hack
The trend for perfect eyebrows never seems to abate, with options from microblading to lamination, but are stencils the ultimate hack for Insta-worthy symmetrical brows?
The test
Using a brow stencil is easier than you might think. I chose a medium-arch stencil from the Anastasia Beverly Hills set (£21), and held it in place over my brow using my index and middle fingers. Then I used a small eyeshadow brush to quickly color them in with brow powder. After removing the stencil, I thought it didn’t look too bad – though I did have to blend some areas with a brush to make them look more natural. And it was a little quicker than my usual brow routine. So they work, but they’re not perfect.
Picking the right stencil from the bunch is key, so stick as closely as possible to your natural brow shape – when I tried the high-arch stencil, it didn’t suit my face at all. They also don’t suit everyone’s style: my first attempt was a little too drawn-on for my tastes. But I did share some with a friend going through chemotherapy, and she said they were a gamechanger in creating uniform brows without any hairs as a guideline.
The verdict
These are a yes in general, but they’re just not for me. I’ll be sticking to my monthly tint and wax at Benefit brow bar – but if you’re curious, stencils are worth a try.