Imperilled Eyebrows!
May 11, 2011 7:38 AM Subscribe
How can I make a good, long-lasting stencil for my eyebrows?
Hey, so I'm about to start chemotherapy for breast cancer (again, ugh) and although I've got strategies in place for dealing with being bald on top, I want to prepare now for losing my eyebrows (since I think that's what really gives chemo patients that "unwell alien" look). I'd like to be able to feather/pencil in brows in my current (nice, sob, see profile) shape.
I love eyebrows. Can you talk me through making a stencil that would last for the next six months? So that I can hold it up in the mornings and do the pencilly-feathery brush thing to approximate my eyebrows?
Suggestions on all aspects highly welcomed!
Hey, so I'm about to start chemotherapy for breast cancer (again, ugh) and although I've got strategies in place for dealing with being bald on top, I want to prepare now for losing my eyebrows (since I think that's what really gives chemo patients that "unwell alien" look). I'd like to be able to feather/pencil in brows in my current (nice, sob, see profile) shape.
I love eyebrows. Can you talk me through making a stencil that would last for the next six months? So that I can hold it up in the mornings and do the pencilly-feathery brush thing to approximate my eyebrows?
Suggestions on all aspects highly welcomed!
Anastasia has made a big name for herself as an eyebrow maven. I don't own this kit, but it looks like it has a nice selection of both stencils and pencils.
And good wishes from me too.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 8:22 AM on May 11, 2011
And good wishes from me too.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 8:22 AM on May 11, 2011
Best answer: Seconding the Anastasia brand (stencils, colors, etc.) sold at Sephora. That'd be a fantastic place to start: get some good brushes, a nice stenciling kit (I LOVE my Anastasia kit), etc. I'll bet that they may have some products that work especially well for your situation.
You're smart to go the "feathering" route. One thing to remember, aside from the feathered strokes, is that powder adds a softer look. Whether you go for all powder or maybe putting it on along with the pencil, that might be helpful.
Have your clinicians/support folks steered you toward Look Good... Feel Better? The site has some helpful tips for just this situation.
Wishing you strength, luck and moxie as you go through this. You know, when my mom had chemo, all she lost was a single patch under the back of her hair. So weird.
posted by Madamina at 8:23 AM on May 11, 2011
You're smart to go the "feathering" route. One thing to remember, aside from the feathered strokes, is that powder adds a softer look. Whether you go for all powder or maybe putting it on along with the pencil, that might be helpful.
Have your clinicians/support folks steered you toward Look Good... Feel Better? The site has some helpful tips for just this situation.
Wishing you strength, luck and moxie as you go through this. You know, when my mom had chemo, all she lost was a single patch under the back of her hair. So weird.
posted by Madamina at 8:23 AM on May 11, 2011
Best answer: The stencils I have are made out of thin, pliable plastic. Somewhat like a plastic credit card sleeve.
They are clear, so you could hold a piece up to each eyebrow and use a thin Sharpie to dot (too hard to draw lines) along the shape of your brows. Do a separate one for each eye- you'll likely find they aren't the same, and you can even them out if you want. Then draw in lines, check against your eyebrows again, and if all is well, cut with a nice sharp X-acto knife.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:44 AM on May 11, 2011
They are clear, so you could hold a piece up to each eyebrow and use a thin Sharpie to dot (too hard to draw lines) along the shape of your brows. Do a separate one for each eye- you'll likely find they aren't the same, and you can even them out if you want. Then draw in lines, check against your eyebrows again, and if all is well, cut with a nice sharp X-acto knife.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:44 AM on May 11, 2011
Response by poster: oneirodynia, where do I get that? All these suggestions are great, but I would like to try making a stencil of my exact own eyebrows, rather than going with the shapes provided by the kits. I'll use the kits for the colors/brushes/etc.
posted by thinkpiece at 8:48 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by thinkpiece at 8:48 AM on May 11, 2011
Oh, and if you are looking for products to use with stencils, I like the combo of liner + setting powder like this. It looks more natural than just pencil because you've got two shades and textures which gives a little more dimensionality, and better control with a brush. I find pencil tends to easily end up on the cut edge of the stencil and makes a hard edge.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:49 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by oneirodynia at 8:49 AM on May 11, 2011
Best answer: I think credit card holders can be bought at a stationary store, or wallet/luggage store. Maybe even at a good drug store. Drafting film from an art store would probably work as well- you'd have to buy a whole sheet, but it's usually less than 2 bucks.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:53 AM on May 11, 2011
posted by oneirodynia at 8:53 AM on May 11, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by slmorri at 7:51 AM on May 11, 2011