How to: Stop Over Tweezing and Get Your Natural Brow Back!

I’m sure everyone has had that painful period of trying to grow out a mistake they made with their brows! I got my eyebrows tweezed for the first time at a professional place when I was 15. I can’t remember what made me suddenly aware of them, but I walked into the first beautitian I could find at a popular mall and simply said, “Tame these monsters!”

BAD MOVE. The lady gave me the thinnest brows with the highest arch, UGH LOOK AT IT! Gross. I remember feeling that I looked like Ursula from The Little Mermaid – that permanent evil look. This taught me that yes; what they say is true – eyebrows really make a difference to your face!

That was the last time I ever went to somewhere professional. Unfortunately, at 15 I was still clueless about anything to do with ‘beautifying’ oneself, so afterward, I just kinda tweezed what I felt like tweezing, and even though the evil arch eventually disappeared, they were still too thin.

Fast forward to last, last Summer. I was just turning 19 and decided to just not touch my eyebrows for 6 months – I just wanted to start over everything and get my natural shape back. To tell you the truth, I never thought anyone would notice, much less MEN for that matter. Wrong! All my guy friends started calling me everything from Monkey Man to Bush Woman! One friend, who hadn’t seen me in a while, greeted me with, “Holy eyebrows, Renee!”

What gentlemen I hang around with …. But honestly, it did look a little scary after awhile.

Needless to say, it all grew back (thank goodness!) and I was really careful about tweezing a natural shape this time; keeping it’s original thickness, but creating a very slight arch. Now, I even get compliments on my eyebrows and I’m proud to say it’s all done by me – so Bush Woman gets the last laugh! ;)

Here are my tips on breaking out of the tweezer-happy addiction and getting back your original shape:

No touching! Don’t touch them for at least 4 months. Resist the urge, woman! I would say a full 6 months, but 4 months is the least. If it’s really getting unsightly, just tweeze those absolute necessary ones that seem to look completely out of your whole eyebrow area.

Condition them. Apply some kind of conditioning formula. I tried applying some Vaseline on them for a bit and I really noticed a difference in the actual hairs, they seemed much healthier, thicker and darker. I stopped after awhile due to laziness, but I would really recommend using something; Vaseline or not, to condition them. There are plenty of brow conditioners out there on the market today that you could try out.

Try hair growth formulas. I read this tip from Allure editor Linda Wells. I haven’t tried it myself but I would expect it to work: Dip a Q-tip in some Rogaine (or any hair loss formula) and rub it on any bald spots you might have. Be EXTREMELY careful to not let it touch anywhere near your eyes! Also, those popular eyelash-growth serums work on the eyebrow too.

Makeup tricks. In the mean time, fill in empty spots and mistakes with a brow pencil or powder. Or, if some parts are starting to look insane try using a clear eyebrow gel to keep them looking neat.

Patience. Patience really is key – you are literally just waiting for hair to grow! In the meantime, give your itchy fingers something to do – pick your nose instead!

Prepare for your next session. If you’re going to go to a professional, make sure you don’t end up with crazy thin eyebrows like mine. I shudder at the thought, it was that terrible. Instead, before going, find a photo of a person’s eyebrows you do like – you can’t get the exact shape, but visuals are always helpful with stylists. And when explaining what shape you want, try using words like “natural, low arch, full, thick, slight arch,” whatever you fancy. Just remember to avoid looks that are too thin and too arched – not a good look on anybody, really.

Here are some celebrities whose eyebrows I love, and perhaps you can get some inspiration from. They all seem to stick to a fairly thick, natural look – and it frames their beautiful eyes perfectly!

Alright ladies – ‘fess up. Have you ever gone a bit too tweezer-happy in the past? Any funny stories to share? I want to hear!


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April 27, 2009 | Posted by Renee | Beauty, How to & Tips | 19 comments


Beauty Fool is One!

I can’t believe my little blog is a year old! So much has happened…!

In case you haven’t notice, BF has had a facelift (at one years old? What a drama queen!). I have no experience or knowledge of HTML and all that business so it has taken me at least a full month to try to figure this “look” out, so I really hope you like it.

Unfortunately I tried to finish everything for today but I just can’t do it – there’s so much more to do, so sorry it’s such a mess! I am home sick with an “internal ear virus” (I know, what?!) so I’ll be home fixing everything these next few days. It’s really funny, I’ve lost all my balance (apparently this “virus” goes into overdrive after you’ve been on a boat,) so I have prolonged sea sickness and the feeling of “rocking” and walking around all weird. When I sit down my upper body is kinda swaying – LOL! Really embarrassing! I went to the doctor today and as I was standing at the counter I started to lean to my right and fall down! Everyone must’ve thought I was mad!

Anyways, long story short I’m home sick so will try to get more stuff done around here – thanks so much to everyone who has been visiting my blog this past year, and all your comments and emails. It’s been so much fun, and I really appreciate it all. Hope you’ll stick around because I have many more plans for BF – here’s to another year! :)

xxxx Renee

P.S. Another thing I’m excited about is the “reply” feature in the comments. Now you don’t have to scroll down right to the bottom and reply to someone, hoping they can find you – you can just directly reply to it. :)


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April 22, 2009 | Posted by Renee | Thoughts | 23 comments


8 Ways to Get More Volume in Your Hair

If there’s one person who’s been blessed with flat, thin, fine, limp hair, it’s me – how I wish I had hair like the girl in the photo! And trust me, I’ve heard and read it all when it comes to trying to lift that flat hair and put some volume into it.  Here, in no particular order, all the things I’ve tried, as well as all the tips that I could possibly find on getting more volume, and bigger hair.

how to get volume in hair

1. Change Your Parting

Great for those with flat hair. It is a quick, easy tip that gives a temporary lift to flat hair.

2. The Right Haircut

Well placed layers, styles cut with a blunt end, and bobs all give volume to fine, thin hair. What to avoid: Hair cuts and styles that are heavily layered, or razor cuts. This was a big “a-ha” moment for me – once I stopped layering my hair and just went for a straight-across, blunt cut, my hair looked much, much thicker. I’m never getting layers again!

3. Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioners

Try volumizing hair products. If you have colored your hair though, beware – some formulas can strip and fade the color. Also, because they are giving volume and are formulated not to weigh hair down, it does not contain so many conditiong agents. I remember using a volumizing shampoo from L’Oreal Professional and while it was great, my hair was quite dry – which gave it a fluffy, volumizing effect. A good leave-in conditioner that doesn’t weigh down hair is Redken Extreme Anti-Snap.

Read more »


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April 20, 2009 | Posted by Renee | Beauty, How to & Tips | 21 comments


Miracle Product for Hair: Dry Shampoo

dry shampoo

I start this post with a confession …. I hate washing my hair. I really, really do. It’s so annoying! I’d rather sit in the shower and just let the water run down me while I day dream. This is probably why I don’t wash it often.

Gross! Do you have lice?! I hear you scream. Don’t worry – it’s nothing crazy like a month without washing, and I hear that it’s actually good and healthy to skip the shampoo once in a while. It lets the natural oils from the hair condition it, which is actually better for the hair.

Anyways, there is a miracle product that does help me out in between washes – dry shampoo. Where has it been all my life? In my nasty high school days when I would only wash my hair when it itches (now that’s gross) I would sprinkle baby powder into my roots to soak up all the gunk and my hair would look instantly fresh. However, in today’s beauty industry, there are so many different dry shampoos.

Dry shampoos help clean, absorb grease, scent the hair, and creates light volume. Plus, it gets makes the hair look a whole lot better in general. I highly recommend it for those lazy days – it is really a great product. I’m currently using Batiste and it not only works, but is as cheap as chips – a real winner.

What are your thoughts on dry shampoo? Is it one of your must-have products? Also, if you have any other brands to recommend, do tell!


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April 14, 2009 | Posted by Renee | Beauty | 22 comments


Your partner damaging your self esteem – what would you do?

Is it really a partner’s right to comment in the first place?

I bring up this topic because while I was away on cruise holiday, I picked up a fashion magazine from the deck library to accompany me by the pool. It was mostly psychobabble, however, one article really stood out. It was a feature on makeovers, and there were 3 women in the makeover story, with each women having a short blurb as to why they wanted/needed a makeover.

From what I can remember, one was a makeup virgin and needed a beginner ‘look’, and the other wanted a more professional look for a job. The last girl, however, had a whole different reason:

I was so upset when I when I read this. The magazine should be recommending a good divorce lawyer, no?

What’s even more sad is this girl had a high position at a company at only 23 years old (hello!?!) but had such low self esteem from that husband of hers – who, by the way, I think should take a good look in the mirror himself.

Obviously no one knows the full story – but I wonder, what would you do in this situation? Has your significant other ever commented on your looks negatively? Do they have a right to that?


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April 13, 2009 | Posted by Renee | Lifestyle | 9 comments