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Let’s state the obvious: Good brows are absolutely critical to pulling any look together, regardless of whether you’re going low-key for daytime or majorly dramatic at night. We’ll even suggest that if you’re just going to do one single thing to your face before you leave home, make it your brows.
But what’s the point of spending time grooming and filling in your brows if they’re going to melt off midday? This problem is especially pressing during the summer or while working out when your face leans toward the sweaty side of things and your makeup can’t stay put. Your brows are the last thing you want to see sacrificed to sweat, so we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on banishing eyebrow sweat issues once and for all.
Keep reading for how to get your arches to remain—well, arched—as told by someone who knows eyebrow sweat all too well. Emma Lovewell, a Peloton instructor and author, is here to spill the tea on her technique and must-try sweat-proof brow products.
“I always start with a primer to make sure my face is prepped and ready. Primer creates a smooth and hydrated base so the products adhere better,” Emma explains. And she’s absolutely right! You need to prep your canvas with a lasting product like Too Faced’s Hangover Replenishing Face Primer. If it’s good enough for a Peloton instructor, it’s more than sufficient for your sweaty summer days or work sessions.
They’re definitely out there, and they’ll make your quest to avoid smudged, sweaty brows exponentially easier. If the product claims waterproof, water-resistant, or long-wearing properties, it’s likely a good bet for this purpose. Our expert’s top pick? Sephora Collection’s Insta-Brow Waxy Brow Pencil. It offers a sheer, buildable tint of color that still looks natural thanks to its blade-shaped tip. “I like that it’s long-lasting and has a little spoolie on the end to do some shaping,” Emma tells StyleCaster.
Once you’ve filled your brows and your color is firmly in place, follow up by combing through your arches with a brow gel for another layer of hold. The gel will act as a barrier between your filled-in brows and water and sweat, so it’ll make your look virtually smudge-proof, too. Emma relies on Benefit Cosmetics’ 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel with Lamination Effect. “I love this product, and a lot of my friends use this one too,” she says. The clear formula shapes and tames eyebrows and locks them in place for up to 24 hours, per the brand. Check out the wand’s dual-sided design that helps coat every single brow hair. Oh, and don’t even worry about annoying crunchy flakes; this product leaves none of that behind.
No makeup is complete without a strong spritz of setting spray to pretty much guarantee that your brows aren’t going anywhere (or the rest of your makeup, for that matter). Our expert wholeheartedly agrees and has been loving the Rosewater Rejuvenating Mist from NOW Solutions.
After this final step, Emma suggests avoiding wiping your face, especially while exercising. Instead, she recommends gently dabbing any sweat off. Another pointer from the Peloton instructor and author is to use less product when you’re being super active. This, along with the sweat-proof makeup you choose, will prevent your makeup from running.
