2011 Fall Makeup Trend How-To: Bold Eyebrows

In the same way hair frames an entire face, eyebrows frame the eyes. Because of the leading role eyebrows play, changing them up even slightly can change the overall look and feel of your face. This fall 2011 season embraces a full, thick eyebrow that's bold, but still natural. So, to stay on trend when it comes to beauty this autumn, say "Au revoir!" to an over plucked brow line and welcome a more organic brow to your pretty face. To begin, grab an eyebrow comb, tweezers and a brow pencil/powder/shadow one to two shades darker than your own.

Shaping the Eyebrows
Before applying any product to your eyebrows, make sure the brow line is properly groomed. You can have your eyebrows threaded or waxed at a salon for under $15. If you feel comfortable waxing or tweezing at home, that's fine, too. Your brow line should be free of stragglers and look uniform on both sides. Also remove any extra hair growing between your two brows. This is important even if the hair is light or minimal, as doing so helps your eyebrows stand out more.

Prepping the Eyebrows
Use an eyebrow comb to brush your eyebrows out. It sounds like a strange concept, but the subtle difference will help create a more polished-looking brow and make product application easier. Brush your brows up and to the outer edge of the face, making sure to follow the natural growth of your eyebrows.

Choosing your Product
The choice is yours in terms of the product color and medium you prefer. An eyebrow pencil is the easiest route to go for beginners, but if you feel comfortable using a brow brush, you may enjoy the flexibility that an eyebrow powder or matte eyeshadow provides when creating a bold brow. If using powder or shadow, you'll need an angled brow brush to apply.

Regarding color, select a shade that's slightly darker than your current brow color. Keep it natural looking, but know that the darker the shade, the more bold the brow.

Filling the Eyebrows
Begin by outlining the shape of your brows with either your brow pencil or the flat line of your brow brush. This defines each of your brows. After you've finished outlining each eyebrow, fill in the center of the brows. When filling in, do not completely color in the inner portion of the brows. This area is naturally sparse, so a little less filler is required.

To prevent harsh lines, make sure to blend well with either a makeup sponge, brush or a clean finger.

Touching up the Eyebrows
To complete your bold eyebrows, brush them out again with your eyebrow comb. Alternatively, set your eyebrows with a clear eyebrow gel. This prevents makeup from wearing off during the day and keeps your brows from looking scraggly or unkempt. Setting is especially recommended for those with thicker, bushier brows.

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