Is it just me or do you feel like you need a chemistry degree to read the ingredients of beauty products?!
Vp/Va Copolymer. Triethanolamine. Propylene Glycol.
These are just some of the ingredients in the top selling clear brow gel on the market today. You’d be forgiven for having absolutely no idea what you’re putting on your brows.
But don’t you deserve to know?
What’s In My Beauty Products?
There has been a growing movement for some time towards more natural beauty products. People want to know not only what’s going on their skin, but that it’s as natural as possible.
The rise in skin sensitivities to beauty products and the impact on the environment of harmful chemicals has led to a change in the industry. We want NATURAL products. But we also want them to do a great job.
Natural Products Should Still Do The Job
Take clear brow gel for example. You want it to hold your brows in place for starters. That’s it’s main job. But you also don’t want see any flakiness or residue from the gel.
Bonus benefit? The ingredients in your brow gel should help condition your brow hairs. Big brows are IN so we don’t want to put anything on them that will hinder brow growth!
But beware, just because something is natural doesn't always mean it's great for your hair. For a ‘natural’ brow styling aid that may not actually help the condition of your brows see ‘What Are Soap Brows’.
The Natural Brow Gel That Really Works
So what’s natural, works AND helps condition brow hairs? Drum roll please….
Aloe Vera!!!
That’s right the humble aloe vera plant not only works wonders for the skin, it’s AMAZING at holding brow hairs in place. Natural beauty DIYers have been using aloe as a hair gel substitute for ages.
Pure aloe vera is a powerhouse of goodness, containing minerals, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. It also has a natural pH level of 4.5-5.5 which is perfect for hair.
“Your hair’s natural pH is somewhat acidic, around 4.5 to 5.5,” explains Redken Artist George Garcia.
“It’s healthiest whenever it is in this state.”
When we use alkaline hair products the health and strength of the hair is ultimately affected, leading to frizz and breakage.
So for pH balanced, picture perfect brows - simply pop on some aloe vera and brush through with a spoolie to style brows in place. It dries clear with no residue or flakiness.
Make Sure You Use Real Aloe Vera
But before you run out and buy a bottle of aloe vera from the supermarket, remember I’m talking about PURE aloe vera. Like crack open a leaf from the plant pure. Most of the bottled aloe vera you buy is actually made with a small percentage of dehydrated aloe vera powder. It’s then mixed with mainly water, polymers for thickness and feel, preservatives and other additives. This is why commercial aloe vera is often clear or green coloured. Pure plant aloe vera is actually a light golden colour.
If you don’t have access to an aloe vera plant (who does to be honest) then store bought aloe will do the trick for holding your brows in place. Just remember you won’t get the real benefits of pure aloe.
For REAL aloe vera gel that actually comes from the aloe vera plant - try the Organic Lash & Brow Styling Gel by Elise Louise. It’s organic Australian grown aloe vera which you can tell because it’s a light golden colour! It sets clear and is perfect for holding brows AND lashes in place all day long with all the benefits of pure aloe vera.
Elise Louise is the client certified 'brow wizard'. Seriously, she has the certificate her client made her to prove it.
Find her in her Melbourne salon, specialising in the Soft Powder Brow Tattoo, the Keratin Lash Lift and expert brow services.