BROWS: YOUR WAY TO BEAUTY

7:00am Saturday 10th May 2008

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By Lisa Haynes, PA Features

WHEN Sienna Miller stepped out at a Valentino party last year, she looked uber-glam but also uber-different. Her scraped back locks and bright red lips were a big change from her usual laidback boho look but it was her heavy brows that really transformed her appearance.

Sienna was bang on this summer's trend for bigger brows. Peaches Geldof paraded them during her catwalk debut at PPQ and they were also a focus on models at Donna Karan and Balenciaga.

They may be bigger and bushier but heavy brows still require big maintenance work although you can take a breather from massive tweezer attacks. If you want to frame your face with this season's most fashionable beauty must-have let your eyebrows do the talking.

SHAPING UP

If you want show-stopping brows, you need to say goodbye to stray hairs. According to celebrity brow technician Shavata, dark, strong hair is removed more easily with pointed tweezers while slanted-end tweezers make lighter work of fine hair. Take a brow check every morning in a magnified mirror and whip out any stragglers.

Ruby Hammer, international make-up artist, says: "Groomed brows can act as an instant facelift when done properly. I would suggest going to see a professional to thread the brows into shape. Then you can maintain the shape at home by tweezing away any stray hairs."

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: Revlon Diamond Grip Tweezers, £8.99 (0800 085 2716), JML Claritweeze, £7.99, Boots nationwide, Shavata Precision Tweezers from U.R. Beautiful by Urban Retreat, £19.50, Boots nationwide, Wax Away Eyebrow Shapers, £1.99, Boots nationwide, Eylure Brow Beauty Kit, £12.99 (0208 573 9907), Tweezerman TweezerMate 12X Magnifying Mirror, £12, Boots nationwide.

DEFINITION

We aren't all naturally blessed in the eyebrow department but like everything with beauty, there's always a way to cheat. Fatten up fine eyebrows with a brow pencil or brow shader.

Make-up artist Jemma Kidd has this advice for achieving a natural look. "It is crucial to use a shade that suits your natural colouring," she warns. "Dark, heavy brows look awful on blonde or red-haired women so find a tone that's right for you.

"Use short, feathery strokes to apply the colour, filling any gaps and defining the arch, start and end of your brow. Always start a shade lighter than your natural colour and then, if required, go over the brow in a darker colour."

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: Estee Lauder Brow Shaping Pencil, £12.50 (18 Euros), Jemma Kidd Essential Brow & Eye Kit, £14, Boots nationwide, Mac Brow Shader, £11 (www.mac.co.uk), Ruby & Millie Brow Colour, £10, Boots nationwide, Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duo, £20 (www.spacenk.co.uk), Rimmel Professional Eye Brow Pencil, £2.99.

FINISHING TOUCH

When brows are verging on the big and beautiful side, they're naturally going to be more unruly. Using a brow brush or brow gel will help define the brow shape - simply brush through to keep hairs in check. Just as a mascara wand gives your eyelashes that finishing touch, a brow gel will really finish off your look and frame your face.

"Brush in the direction of hair growth with upward strokes," Jemma advises.

BROW BEAUTY BUYS: Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper, £12.50 (www.bobbibrown.co.uk), The Body Shop Clear Brow & Lash Gel, £8.50, Dior Eyebrow Mascara, £13.50 (0207 216 0216), 17 Ultimate Definition Lash & Brow Mascara, £4.75, Boots nationwide, Shavata Brow Tamer from U.R. Beautiful by Urban Retreat, £13, Boots nationwide, Sukicolor Professional Brow Brush, £9 (www.asos.com).

BEAUTY SPOT 1

Missoni has the perfect treat for fans of their fragrance. The Colari Fragrances include each of the original accords, Rosa, Giallo, Arancio, and Gianduia, offered as separate Eau de Toilettes. Choose one or more of the beautiful bright bottles and wear alone or layer colours together to create your own signature scent. Each bottle is £45 (65 Euros) for 75ml EDT. Available now nationwide, for stockists call 08700 342 566.

BEAUTY SPOT 2

Everybody loves a hot beauty buy with a long queue. Be one of the first to jump aboard the Olay Regenerist bandwagon. Dubbed the £30 American Dream Cream, the Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream already has 2,000 eager customers on the waiting list. The anti-ageing facial moisturiser targets the three hardest to treat areas, eye, jaw-line and neck. Limited quantities of Olay's new super-cream, £29.99, is available at Boots.com this week, for one week only. You can then get your hands on the hallowed pot in Boots stores from Monday. Join the waiting list at www.olay.co.uk/regenerist/threepointtreatmentcream/ or call 0207 611 3800.

BEAUTY SPOT 3

Kiehl's have come up trumps with a range of eight candy coloured lip glosses for the summer months. Including Goldenberry, Pear Tree and Black Raspberry - the names alone are enough to get you licking your lips. Available now, priced £12 each. For mail order call 0207 240 2411.