Eyebrows are important. They just are. On days where you choose to go makeup free, eyebrows give that bit of life into your face that make you look just a bit more alive. They frame the face, create a mood around you according to how you wear it, be it fierce, romantic or clean. Thanks to the countless brow icons, the days of skinny brows are over and bold, bushy brows are the way. I don’t think we’re ever going back again.

Having naturally full and thick brows just makes the job so much easier. You already have the base, just fill it in. However, not everyone is blessed with the brows of Cara Delevingne, Lily Collins, Gigi Hadid and gang. I wish I had fuller brows myself. Here’s where the good old makeup sleight of hand comes in. After some trial and error, I came up with an easy brow routine that finally works.

First, I fill in my brows with a thin brow pencil in small, soft strokes to mimic natural hairs. Start off at the base of your brow with upward flicks that gradually becoming dark and more intense as you reach the tail. This will give you that multi-dimensional ombre effect, which follows how natural light falls on your brows.

Don’t worry about it being in any particular direction– the goal is for them to look slightly messy, as though they were naturally there to begin with. I personally prefer bold, natural brows, which makes a pencil with a creamy texture great for the job. Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow Eyebrow Pencil is the one I’ll always revert back to as they make my brows look micro bladed when they are really not. (I used to use a brow kit from Laneige, but it has unfortunately been discontinued.) Alternatively, Benefit’s Goof Proof Eyebrow Pencil is great for filling out larger areas of sparse brow as well.

Next, I use a tinted eyebrow gel for more definition and intensity. Benefit’s Gimme Brow  is my holy grail for extra volume. Simply follow your natural hair growth and swipe up in soft, feathery motions. ­The microfibers in this product are really adhesive, so any fall out is almost non-existent here. With your natural brows enhanced, you’re almost ready to start your day.

Finally, run through your brows with a dampened spoolie – make sure it is lightly dampened and not dripping with water – to get rid of any excess product. This helps to set your brows for the day without the need for a touchup.

And that is it. Truly. Simpler than you probably thought, right? The final result looks effortless yet full, and I love that the products never budge. Just be sure to use a waterproof makeup remover at the end of the day and you’re good to go. Do you have more brow tips for me? Tell us!

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