A pair of well-groomed eyebrows adds definition and aesthetic structure to the face. They help to frame your eyes and shorten the forehead, preventing it from becoming the defining feature of your face.

If you have never shaped an eyebrow in your life, you may want to have a professional do it the first time. Eyebrow waxing or "tweezing" can cost anywhere from $5-15. If you want to do it yourself at home, you can invest in a good pair of tweezers, such as the Tweezerman Slant Tweezer (it even comes in multiple colors). This invaluable tweezer sets perfectly against the skin and can remove even the most stubborn hair.

Shaping your eyebrows doesn't have to be difficult. First, comb your eyebrow hair upwards, and trim any that are far too long. Next, figure out the ideal shape and dimensions of your eyebrow. To determine the medial starting point of the eyebrow, use your eyeliner pencil and align it from the inner corner of the eye to the outermost edge of your nostril (Line A in the figure above). A vertical line extending upward from the outside edge of your iris (Line B) marks the highest point, or arch, of the eyebrow. Some makeup artists prefer to make the highest point of the eyebrow arch at the outside edge of your eye. Fashion trends often change regarding the height and exact location of the arch. Finally, to determine the lateral-most part of the eyebrow, take your eyeliner pencil and connect the outer corner of the eye to the outermost edge of your nostril (Line C). These landmarks are always a great way to start.

Once you have the basic shape for your eyebrows, pluck the hair carefully–row by row. Do not over-tweeze! If you take out too much hair, it can take weeks to grow out.

Fill in your eyebrows with a brow pencil close to your hair color if you want to darken them. Start from the outside end, and apply in short, even strokes. This will make your eyebrows appear thicker and fuller. You can even use some brow gel or a few splashes of hairspray to keep the hairs in place.

Happy plucking!