firecrackers #3

So I have 64-year-old eyes. (Actually, closer to 65, when you think about it. A dear friend pointed out to me recently that on our first birthday, we’ve already lived a year! So when we celebrate any birthday, we’re technically a year older. I mean, that truly does make sense, Mackie…)

I grew up in a time of the world when plucking your eyebrows was fashionable. Like, I am talkin’ MAJOR PLUCKING. To the point where you almost had no eyebrows left. (Have you ever trimmed one of your trees or bushes? It was like that. You start. You have to even it out. In doing that, you go too far. Then you have trouble stopping and getting control of yourself! And you go even farther. It's a vicious cycle.)

Please let me advise You Younguns about over-plucking: Your eyebrows will probably NOT come back. It’s going to be hugely important that you not overdo. Your actions could be sadly permanent. You will regret it.

(Note: I have been using Lash Boost—by Rodan & Fields—for almost three years. However, NOT on my lashes—on my brows! To save what I have left. I honestly think it’s helped. At least it might have slowed down the loss.)

Anyway, I’ve been searching for products to make my brows look thicker. Better. All while looking as natural as possible. TLC bought this product for both of us recently:

(By the way: I was ruthless with TLC when she became a teen and wanted to pluck her brows. She always had more than I ever did. I ADORED every last little hair on her pretty face. Sorry. I realize this is weird. Trying to be honest. I’d beg, plead, and, possibly, threaten her (with taking something away or not getting her something) if she overplucked. She didn’t. Fortunately. However, she’s discovered in the past year or so that she likes to fill in her brows. It really is so the rage.)

This is one of three different methods I actually alternate. The first one I tried and still use is an Estee Lauder brow pencil and a Maybelline brow powder—together. The second method I’ve tried and use—and I got TLC one, too—is that Wunder Brow. I can honestly say I like all three methods!

I’m really working to get this Tattoo Studio on my brows as best as I can. The wand is like a mascara wand. And it comes with a little brush to use once you’ve put the “gel” on. I was trying to think of the word to type to describe how it feels once I’m finished. (Or as finished as I’m going to be.) And that word might be “crunchy.” Which, I admit, doesn’t sound fabulous. Honestly? I don’t mind it! Color/gel is supposed to last for a few days. I’ve found that once I wash my face at night (which I do with Dove soap) and then again in the morning, before I apply my makeup for the day, the “tattoo” gel is pretty much gone. Which is fine with me!

I believe I’m getting better at this method. My BIGGEST Critic—TLC—has said I’m doing pretty good with all three of my “please-give-me-some-brows” efforts. My Second Biggest Critic—Little Leighton—would, I promise you, promptly advise me if anything I did looked weird, funny or clownish. She’d not hesitate to be fast and blunt with her opinion. She does this. All. The. Time. Sigh.

If you’re oldish like moi—and you overplucked—and you can’t find any little eyebrow “wigs” on Amazon—OR you’re young and you still want lusher/plusher brows—this is certainly worth a try! Just go slow. Plan to practice a day or two at home before you head out into the world. Because…it’s at least permanent for the first day. When I kind of mess up? I’ve learned I have to be pretty fast with my q-tip to straighten it all out!

(Lash Paradise? I actually did this post forgetting that was in the picture. My Picture-Poster TLC texted me last night and asked me if I realized I hadn't mentioned the mascara. Oops. This is the third mascara we've bought between us in the past four months. It seems to be all over tv and magazines. TLC and I like it! Not sure at this point in our blog history that telling y'all that little news is tres earthshattering. We're pretty easy to please when it comes to mascara. Give us a pretty applicator and we're good to go. This can be a teensy bit clumpy. However, clumpy works for us. Seems to add to our volume, don'tchaknow.)

As you navigate your week—Wherever in this World you are—DO NOT OVERPLUCK. Trust me on this, ‘kay?

Hugs,

ELC

p.s.: Mackie has done microblading! She had to tell me what it was and then I sort of thought I’d heard or read about it. A few days after she shared her experience, I saw a beauty salon in our little hometown that has a woman doing it! I MIGHT try it. Maybe. I don’t know. I’m waiting to see if Mackie is going to convince me it’s worth the pain, time and money…stand by…

p.p.s.: Brooke Shields always had the BEST brows. (I seriously and honestly loved hers. Yet I still kept screwing mine up. WHY?)