The quickest way to an instant eye lift (no surgery required)

It’s mastering the basics that matters now. Good skin. Healthy scalp. Shiny hair… You get the gist. And while celebratory make-up is set for  a comeback, I suspect it will be some time before we have dusted off the lockdown lull  for an all-singing, all-dancing new look.  In the meantime, everyone is googling eyebrows, apparently, and this I can get behind, as  (subtly) groomed brows are one of the most underrated things you can do for your face.

Expertly shaped and delicately enhanced brows will make your eyes appear lifted and in sharper focus. Eyebrows act as a frame for your face, anchoring your features, even more so than mascara or eyeliner, in my opinion.  I have had mine microbladed, though you wouldn’t know it because my therapist, Daxita Vaghela, did such a discreet job.

‘What is microblading?’ is the most googled question when  it comes to eyebrows, so I’m guessing you may be wondering the same thing. Essentially, it  is a form of semi-permanent make-up, otherwise known as eyebrow tattooing, whereby pigment is deposited under the skin with a pen-like device and built up in strokes that mimic real eyebrow hairs.  It is great for eyebrows that have been over-plucked, or are thin in areas, and particularly good for people who have lost their hair, or when colour has faded due to illness or age.

While prices start from around £200, it can last for several months or over a year, saving you time and money on tinting, threading and pencilling-in.  The caveat with any kind of semi-permanent treatment is that the aesthetic eye and skill of the therapist, not the technique itself, is the most vital element, so you should  do some groundwork before proceeding. These days, most therapists have Instagram accounts, which will give you a broad indication of their style  of work. Check this one too Microblading eyebrows in Vegas.

Some truths: microblading hurts somewhat and you will need two appointments a few weeks apart to complete the treatment. But if you’re looking for long-lasting results and find filling in sparse spots with make-up a bore, then it’s money well spent.  Of course, at-home eyebrow grooming is the easiest and cheapest thing to do, and there are plenty of products that give salon- worthy results.

Brow pencils used to be fairly rudimentary, and so required a skilled hand to achieve natural-looking results. But the latest products are more refined, making it harder to make mistakes or be heavy-handed.  When it comes to pencils, a tiny nib allows you to create feathery strokes.

Huda Beauty’s new Bomb Brows  Microshade Pencil has a ‘thin-as-a-pin’ 0.9mm nib designed to emulate microblading. Personally,  I love how long-lasting the formula is, and that it’s enriched with castor oil and vitamin E to nourish hairs and encourage growth.  If you prefer the simplicity of a brush, then I recommend Charlotte Tilbury’s Legendary Brows, a tinted gel with a precision brush that makes application effortlessly precise. 

If you need an eyebrow-shaping lesson, then Victoria Beckham’s favourite eyebrow guru, Anastasia Soare, has just launched a fantastic app with personalised tips, tricks and product suggestions to create the perfect arches. First, a facial- analysis camera scans you to determine which eyebrow shape and shade is right for you, followed by step-by-step instructions and a virtual brow consultation. Anastasia Beverly Hills The Brow App is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.  From pencils to wands and growth oils, these six eyebrow heroes are among  my favourites.