Benefit Canada‘s got a new national brow artist in Breigh Bellavance—and boy does she know eyebrows! —Noa Nichol
Hi Breigh! What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be Benefit’s new National Brow Artist?! How did you celebrate?
My boyfriend and I cracked open our best bottle of wine and ordered Craig’s Cookies (the most indulgent chocolate chip cookies ever). It was a day I will never forget!
What is a “national brow artist” anyway?!
Being national brow artist for Benefit Canada means 24-7 brows. Whether it’s brow services, brow styling, content creation, education, identifying trends or providing expertise, I’m here to bring all of that to life—while having a tonne of fun of course! After all, laughter is the best cosmetic. With more than 10 years of brows under my belt, I feel a personal duty to educate people and make them feel confident and beautiful, inside and out, with the simple power of a brow.
What justifies the need for an entire role dedicated to eyebrows?
At Benefit, brows are what we do best! A role dedicated entirely to brows might have seemed crazy in the past, but today the eyebrow industry is growing faster than my brows ever did! Traditional and social media have created some major brow awareness and are setting the brow bar high, inspiring many to make the move to seek professional brow services and advice, and today you can find a brow gel or pencil in almost every makeup bag. I am here to demystify brows and make everybody their own brow expert.
What do you plan on bringing to the role?
When it comes to brows, I have seen it all and been through it all! My experience is akin to a brow encyclopedia, and I cannot wait to share all of my brow secrets. I also have a fun but real approach to beauty, and the Benefit DNA is so aligned with who I am as a person: lighthearted, punny and I don’t take life too seriously! Every Bene-babe is encouraged to be their true self, and you’ll see that from me on the @benefitcanada Instagram. You can also follow me personally and all of my brow transformations @breighbellavance.
Can you fill us in on summer’s hottest brow trends?
I see a lot of beachin’ brows looking fluffed and feathered this year. The soft, effortless look is majorly trending. The ultimate out-the-door beach brow is done using Gimme Brow +, a water resistant volumizing fibre tinted brow gel, to sweep through the brow to add colour, density and tame the hairs. To take your brows from beach to patio, simply build by adding in a little more definition into naturally sparse areas using Precisely My Brow Pencil with a light flicking motion to feather in natural hair-like strokes. On the flip side, festival brows will be far from subtle. I’m predicting pops of colour, and perhaps even added glam in the form of glitter or gold leafing. Embracing the trend can be as easy as brushing through a fun and flirty coloured brow gel, like 3D Browtones Magenta (which also supports our Bold is Beautiful program year-round!). If you’re feeling crafty, use a disposable mascara wand, dip into a clear brow gel like 24HR Brow Setter, and then dip the same wand into your favourite glitter. Simply sweep through your brows and you’re ready to party!
Fall is next; anything new in eyebrows coming up?
This fall you may see brows doing a bit of a 180. For some, full and fluffed will be here to stay but, for others, a more structured brow is on the horizon. As brows naturally re-darken from being lightened by the summer sun, I find post-summer babes are looking for a bit more of a polished brow.
How do we choose the brow look that works best for us and choose the best method for creating and maintaining the ultimate eyebrows?
They key to finding your best brow is by letting someone else do them. Not your sister or best friend, but an experienced Arch Expert. They will use the method of brow mapping to customize a shape that will be uniquely yours, based on your facial features and style. If seeing an Arch Expert is easier said than done, our website has a Brow Try On tool that allows you to virtually try on any brow style in seconds. The easiest way to figure out what method, from waxing to threading to tweezing to microblading, is best for you is by simply asking yourself what your brow goals are. If you’re looking for organic, barely tamed brows, tweezing might be your perfect option. If you’re looking for a natural-but-clean brow, it may call for a little waxing or threading. When it comes to the more semi-permanent/permanent brow options, ask yourself, “What’s my commitment level?” If you’re tattooing or microblading your brows, you better be ready to “put a ring on it,” because you’ll be married to your brows!
In general, what can each of us do to keep our brows looking their best?
If you want to keep your brows looking their best, it’s all about brow maintenance. This doesn’t mean a DIY tweeze or a kitchen-scissor brow trim, but pre-booking your brow appointments. Our brow hair grows in three-week cycles so, at that three- to-four-week mark, you’ll be craving a brow touch-up and you will be tempted to tweeze. Getting your brows professionally shaped every three to four weeks will make sure your shape will stay strong and consistent.
Is there a “best” brow type for each face shape? Or is it more personal than that?
There are tonnes of “rules”and recommendations when considering brows and face shapes, but I am a believer that it really is more personal than that. Not only is it face shape but it’s personal image, makeup routine, hairstyle or even how the eyes are set. There is so much to consider! It’s all about creating a customized brow to frame and open the eyes and to balance our facial features, while still having our personal style shine through.
What are your top products for brow grooming and glamming?
My absolute top products for brow grooming and glamming are 24HR Brow Setter, Precisely My Brow Pencil, and Gimme Brow + by Benefit Cosmetics. Precisely My Brow Pencil is 12-hour waterproof and so soft and natural, while at the same time can be built up for a much more defined brow. Gimme Brow + is the second step to almost any brow I do. The gel contains tiny microfibres that latch onto the hair and the skin giving any sparse areas perfect colour and density. And, last but not least, 24HR Brow Setter is my personal life nectar. It is made for literally anyone with eyebrows. This double-duty gel is the best for sculpting and shaping the actual hairs of the brow.
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