For a long time, eyebrows were an afterthought. The nineties erased them almost entirely. The early 2000s weren’t much kinder. But somewhere along the way, a collective reckoning arrived — and now most of us understand that brows are the architectural element that holds the face together.
Aveda’s Brow Definer is an all-in-one tool worth keeping in your kit. It’s 100% naturally derived, vegan, and built around a blend of botanical waxes that deliver long-wearing color — smudge-proof and resistant to fade, sweat, heat, humidity, and water. One end is the pencil; the other is a spoolie for blending. Four versatile shades. Simple, considered, effective.
What follows is a practical guide to using it well.
DO: Find a color that complements your hair — not one that matches it exactly
Stay within one or two shades of the darkest part of your hair. Then consider undertone. If your hair pulls warm or reddish, reach for a warm-toned pencil. If your coloring reads neutral or ashy, a cool-toned shade will serve you better.
DON’T: Press too hard
Less pressure means more realistic results. Use short, flick-like strokes to outline and shape, then blend through sparse areas. A sharp pencil is essential — it’s the only way to achieve the fine strokes that read as natural hair.
DO: Brush first
The spoolie is underused by almost everyone. Brush your brows into shape before you fill them in and you’ll find they look fuller and more defined with far less product. It takes ten seconds and changes everything.
DON’T: Overdo the architecture
Heavily drawn, hyper-symmetrical brows have had their moment. Work with the angles you actually have. Place your pencil vertically against the side of your nostril — that’s where the brow should begin. Then angle it from nostril to the outer corner of your eye — that’s where it should end. Don’t illustrate an arch that isn’t there. And remember: brows are sisters, not twins. Near-symmetry is the goal, not a mirror image.
DO: Know when to put the tweezers down
Shaping your own brows is one of those tasks that looks straightforward and rarely is. The team at Mint on the Avenue — at 228 N Park Avenue in Winter Park — is trained to shape brows safely, hygienically, and in proportion to your specific face. It is worth the appointment.
DO: Work with what you have
There is no single correct brow — no required thickness, no ideal arch. The brows that work best are the ones shaped and filled in harmony with your own face, your own coloring, your own angles. Pinterest is a fine source of inspiration and a poor benchmark for comparison.
If your brows have been on your mind, bring them in. The Mint on the Avenue team is available at 228 N Park Avenue, Winter Park — or reach us by phone at 407.645.2264 to book a shaping appointment.