Why can''t I get a consistent brow wax?!

[arjunajane]

I just got back from my eyebrow wax, and I''m not happy...

I will start by saying I have naturally quite thin brows, so if they are overdone they just look..well, dumb

And then they take soooo long to grow even a bit..

I used to just get them done with whoever was doing my other waxing, but as you can imagine that didn''t often go too well..
So I started last year to go a specialist salon that does brows only - I thought this and the 40-odd dollars they charge would supply me a good, consistent job - seems I was wrong

The first time I saw the owner - and she did a good job, I was happy. The second time I saw her, it sucked - way too thin, and the tint fell out after less than a week. blech.

The next visit I saw a different girl , and it was an awesome job

She took her time, made them look really nice, and the tint lasted for weeks. I complimented her a number of times and thought she knew why I was happy..
So, I thought my problem was solved - I will just continue with this girl. Then today, she does something completely different! It felt like she was overdoing them, but you know how you never want to say anything...

Now they are uneven,not a shape I like, and I know as soon as the tint fades it will look like I have hardly any eyebrows

It wouldn''t really matter except that I pay $35 and my brows take seriously forever to grow back...

Grrrr..why is it so hard for people to do their profession properly and consistently?!

Does anyone else encounter this kinda issue, or is it just my crummy problem, lol...?

Ok, whinge over, cheers for letting me vent....

 

[neatfreak]

Do you take a picture in of your brows when you loved them? I think often they just can''t remember how they did them the last time. If you consider that you are just one of their many clients throughout the day I think bringing them a picture of what you loved makes things a lot easier to get a consistent look.

Big hugs! It''s so frustrating to get a bad eyebrow wax.

 

[arjunajane]

Neat, the first time I took some pics from magazines.
And then with the second girl I explained what I wanted, emphasizing how much I want to keep as much thickness etc as possible..

I''m cut I didn''t take a photo when I had them done last, as they really were great (great for me - my brows s**t me, lol)..
She seemed to easily recognize me so I didn''t think to instruct her this time - I think next time I will take some mag pics again.

Thanks for the hugs.
*sigh* I think I better go buy a pencil..

 

[Deelight]

Nope it isn''t only you I have this issue ALL THE FREAKIN TIME.

I have different eyebrows I tell them this each time I go in, they are also aren''t thick every time I go in I tell them this and then tell them they need to match my normal eyebrow to the other one not the other way around. When I got back from OS I had a wedding to go to I was desperate and went to a local hair salon to get it done - the only place that could fit me in.

I told the girl explicitly, and mentioned not to thin and what does she do she screws them both up normally I wouldn''t say anything but this was bad and she was a terrible waxer (she pulled the wax ultra slow) so I told her flat out and then she had the gall to go umm did you know that you have different eyebrows

WTF, I was all like yes I think sometime in the last 28yrs I worked that out. She went to get her manager to fix it but they were taking their sweet time so I told her I didn''t have time to wait and walked out.

I bought some really expensive tweezers and tried to fix them up as best I could, they looked better but were still smegged thing is it took me 3mths for them to grow back into something that could be fixed.

I still can''t find anyone who can do them right, my hairdresser is good but they still aren''t perfect it gets to me.


I feel your pain AJ it sucks when they can''t get it right

As you can tell this is an issue I am a little passionate about.

 

[arjunajane]

Oh Dee I''m so sorry to hear that, what a dumb woman !

Yes, mine are also slightly different, although since I''ve been at this salon that has been fixed quite well. Mine are also pretty straight, so the arch needs to be "waxed in", its not much naturally there, kwim?

I hate my thin eyebrows, I so envy the women who have the great thick ones with the fantastic shape at the bit closest to your nose, yanno?
I just tried to find something off the top of my head, but say like Keiras (I don''t like this woman, but she has nice brows!).
Honestly, my shape was almost this good last time, just a lil thinner. I just don''t know why she went mad this time!

I really do feel your pain..

You know whats funny - I actually had quite thick, bushy brows when I was young, which I would be so happy to have now. All my g''friends decided I needed them plucked, so they held me down and did the deed - and totally left me with about one line of hairs

That was at 13, and they''ve never been the same

 

[jcarlylew82]

i officially give you my brooke sheilds meets eugene levy eyebrows. take them...PLEASE!!!!

I just get them done at the same place where i get my hair done. While they are not perfect each time, its a pretty close match. also, even with my wacked out eyebrows, i check out the brows of those doing mine. if i dont like their eyebrows, i dont get mine done by that person.

 

[LaraOnline]

This is an interesting topic - yes it is!!
I have quite bushy eyebrows, probably because - believe it or not - I never plucked my eyebrows until I was getting married!!! God, I must have looked like a loser! I just honestly never noticed!!
so now, I can see how difficult it is to pluck eyebrows. I get a great shape one time... and then I''m hopeless the next.
I thought a professional might be the answer for me as well, but now I see that nothing is ever easy!

 

[tlh]

HAHA, this is a gr8 topic!
Yes I''ve had this issue. Mainly because the stylists want my brows to match each other. They both have a life of their own... one has a slight V in the arch, the other is perfectly smooth. I know they dont match. They grow at two completely different angles.

I always have to tell the lady, dont try to make them match angles, just make the match in thickness, if this makes sense. I am very specific. The good ones will show you a mirror first so you can explain exactly what it is you want... and start slow, if they have to come back in w/ some tweezers later, they will. THose ones are worth every penny.

This last weekend a new lady did my brows, and she didnt talk to me, slapped on wax, asked if I did the uppers, I said yes. Ripped away, no tweezers, and then she slaps wax on my upper lip!
I was in for a BROW WAX. My Dh thought this was funny, and laughed profusely when I told him. No I DON''T HAVE LIP HAIR- they are blonde little peach fuzz and it is extremely thin. I didnt ask for a LIP WAX... GRRR. Then- she cannot get the wax off of my lip- and asks if she can just go ahead and do it, no charge. Well, I say, no, I dont want my upper lip waxed, and she tries to wipe it off. The sad part was, my DH was waiting at a restaurant next door, so we could grab a quick bit, and I didn''t want to be ALL RED AND PUFFY, I was just on impulse like, OOO I could use a waxing, there is a wait? cool, I''ll just kill two birds... WOAH, stupid me!
Then, she doesn''t even give me a courtesy of showing me a mirror so she can correct anything I dont like.

Then, they charge me TWICE for the service and I am still waiting on the refund!

But alas, that was a little stupidity on my part. I do find that it is hard because they do soo many women''s faces it is hard for them to remember what you like. When they do it, and the red puffy swelling goes down, and YOU LIKE IT... take a picture of YOU. Then bring in YOUR photo. This works swell. I do it with my cell phone (because like VISA, I never leave home w/o it!!!)... for hair cuts, or brows... so I can get the same cut, color spacing like last time, though my stylists rights my "formula" in her book.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I strongly recommend threading.

Forget waxing, truly, it's nothing but dumb luck. The wax can run into the brows you wanted to leave behind...it can blister your super thin and delicate eye tissue. Waxing is literally a hot mess. It doesn't surprise me that you have a hard time getting the same result more than twice. Good waxers know to wax well below for bulk removal but when it comes to achieving the arch, they should tweeze the hairs that will refine your brow. If thise isn't done, your brows can look "over worked".

Threading, on the other hand, is the old technique of using thread to remove unwanted hairs. This is achieved by taking thread, creating great tension using both hands and literally winding the hairs around the thread, pulling quickly and bam, you've got beautiful brows. Yes, it's painful but it's also very inexpensive and extremely precise. In Chicago, threading costs $5.00--yep, that's it. It takes only 5 minutes to complete, and usually it's done on a walk-in basis. There is some redness under the brow from the extractions of the hair, however, you'll never be burned or blistered...and the redness fades quickly. Because the hair is removed from the root--same as with waxing--the long lasting result is the same.

Since discovering threading I've never waxed my brows. I don't suffer from ingrown hairs or any other issues. I love it.

 

[fieryred33143]

I have had an internal battle with my eyebrows for years. I do not pluck at all. I get them waxed every three weeks or so. It took forever to find someone that did it well and when I finally found her, I went to her for 3 years. My eyebrows were beautiful. Then she moved. I have not been able to get the shape back at all and they are so uneven.

 

[tlh]

Italianhaircolor, ooo, that is some news... THANKS!

 

[geckodani]

After I nearly lost an eyebrow... I moved to tweezers.

 

[EricaR]

I''ve had a similar problem, but I think I''ve finally solved it. Rather than bringing photos from magazines, once I get a wax I''m happy with I bring back in a photo of me with those brows. That seems to have done the trick.

 

[VegasAngel]

All.the.time. You are not alone. I''m afraid to get mine waxed anymore. It seems that when one person takes too much hair out the next person follows & does the same

My eyebrows are naturally nice they just need to be cleaned up, not sure why it''s so difficult. I tried threading a few weeks ago (Not a lot of places offer it here) & they butchered my eyebrows. I don''t know if this is standard practice with threading but I had to pull my skin taut while they were doing it & it left my arms sore. I don''t want to have to do that, they should have one person doing the threading & another pulling skin. That is what I get for trying to save money.

 

[Steel]

Agh! I am sorry arjunajane.

Apart from venting you are really best to choose a great pencil as you say and get on with it. They do grow back....

My first eyebrow wax was my last. I got it about a month before my wedding and the bint made me look like a crazy woman with cartoon pencil fine eyebrows. I looked crazy

.

Since then I trained myself to be an expert plucker and tint-er. I do my own eyebrows and they (honestly) have never looked better. I would like to try threading but I think nobody could do a better job than I do now.

That said very soon I will be self-sufficient. I can''t get a decent haircut, wax, brow wax, fake tan, make up, mani/pedi...

I should just call it done and open up my own beauty salon. I would give all my PS''ers discounts too and we could all finally go to a salon and get great service and walk out happy for once.

 

[curlygirl]

Date: 1/21/2009 9:36:48 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I strongly recommend threading.

Forget waxing, truly, it''s nothing but dumb luck. The wax can run into the brows you wanted to leave behind...it can blister your super thin and delicate eye tissue. Waxing is literally a hot mess. It doesn''t surprise me that you have a hard time getting the same result more than twice. Good waxers know to wax well below for bulk removal but when it comes to achieving the arch, they should tweeze the hairs that will refine your brow. If thise isn''t done, your brows can look ''over worked''.

Threading, on the other hand, is the old technique of using thread to remove unwanted hairs. This is achieved by taking thread, creating great tension using both hands and literally winding the hairs around the thread, pulling quickly and bam, you''ve got beautiful brows. Yes, it''s painful but it''s also very inexpensive and extremely precise. In Chicago, threading costs $5.00--yep, that''s it. It takes only 5 minutes to complete, and usually it''s done on a walk-in basis. There is some redness under the brow from the extractions of the hair, however, you''ll never be burned or blistered...and the redness fades quickly. Because the hair is removed from the root--same as with waxing--the long lasting result is the same.

Since discovering threading I''ve never waxed my brows. I don''t suffer from ingrown hairs or any other issues. I love it.

I couldn''t agree more. Threading is awesome and as italia mentioned, much better for your skin. No burning, no pulling of the sensitive skin on your face--one lady told me it''s actually like a massage for your face! The brows don''t hurt as much as the upper lip but you know what? It''s well worth it! Incredibly inexpensive, more precise and lasts just as long. I highly recommend it.

 

[InLuv101]

OMG...I feel ya! I had poor eyebrow waxing done on my bushy brows for so long that I finally decided to learn to tweeze my own brows nicely. I did learn and now I just pull a stray or 2 each evening when I''m doing my normal face cleansing routine so it''s no biggie. I get compliments on them all the time. Sorry that happened to you! Maybe you should take a pic of you with nice brows and not a magazine pic?

 

[AmberGretchen]

OMG I feel your pain - I went to this one lady for almost a year and a half, and she always did a pretty good job, then one day BAM she just went nuts and my brows looked like they''d been hit by a weedwhacker

Now I LOVE my woman - she is super careful and takes her time to really do it right, and after almost 2 years, we''ve finally grown my brows back in and I like them again.

I''m terrified of when I move and have to find someone else

 

[beau13]

WOW..$40 for an eyebrow wax? The going rate around here is $8 ! AND I've never had a problem!! I don't think it's the amount of $$ charged that will deliver the results you want. You need a skilled technician..which may be hard to find!! I'm not a hairy person..and being blonde helps. I only wax my brows maybe every 3 months. If you're doing it often, you might want to find a GOOD esthetician, who charges a little less than $40 (ouch!)

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Thritto recommendation on the threading! It''s super precise and easier on your skin than waxing.

I have bold eyebrows that need regular plucking. I tweeze just about every day, and go in to get them shaped about every 6 weeks. I like them on the fuller side, and tell the threaders to make them "Kim Kardashian- style".

 

[Sha]

I know what you mean! That''s why I started doing my brows at home - cause I could never find someone who would do it the way I liked.

 

[mrscushion]

I''m sorry to hear about your bad brow wax, that stinks! I usually go to the same person and after two years she remembers that I like to keep my brows fairly thick because I have a lot of curls and I think stronger brows make my face look more balanced. But it took two years of me saying "and I like to keep ''em a little thicker, please." Then, on Sunday, I went to new person because my usual lady was on vacation and my brows were in baaaaaddd shape -- and I forgot to say it. So: thin brows. Would look great with straight hair but not with my ginormous head of curls. So I totally understand your frustration. You just need to remember to say it every time.

 

[Deelight]

Date: 1/21/2009 9:36:48 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
I strongly recommend threading.


Forget waxing, truly, it''s nothing but dumb luck. The wax can run into the brows you wanted to leave behind...it can blister your super thin and delicate eye tissue. Waxing is literally a hot mess. It doesn''t surprise me that you have a hard time getting the same result more than twice. Good waxers know to wax well below for bulk removal but when it comes to achieving the arch, they should tweeze the hairs that will refine your brow. If thise isn''t done, your brows can look ''over worked''.


Threading, on the other hand, is the old technique of using thread to remove unwanted hairs. This is achieved by taking thread, creating great tension using both hands and literally winding the hairs around the thread, pulling quickly and bam, you''ve got beautiful brows. Yes, it''s painful but it''s also very inexpensive and extremely precise. In Chicago, threading costs $5.00--yep, that''s it. It takes only 5 minutes to complete, and usually it''s done on a walk-in basis. There is some redness under the brow from the extractions of the hair, however, you''ll never be burned or blistered...and the redness fades quickly. Because the hair is removed from the root--same as with waxing--the long lasting result is the same.


Since discovering threading I''ve never waxed my brows. I don''t suffer from ingrown hairs or any other issues. I love it.

I don''t think anyone offers that here

. I saw it while I was in NY and thought to myself WTF is that, came back onto PS and found out - if only I knew.

jcarlylew82 I have dreams about owning eyebrows like yours I seriously do.

 

[brooklyngirl]

I''ve had this problem as well, and I''ve taken to plucking my brows myself, and getting a wax every now and then to remove the many, many strays I have that are nowhere near my actual eyebrow.

I usually go get the wax, and then follow up with a shaping at home. If I overpluck, I just just a a little bit of eyebrow pencil to fill in the gaps, and you can''t even tell that something is amiss.

Can you post a pic of your eyebrows? Maybe the pencil trick could work?

 

[oobiecoo]

I always go to the cheapest places to get my eyebrows done and never had a problem. I actually find the more expensive salons do less than perfect/thorough jobs with my eyebrows and nails. I hope you find a solution!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Can you do your own? I have thick brows--been doing my own since I was 12!
do you think you could shape them? Sorry for the brow hassle!

eta: and threading is a great option--my friends with threaded brows all look fab.

 

[arjunajane]

Wow, I didn't think I'd get such a response, this is clearly an issue that affects alot of us!

To those that recommended threading, I would love to try it but like Dee mentioned I don't think its really taken off here...I will try to do some scouting and see if anywhere does it in my city.
I did have a workmate that had it done a number of years ago, and she said she got Alot of ingrown hairs - is this typical?

Also thankyou to those that suggested I bring a pic of myself - I don't think I have any from the last job, but next time I get a good one I am heading for digi cam straight away!

Laraonline, "looked like a loser", rofl you crack me up. I'm sure you still looked lovely ya dork

tlh, what a nightmare! I would be fuming so bad

jcarlycrew - gimme gimme!!

fieryred, Gecko vegasangel , inluv101, sha and ericar - thankyou for letting me know I'm not alone in this saga !

Steel - you're too funny. I would come to your PS salon, for shizzle.

AG - why do they do that?! Its like they just feel like going wild one day - on My brows...go crazy on your own, right!

Beau13 - pls remember that is $35AUD, so likely $20US. I tried cheapo ones and they sucked, so I went to a salon that specializes in brows instead.

mscushion, I've learnt my lesson, I will be asking and bringing pics everytime - I don't care if they will think I'm neurotic, at least I will look like a neurotic with nice brows.

To those that suggested and asked if I could do them at home..probably not..they're kinda sparse really, even though I have dark hair and thick head hair etc. I'm not sure if I have the patience TBH

But if things continue like this I may try to learn..

Brooklyngirl - I will consider posting a pic, but don't want to embarass myself

I feel a bit better about them today - I have to give her credit that they are very neat etc - just way too thin.

I hope they grow back soon - I usually only go for a wax about 8-10 weeks..so they are slooooww..
Thankyou everybody for your sympathies and helpful advice,

 

[JulieN]

I've never gotten an ingrown hair from threading.

If you have an Indian beauty place, that's the easiest way to find someone who can thread. I just assumed, with "arjuna," that you were Indian, or otherwise down with the brown.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/21/2009 8:52:58 PM
Author: JulieN
I''ve never gotten an ingrown hair from threading.

If you have an Indian beauty place, that''s the easiest way to find someone who can thread. I just assumed, with ''arjuna,'' that you were Indian, or otherwise down with the brown.

Ha ha julieN!

No, Arjuna is my Fi''s middle name. Neither of us is Indian - his parents were just a lil hippie. I love that name and its significance though, hence my user ID.

I will do some research on Indian beauty places, cheers

 

[beau13]

Date: 1/21/2009 8:42:46 PM
Author: arjunajane
Wow, I didn't think I'd get such a response, this is clearly an issue that affects alot of us!

To those that recommended threading, I would love to try it but like Dee mentioned I don't think its really taken off here...I will try to do some scouting and see if anywhere does it in my city.
I did have a workmate that had it done a number of years ago, and she said she got Alot of ingrown hairs - is this typical?

Also thankyou to those that suggested I bring a pic of myself - I don't think I have any from the last job, but next time I get a good one I am heading for digi cam straight away!

Laraonline, 'looked like a loser', rofl you crack me up. I'm sure you still looked lovely ya dork

tlh, what a nightmare! I would be fuming so bad

jcarlycrew - gimme gimme!!

fieryred, Gecko vegasangel , inluv101, sha and ericar - thankyou for letting me know I'm not alone in this saga !

Steel - you're too funny. I would come to your PS salon, for shizzle.

AG - why do they do that?! Its like they just feel like going wild one day - on My brows...go crazy on your own, right!

Beau13 - pls remember that is $35AUD, so likely $20US. I tried cheapo ones and they sucked, so I went to a salon that specializes in brows instead.

mscushion, I've learnt my lesson, I will be asking and bringing pics everytime - I don't care if they will think I'm neurotic, at least I will look like a neurotic with nice brows.

To those that suggested and asked if I could do them at home..probably not..they're kinda sparse really, even though I have dark hair and thick head hair etc. I'm not sure if I have the patience TBH

But if things continue like this I may try to learn..

Brooklyngirl - I will consider posting a pic, but don't want to embarass myself

I feel a bit better about them today - I have to give her credit that they are very neat etc - just way too thin.

I hope they grow back soon - I usually only go for a wax about 8-10 weeks..so they are slooooww..
Thankyou everybody for your sympathies and helpful advice,

I didn't realize you live there..in Australia. So...if $35AUD is equivelent to $20 US, that translates to about $28 for me (Canadian)...still pricey..but I think you get a tint with that too? I've never done that..so maybe it isn't that much for both services (waxing..tinting)?? Post a pic for us..I'm sure they look fine. Besides, I want to see if you actually resemble what I envision you to look like, in my head!