How to Pluck Eyebrows

Soften the skin around your eyebrows. When the skin under your eyebrows becomes soft, the hairs can be plucked more easily. Plucking on dry, rough skin will cause more pain.

• Pluck your eyebrows right after a shower. Warm water and steam will hydrate and soften the skin. Just remember to dry your eyebrows to make the plucking process easier.
• If you need to pluck at another time of day, wash your face with warm water and pat it dry with a towel. You can also soak a towel in comfortably hot water and place it over your eyebrows for about 2 minutes. This helps open up the pores, making it easier to pluck the hairs.

Determine the direction of eyebrow growth. For most people, eyebrows grow from the nose toward the hairline. In some cases, they may grow in multiple directions. Pay attention to this detail, as you’ll need to pull the hairs in their natural growth direction while plucking to ensure a clean and easy removal.

Hold the tweezers like a pencil. The tip of the tweezers should face upward. Practice opening and closing the tweezers a few times to get comfortable with the motion required for plucking.

• Use clean, slanted tweezers. If your tweezers are dull or difficult to use, the plucking process will take longer and be more painful.

Position the tweezers at the base of the hair you want to remove. (Refer to the guide below to know which areas to pluck). Bring the tweezers as close to the root as possible, then pull in the direction of natural hair growth, keeping the tweezers angled close to the skin.

• Continue this process until one eyebrow is done, then repeat for the other.
• If needed, take short breaks. Resume the process when you’re ready.
• Plucking may cause your eyes to water or your nose to itch. These are normal reactions; keep going until you’re finished.

Find the starting point of your eyebrow. This varies depending on facial structure, but you can use the same technique to determine the ideal shape for anyone. Use an eyebrow pencil or a long object and align it from the inner corner of your eye to the outer edge of your nostril on the same side. Mark the spot where this line intersects your eyebrow with a white eyeliner pencil. This is the starting point of your eyebrow. Repeat for the other side.

• Feel free to adjust the mark slightly forward or backward. This technique gives you a guideline, but you can customize it based on your preference.
• Ensure the tool you use to find the starting point is thin. Using something too wide may lead to inaccurate marking.

Identify the highest point of your eyebrow. Well-groomed eyebrows follow the natural curve of your eyes, and the arch can significantly enhance your facial appearance. Use a pencil and align it from the outer edge of your nostril to the outer corner of your eye on the same side. Mark where the pencil intersects your eyebrow and repeat for the other side.

Mark the end point of your eyebrow. This time, align the pencil from the outer edge of your nostril to the outer corner of your eye. Mark where the pencil meets your eyebrow. This is typically where your eyebrow should end; repeat the process for the other eyebrow.

Determine the thickness of your eyebrows. There’s no "perfect" thickness for eyebrows; it depends on your face shape and personal preference. Visualize the desired thickness beforehand to avoid over-plucking or under-plucking. Consider the following factors:

• Eye size. If you have large eyes, thicker eyebrows can create balance. For smaller eyes, thinner eyebrows may provide better proportion.
• The distance between your eyebrows and eyes. If your eyebrows are naturally high, you may want to add thickness to bring them closer to your eyes. If they’re already low, thinner brows can prevent a heavy appearance above your eyes.

Use an eyebrow brush to comb the hairs upward. Gently brush in the direction of natural growth. This will reveal any stray or overly long hairs that need to be plucked.

• Combing upward also helps identify areas that may need trimming.

Pluck the eyebrow hairs outside the marked areas. Carefully remove each hair to shape your eyebrows according to your desired style.

• Focus on plucking hairs near the nose rather than those close to the starting point you marked.
• Define the arch by removing a few hairs around the highest point to create a clear curve.
• Remove hairs near the temples instead of those close to the endpoint you marked for the tail of the eyebrow.
• Pluck below the eyebrow to adjust thickness according to your preference.

Avoid over-plucking your eyebrows. Take your time while shaping your eyebrows. Pause every few minutes to check your progress in the mirror. Be careful not to overdo it; eyebrows take about six weeks to grow back and may not regrow fully.

Finish by applying eyebrow gel. Brush your eyebrows in the direction of natural growth and apply a small amount of eyebrow gel (or hair gel) to set the shape.

• If you don’t have an eyebrow brush, use a clean toothbrush to groom your eyebrows.
• Don’t finish one eyebrow completely before moving to the other. Work on both sides alternately to ensure symmetry.
• Apply a soothing moisturizer to the area around your eyebrows to reduce redness and discomfort.
• The best time to pluck is right after a shower, as it minimizes pain.
• Avoid making your eyebrows too short; aim for a neat, natural length.
• Aloe vera can soften the skin under your eyebrows (above the eyelids).
• Wet a finger and brush your eyebrows upward to reveal stray hairs for easy plucking.
• Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and redness around the eyebrows.
• Invest in a good pair of sharp tweezers for better results.
• Early morning is an ideal time to pluck, as pores are more open, making the process less painful.
• If redness occurs, apply aloe vera gel or tea tree oil to soothe the skin.
• Don’t pluck if you’re in a hurry, as rushing can lead to mistakes.

• The angle of the tweezers is crucial to minimize pain, prevent ingrown hairs, and avoid irritation. Always pluck in the direction of natural hair growth and hold the tweezers at a narrow angle (less than 45 degrees) rather than straight up.
• Frequent plucking can damage hair follicles, leading to permanent hair loss. Be cautious to avoid over-plucking your eyebrows.