Eyebrows...

[The Captain]

At what age are girls these days starting to shape theirs?

Full disclosure - I'm asking for my DD.  I had (and still do) stupid thin eyebrows so can't really relate.

I love the kid, but she's got two fuzzy caterpillars above her eyes.  No one's commented on it yet, but it's only gotta be a matter of time.

She's already asked me about shaving her legs (she's 11) and I've told her it's ok with me, but if I were her I'd put it off as long as possible as it's a royal pain in the ass.  

Thoughts?


 

[andi9899]

I don't remember how old I was, but my kids were probably around middle school age. If she's old enough to shave, I'd say she's old enough to shape her eyebrows. She's getting to the age where she is going to have to deal with catty little girls in school, not to mention just wanting to do it for her, which is the real only reason that matters. Is she wanting to do it yet? I say go for it.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

If she's sporting "caterpillars" as you call them, I'd have a mom/daughter date at a salon and get a professional to do her brows the first time, instruct her on how to start grooming her brows on her own.

They can teach her how to thin & shape them properly by tweezing. Or they can teach you both how to wax, so you can do it for her. She's a bit young at 11 for legs, unless she's reached early puberty - but the same type of "date" can be set up to help teach her how to do legs properly too. Bikini waxing can wait a few years.

[zibazinski]

I started DD at 8. She inherited, along with me, my Dad's brows. The lady that waxes mine said they were attached to my skull. 

[zibazinski]

I was around that age when I'd sneak into the bathroom and shave at them.

[The Captain]

There is no doubt she's reached early puberty (just like her mother).  She has blonde hair on her legs so I think that will allow her to get away with things a bit longer.

Thing is, kid has zero pain tolerance.  I just know how much howling and tears there will be the first time we try to do this...

(FWIW I have never and will never have a leg/bikini waxing - eeeek!)

The Aveda teaching session is a good idea, one I would not have thought of.  Thanks!

[The Captain]

Sept 24, 2014 18:57:53 GMT -5 @sroo4 said:

I think I was about 12 when I started grooming my eyebrows...for the most part that meant plucking in the middle and using clear mascara to shape. I think it was my mom who not so subtly pointed out that I had a caterpillar above my eyes. 

Eta: if you are not the brutally honest type set up an appointment for her with an make up professional. I know the Aveda Salons usually have a teen focused one that focuses on skin Care and the basics. Have them explain and teach about eyebrows.   

...and I thought you knew me...

[Deleted]

DD was probably 9 when I took care of the stray hairs between her brows and probably 12 when she started getting them waxed in a salon (she was 12 just turning 13 in 9th grade).  she started shaving her legs at 10.  unfortunately she inherited my italian side

[wyouser]

An eyebrow thread and another thread right next to it about re-shaping boobs?   And just what is scheduled for this weekend?? And its only Thursday?

[bean29]

My DD and I get our eyebrows threaded.  I know you can get that done in Chicago.

I like the way they shape them.  Threading is $11 and I give a $2 tip.    (Every 2-3 weeks at least once a month).

We also get our nails done every 3 weeks or so.  I know the $$ are not an issue for you, so it is something that is expensive to start, and sometimes I think about stopping with the nails, but...The time in the car on the way there and back and at the salon is when I really talk to DD and get info on what is going on in her life and with her friends, so I consider it money well spent.  Our nail salon does eyebrow waxing, but we just go to the threading place.    I don't think waxing is as condusive to shaping your eyebrows.

I also have thick dark eybrows like Zib descibes.  I never shaped them as well as the professionals do, and I felt it was more painful.

DD says the first time she got her eybrows threaded it was very painful, but it really is no longer painful...so your DD should expect it to be painful the first time or two or three then get better.  I asked DD when she first got her eyebrows done and she said she was going into 7th grade (she is 17 now).  I agree that if she is uncomfortable about it, it is a good time to start.

[The Captain]

I WISH I could have pretty nails.  Alas, after having most of them pulled out a few times as a child they are so thin and brittle even nail polish doesn't last more than a day or two.  I've tried acrylic (sp) a few times and was rewarded with nasty fungal infections.  I am just one of those people who are doomed to have plain, short nails.

I've never had my eyebrows threaded, always waxed.  In your opinion, bean29 - which is the better way to go?

[Cass]

If you want to hold off a while longer, these come with eyebrow attachments and are pain free! 

www.conair.com/ladies-2-in-1-fine-line-trimmer-p-233-54_20.html

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I think I want one of those! The low price is sure worth giving one a try!

[zibazinski]

Have you tried shellac/gel for your nails?

[Cass]

Sept 25, 2014 17:34:35 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

I think I want one of those! The low price is sure worth giving one a try!

I bought one when I compared the cost to an eyebrow wax with tip  

[The Captain]

Zib - I appreciate the suggestion.  I have psoriasis and when I was a kid it was especially bad under my nails.  Chemicals simply cannot form a strong bond with my ridgey, bendy, paper thin nails.  I've tried acryllic and gel nails (from VERY reputable) salons and got infections both times.  My nail beds flex thus breaking any seal/bond and water can then seep in.

It's not worth ruining what I have left.  They look (for the most part) normal but I can always count on making DH wince by bending my nails (bed and all) even when pretty short.

Last time I tried something was, I think about 8 years ago?  Maybe they've gotten better, but for now I'm happy with pretty tootsies .

A regular manicure lasts me maybe 48 hours if I'm super careful, 24 hours on average.  I'm not touching up every day so plain jane I am.

[Deleted]

Do they peel? 

[mmhmm]

Sept 25, 2014 15:35:43 GMT -5 The Captain said:

I WISH I could have pretty nails.  Alas, after having most of them pulled out a few times as a child they are so thin and brittle even nail polish doesn't last more than a day or two.  I've tried acrylic (sp) a few times and was rewarded with nasty fungal infections.  I am just one of those people who are doomed to have plain, short nails.

I've never had my eyebrows threaded, always waxed.  In your opinion, bean29 - which is the better way to go?

I have nails like that, Captain. Fortunately, my profession required I keep my nails short. I continued to do so when I moved into administration, and I still do. As long as they're well cared for, I think they look fine. As for eyebrows, mine have never needed shaping. A stray hair here, or there, can be removed with tweezers; however, they're very few.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

You can also "tame" your brows with clear mascara.

[bean29]

Captain, I have only ever waxed my brows maybe 2 or 3 times. I used to use a tweezers and it was painfull. Threading is quick, they get a better shape and it lasts a longer. DD mentioned that they also trim your brows down so your eyebrows are not bushy.

I started shaving my legs in 4th or 5th grade. I can not use things like nair it burns my skin and doesn't do a good job of getting rid of hair.

Sorry about your nails. I guess you just adjust to your own reality. I can see why you don't want to try the newer products.

[zibazinski]

If you put Vaseline on your brows before you tweeze them, it doesn't hurt as much.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

For brittle nails, start taking 1 liquid-gel Vitamin E Tablet daily - you can get generic ones at the pharmacy. (This will also help lubicate joints for things like Rheumatism or Arthritis.}

You can also take a pin and prick the liqui-capsule and massage the liquid Vit E over/around and into your nails & cuticles to provide moisture and healing.

You may also be lacking something in your diet to cause your nails to be brittle.

[p/b]

[zibazinski]

Take biotin, too.

[Deleted]

I always had weak/ peely/ flakey nails. That is one of the weird, unexpected changes when I gave up gluten ... My nails have completely changed.

[The Captain]

Sept 26, 2014 10:36:37 GMT -5 oped said:

I always had weak/ peely/ flakey nails. That is one of the weird, unexpected changes when I gave up gluten ... My nails have completely changed.

Did they improve?

[Deleted]

Completely. Like normal nails. And hard.