There’s no denying that brows are incredibly important to the overall balance of your face. So when we see celebs with their effortlessly groomed arches, we wonder how they do it. Is it microblading or just skillful tweezing? Or maybe it’s brow lamination? We tapped a renowned brow expert to share the best eyebrow treatments out there right now, from threading to waxing, so you can find the right one for you.
Threading, Waxing and 9 Other Eyebrow Treatments You Should Know About
A breakdown to shape, trim and groom brows
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Published Feb 27, 2024
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Meet the Expert
Joey Healy is a celebrity brow expert and the founder of Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio in New York. He has over a decade of experience in the industry and launched his brand in 2010. Healy specializes in creating the perfect brow through shaping your ideal arch. His work has been featured on Allure, CNN Underscored and Bravo.
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1. Threading
- What Does It Entail: Individual hairs are removed by wrapping a string around the shaft and twisting the thread to pull them out from the roots. The professional may also brush and snip the tips of unruly hairs using clippers to get the best results.
- Cost: $7 to $20 depending on the place and location.
- How Long Does it Take: About five to ten minutes depending on the thickness and shape of your brows.
- How Long Does it Last: About two to six weeks.
- The Pros: Threading is one of the most popular services on this list. It’s highly targeted to ensure specific eyebrow shapes, and hair doesn’t have to be a certain length to be removed (meaning even those pesky little nubs can go). It’s a step up from tweezing as you can gather more hair in one go. Plus, it can be far less painful (and cleaner) than waxing.
- The Cons: Some people think this method is actually more painful than waxing because the process is repeated until all of the hairs are removed as opposed to ripping it off in one go. Also, Healy believes that it’s harder to correct your brows once hair has been removed from threading. He adds, “I always say that waxing can make the brows too thin, but threading can get them into a weird place where they’re harder to fix.”
- Who is it Best For: According to Healy, this treatment is great for those who are looking for sharper or more linear-looking brows.
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2. Waxing
- What Does It Entail: Soft wax is placed on a thin cotton strip and applied to the skin. The strip is then removed in one swift motion, taking all the targeted hairs along with it. There are places (like European Wax Center) that use hard wax, which can set on its own and be applied directly on your skin—no strip needed.
- Cost: About $10 to $50 depending on place and location.
- How Long Does it Take: About 10 to 20 minutes depending on thickness and shape of brow. (It can take longer if the wax needs to cool down a bit.)
- How Long Does it Last: About three to six weeks.
- The Pros: Hair tends to grow back slower and thinner after several treatments, so you can go weeks without needing a touchup. Waxing is also incredibly efficient, as it only requires one or two strips to remove all the hairs.
- The Cons: It can be a little too abrasive for those with sensitive skin. The wax strips can also be less precise, which might make it difficult to target individual hairs and get a specific shape. Healy notes the restrictions you have when preparing for a wax treatment, as you can’t use retinol, accutane or tanning products for at least a few days before your appointment.
- Who Is it Best For: “It’s not best for everybody, but it’s good for areas when you are trying to remove large areas of hair,” says Healy.
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3. Tweezing
- What Does It Entail: Individual hairs are pulled from the follicle in the direction of hair growth using metal or stainless-steel tweezers.
- Cost: About $10 to $25 depending on if you’re buying tweezers or getting a service done.
- How Long Does it Take: About 15 to 30 minutes depending on thickness and shape of your brows to start, and whether you’re doing it on your own versus getting it done by a professional.
- How Long Does it Last: About two to six weeks.
- The Pros: This is the most precise technique of all since each hair can be targeted. As Healy explains, “Each hair is removed one at a time, so it’s more artistic and it’s better for sensitive skin.” Not to mention it’s the cheapest form of removal on the list and can be done right at home for less than $10.
- The Cons: It can be very time-consuming since you’re plucking each individual hair, so it works best when just a small amount of hair needs to be removed. The method also requires a steady hand and lots of concentration, so you don’t accidentally pinch your skin or pluck that one hair you meant to keep.
- Who Is it Best For: If you have a low pain tolerance or are looking for a budget-friendly alternative, tweezing can be a great option.
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4. Laser
- What Does it Entail: A specialist covers your eyes before using a heated laser to remove individual hairs.The laser does this by targeting and damaging the follicles, which encourages them to stop producing hair overtime.
- Cost: About $50 to $80+ per treatment.
- How Long Does it Take: About 15 to 40 minutes depending on thickness and shape of your brows.
- How Long Does it Last: It’s a permanent procedure, so it’s less likely that hair will grow back in the area. However, some people report that their hair has grown back eventually; it just looks a bit thinner or lighter.
- The Pros: After several treatments, hair ceases to grow back in the treatment area. That means you can spend less time on maintenance in the long run.
- The Cons: The method can only be done in the ‘unibrow’ area and above the brow due to eye safety concerns. It can be quite painful (some say it feels like tiny rubber bands being snapped onto treatment areas) and can lead to redness or mild swelling. It’s also the most expensive of the bunch, as it requires four to six treatments for best results.
- Who Is it Best For: If you want to spend less time on brow maintenance, this treatment may cut down on the need to visit a professional every few weeks.
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5. Brow Tinting
- What Does It Entail: Just like the hair on your head, brows can be lightened or darkened using a semi-permanent dye to match your hair color or fill in any sparse areas. You can try the treatment at a salon or do it right at home (though we can’t stress enough how careful you should be when you’re doing it for the first time.)
- Cost: $20 to $75 depending on if you get it done at home or by a professional.
- How Long Does it Take: About ten to 15 minutes.
- How Long Does it Last: About four to six weeks.
- The Pros: Similar to threading or waxing, it’s a pretty quick treatment.Bleaching or darkening brows can also create a more natural or dramatic look, depending on the desired appearance.
- The Cons: It’s easy to go overboard with bleach and end up with freakishly light brows. And strong chemicals like bleach must be handled with extreme care, especially when applied close to the eye area. Salon treatments can also be pricey since regular upkeep is necessary.
- Who Is it Best For: It’s great for anyone, especially if you have sparse areas or want a fuller look. Note: The service can be trickier for those with white or gray hairs, which tend to be more resistant to the dye.
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6. Brow Pencils
- What Does It Entail: Brows are filled in using a makeup pencil to darken and shape them.
- Cost: About $5 to $50.
- How Long Does it Take: About five to ten minutes.
- How Long Does it Last: Less than 24 hours.
- The Pros: A pencil can give you softer, more natural-looking brows than other treatments on this list. As Healy shares, “Pencils are more corrective if you have a hole, gap or scar. You can also work on extending a tail or working on the [perimeter of your arches]. It gives you a little bit more control, [because] you can [draw on] little hair-like strokes.” Moreover, brow pencils are convenient, portable and customizable. Many brands offer a variety of shades, so you can get one that matches your natural brow color—plus, some come with a spoolie or brow comb to help blend everything in.
- The Cons: If the pencil is too dry, it can scratch the delicate skin around your eyes and may look too severe. It’s also a temporary fix and some formulas aren’t water- or sweat-proof, so they can smudge by the end of the day.
- Who Is it Best For: Everyone can try out a brow pencil—especially those who are nervous about committing to something more expensive or permanent.
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7. Brow Gels
- What Does It Entail: Brows are covered in a lightweight, clear gel to smooth down unruly hairs. There are also tinted gels, which can fill in sparse areas and deepen your brow color.
- Cost: $10 to $25
- How Long Does it Take: About five minutes.
- How Long Does it Last: Less than 24 hours.
- The Pros: If using a regular brow gel, the effect is more natural than a pencil. On the flip side, a tinted gel can provide a more dramatic finish. It’s by far the easiest and quickest treatment on the list since it only requires a few sweeps of the brush through your brows. Similar to a brow pencil, it’s also inexpensive and can be done at home.
- The Cons: If you’re dealing with a tinted brow gel, application can be a bit trickier. Using too much of it can make your brows appear dark and blocky. And with regular brow gel, the formula can harden and leave brows crisp and flaky.
- Who Is it Best For: “It’s good if you have long, unruly brow hair. [A gel] can help lay them down into place,” says Healy. “It’s also good for curly, wiry or brows that stick up all over the place.”
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8. Brow Powders
- What Does It Entail: Eyebrows are filled in using your preferred shade of powder and an angled makeup brush.
- Cost: $10 to $50
- How Long Does it Take: About five to ten minutes.
- How Long Does it Last: Less than 24 hours.
- The Pros: Powders are usually very lightweight, more natural-looking and offer more coverage than a brow pencil. “You can really build a brow powder, working from very light and then adding more if you need it versus a pencil where sometimes you apply it on and they are very full force, so you have to blend them down until they look natural,” shares Healy.
- The Cons: If you have dry skin, it may be difficult to get the makeup to stick to your brows. Powders also tend to wear off more quickly than other brow products.
- Who Is it Best For: Brow powder is great for creating a fuller and more natural look. “They also look good on older brows and brows that just need a whisper of color,” says Healy. “They add a little bit of density and volume, while looking more natural in a way that it’s harder to detect.”
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9. Microblading
- What Does It Entail: It’s a semi-permanent service that creates individual hair-like strokes using a device filled with tiny needles.
- Cost: $300 to $1000+
- How Long Does it Take: About one to two hours.
- How Long Does it Last: About a year or two depending on your skin type, lifestyle and sun exposure.
- The Pros: The process is relatively painless (thanks to a numbing cream) and can last up to a few years. The results are far more natural than the straight-lined eyebrow tattoos of the past. The purpose is to give the illusion of fuller brows.
- The Cons: Microblading can be pricey and requires antibiotic ointment for the first 10 days after treatment. After the service, you may experience some redness and discomfort, but it usually goes away in a few hours. It also takes the longest (next to brow lamination), so be prepared to spend a chunk of your day at the salon.
- Who Is it Best For: If you have thin or sparse eyebrows, microblading can help fill in those gaps.
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10. Brow Lamination
- What Does It Entail: It’s a semi-permanent service that smooths down hairs. Think of it as a perm for your brows. A solution is applied directly onto the hairs before cling wrap is placed over them for about ten minutes to lay the brows down. The brows are then brushed and shaped before the wrap is applied again for an extra ten minutes to set everything in place. Then a specialist removes the wrap and applies a nourishing cream to make your brows shine.
- Cost: $75 to $150 depending on the salon.
- How Long Does it Take: About 30 to 45 minutes.
- How Long Does it Last: About four to six weeks.
- The Pros: The treatment is a pretty painless process and a great alternative to microblading. Brow lamination can also help smooth and shape your brows, especially if you have a hard time laying them down.
- The Cons: Although there are ways to DIY this treatment at home, many experts don’t recommend it since a harsh chemical is involved. It can also cause redness, irritation and sometimes shedding for some.
- Who Is it Best For: If you’re looking for a fuller shape, consider this treatment for your brows. It’s also great for taming unruly, curly hairs and fluffing up the appearance of thinner hairs.
11. Brow Extensions
- What Does It Entail: Similar to lash extensions, artificial hair is attached to your natural brows or directly onto the skin using a clear adhesive. The specialist will attach each hair in the direction of hair growth and blend them seamlessly into your brows to give them a fuller, natural look.
- Cost: $100 to $300+ depending on the salon.
- How Long Does it Take: About 30 to an hour depending on your brows.
- How Long Does it Last: About two weeks.
- The Pros: This service can give you a more defined arch and a fuller look. It’s less painful than microblading, as individual hairs are applied with gel (so no needles are involved).
- The Cons: It’s not a permanent service, so the extensions will gradually fall out. It’s going to require frequent touch ups if you want to maintain the fullness.
- Who Is it Best For: If you have gaps or thin hairs, brow extensions can help enhance the appearance of your brows.
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