Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc

MAX FACTOR at work applying makeup

The precision in shaping the Brow really is in the steady hand of the Artist and with great tools. Like a Doctor has instruments of accuracy, precision and design so does the Makeup Artist!

Every Makeup Artist of note will tell you about the original Max Factor Fineline Retractable Pen with great veneration and praises. The package contained the original pen and a case if mini colored leads. The lead refills you’d have to purchase separately after buying the pen. Most will say “Why did they discontinue it!! I hate when they do that!!”

I recall my Mum having loads of these in her makeup kit (cause she was the original Brow Queen). I don’t know the actual year they were first created (I’d like to say the 50’s because back then makeup packaging was always gold bling).

Well as modernists we all are looking for the next smart, precise, compact new thing. Today in this era the “Fineline” has taken on a whole new dimension in a marker pen almost like an extremely pointed …dare I say it Sharpe!!

BROW PENS

This is the closest this generation is going to come to the OG (Old Glams) Fineline Pen! They’re really not bad…in fact I like them a lot however, there is and was nothing like the Max Factor Pens…sadly…nuff said!

This post is not just about the brow pencil but, brows in general and brow products to give you smartly groomed brows. How do you get that polished brow?

Here are my weapons of choice:
*BE ADVISED THIS IS MY PERSONAL TECHNIQUE*
1) A great canvas (skin)
2) Healthy brow hairs (moist and firm hairs, not dry and brittle hairs. See my previous post on mascara)
3) Brow scissors & Brow Shapers
4) A good pencil, pen or powder
5) A good brow wax (to start training the hairs in place)
6) A good brow gel (to style and finish the brow and in some cases to lighten or darken as a highlight)
7) Jolen Creme Bleach (*optional, if you’d like to tint your brows)

Everyone achieves the perfect brow their own way. What counts ultimately is that you get there!

BROW WAX
Brow Wax to lay unruly brows down and just train them to line up.

BROW PENCILS
Hands down my current brow pencil of choice is by MAC. But I tell you if Max Factor ever bought Fineline back again Id be considered a defector easily! Sorry I just jave to tell the truth. However of all the brow pencils Ive worked with after Fineline MAC is the only one that I’ve found that gives me that look and feel. BRAVO MAC!!! A word to the wise MAC…dont ever get crazy and decide to change up the formula’s consistency or discontinue the pens, okay?!

BROW GELS
Brow Gel Clear and Tinted are my favorite final step to perfect brows. I use them to “stylize” a brow at times meaning, I use different colors to create highlights in the brow much like you would the hair on your head. Why do that, you may ask?

I do it to sometimes lighten up an extremely dark brow to create the illusion of softness. Or I may want to thicken a brow with a slightly darker gel. It all depends on the style of brow you are looking to create.

PS if you find any of those OG’s (Old Glams) please send them over!!!

OK, ladies and gentlemen, there are some looks that are simply UNACCEPTABLE! LET’S GO THERE…I’M GOING TO NEED YOU TO STOP DOING THIS!!!!

AND THAT😔

OH AND THIS….PLEASE HAVE MERCY🙏🙏🙏

NOW HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF GOOD BROW GROOMING

When you have your brows well groomed it makes all the difference to your appearance and even outlook. You simply feel better. Here are a few of my brow clients before and after’s. These ladies are some serious power brokers in business and they know what it takes to be taken seriously and look good doing it!