wearing the new NARS Brow Perfectors in Kalamata and Suriname, and the Brow Gel in Kinshasha
I like big brows, and I cannot lie.
You other brothas can’t deny.
When a girl walks in,
With her bushy brows,
And those arches on her face, I get sprung.
BABY got BROWS! I just misquoted Sir Mix-a-lot, what?
Guess who’s got big brows on her mind, babes. They’re kind of a thing for fall, which is probably why brands like NARS are rolling out the red carpet for big brows with products like their new fall Brow Gels and Brow Perfectors ($22 each).
MAINOS
The Brow Perfectors on the left and Brow Gels on the right
I’ve been trying to grow out my fuzzy little caterpillars for a while, but it hasn’t been easy, thanks to the aftereffects of the era of pencil-thin brows known as the ’90s.
Mine naturally also sort of fade away around the middle mark, and then there’s the issue of Raul…the really annoying bald spot on my left brow. It’s like a no-man’s land up in that spot! absolutely nothing grows there.
Yeah, thank goodness for side-swept bangs…and these new NARS Brow Perfector pencils and brush-on Brow Gels, both been of which have been helping me meet my dreams of Brooke Shields brows circa 1982.
MAINOS
Kissat ja meikkipaita?
42 dollaria
Osta nyt
The NARS Brow Perfector ($22)
François and friends created the NARS Brow Perfector, which comes in four shades, each with a natural matte finish, to fill, shape and define brows, and they made the twist-up pencil oval to differentiate it from the pack of similar products.
The oval shape is meant to make it much easier to control, helping you get the exact brow shape, angle and size you want.
There’s Salzbourg (a light brown), Caucase (a medium brown), Kalamata (a medium brownish taupe) and Suriname (a black)…
I’ve been using a combination of the two darker colors, Kalamata and Suriname (a very stark, dark black), because I feel like there’s a large gap between them. Neither one by itself matches my natural brow color. Something between the two shades would be best for we lasses with dark brown locks.
Oval shape of the Brow Perfector idea on the left and the Brow Gel’s tapered brush on the right
First thing I observed about these was the texture. They’re hard — like polar opposites of soft, waxy brow pencils like Benefit’s instant Brows.
But I don’t think that’s a problem at all. In fact, lots of of the harder brow pencils I’ve tried stay put longer, at least for me, and this one does, too. When I draw mine in at the crack of dawn, they still look prim and proper 12-14 hours later.
Interestingly, all of these Brow Perfector colors appear to consist of gray undertones, and a couple of them remind me of some of my MAC brow filling favorites, except in pencil costume. Salzbourg makes me think of MAC Omega, and Kalamata reminds me of MAC Concrete.
These pencils apply very sheer, so I have to build them up when I want darker brows. Perfect, because I’ve been known to go overboard with darker pencils anyway — something that’s pretty hard to make with these. They may take a little longer to use, but I’ll take that trade-off for the added control these provide.
As for the twist-up tip, we have a love/hate relationship… On the one hand, I love the ease of use — no need to sharpen! — but the oval shape hasn’t been the best for fine detail work.
Even so, I like these. With a matte finish that looks natural, and epic staying power, the only change I might suggest is an easy way to sharpen them.
Makeup- ja valitusblogi Arvosana: B +
The Brow Gels ($22)
Dude, these are DOPE! much better than the MAC and Anastasia brow gels I’ve been alternating between for the past couple months.
They come in four shades — three pigmented and one colorless — with the pigmented shades actually being pigmented enough to see on your skin and brows.
Viileä.
From the left: Brow Perfector in Caucase, Kalmata, Salzbourg and Suriname; Brow Gels in Athens, Kinshasa, Oural and Piraeus
Need some brow enhancement? Excellent, because that’s what these are created to do — make brows look darker and fuller — and the gel sets them without any crunchiness or shine! Finished, brows feel firm, but still pliable enough to run a brow comb through.
Each has a incredibly skinny tapered brush that hugs the hairs, easily maneuvering them into place. No wrangling whatsoever. The hairs lie perfectly flat, which I love.
So, so great.
If you’re aiming for full, lush brows that still look natural, give ’em a try. I’ve already added one of these to my bag of everyday makeup must-haves.
(But we could use a lot more colors, François!!)
MAINOS
MAKEUP and appeal blog RATING: A+
Hinta: 22 dollaria
AVAILABILITY: look for both the Brow Gels and Brow Perfectors at NARS counters, boutiques and online at narscosmetics.com starting July 20.
Your friEndly naapuruston muutoksenhakutiedoste,
Karen