Brows
HOW TO CREATE NATURAL BROWS - WITH MY CANCER CHIC
One of the most common questions I get is how to create natural looking brows during hair loss and beyond during the regrowth. I have dealt with sparse brows since high school due to over plucking, so I have been forced to learn all the tips, tricks and secrets within the world of brows. I consider myself a bit of a brow fanatic. Today I am bringing you a quick and easy brow tutorial for creating natural looking brows with just one product.
The key to shaping and defining your brow successful is having the right product. Having a stellar product makes the process so much easier. I have used almost every brow product under the sun and I still come back to the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil time and time again. The color options are phenomenal and the pigment and blendability are unmatched. The NYX Microbrow pencil is a close runner up (and half the price), but it just doesn’t have the same color payoff and thus takes a lot more strokes to complete the same effect.
The second key to successfully shaping and defining your brows is to determine the right brow shape for your face. Brow trends are ever changing and we have seen everything from pencil thin to caterpillar thick. There are some proportional guidelines to follow, as noted below and explained in the full video, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference. You have to try multiple styles in order to determine what you like best. Some like a pointy arch, while some like a rounded arch. Some like a square front, while others like a more rounded style. These details are completely up to your discretion. I demonstrate the process for determining the correct size/proportions in the video tutorial below. I hope that this will help you get started. If you want a visual step by step guide with images and directions, check out my last brow post here.
The last point that I will make is that in order to make your brows appear natural you must master blending. No matter what shape you decide on or what products you use, blending is key. By blending the product into your hairs (no matter how few) your whole look will be more realistic. The more you can fake the look of hair strokes the better. This ensures you don’t end up looking like you used a Sharpie to draw on your brows. The goal is smooth, groomed and natural looking brows like my example below (1 month post – chemo)
Now that I have given you the lowdown on what I think are the most important aspects of brow creation, check out the full tutorial I filmed for you all. Let me know in the comments if you have other questions or would like to see other brow product application tutorials. As I note in the video, this is just one way out of thousands to shape and define your brows. Good luck my fellow brow lovers!
Products Mentioned Anastasia Brow Wiz (Taupe) - http://amzn.to/2oQcCh6
NYZ Microbrow Pencil (Soft Brown or Taupe) - http://amzn.to/2pL200s
Eye Lashes
TIPS FOR “FULLER” EYELASHES DURING CHEMO — WITH COURAGE FOR THE SOUL
Even if you don't lose your eyelashes during chemo, you will likely find that they'll be pretty delicate. Those who do lose them will often find that the regrown lashes are fine, prone to breakage, or visibly sparse.
To help minimize the loss of your lashes makeup artists suggest:
Refrain from rubbing your eyes (or patting your lashes to see if they are still there).
Use a cotton ball and a natural eye makeup remover to gently wipe any makeup from your eyes.
Avoid heavy mascaras, especially waterproof ones or those that require warm water to remove. These can be too harsh on delicate lashes.
Mascara can give volume to your thinning eyelashes, as well as make them look thicker. Use non-waterproof mascara as it is easier to take off and reduces the risk of an eye infection.
Another option is to accentuate eyes with liner or shadow.
From the start of your cancer treatments, use a new mascara and change it every month as the tube is the perfect environment for bacteria as it contains animal fats. Wash your mascara brush once a week with water and soap.
It’s probably best to refrain from using eyelash extensions during chemotherapy, and several weeks after your last treatment, as your lashes are still susceptible to the effects of the drugs. Ideally, you’ll want to wait until your natural lashes are less fragile. Ask your doctor about using natural oils on your lashes to help nourish the follicles back to health.
