This Unlikely Product Can Fluff Your Eyebrows As Effectively As Brow Gel

Achieving feathery, defined brows is no effortless task. You want just enough hold to keep the strands in place without making them feel stiff or crunchy; you want them to appear full without looking like they're painted on. It's a delicate dance, and the product you choose can easily tip the scales. 

To soften the wisps of hair and shape them to your liking, many beauty fans opt for brow gels, pomades, or even soap to slick the strands upward. But did you know you can also use lip balm for a brushed-up look? Assuming you have the right texture and formula, of course. 

Ahead, a brow expert shares how to fashion your fluffiest brows yet. 

In a pinch, brow expert Joey Healy considers lip balm a great substitute for brow gel. "The reason this works is because it has waxes in it that can hold your hair in place," he says. "The nice thing about these is that they aren't hard like hair wax; they're a little softer, so they can be easily washed off and dissolved without damaging the hair." Think of the waxes you might find in a brow pencil or pomade—gentle enough to keep the wispy hairs intact yet effective enough to give the style some staying power. 

Of course, you don't want to slick the brows with just any lip balm—Healy has a few criteria.

First up: You want to choose a balm in stick form. I love a good pot or tube of lip balm, don't get me wrong, but you don't want to smear anything too goopy on the brow hairs. A stick applicator is way more practical, as you can easily mold the strands to your liking—almost like a glue stick. On that note: "No glitter, shimmer, or anything that resembles a gloss," says Healy. A glossy finish looks juicy on your pout but on your brows? Well, the shine can appear a bit slimy or greasy. 

Finally, make sure your lip balm contains only hydrating, conditioning ingredients. "Stay away from any flavored balms," says Healy. "Red flag ingredients would be spearmint or cinnamon." See, many formulas include plumping agents (like spearmint, peppermint, or cinnamon essential oils) for a subtle sting, but you don't want those tingly ingredients on the brows. Similarly, you might see exfoliants (like salicylic acid) to buff away stubborn flakes, but these can irritate the brow area over time, especially if you reapply throughout the day.   

You can always just apply the lip balm directly on the brow hairs and style them as desired: Simply swipe from tip to tail. To remove any excess sheen on the skin, Healy recommends tracing the brow with a damp cotton swab. 

If you find the applicator a bit too big and round for your brows, don't fret—you have options. Here's a quick tutorial from Healy: