To Tom Ford, the eyebrows are one of the most important elements of the face. He says that “a perfectly groomed and shaped brow is the most powerful, non–invasive way to define and enhance your features.” Well Tom, I couldn’t agree more. I love a good brow and am having total brow envy when it comes to one girl in particular – Erika Bearman better known as @OscarPRGirl. She’s got some serious dark, thick brows, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s pretty much flawless when it comes to the rest of her gorgeous features. While I’m in that awkward ‘in between’ stage of growing my brows out, I want to know how to fake it till I make it! So I asked myself, how can I create thicker and fuller brow through makeup?
Well, I have just the man to spills the deets: Joe Hubrich. Joe is the celebrity makeup artist and beauty guru behind Erika’s Coveteur and Elle shoots and works with her on a regular basis. Give us the scoop Joe!
Joe: I’ve graced the faces of many woman but one that always stands out from all the rest is Erika Bearman (pronounced Bear-man). Erika personally delivers behind-the-scenes inspiration from one of fashion’s biggest names, Oscar de la Renta.
When she first asked to me to beautify her (already gorgeous) face, I was thrilled. Erika has beaming eyes, flawless skin and confidence like no other. She doesn’t like or require a lot of makeup, so we worked together to enhance her natural features. We created a signature look that you can try too.
Erika digs a bold brow, so I focused on creating a sculpted, exaggerated brow that draws attention to all her features, especially her eyes. Curious? This is how we achieved Erika’s look:
1. Start by combing the natural brow up and over toward the outside of the face. You can use a brow brush, like the end of the Kevyn Aucoin Eyebrow Pencil [my favorite!] or disposable mascara wand.
2. Using a brow sculptor, comb through the brow, from the nose outward, lightly filling in the brow with extra color. I die for Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Blonde.
3. With the brow sculptor, extend the end of your brow about a quarter inch longer that it really is.
4. Comb through the brows again to keep them in place. This will enhance the work done by the colored brow sculptor.
5. Use a LIGHT hairspray to ensure that your brows will hold their shape all day. My favorite is Elnett Hairspray.
6. Lastly, highlight below and above the brow with Le Métier de Beauté Eye Brightening & Setting Powder using a soft blending brush.
As you can see, a bold brow is the key to any fresh, modern look. These 6 steps will add some flare to your own personal makeup look, drawing special attention to your natural features. Oh, and did I mention they look amazing on camera?
Thanks Joe! Now for my exclusive brow interview with Erika herself!
Annie: Who is your Brow Inspiration?
Erika: Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge, Madonna in Truth or Dare, Audrey Hepburn, Lily Collins…
Annie: What do your strong and bold brows mean to you? Do you agree with Tom Ford’s statement that “a perfectly groomed and shaped brow is the most powerful, non–invasive way to define and enhance your features.”
Erika: To me it always feels like an indication of strength and a sort of raw beauty- like you could be a queen or a warrior.
Annie: Tell me how you maintain your perfect shape? Do you tweeze, wax or even thread?
Erika: I touch them as little as possible. My adolescent tweezing has taken years to heal!
Annie: In your downtime, or on the weekends, how do ‘style’ your brows? Do you go au natural, or do you enhance with a little makeup?
Erika: I usually just brush them up a little bit.
Annie: Stranded on a desert island, what are the 5 beauty essentials that you would take with you?
Erika: Rodin Oil, Aquaphor, Chanel Eyelash Curler, MAC Haute and Naughty Mascara and Armani Fluid Sheer #8.
Thanks Erika and Joe and happy brow sculpting!
Joe Hubrich has also worked with celebs like Bette Midler and his work has been published literally everywhere, from Vogue and Teen Vogue to Town and Country and The New York Times. His bright personality has even won the hearts of millions on the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “E! News”! When his hands are not working magic on the faces of A-list celebrities, they are typing, tweeting (@Joehubrich ) and blogging on Joehubrich.com.
Images courtesy of The Coveteur and Natasha Jahangir.