Eyebrow hair removal techniques have evolved throughout recent years. However, shaving and waxing are still popular brow treatments. But which treatment is right for you?
Can You Shave Your Eyebrows?
Yes, you can absolutely shave your eyebrows, but it’s important to be very careful while doing so. It can be a tedious process that can be dangerous if you’re not doing it correctly.
If you decide to shave your eyebrows, skip your shower razor and definitely choose a good razor that is meant for shaving eyebrows.
These razors are meant for precision, and they are much easier to use.
One of the most popular razors used for shaving eyebrows is tinkle razors.
They are user-friendly and not very expensive.
They have long handles with a grip so that they are easy to maneuver. Also, they have a safety cap for safe storage.
Shaving your eyebrows is also great for in-between eyebrow waxes.
If you don’t want to see the eyebrow stubble coming through, but it’s not long enough for a wax, shaving them in between appointments is a great way of keeping them neat and tidy.
What Is Eyebrow Waxing?
Eyebrow waxing involved applying warm wax on top of any unwanted hair in the direction of the hair growth.
If it is a soft wax, a cloth strip is placed on top of the wax and pressed down firmly.
Then, the cloth is quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, removing the hairs underneath.
There are two different types of wax used in eyebrow waxing: hard wax and soft wax.
Most people have a preference, but you can use either one.
Soft Wax
Soft wax is most popular when it comes to eyebrow waxing.
Soft wax is used with a cloth strip applied on top of it.
It is less expensive and more user-friendly for those waxing at home. However, it is known for being a bit harsh when not used correctly.
Hard Wax
Hard wax, as the name suggests, hardens on top of itself, so no cloth or paper is needed to remove the hair.
You simply use the wax itself to remove the hair, still removing in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
Hard wax does have a thicker consistency which makes it easier to control where you are putting it.
However, sometimes it can be difficult for people to do it themselves at home.
Main Differences Between Shaving and Waxing Eyebrows
Shaving and waxing both remove any unwanted eyebrow hairs, but there are some key differences between the two techniques:
Pain Level
One of the main differences between shaving and waxing your eyebrows is how much pain they cause.
Waxing typically causes some pain or discomfort, but not for an extended period of time. On the other hand, shaving is typically painless unless you accidentally cut yourself.
Regrowth
Another main difference is how fast they grow back afterward.
Since shaving only removes the hair from the surface of the skin and not at the follicle, stubble will begin to grow back within about three days.
Waxing removes the hair at the follicle and it usually takes about three to four weeks to see the regrowth of new hair. This is ideal if your wax job was good, but if you’re dissatisfied, then it’ll take longer.
Read more about how to fix badly waxed eyebrows.
Eyebrow Shape
Something else to keep in mind is that shaving does not usually give a sharp, clean shape compared to waxing.
The results from shaving are not as defined, as shaving is meant more for cleaning up any stray hairs.
The results from waxing are cleaner and give the eyebrows a nicer shape.
Cost
While eyebrow shaving isn’t a service offered in beauty salons, professional eyebrow waxing will usually cost between $8 and $20. When it comes to shaving, the only investment you’ll need is your own time.
Eyebrow Shaving Vs. Eyebrow Waxing: Which Is Right For You?
For people who want to get rid of eyebrow hairs for a specific event in a painless way, shaving is the way to go. But if you’re looking to have clean, sharp eyebrows over an extended period of time, eyebrow waxing might be the better option.
Reasons To Shave Eyebrows
Cleaning Your Eyebrows Up
One of the most common reasons that people shave their eyebrows is to tidy them up and remove unwanted hairs.
For example, if you’re going for a night out or to an event but do not have time to get them waxed, quickly shaving the stray hairs away is a great solution.
Online Trends
A common thing that is trending in the beauty industry is shaving your eyebrows completely off.
Since they grow back quickly, a lot of people are doing this so that they can draw on their own eyebrows and leave them completely blank.
Something else that is trending is only shaving the tail of the eyebrow off so that you can draw on a new eyebrow tail in a different shape.
Pain-Free
Compared to waxing, shaving your eyebrows is a much less painful experience.
Unless you cut yourself, it provides little to no pain or discomfort.
To prevent yourself from making an accidental cut while shaving your brows, make sure you are holding the razor at the correct angle and are slowly and carefully shaving the hairs one by one.
Reasons To Wax Eyebrows
Soft Regrowth
Over time, waxing your eyebrows every four to six weeks causes thick eyebrow hairs to grow back softer and thinner.
In addition, the new growth will typically grow back in the direction of the hairs not being waxed away.
Longer Period Of Regrowth
Usually, new growth comes in after about three to four weeks.
People who choose to wax are able to experience shaped eyebrows with no stubble growing in for almost a month.
When it does grow in, it won’t grow in as bluntly as it would if it were shaven off.
Sharp, Clean Shape
Compared to shaving, eyebrow waxing provides a much more sharp, clean shape.
With eyebrow waxing, you can get a much more defined and sculpted appearance.
Waxing ensures that all the hairs under the wax are removed without leaving any trace of stubble behind.
Faster
Getting your eyebrows waxed is a much faster process than shaving them.
Even though it can be a little bit painful, it’s only for a second, and then the process is over.
This is why it is always recommended to get waxed by a professional, as they know the best techniques to cause minimal pain or discomfort.