Brow-Shaping Methods

To get the best brow shape for your face, it's often ideal to have an expert attend to them first. "People can't always see the natural shape of their brows, because they don't have objectivity about their faces," says Ramy Gafni, a brow specialist and the owner of Ramyspa, a New York City spa that specializes in brow shaping. If you count yourself in this crowd, find an expert through referrals from friends or the person who cuts your hair and make an appointment. Consider the following methods to determine the best approach for you.

Tweezing
Pros: The most popular technique, plucking guarantees a clean, shapely arch.
Cons: Since it requires precision, it can take time and be pricey.
Cost: $20 to $80.

Waxing
Pros: This inexpensive and fast method pulls hairs out by the roots.
Cons: With less control than tweezing, mistakes are more common. It's not a good option for people with sensitive skin or those using retinol-based skin creams, because when skin is fragile, it can peel off with the wax.
Cost: $10 to $30.

Threading
Pros: In this ancient technique from the Middle East and Asia, a technician twists threads together and pulls out the hairs caught between them. It's inexpensive, and unlike tweezing, which removes single hairs, it catches several at once.
Cons: Some regard it as unsanitary (one end of the thread is held in the technician's mouth), and skilled threaders are often hard to find.
Cost: $5 to $20.

Electrolysis
Pros: A technician inserts a thin metal probe into each hair follicle. The probe delivers an electric current that, after several sessions, should destroy the root permanently.
Cons: "Your brows typically thin as you age, so you may end up with none when you get older," Gafni warns.
Cost: $30 to $40 for a 15-minute session.