THE BROW IS THE NEW FACELIFT CEO + FOUNDER OF WINK BROW BAR EXPLAINS WHY

As with most features on our face, our eyebrows change as we age, and not always for the better. One could say they become our “arch enemy” without the proper arsenal of tools and tricks.  They can become sparse, droop, turn grey, change color, length and thickness. To add insult to injury, aging eyebrows often cease to regrow, so a single overzealous tweezer session can leave you with almost nonexistent brows. The good news is, “all of these “ills” can be reversed with some skilled brow work, the right products and at home tips,” says Umbreen Sheikh who is the founder+ CEO of Wink Brow Bar/Salon with locations in New York and London as well as an eponymous line of eye and face products.

Shape

Umbreen says that, “Brows can visually lift or droop the face—they are defining attributes that complement not only your face but the way you want the world to see you. The shape of your brows plays a big part in the appearance of your overall look. You can appear younger by having a fuller brow. Thin brows typically age the face, so opt for fuller brow shapes and use makeup to make the brows appear fuller.”

Eyebrow Threading

Threading is the easiest way to shape your brows by a professional. They will help determine the best shape for your face and also make your brows defined and crisp. Threading is the best way to do your brows if you have sensitive skin or allergies to waxing products. Threading is also fast, so you will be in and out of your appointment in no time.

Pencil

If you have naturally thinner brows with less hair, consider filling in your brows to create a fuller look. Pencil is a better choice over other makeup such as pomades or waxes because pencil looks very natural and you can achieve a precise shape to the brow. Make sure to keep the pencil tip sharpened so that you can have complete control over your application.

Take the Tweezers out of your Hands

We’re all guilty of doing this at times. We’ll try to get the perfect arch and end up with eyebrows that are way too thin. The best thing to do is to hide your tweezers and leave the plucking to the professionals. I know, it’s hard to do especially in-between salon appointments, but your brows will thank you in the end.

Color

The eyebrow makeup color should match your brows and not the hair on your head. Matching the makeup color to your existing brow hairs will keep a youthful appearance. Don’t go too dark in color for the brows because darker colors will age you if you don’t have naturally dark brown hair.

Highlight

Another trick to use for your brows to help you appear younger is to highlight them. Use a lighter colored pencil or eyeshadow that’s ivory or beige to highlight the arch of your brow. This will make your brow appear lifted for a younger look. Also consider highlighting on top of the brow arch to further define the arch shape.

When Brow “Tails Fade at the Edges

Brows naturally thin at the outer edges (by your temples) first, but fading can also be the result of overplucking. “The tail of the brow is the part that sets off the arch, which makes eyes look youthful” says Umbreen. “Without it, eyes seem droopy and tired.” The Solution: Lengthen your brow tails with a pencil.

Trim

If your brow hairs are long in some spots, try to trim them with brow scissors. Trimming the brows will further enhance the shape and keep the brow hairs looking very groomed and in place for a youthful appearance.

Avoid Wax

In my opinion, threading is best for your brows, not waxing. I see a lot of people make a mistake with waxing. You shouldn’t be stripping your skin so close to the eyebrow with wax. It can make your skin soften earlier and make your skin wrinkle sooner.

Brush Out Your Brows

I don’t know why people don’t do this. Just brushing your brows changes the shape and stimulates growth. There’s [nothing] more stimulating than brushing your brows.

Lash Serums

If you have sparse or thin brow hairs, consider using a lash serum to help grow more hair for a fuller and younger style. All-natural castor oil or protein packed serums sold in stores can help strengthen your eyebrow hair. It may take a few months of daily application, but the results will be worth it. Stronger & fuller brow hairs mean less time filling in the brows with makeup for a fuller look! Here’s a great serum to try from Wink:  https://winkbrowbar.com/collections/our-products/products/flash-eye-lift-serum

ABOUT UMBREEN SHEIKH LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST

 FOUNDER + CEO OF WINK BROW BAR

For London born Umbreen, beauty is in her blood.  Her mother was a huge influence, having attended cosmetology school and owning London Salons that encompassed all areas of beauty in addition to eyebrow threading, which was quite rare at the time.  Umbreen learned to “thread” brows at an early age. Umbreen jokes that her mother taught her, “The birds, the bees and the brows.” Growing up, Umbreen spent much of her time in her mother’s salons while also attending University at King’s College London and graduating with a degree in Biomedical Sciences.  After marrying in 2003, Umbreen moved to New York where she became PR Director of a niche magazine.  In 2005, Umbreen had a son, and in 2011 her daughter was born. After her children were in school, she decided to fulfill her lifelong passion for beauty, brows and product development.

While living in New York, she realized that there were no brow salons that catered to threading and focused on understanding face shapes and how to achieve the perfect brow shape in a way that did not damage the eye area.  Although many salons offered waxing, this was not a method Umbreen wished to pursue.  She was dismayed by existing salons that offered one size fits all, unhygienic, or painful brow/eyelash treatments.

As someone who learned the reigns of beauty and brows from an entrepreneurial mother, the concept of women’s “Embrowerment” was essential to Umbreen. In 2014, she developed the concept for Wink. Today, her empire includes three Wink Brows Bars in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one in London.  For those who can’t make it to the salon, Wink has an eponymous line of brow, lash and facial products available for purchase online.

Philanthropic pursuits play a significant role in Umbreen’s life. She is a committee member of “Developments in Literacy” that educates 27,000 girls in Pakistan. She is also a Lotus Circle Advisor for The Asia Foundation a non -profit international organization that works across Asia advancing the rights and opportunities for women through their empowerment program.

Umbreen resides in New York with her financier husband and two children.

They might call it an imitation but there is a great reason as to why faux fur is the trend to have and follow. Although people think there are misconceptions of the faux leather there is a lot of beauty with having one.Faux fur outwear is glamorous and a keen alternative to the animal fur leather. It is an awesome fashion statement to have when adorned for your day to day activities. By blending with the right color and styling it with the look you aim to achieve shows how you can plan your attire around your faux fur piece. Break out of your comfort zone and dress around this piece and look elegant and splendid in your outfit whether you are dressed up or in casual attire. Here are some reasons to have at least one or two faux furs in your collection.

It is timeless

Who does not want a timeless piece of faux fur apparel? In comparison to real fur, faux fur ages beautifully so the more you wear it the glamorous it appears. This is a great boost to your appearance and a great reason to add it to your wardrobe collection. Due to its resilience, and able to withstand harsh climate. Faux leather that is designed well does not wear out easily unlike the real fur which when dyed fades out in a span of one year. Buying faux fur also allows you to upgrade your style without putting holes in your pocket. It also recreates your look and gives you a fresh fashion worthy appearance to your entire outfit. 

It’s trendy 

Secondly, shaggy faux fur outwear is a fashion statement piece that is trendy. New York fashion week designers and those who attend the event have embraced this trend and do not shy away from showcasing faux fur as a must-have fashionable piece. With such a parade for faux fur, retailers have enough of this trendy piece to be able to flow with this favored fashion piece. Whether it is brightly colored, patterned or plain keep it simple and look classic in your faux coat. When dressing this piece ensures it stands out from the rest of the attire so as you do not lose the lush and eye-catching element that it portrays. Avoid bright-colored pants, snakeskin, or pleather that can deviate the attention from your leather.

Easy to clean 

It is important to realize that faux fur is made from synthetic fiber such as polyester that is easy to take care of and clean as well. This fact makes it easier if there is a need to spot clean incase of a spill of any kind. Depending on the type, it can be hand or machine washed on a gentle cycle so as not to damage the fibers. Before cleaning check for any repairs, loose linings, and worn fastenings all that should be examined before it is cleaned. You can have it conditioned if you prefer that process. However, the process is not damaging just that it is efficient in restoring the luster and shine before it is stored.

Simple storage When you compare faux fur to the real fur. Real fur, has a complicated procedure before and during storage. Due to the various fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels of where you live. The real fur has to be kept in cold storage which you are charged for, bringing in another expense that is unnecessary with the faux fur. These procedures help to maximize its lifespan and give it a continuous rich look. All these professional storage and conditioning procedures are a great reason to add faux leather to your collection. Mainly because your faux fur coats and sweaters can be stored with ease at home in a cool and dry place in different seasons and not have any damages.

It is an everyday wear 

Faux leather is not only blended in with other garments to boost their finish. It can be perfect daily wear that has no limits on how to pair or take care of it. In consideration of your length whether it is a cropped jacket, an average size shaggy faux fur outerwear, long length for formal wear or short length for a more casual look it is easy to dress it. It can also be added to your garment as a fur-lined leather biker garment with fur trim or a lightweight sheer to the sleeves and depending on the look you choose it is only in rare cases that it can be mismatched, for example, a long dress with a short faux fur coat can look mismatched. The color too is important to compliment your entire outfit and neutral colors are best for that fresh look that boosts your confidence levels.

It is Eco-friendly 

The great debate of whether faux fur is environment-friendly has always had varied opinions. However, many designers have come up with various ways to recycle to make faux fur. For instance, some designers have recycled plastic, plants and even denim. Since faux leather is best if it stays for a long time the fact that it can be recycled is as important to know it can be worn over the years in a similar or another form. Hence faux fur is the most ecological choice since it is made from recycled materials. This is a great way to bring out the furry aspect with no killing. In today’s world with all the investment and research being carried out for a safe environment has forced even the trendy fashion shows, magazines to embrace the faux fur as a go-to choice to trend on.

Given these points, get faux fur to your wardrobe collection and be ready to trend and make a statement in it. Disregard the many misconceptions and slay on this attire well-matched and accessorized. However, it is important to note that fur is damaged by heat and if it continuously gets wet as well.