Pluck Perfect Eyebrows. Face the challenge ...
Perfectly groomed brows start with a clean, well-shaped base — and you can get there at home. This tutorial walks you through plucking your eyebrows step by step: how to prep your skin, map your shape, pick the right tweezers, pluck safely, and fix over-plucked brows if you've gone a little too far.
1 — What you need
Before you start, gather everything so you can work without interruptions:
- a mirror
- good lighting
- an eyebrow pencil
- a White Stick (for mapping and priming)
- a good pair of tweezers
- an angled brow brush with spooly end
- cosmetic scissors
Having the right tools on hand makes all the difference. Browse our full Eyebrow Makeup collection to shop everything in one place.
2 — Prepare your skin
Prepped skin makes plucking easier and far less painful.
3 — Map your shape
There are several ways to find your ideal eyebrow shape. Here's the most common method — and if you want the full breakdown by face shape, see our eyebrow shape guide.
A — Where your eyebrow starts
Hold an eyebrow pencil upright along your nasal wing, pointing up toward your brow. Mark the inner point where the pencil meets the brow with the White Stick — this dual-use primer doubles as a precise mapping tool.
B — The arch (highest point)
Hold the pencil diagonally from your nasal wing along the outer edge of your iris. Where it crosses your brow is your ideal arch. Mark it with the White Stick.
C — Where your eyebrow ends
Angle the pencil from your nasal wing toward the outer corner of your eye. Any hairs beyond this line can be plucked.
4 — Choose the right tweezers
Always use a sharp, clean pair that grips fine hairs easily. A quick overview:
- Point tweezers — two very fine tips, ideal for very short brow hairs and ingrown hairs.
- Angled (slant-tip) tweezers — flat, slanted tips, perfect for longer eyebrow hairs.
How to hold them: like a pen, with the open end pointing up. Press them a few times before you start to get a feel for the grip.
5 — Plucking
Hold the tweezers close to where the hair leaves the skin and always pluck in the direction of growth. This prevents breakage and ingrown hairs.
The right order:
- Start with the hairs between your brows.
- Define the arch by removing a few hairs around the highest point.
- Pluck hairs beyond the end line of your brow.
- Finally, pluck underneath to shape the thickness you want.
• The top of your brow usually follows your natural line — don't over-pluck the upper edge.
• Don't over-pluck overall. Brows take several weeks to grow back, and some hairs may not return at all.
• Take your time. Step away from the mirror now and then to check your progress — and stop when it looks good.
6 — Check your eyebrows
Use an angled brow brush with spooly end to comb the hairs upward and spot any longer ones. Trim those with cosmetic scissors, then comb downward and repeat.
Over-plucked? Three ways to fix it
1. Fill with eyebrow powder. Rather than a pencil, use a professional eyebrow powder with an angled brush for a soft, natural result. Available in blonde, brown and black. All Marie-José powders are water-resistant and become fully waterproof with the White Stick primer underneath.
2. Duo Brow Powder Kit. For the ultimate convenience, the Duo Brow Powder Kit includes two complementary shades and six stencils, so you shape and fill in one step — perfect for recreating brows where hairs are sparse.
3. Stimulate new growth. For longer-term recovery we recommend the Multi Peptide Serum, which also works on brows. Applied daily, it helps brows look fuller within 6 to 8 weeks — ideal when they've thinned over time.
7 — The final touch
Some hairs simply refuse to stay put. Instead of plucking them, tame them with our Professional Clear Brow Gel — developed specifically for brows, it holds even the most rebellious hairs invisibly, with a natural finish.
Want a hint of colour too? Try the Tinted Brow Gel, in four shades, to add definition and hold in one step.
Frequently asked questions about eyebrow plucking
Does plucking hurt less after a shower?
Yes. Warm water and steam soften the skin and open the pores, so hairs release more easily and it's less painful. A warm towel held over the brows for two minutes works too.
How often should I pluck my eyebrows?
Only as needed to maintain your shape — usually a few stray hairs every few days to once a week. Avoid frequent heavy plucking, which can thin the brows over time.
Which tweezers are best for eyebrows?
Angled (slant-tip) tweezers suit most brow hairs, while pointed tweezers are ideal for very short or ingrown hairs. Whichever you use, keep them sharp and clean.
What can I do about over-plucked eyebrows?
Fill them with eyebrow powder and an angled brush (make it waterproof with the White Stick primer), use a Duo Brow Powder Kit with stencils for a quick shape, or stimulate regrowth with the Multi Peptide Serum over 6 to 8 weeks.
Ready to shape your brows?
Map your shape, pluck with care, and fill or set the result to finish. Everything in this tutorial is in one place.