Soap brows are yet another eyebrow trend that has picked up an insane amount of attention recently. We're sure you've heard of them, but just in case you don't know what they are, we're going to break them down for you, and hopefully, by the end of this article, you'll know if it is something worth trying.
Believe it or not, soap brows have been a makeup hack amongst professional makeup artists for years now. They are just now getting the attention they deserve, thanks to a few makeup artists that came out and talked about this hack openly.
Many people think that soap brows are a new-found hack that resulted in a fad trend, but the truth is, this hack has been around for years and has been used by many since around 2016. We always say that the longer a trend has been around the better. This way more people have tried it, which makes it easier for you to make a decision.
What Exactly Are Soap Brows?
Soap brows are just what they sound like; eyebrows with soap on them. By what is the point, and why is everyone doing them?
Here at TatBrow, we want to fill you in. If you've ever used brow gel to hold down your brows, then maybe soap brows will make a little more sense. Certain brow trends pick up popularity, and brushing your brows up and slicking them down is a very popular trend right now.
Most people will use a clear brow gel while attempting this trend, but others actually use soap. We know it sounds a little weird, but it actually might be the hack you need in your life. Suppose you've tried to participate in the eyebrow clicking trend but found your brows just were full, fluffy, or luscious enough for the brow gel to do its job. In that case, soap brows are probably right up your alley.
The whole point of soap brows is to make your brows look fluffier and more naturally full and luscious.
How To Do Soap Brows
The actual method of doing soap brows is pretty straightforward and easy to do.
All you have to do is simply take a damp paper towel and rub the towel on a bar of soap. Take the soapy towel and apply the soap to your brows. Once you have a thin layer of soap on your brows, you'll then take a brow spoolie and use the brush to move your brows around in your desired direction or style.
How you comb or style your brows is completely up to you; it's all about personal preference. However, we do have few tips to make sure your soap brows come out perfectly.
- Start with a thin layer: You may need to reapply a second or third coat to get your desired results, but it's always a good idea to start with a thin coat. You don't want to apply too much, then have to wash it away and start over.
- Don't knock this trend if your brows are naturally super thick: Many makeup artists claim that medium to sparse brows is actually the kind of brows that benefit from this trend the most. However, if you have extra sparse brows, we suggest that you fill them in before applying the soap.
This will give them a more full look, and the soap will just give you a fluffy, full additive you're usually lacking.
What Kind of Soap Do You Use?
The soap you use for your soap brows is important. Only a select few will get the job done without leaving you with an obvious white residue all over your eyebrows.
If you ask any makeup artist, they're going to tell you you must use a bar of glycerin-based bar soap. Glycerin soap has a lower pH balance than most other soaps, so it shouldn't have as much irritation or redness. Of course, you're putting soap on your face for hours at a time, so even if you use a glycerin-based soap, you might have some redness or irritation.
Glycerin soap is important because it is usually transparent. You, of course, wouldn't want to use a bar of white soap as it would leave a very obvious white layer on your brows.
What Makes Soap Brows Better Than Gel?
A common question surrounding soap brows is why use soap over brow gel; isn't it specifically to hold your brows down? Well, we have the answer for you.
Yes, brow gel is awesome, and we love our Ultra Defining Brow Gel for tons of reasons. But, since brow gel is water-based, it isn't always the best option if you have a long day planned ahead of you. Makeup artists started using soap for the brows to ensure their clients' brows would stay out all night. This is especially important for long days on set or red carpet events.
Yes, soap brows are great, but sometimes they aren't always necessary. If you have a chill day planned, there really isn't any need to go through all the steps of doing soap brows; you can just use your trustee brow gel!
Should You Try Soap Brows?
While we think the soap brow trend is totally awesome and super innovative, we don't think it's necessary every single day. Soap brows are cool, but like anything, they have their downsides too.
- Issue 1: Soap brows can lead to irritation of the skin. Even if you use glycerin-based bar soap, you're still putting soap straight onto your skin and letting it sit. The soap could irritate your skin and lead to redness.
- Issue 2: It takes a bit more effort. While soap brows aren't necessarily a tedious process, there are still a few more steps than simply applying your brow gel. Brow gel is great because it is a super convenient product, and it's super easy to use. When you're trying out a new trend, it can take a couple of times for the final product to look perfect.
- Issue 3: They aren't always necessary. We think soap brows are an awesome hack if you have a long day or big event planned for the day. However, we don't think they are necessary or should be done every day. If you apply soap to your brow every day, there might be long-term effects on your skin and brow hairs.
TatBrow Tip: If you want to make your brows look fuller even when you aren't rocking your soap brows, you should look into using beard dye to dye your brows. This can be especially beneficial if you're struggling with white brows.
Alternatives to Soap Brows
Soap brows are great for certain occasions. We don't think they're something that should be done every day. However, we want to give you a few options for when you don't have to do soap brows.
Standard Brow Gel
We are big advocates for our Ultra Hold Brow Gel for day-to-day use. It's convenient and easy to use. Not to mention, since it's water-based (and made specifically for your brows,) it's completely safe to use as often as you want without having to worry about causing irritation or damage.
Filling In Your Brows
We get that slicking down your brows isn't for everyone. Just because a trend is super popular doesn't necessarily mean that it's right for you. Yes, gelling or soaping your brows down is very popular, that doesn't mean you should do it just because. You know yourself and your style best, so if you think a different way of doing your brows looks better, then we say you should opt for that style instead.
In Conclusion
There are tons of brow and other makeup trends every year, so it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time to try. Soap brows are great for some people, on certain occasions, but probably wouldn’t benefit all, and shouldn’t be done every day. Like most things, soap brows are perfect in moderation and shouldn’t be over-done.
Here at TatBrow, we know brows, and we want you to have the healthiest and best-looking brows around. Truth is, you can damage your skin and brow hair if you continuously apply soap to them, so it’s important that you leave this trend for special occasions only.
Sources:
Why "Soap Brows" Are All Over Beauty Instagram | Allure
I Tried 'Soap Brows' and My Eyebrows Have Never Looked Fluffier | Glamour
Soap Brows Are The Secret To Full, Feathery Brows — Here's How To Do It | Bustle