Dear Paintyourbarn,
I am so frustrated with the lady that does my eyebrows. I get them waxed at my nail salon and I always tell her that I want an eyebrow arch and not the golden arches but it never looks as fabulous as I want them too. Help me.
-Not Fabulous Yet

Aaawww! I'm so sorry. Few things are as frustrating as unfabulously arched brows. The good news is few things are as easily fixed. So start to look up! (not surprised) cause your answer is here.

First let’s talk about measuring your brows. This is something that few people do but it’s a fool proof way to have brows that are the correct size and shape for your face. Chose one side of your face to measure first and mark the placements with a dot of white eyeliner. Take a pencil or the handle of a thin long makeup brush and line it up right beside your nose. Be sure that it’s long enough to lie from nose to eyebrow. You have just identified where your eyebrow should start so mark the spot with a dot. Ur nose defines the closeness and length of your eyebrows. To have eyebrows that are too close or too far apart is to make your nose look bigger than it is! (no one needs that so pay attention!) To locate where your eyebrow should stop line your tool up with side of your nostril and the outside corner of your eye and place a white dot there. Again be sure it’s long enough to reach your brow region. Voila! Lastly to find where the actual curve of your arch should be lay your long thin tool along the line from the side of your nostril to your iris and mark it. Tip: make sure you are looking straight ahead! Now you have created an eyebrow template based on your bone structure.

My next bit of info for you is: Now that you’re empowered with the "know-where-your-brow-belongs-know-how” don't put your fate in the hands of a nail tech. She is your nail lady and you keep going back and trusting your hands to her because you like her work(on your paws!) so let her do what she does best (your nails) and leave the removal of hair to a licensed aesthetician. Arching your eyebrows is the one noninvasive cosmetic action that can change your appearance almost as drastically as plastic surgery so safety and know-how is crucial. A licensed aesthetician will use the best hair removal technique for your skin (which might not be hot wax) and will do so in the safest way possible.

Now, after assessing the risk to reward ratio I have decided that sounding like a fast food commercial is worth it so here I go: You can have it your way and continue to sit down in Mrs. I-don't-really-know-what-I'm-doing-but-you-keep-coming-back's chair and allowing your lady friend to keep skinning you like a scarred cat but I wouldn't suggest it. Let the people who know what they are doing do what they do.(it's half the battle)

Well NotFabulousYet, in Gods infinite wisdom He gave you a face that knows what looks best on it and now you have a map that was designed for and by that lovely face of yours so go and be fabulously arched.

Paintyourbarn,
I have skimpy little eyelashes and I want full long lashes. I am thinking about getting false eyelashes to apply at home. They seem to be what everyone is wearing. What should I do?
-Feelin’ the Falsies

First, you’re absolutely right! False eyelashes really seem to be everywhere. It’s a trend that comes around every 40 years or so that we should not indulge in often but we do. While they can be glamorous at a photo shoot or during very special occasions (weddings, prom, Halloween) they are one of the most difficult and demanding cosmetic tasks out there.
Here is the scoop on our love-to-hate falsies: There are two kind of false lashes. Strip lashes: These are your put em’ on this morning and take em’ off this evening type. They should be measured and trimmed before any adhesive is applied. Speaking of adhesive DUO brand is the best for strips. Application can be harder than turning down a hot fresh krispy kreme doughnut so the key word is practice. Make sure your eyes are oil and makeup free. Apply the adhesive and let it sit for a few seconds so that it can start to dry and become tacky(that's just too easy!). Start at the outside corner and press the lash along your eyelash line. Let it sit for another few seconds and you’re done. If you get the fake lash adhered anywhere between your eyebrow and your nose count it as a win. After several attempt you will find success but you gotta keep at it.
Our second kind of fake-me-outs is Flares. These are five to seven individual false lashes knotted together to create a fan or flare set. Several flares are applied along the lash line to create a full dense (ahemfalseahem!)lash look. These are my least favorite because they are the most unrealistic looking false lashes. These should only be left on for about three days. Many women however are leaving these on for up to two weeks. The amount of bacteria that is collected and cannot be properly removed is unhealthy for your eye and long wear use is not recommended (read as: never recommended).I will not forget to mention that the bacteria laden eye boogers that ensue from these lashes is just plain old gross. Shields! What I will recommend are strips for very special occasions. Ardell brand is at your local drug store and has a nice selection of natural length and look. My favs are Ardell’s#310. MAC is your cosmetic counter brand and their selection is vast, varied fun and drag queen like if thats your thing.
I recommend your favorite mascara for everyday use. Lancôme has great mascara if you want to buy at the counter. Maybelline is great if you’re buying at your local drug store. My last comment (warning) on the matter is that fake lashes are habit forming. They are right up there with arched eyebrows and foundation. So if you don’t want to be that little old lady in the grocery store with your auburn wig, blue eye shadow, cotton candy pink rouge and false lashes that curl up to your wig line then approach with caution.