Threading

[MrsJBaptiste]

I've decided I need to do something about my eyebrows. I've never touched them (and they aren't actually that out of control) but after seeing a friend's daughter the other day, I've decided the time has come to neaten them up.

But having never done this before, what do you do? Just turn up and ask them to neaten them? Take a picture of the eyebrows you'd like? How does this beauty thing work???

If you're in London, I have mine done at Blink in Selfridges (I think they are also in Birmingham etc.). £19 so not cheap but absolutely worth it (I don't do manicures/pedicures/massages/hair dye/regular hair cuts/waxes etc. but this is the one cosmetic-y thing I will do as it makes an instant difference).

They will ask you if you've had it done before. And probably make you fill out a registration form (I can't remember, first started getting it done there 5 years ago and have never strayed). Then you discuss what you would like. They're very good and won't try to 'lead' you.

You sound like me - I don't go to the hairdressers (curly hair means this is possible!), have never had a manicure / pedicure and don't do expensive beauty products. However I do wear make up every day and spend a lot of time on my hair, minus the haircut!

I'm not in London and TBH was thinking of trying the threading place in out local town. Not sure if I should spend a bit more now... if it went wrong, I wouldn't be able to leave the house!

My local place is around £5, usually I just ask for a tidy up, no forms or anything. If you have a certain shape in mind you can ask them to shape them instead and take a pic along of what you want. I always specify that I don't want them too thin.

I go to a "brow bar" in the shoppimg mall here - they charge £9 and per the poster above, I ask for a tidy up. (If you have a big Asian community in your town the little beauty shops will do it for just a few pounds.) I go every two to three weeks, and don't really touch them in between other than tinting which I do immediately after threading.

Try Superdrug - these have brow bars at the back, usually for £6-7.

If yours need tinting, get a tint kit - really easy to do especially since I only need to use a little each time.

Warning - it hurts more than waxing! Take some paracetamol before hand!

Hmm, I'm having second thoughts now... I honestly hadn't thought about the fact it might hurt! I might try and prepare myself and do it at the weekend. Sounds like I might need first though!

It doesn't hurt when I have it done, its more of a slight discomfort and I am a wimp - if it does, then the threader isn't trained/experienced enough.

I go to Superdrug too. It's about £5 and really great. They don't need a picture of the kind of shape you want but they seem to know what shape works with your face.

@Mamia15! You little liar!

It does hurt too! It hurts loads.

Ripping multiple hairs out of one of the tenderest parts of your body does hurt like crazy.

Having said that, it's faster than plucking and doesn't cause half the irritation of waxing.

Take a couple of paracetamol and codeine/ibuprofen/paracetamol about half an hour before you gave it done and see if you can find a topical cream like benzocaine or lidocaine (Boots own brand haemorrhoid cream works if used sparingly around the eyebrows ).

I have mine done every three weeks as mine grow very quickly.

Honestly, it doesn't hurt me - my DD says the same but once had a rather painful experience at a threading place in a different town so I know it can hurt if not done right.

But I find it doesn't hurt much either. It does make me sneeze though! Also have been doing it for several years so wonder if that area is desensitized 😊

Doesn't hurt me either, more like mild discomfort, but its so quick its over in a flash anyway, I wouldn't bother with the pain relief beforehand unless you're particularly sensitive.

The only thing I would recommend is a little bit of aloe gel, sometimes they provide it and sometimes not, but if its your first time, you can spread a little over the area after its done and it cools it right down. I found this useful after I decided to get my whole face threaded for my wedding (never again).

I think it depends on who does it - the experienced threader does not hurt me (it is mildly uncomfortable). But if they are inexperienced and do it slowly, it does hurt and makes my eyes water.

I get my whole face done about every 3-4 weeks, either at my local salon or at the Superdug in the city centre. I actually think the lady at my Superdrug is better. It costs me £15 in both places for my whole face, not sure how much eyebrows are on their own but obviously a lot less than that.

Eyebrow threading is not too painful, I really don't think you need pain relief. There are other parts of the face that really do hurt and occasionally make my eyes water lol but the eyebrows are not one of them, it's really not too bad and it doesn't take long. Just tell them that it's your first time and if there's anything you have in mind about shape/size etc tell them. I always just ask for a tidy when I go anywhere new and specify that I don't want much taken off them - I naturally have large, thick brows and think I look a bit daft if they're too small (plus upkeep is much easier the less you take off). I do the odd bit of tweezing in-between appointments.

I am fairly hirsute and the threader has to go quite far down the eyelid.

Above the brow, to the forehead - not too painful.

Below the brow to the eyelashes - painful as Hell!

I go to superdrug too.

I find that if you go regularly you either get more used to it or the area gets desensitized.

I went recently after having not been for a while months and it was soooo painful, but so worth it at the same time. Even my husband said they looked 'fleeky' but then I don't think he knows what that means and was blatantly taking the piss ....

I have noticed that friends with dark hair complain more that it hurts. An Italian friend and an Asian friend both use pain relief first. Whereas fair hair seems to be either finer or less deep rooted and not so uncomfortable to get rid of. So if you have really thick strong hair, maybe take a couple of ibuprofen first.

That could be the case: I have fine blonde hairs so maybe that is why it hurts less for me.

Makes the biggest difference to my face - if you are interested, do try it and don't necessarily let any possible discomfort put you off!

I'm not so sure about that because threading first started in places where the women naturally have dark, thick hair and if it was so awful I don't imagine it would be our hair removal of choice. I don't find eyebrow threading any more painful than waxing and I have very thick, dark hair and lots of it. The whole face is bearable for me, most parts just bit uncomfortable. Upper lip is something else though...ouch.

Yes I was talking about eyebrows.

I had my upper lip done once. Never again, I am a wimp. I just tweeze out the few dark hairs now and forget the rest!

I don't find it that painful either but agree it depends on the beautician. If they're slow then that can be painful.

I go to Superdrug too, it's a £5 and I really rate my local one.