How to Apply Brow Mascara

Co-authored by Shara Strand and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: May 14, 2024 References

Bold eyebrows are having a moment right now. If your eyebrows aren’t naturally Instagram-ready, don’t worry—giving them a boost is as quick and easy as swiping on a little mascara. Grab a tube of your favorite eyelash mascara, or buy one that’s specially made for eyebrows. You’ll soon be on your way to having the darker, fuller brows you crave! Eyebrow mascaras containing wax or gel can help you achieve feathery boy-brows or a more sleek, carefully groomed look.

1

Try regular mascara in a pinch for full, dark brows.

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Use regular mascara if you don’t want to buy a special brow product. There are lots of mascaras on the market designed specifically for eyebrows, but don’t let the marketing hype fool you! If you don’t want to shell out for yet another makeup product, follow the lead of many pro makeup artists and just swipe on your regular eyelash booster.^{[1]
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- Mascara will make your brows look darker and fuller, and will also make the hairs appear a little longer, just like with your eyelashes.
- If you’re worried about using the same mascara wand on your brows and lashes, clean the wand between uses. Soak it in warm water and wipe off the softened makeup, then let the spoolie soak again for a minute in a makeup brush cleanser or a bit of rubbing alcohol. Rinse it and pat it dry with a paper towel.^{[2]
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2

Opt for a clear eyebrow mascara for control without color.

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Try this if you're going for a natural look. Clear brow mascara is great if you like the look of natural brows since it gives you control and shine without adding any extra color. Look closely at the packaging so you know whether your product is tinted or not. Check for products labeled “clear” or “colorless.”^{[3]
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- Many of these mascaras also condition your brows to help keep the hair shiny and healthy.

3

Use tinted eyebrow mascara to define and tame brows.

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Pick a shade close to your natural brow color for a subtle look. Most products that are sold as “eyebrow mascaras” contain waxes to help groom and control your eyebrows as well as darken them. They come in a variety of colors, so look for one that’s close to the natural shade of your eyebrows.^{[4]
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- Darkening up your brows will give you a fiercer, more made-up appearance. Grab a mascara in dark brown or even black to really make your brows stand out. This is a good option for an evening out or a photo shoot.^{[5]
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4

Wipe the excess mascara off the wand first.

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This helps you avoid the dreaded clumps. Don’t just grab your spoolie and go. Before you start, carefully scrape the excess mascara off the wand on the edge of your mascara tube.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Shara Strand
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- You can also wipe off the excess by lightly brushing the wand over a tissue before you use it.^{[7]
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5

Swipe the wand over each brow once for a natural look.

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Move in the direction of the hair growth for even coverage. Don’t worry about grooming your brows for now. Just follow the natural direction of each hair as you swipe on the mascara. This will help ensure that each hair is fully coated.^{[8]
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- If you’re using a mascara that matches your natural brow color, don’t be afraid to push down and apply a little pressure. It’s okay if a little of it gets on your skin, as long as you stay within the natural borders of your eyebrows.
- If you’re using a darker mascara, be a little more cautious. Take it slow and make sure you’re just coating the hairs without getting any mascara on your skin.^{[9]
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6

Brush in the opposite direction for extra color and volume.

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Try this if you’re not satisfied with your coverage after one coat. Take your spoolie and brush your eyebrows back the other way so that you coat the other side of each hair.^{[10]
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Research source} For an even fuller, bulkier effect, wait for your first coat to set a little bit before you go in with a second coat.
- If you’re using a very dark mascara, experiment with skipping the first coat and just doing one coat against the grain. This will help prevent your brows from looking too overdone.^{[11]
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- To get a fluffy, tousled boy-brow look, just let the mascara set after this. You’re good to go!

7

Comb the hair with a clean spoolie after the mascara dries.

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This tidies up your brows and removes any mascara clumps. It also separates the hairs for a more well-groomed appearance. Let your mascara set for a minute, or until it feels dry. Then, grab a clean spoolie brush and gently comb it through your eyebrows in the direction of the hair growth.^{[12]
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- Brush the hair up instead if you prefer a feathered look.

8

Fill in any gaps with a brow pencil or powder.

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If you spot any, use a brow pencil or eyeshadow to carefully fill in the spaces with natural looking, hair-thin strokes.^{[13]
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Research source} Make sure you use a shade that matches your eyebrow color.^{[14]
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9

Rub away smudges gently with a dry spoolie.

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Do this if you accidentally got mascara on the skin around your brows. If the mascara is still wet, you’ll just smear it around more, so wait until it dries. Use a soft, clean spoolie brush to flake away the dried mascara, then brush it away with a powder brush.^{[15]
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- If the spoolie trick isn’t working, dip a Q-tip or concealer brush in micellar water and use that to clean up the smudge.^{[16]
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- If you prefer to just use finger, that’s totally okay as well.^{[17]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shara Strand
  Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}

10

Remove brow mascara before bed with makeup remover.

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Sleeping in your makeup can damage your skin and hair. Grab a makeup remover wipe or pour your favorite makeup remover onto a cotton pad. Gently swipe the pad or wipe over each eyebrow, taking care not to tug or rub hard on your hair and skin.^{[18]
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- After you take off your makeup, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser to get rid of dirt, dead skin, and any remaining makeup fragments. Don’t forget to moisturize when you’re done!
- You don’t have to use expensive makeup removers and cleansers to clean up your brows and eyelashes. Vaseline is a great, gentle makeup remover. Follow up by washing your eye area with a tear-free baby shampoo.^{[19]
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  American Academy of Opthamologists
  Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research
  
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