When it comes to brows, there's nothing that I won't try at least once. Tinting them at home using men's beard dye. Testing out the best ways to pluck and trim. Brow pencils and gels of all persuasions. I've tried it all to varying degrees of success. When soap brows were trending, I skipped it, assuming it was more of a gimmick than anything. But after hearing that using soap to set and style brows has been a long-time, little-known secret of makeup artists, I decided to see for myself.
As someone who swears by NYX Brow Glue as the only brow gel that can actually keep my brows lifted, I didn't expect much. Upon first use, however, I stood corrected. The brow soap worked better than any other product I'd tried. I was able to style, lift, and set my brows in less time, and they stayed perfectly the same for the entire day. Longer than even my precious NYX Brow Glue. I was out and moving around for at least 12 hours and returned home to brows that had not slumped in the meantime.
So, how does soap on brows work? Start with a gentle bar soap, or in my case, one of the clear brow soaps with thousands of reviews on Amazon. Grab a spoolie brush. Dampen the spoolie, rub it into the soap until it's coated thinly in a gel-like substance, brush the spoolie onto your brows to shape and set, and let them dry down. The result is a hold that won't budge, almost like they're invisibly glued down. It produces the same look as laminated brows, but only costs about $5 and less than a minute. From there, you can fill in with a pencil to conceal any unevenness or bare patches.
I've now started using soap on my brows more than brow gel, simply because it holds better and longer for me. I'm a firm believer that blush, concealer, and styled brows create the ultimate lazy-girl makeup routine on days when you want to put a little effort in, but not go full-out. When I'm going for a nighttime look, I follow up with a brow pencil to define and fill in my brows more.
Before trying out soap on your brows for the first time, heed my best tips. First, don't overdo it on the soap. You can always add more to the spoolie, but you can't take it back. If you use too much soap, your brows can come out with a subtle ghost tint. It helps if you don't get the spoolie too wet. Second, always brush the brow hairs up and away from your eyes for a lifted look. Third, I usually will backstroke the soaped spoolie back and forth over the brow hairs before styling to ensure they're thoroughly coated in product. That makes for maximum hold. Lastly, for special occasions, I'll dampen the spoolie using my holy-grail Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray instead of water. Those brows won't be going anywhere. (If you're a visual learner, see soap brows in action here.)
An important note: Some soaps are more irritating than others, therefore it is preferable to choose a gentle option. Luckily, there are beauty bars out there now that look like your trusty body bar, but are gentler on the face skin.
Shop the best brow-friendly soaps below.
If you’ve come across any makeup-related content between 2016 and now, you’re likely aware of the prevailing trend that is soap brows. Exactly as the name implies, this method harnesses a few basic ingredients — bar soap, a spoolie, and some water — to create full, fluffy, natural-looking brows. But for best results, you should be using the best soaps for soap brows. When shopping for a soap for use specifically in your brows, look for a bar soap that’s rich in glycerin, the fatty substance that helps coat and hold your brow hairs in place. It should also be transparent, ideally, which mitigates the chances that it’ll deposit a white film.
Something to keep in mind, though: Leaving soap on your skin for several hours can cause dryness, irritation, or breakouts, so you may want to opt for a soap formulated for sensitive skin if you’re particularly reaction-prone. Regardless, you should always pick a soap that’s free of common irritants like fragrances and dyes.
Achieving the perfect soap brows is honestly as easy as the tools are simple — another reason why the method is so popular. But here are some application tips: Spritz the soap just enough to dampen it, coat your spoolie, then brush the product upwards through your brows in thin layers. Then you can fill in sparse areas with a brow powder or pencil, if you’d like, though this method lends itself well to a natural look.
Ready for full, fluffy brows like Zendaya? Find the best soaps for soap brows, up ahead — plus a handy soap brow kit for even easier results.
Pears Transparent Soap (2-Pack)
Ask almost any makeup artist what their soap of choice would be for achieving the perfect soap brows, and they’ll point you to this classic Pears soap, a mainstay in British drugstores. It has all the trappings of an ideal soap for soap brows: It’s transparent, glycerin-based, and its harder, waxy texture will hold your brow hairs firmly in place.
Tons of Amazon shoppers have hopped onto the Pears train, too. As one reviewer wrote: “Amazing and affordable. I use this soap primarily for my eyebrows when I want that feathered look. It holds my stubborn hairs up all day giving my brows a thicker, more natural look. I’m always amazed by its magic. Don’t even waste your money on expensive brow pomades or creams. This stuff is all you need!”
Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Facial Cleansing Bar
Think of this dermatologist-recommended Neutrogena soap as the American equivalent to Pears: It’s rich in glycerin, transparent, gentle on skin, and boasts a waxy consistency that helps to tame and set your brows. It’s a drugstore staple, too, with an unbeatable price point to match — this iconic orange bar costs just about $2 on Amazon. A heads up: One Amazon customer reported that this soap didn’t hold their “really thick” brows in place all day long. If that winds up being the case for you, use a setting spray to dampen the soap, then mist an extra layer over your brows once you’ve finished your makeup.
Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar (14-Pack)
Transparent soaps are typically the best option for soap brows, since they won’t deposit a white film. But if you have very sensitive skin and want to try soap brows with the utmost caution, pick up a pack of these Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bars. Dove soap in general is a safe choice for sensitive skin, but these soaps in particular are extra gentle, since they’re hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. They’re also made with moisturizing cream and mild surfactants, so they won’t dry out your skin or throw off its pH level. If you do encounter any white residue, you can easily comb through it with a spoolie, or dab it away with a tissue. Plus, this 14-pack will last you ages. Use it to clean your hands, body, and makeup sponges and brushes, too.
Ownest Brow Styling Soap (2-Pack)
An even more foolproof option? Use a soap brow kit, like this one, which has garnered over 2,800 five-star ratings on Amazon. The “soap” in this kit is formulated specifically for use on your brows (as opposed to actual soap, which obviously isn’t made for that purpose), so it has better staying power, won’t leave behind any suds or residue, and poses less risk of irritating or drying out your skin — but it offers all the fullness and fluffiness you’d expect. The tin carrying case is great for storing in your makeup bag, or stashing in your purse for on-the-go touchups. This order comes with two styling soaps, plus two spoolies to match.
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This article was originally published on April 25, 2021