramatic arch along her natural shape.

Brow thread and tweeze, $24; strip-usa.com

"They are amazing!," gushes Tiffany. "The arch definitely balances my eyes." She notes that filling them in with makeup won't take long, and she plans to hone her application skills using the new tips she learned.

Expert Tips: Make eyes pop even more by sweeping a light shadow under the arc. This highlights it even more. A strong bow wakes up the eyes and makes you look more alert and groomed.

Even if you can't make it to the salon, take a stab at plucking your brows from your very own abode or use these tricks for in-between appointment cleanups.

Hold a stick up and measure the point where the inner corner starts. This is where the brow should begin.

Look straight ahead. Where the iris ends is where the arc should land.

The tail should be about a 30 degree angle out from where your eye ends. Happy plucking!