How to Get Brush-On Eyebrows to Last

Your eyes may be the windows to your soul, but don't forget about your eyebrows. With the right powder, you can work some magic by shaping your brows, making them look thicker or even covering up areas that you've over-tweezed. Some powders, though, fade as fast as ice on a hot day. If your brow powder pulls a vanishing act, it's time to try a trick of your own. First, you'll need a wax priming balm to cement the powder in place. Finish up with a clear brow gel for a look that stays put for hours.

Clean your eyebrows and surrounding skin with warm water and a mild cleanser. Wipe away any eyebrow powder that you've already applied.

Dab each eyebrow with a small drop of wax priming balm. Smooth the balm over your eyebrows, including any patches where hair is missing.

Outline your brows with an eye pencil if they're very thin or you have any bald spots. Using a pencil that's the same shade as your brows, draw a very light line along the top ridge of each brow. Use a gentle flicking motion to make the line so it doesn't look noticeable.

Dip an angled brow brush into your brow powder. If you don't have any brow powder, you can also use a matte eye shadow in a shade that's close to your natural hair color. If your hair is very light-colored, use a powder that's a shade darker.

Brush the powder over your brows using light strokes. Starting at the inner corner of your brows, smooth the powder over brows in the direction of your hair's growth. If necessary, apply a bit more powder to gaps without any hair so that they blend in with the rest of the brow. The primer keeps the powder held in place as you apply it.

Use a spooley brush to blend the powder in well. When you're finished, you shouldn't be able to see the brow pencil lines or any bald spots.

Dip a thin-tipped brow brush into clear brow gel, then smooth the gel over your eyebrow powder. Clear mascara also works if you don't have brow gel.