Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (2024)

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (1)

(Image credit: @mariaisabel)

Growing up, I never liked having naturally thick, bold brows. Thin brows were in,so I did everything in my power to shrinkmine (or at least make them appearhalf their size with the help of caked-on concealer). So when big-brow It girls like Cara Delevingne, Lily Collins, andZendaya broke on to the scene, I welcomedback my brows with open arms and finally laid off the concealer. But then I was faced with my next challenge: learning how to wear them. That's when I was introduced to the magic of soap brows—an old Hollywood trick to sculpting and fluffing your brows to their fullest potential without opting forbrow lamination, caking on eyebrow wax, or relying entirely on a pencil and spoolie.

What Are Soap Brows?

I tapped celebrity makeup artistKatie Mellingerto give us the scoop on the trend. "Soap brows refers to a technique of creating a brow shape using a glycerin-based soap to sculpt the brow shape, usually in an upward motion, to give a laminated look," she says. If you have any visible spots or patchiness in the brows, Mellinger recommends filling them in with pencil or a shadow before reaching for the soap.

Once the soap is on, there'll be no way to fill in those pesky spots. A spoolie is then lightly misted with water or a setting spray (dampening it but not soaking it so your glycerin-based soap won't sud). The spoolie is then scraped lightly back and forth in the soap to build up a paste. "When applying to your brow, start at the base and comb upward in the desired shape," she says. "For a laminated look, this is generally about 23 degrees outward for the inner part of your brow (or toward the outer corner of your hairline) and 45 degrees (or toward the top of your ear) for the outer part of your brow."

How to Pull Off Soap Brows

If you're ready to finally give soap brows a try, follow these steps below that Mellinger swears by to help achieve them. All you'll need is a clear, glycerin-based soap, wax, or gel and an easy-to-use spoolie to whip your brows into shape in minutes—no brow-lamination appointment required. The trick is to pay special attention to coating all hairs, making sure none go without a layer of soap paste for a smooth finish.

Step 1. If you're creating them using soap rather than a wax or gel, opt for a clear, glycerin-based soap. This will ensure there is no color or white cast transferred to the brow.

Step 2. Avoid getting the spoolie too wet. "You don't want to make the paste too slippery or sudsy, or it won't stay in place," explains Mellinger.

Step 3. Don't dig into the soap too much with your spoolie, as it will make the paste too thick. A paste that is too thick and dry won't stick well.

Step 4. After you've achieved your ideal shape, try carefully smoothing it out with your finger for an extra-laminated look.

Mellinger also happens to keep a few products in her kit at all times to create the perfect soap brow look, starting with West Barn Co'sSoap Brows Extra Strongand Prep Mist. "This is my favorite for my kit, as it's small and comes in a tin—very kit friendly." For an affordable option, Melligner uses a disposable spoolie with Pears' classic Pure Gentle Soap. Is soap not your thing? No problem. The makeup artist also uses the Anastasia Beverly HillsBrow Freeze to give a sleek, laminated effect to even the unruliest of brows (mine included).

Like any makeup look, practice makes perfect! Soap brows are a simple way to level up any makeup look by adding some extra dimension, fullness, and shape where your face needs it the most. I like to think of it as an easy, five-second face-lift using the simplest tools you can imagine. Read on to discover the beauty editor– and makeup artist–approved soap-brow products I've been loving lately. Fair warning: Once you get hooked on these, there's a good chance you'll never want to go back to your old eyebrow routine.

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (2)

The Best Products for Soap Brows

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (3)

Pears

Transparent Glycerin Bar Soap

This soap is prepared with a unique process of moulding and then matured until it reaches full transparency. Enriched with glycerin and natural oils, the bar soap has a mild fragrance and soft lather ideal for all skin types. There's a reason this best seller has stuck around for over 200 years.
"Nothing holds my brows when I lay them down. So I use this pear soap with a spoolie. It's translucent so there's not a lot of white cast. It's not a hard hold but a soft long lasting hold."— Amazon customer

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (4)

West Barn Co.

Soap Brows Original

Whether you want fluffy, feathered, or natural-looking brows, West barn Co's original Soap Brows is by far one of the best brow products on the market. Inspired by Old Hollywood beauty secrets and developed by professional makeup artists, the brow styling soap comes in an aluminum tinthat can be reused and recycled to your heart's content.
"I'm on my second tin of Soap Brows, and it's THE best for bushy brows that last! Spray some setting spray in the tin, use a spoolie to create a paste, brush through brows and they last all day. Holy grail product status right here!"— Beauty Bay customer

E.L.F.

Soap Brow

E.l.f.'s clear brow gel molds, fluffs, and set the brows to help you create the perfect feathery soap-brow look. Universally flattering for all brow colors, this onewill keep your brows in place for hours on end.
"I loved this product. I have super stubborn brow hairs. This product helps them stay in place, without the white flake residual. I use the brow lift tool, spoolie side. You use setting spray or water."—Target customer

Iconic London

Brow Silk and Brush

This travel-friendly product can be applied to wet or dry brows thanks to its unique formula that combines the benefits of brow soaps, waxes, and gels into a conditioning balm. Use it to create a clear film over the brows without having to worry about residue or crunchiness.
"AmazingI have very thin eye brows and although I had them tattooed, I still like to shape/style them! The fact that it is colorless is even better as I am visually impaired!— Iconic London customer

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (7)

Wunderbrow

Fix It Lamination Effect Gel

Give your brows a soap-inspired transformation with the help of Wunderbrow's Fix It Lamination Effect Gel. Offering 16 hours of hold, the semi-solid gel can lift, set, and sculpt your brows for effortless application with a clear, flake-free finish. Did I mention its also 100% vegan and cruelty free?
"This little jar of Wunderbrow gel works great. I little goes a long way. Just brush it on with the angle brush and then arrange your brows with the spiral. It even holds my unruly brows down. It makes a good primer under my brow filler for the sparse spots."— Amazon customer

Soap Brows Aren't Going Anywhere—Insider Tricks to Achieving the Laminated Look (8)

Isamaya

Browlacq Brow Laminator

Again,there's no need to shovel out the big bucks to achieve a gorgeous laminated look for your brows. Isamaya's Browlacq Brow Laminator is a clear, soap-like formula that grips every brow hair and locks them into place for hours on end using glycerin to condition and add a wet-like shine.
"This brow laminator is great and long lasting. I put it on in the morning with my makeup and my eyebrows had not one hair out of place by the end of the day. It’s super easy to put on and doesn’t clump up either. Love this product."— Isamaya customer

Brow Code

Heist Brow Soap

The Heist Brow Soap uses an exclusive formula containing bioactive ingredients with hydrating properties (including hyaluronic acid and shea butter) to nourish the brows while offering a long-lasting laminated look. It also comes in a gorgeous vintage-inspired compact with a mirror for easy application while on the go.
"I was super impressed with the Heist Brow Soap. It wasn't super stick but the gel consistency helped sculpt and lay down my unruly eyebrow hairs. This works like an absolute dream! I can't get enough of it!"— Brow Code customer

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