There is nothing more frustrating for redheads than the brow dilemma. Well, at least that’s true for me. My brows are the lovely shade of ‘invisible’ or ‘ghost blonde’ as my sister so lovingly puts it. While my lashes are of a similar shade, the brows present a more intimidating problem. For starters they frame your face. Basically they set the mood for your makeup. If you fuck it up, it’s kind of a big deal. It would be like having a Monet and framing it in bright gaudy red with polka dots- it doesn’t matter how beautiful the rest of it is if you can’t look away from a disaster.
The solution for most of my life was ‘don’t touch!' I tried a brow pencil once but penciling them in was like starting with a blank white canvas and I was simply not that talented. Then came Cara Delevingne and the bold and bushy brow revolution. Eyebrows were everywhere- taunting me with their visibility. I was envious. It was the first time I truly disliked my ginger girl features. So in the spirit of the brow I decided to take a bold chance. I decided to dye my eyebrows. At the suggestion of a blog I had read, I bought Just for Men beard dye in light brown. It was all pretty straight forward. Mix a small amount of the tubes so that you had plenty of leftovers for retouches, outline your brows with oil or lotion to prevent dying skin, and then, once applied, let sit for 5 minutes. Easy peasy. It of course didn’t factor in the 20 minutes of rationalizing with myself as to why I was doing this, whether or not it was worth the risk, and what my disaster protocol was (I went with move under a bridge and become the town troll by the way). However, the result was a surprising success. Honestly, I anticipated a disaster. I already had my troll nap sack packed and ready to go. I now had visible eyebrows!! Take that Cara!
Of course the brow dilemma isn’t over. Now I have normal people brow problems. Like “OMG I need to pluck because people can actually see my eyebrows!” And there is the matter of whether to use pencil or gel, or should I shade and then fill, etc. etc.
So down to brass tacks, here are the best brow practices for redheads:
1. Don’t over pluck! I can’t emphasize this enough guys. We have left the makeup mistakes of the 90’s far behind. Having one string of brow hairs is no longer in. The bigger the better!
2. Try a dye like moi! Choose a shade that is one to two shades darker than your natural color. I personally like using Just for Men because it is about completely faded out after a month. This means that while it lasts a good long while, it isn’t too permanent.
3. Pencil or wax. This is a great way to shape your brows. Just make sure you find the right shade! For most redheads I would recommend a blonde/ash shade. However, if you have a darker shade of red, try an auburn.
4. Brush on brows. This is my current favorite brow trick and it is the reason why I added the ‘Brow Love’ Gel with fibers. I like how it gives my brows a naturally full look. I love the no-makeup look and I love easy makeup tricks- hence this being my preferred method. Also, penciling and brushing on your brows are not mutually exclusive. So try both together for full, shaped brows!
5. Bonus: Courtesy a la fellow Redhead Revolutionaries, we discovered that the Genuine Ginger Mascara moonlights as a great brow gel! This was also recommended by Adrienne and Stephanie Vendetti of How to be a Redhead!
How to find the right shade for you? Always choose a color that is one to two shades darker than your natural color. If you have white blonde lashes like I did, I recommend going with a blonde/ash shade. If you have reddish brows, you can go with a blonde or a more ginger shade to fill them in. It is really a matter of preference at that point.
The phrase 'A New Year, A New You' took on literal meaning for me this 2018. If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you will know that I have been an avid user and fan of henna for a few years now. I have always used Henna Maiden's All Natural Red shade, meaning it is pure Lawsonia inermis. However, for a fresh start, I thought I’d try their Copper shade. This is a blend of henna, red clay, neem, etc. Now due to my general impatience and impulsiveness, I didn’t bother with a strand test. I foolishly thought that since the regular henna had always worked for me this would as well.
For the next two hours I sat looking like the swamp thing and day dreaming of my soon to be reddish coppery locks glistening in the sunlight. Instead I soon found myself standing in front of the mirror, hair drenched, in horror. It looked black or purple, I wasn’t sure but it was definitely not copper. It couldn’t have been more opposite than what I intended. Then I did what I should have done in the beginning, read the instructions. The copper shade was a bit more tricky since it was a blend. Depending on your natural hair color, it could go more of the henna red shade or it could go the darker route. Mine clearly did the latter. There’s really no going back after you’ve henna’d your hair. Especially when it is a darker shade since you cannot lighten your hair with henna. Hence the importance of a strand test. I have definitely learned my lesson.
It has been a couple of weeks since my misadventures with henna and I have come to terms with my dark auburn hair. What truly upset me the most about the unintended shade was the makeup implications. In my previous posts, I have discussed how the no-makeup-look has been my favorite this year. I’ve loved wearing the Genuine Ginger mascara, which gives my lashes a natural boost, along with a light gloss. It’s beautifully low maintenance. However, with dark auburn hair, I had to find a new makeup routine to match. Which, once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, was actually kind of exciting.
My current go-to routine is the True Brown Gingerlash Mascara- all day every day- paired with the Brow Love Gel in blonde, the 3-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer, a hint of the Ginger Crush Matte Blush, and, for the lips,…. Red Hot matte! I've always loved a good lipstick. When done right, you inevitably stand out in a crowd. And yet, I’ve always hesitated before putting on a red. Of course I wear one from time to time on special occasions. But never for just a regular night out. Now the new year compels me to ask: Why the hell not? What has been stopping me? And so, to list one of my 2018 resolutions: I will wear my Red Hot matte on a regular basis. Go bold or go home they say. Happy 2018!
Put together your own unique look for the new year and get 15% OFF any order of $60 or more! Just use the code: My2018 (offer expires February 1st)
Welcome to your Redhead Makeup Wonderland! 'Tis the season to glow and be bold. So check out our two favorite makeup looks for this winter.
1. Simple & Bold. Try a simple eye and bold lip! I recommend the Genuine Ginger Mascara and one of our red lipsticks. As I mentioned in a previous blog, The Redhead Dilemma, this has been one of my favorite looks to rock this year. To give it a seasonal spin, add the Gold Shimmer Cream for that winter glow. Need help finding the perfect red lipstick? Here are some helpful tips!
2. Bold & Simple. Go for a bold eye and simple lip. Combine the Ginger Girl Eyeshadow Trio with one of the NEW Gel liners for a perfect brown smokey eye. Moving away from the shimmer for the cheeks, add a dusting of the Ginger Crush Matte Blush. Then, for the final touch, gloss those lips with the Huntress or Lover lipgloss for a perfect winter shine.
Don't forget your winter skin upkeep routine. Exfoliate & Moisturize should be your motto year round but especially during the dry winter months. Check back in soon for more redhead winter tips & tricks.
I grew up thinking that redheads could never wear red. I just assumed it was one of those fashion rules you didn’t mess with. But more and more redheads have been breaking free of their former fashion restraints and boldly demonstrating that they can rock whatever they want and look great. So how do you pick the right red for you?
1. Make sure that the red (be it clothing or lipstick) does not match your hair color. For example, I have orange/coppery hair so I want to stay away from any orange reds.
2. When it comes to red lipstick, I’ve found that your undertones don’t really matter so much. I have cool undertones but I can rock a warm toned lipstick just as well as a cool toned one. However, the main rule is to stick to one tone in your makeup- meaning that if you pick a cool toned lipstick, make sure your eyeshadow is also cool toned and vice versa. For example, here’s Julianne Moore (a redhead with cool undertones) rocking a warm toned red on the left and a cool toned on the right.
3. Highlight your uniqueness! Currently one of my favorite looks to rock is a bold red lipstick and very minimum eye makeup. Redheads have such a unique look with their fair lashes and brows that they can create a variety of looks that no one else can. My current go-to for this is the Genuine Ginger mascara to give my lashes some length and then the Vamp lipstick. It's a bold minimalist look that will make you stand out in the crowd. I'll even throw on some Brow Love gel to boost those fair brows but keep a natural look.
Check out our Color Revolution red lipsticks Red Hot and Vamp!
