How to Glue Down Your Eyebrows, With Makeup Artist Tips
Learn How to Glue Down Your Brows So You Can Easily Transform Yourself Into Any Costume
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Gluing down your eyebrows is a technique used among makeup artists, drag queens, beauty influencers, and performers alike to give the illusion of a completely different eye shape but once a year, many people attempt it to transform themselves for a Halloween costume. It's one of those things people presume is really difficult when in reality, it's a skill everyone can learn to master — with some guidance, of course.
Knowing how to conceal your brows with the glue method can come in handy for a number of costume ideas so to help you master it, celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño explained the process step-by-step. Keep reading to learn how to glue down your eyebrows from a pro.
What You Need:
To start, you'll need to gather your beauty supplies. You'll need a brow comb or spoolie, a colour corrector in red or orange, loose setting powder, a concealer that matches your skin tone, and of course, a glue stick. Avendaño recommended Elmer's Glue Stick: "Preferably the one that's purple so you can see when it dries," he told POPSUGAR.
Step 1: Clean Your Brows
Start with clean eyebrows with no makeup on them. It's best to glue your brows as the first step in your makeup and then go over top with the rest of your base once you finish.
Step 2: Cover Your Brows In Glue
"You're going to rub the Elmer's Glue Stick ($1) in the opposite direction of your brow hair," said Avendaño. "Then go over it again in the direction of your brow hair."
Step 3: Comb Your Brows Flat
Using the brow spoolie, brush the hair in your brows as flat as possible. Avendaño recommended doing this immediately after applying the glue. Then, let it dry.
Step 4: Repeat If Needed
"If you feel that it isn't flat enough, go over the brow only in the same direction as your hair and press down with your fingertip or thumb," he said.
Step 5: Cover Your Brows With Colour Corrector
Once your brows are glued flat to your face and dry, it's time to colour correct. "Go over the brows with the colour corrector to cancel out any darkness from the hair." Try the NYX Professional Makeup Colour Correcting Palette ($13).
Step 6: Set With Powder
Once you feel your eyebrow hair is concealed enough, it's time to set it. "Let the concealer sit before pushing in loose powder over the colour corrector," said Avendaño. Try the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39), it comes in three shades so you can choose the one that best matches your skin tone.
Step 7: Conceal Your Eyebrows
After powder comes concealer. "Go over the area with a concealer that matches your skin tone and powder down again," said Avendaño. "You may have to do this a couple of times but try not to overdo it because it will get cakey." For a concealer, we recommend the E.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer ($6).
Tips and Tricks For Gluing Down Your Eyebrows
Like with anything, practice makes perfect. Avendaño's biggest tip for first-timers: "Don't be afraid to remove it and start over. The glue is washable so it if doesn't work out, wash it off and try again." He stressed the importance of taking your time — this isn't something that can be rushed because each step needs time to dry completely for it to work.
How to Remove Glued Down Brows
If the idea of glue in your eyebrow hair stresses you out (as it does me) Avendaño reassured us that it's easy to remove. The glue is washable, after all. "I like to use an oil cleanser or a makeup wipe (if you don't have an oil cleanser) and gently get all the colour products off before going in with a normal face cleanser and water," he said.
