Fashion Done Your Own Way
By Molly Dutton
Another month has come and gone and I’m really starting to believe that these days don’t actually exist. This, of course, means that we are getting closer and closer to those long summer nights spent with friends and family, having BBQs, and basking in the good weather (that was a subtle hint to the weatherman if he’s listening). Now, you all are undoubtedly expecting a summer run-down of all the trends that I am expecting to pop up over the next few months but, whilst I am predictable in many things, I have decided to switch things up this time around; this month we are going to delve into the beauty world, a world that I quite frankly forgot existed until I had to raid my makeup box for a bit of back to school glam. Makeup is a term that seems incredibly alien to me after months of fresh-faced days and no social outings, but the time has come to grab the brushes and pop on some colourful eyeshadow ready for the summer of all summers (can you tell I’m desperate for a good one)? I have drastically changed my makeup routine over the past year to fit the new routine that I have become so familiar with, mostly due to the fact that the weather has been fairly kind (at least during lockdown one) and I have preferred to experiment with different looks every now and again, instead of one typical daily routine. Since I have lost touch with the beauty trends of today, I
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thought that this month’s article would be the best opportunity to explore the popular items that I have seen filling my social media feeds; they certainly seem much more exciting than my usual mascara and concealer combo. As I’ve mentioned before, this is a space for fun and experimenting, sprinkled with complete honesty as to whether certain items are worth your time, so let’s get comfortable with makeup again. I think it’s only appropriate that I discuss the most important part of my routine with you which is, of course, the brows. I am certainly no stranger to a fierce brow (in the best and worst sense of the word). I also feel that the ideal brow style has changed the most significantly out of all of the makeup products, making it extremely difficult to keep up with! Now, to save us all from getting overly confused about what brows are ‘in’, I have conducted some research into the most common trends at the moment and they have all pointed me towards one style: the soap brow. This brow style took me hugely by surprise when it came onto the scene in lockdown number one, mostly because for once, my eyebrows were actually compatible with it. As someone who has always had very dark and unruly brows, I found it hard to mould them into the well-shaped, sharp brows of the early 2010s, a fact that made my younger self quite sad actually. But, as with many trends, there is always one that will be perfect for you and the soap brow has allowed many bushy-browed girls and guys have their chance to shine. The ‘soap brow’ is quite literally what it says in the name. All that is required is a bar of soap (or men’s hair gel) and an eyebrow brush. You rub the brush into the soap and transfer it onto the brows, brushing the hairs in an upward motion and sticking them down. If you prefer the no-hassle approach, many beauty salons offer lamination which gives a more semi-permanent soap brow
