There are few things in life as devastating as over-plucking one’s eyebrows. This sensation does not seem to be limited to mere mortals, however, as Victoria’s Secret model Chrissy once tweeted, “I plucked one wrong eyebrow hair, and it has ruined my entire face and body and being and physical and emotional health.” For those of us, like Chrissy, who understand the power of the perfect brow, the upkeep of our furry, finicky friends must be relinquished to the careful tweezing-hand of someone we trust.
So imagine my dismay, upon arrival at Wake, hundreds of miles away from my beloved brow threading salon at home, in discovering Winston’s deficit of brow shaping studios. What, was I supposed to somehow learn the craft of brow shaping through trial-and-error, free Youtube videos, and a vague understanding of what an eyebrow’s “tail” is? Evidently, I had no other option, and this was what I did (to varying degrees of success), until I stumbled upon the best kept beauty secret in Winston: Holly Stack and 4th Street Brow Studio.
Holly’s work on my brows has been nothing short of magic. Right from the start, I knew I was in good hands. Holly seven years’ experience as licensed esthetician specializing in brow shaping, as well as with her ten years’ experience as a makeup artist with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, gives her a unique edge when it comes brow shaping. The combination comes to light in Holly’s ability to approach the actual shaping as an esthetician, while still visualizing the brow as an artist. This dual perspective results in a really, really perfect brow, which Holly loves to keep as full as possible.
*Photo from goodhousekeeping.com.
In lieu of wax or threading, Holly uses only tweezers to achieve the cleanest possible lines. “I always have the client sit upright for shaping, because when you lay down, it changes the shape of the face,” Holly says. After shaping my brows, she hands me a mirror and shows me how to fill in the places we need to grow them out using an eye shadow shade matched to my hair color and a stiff, angled brow brush. “You have to have an eye for it,” Holly says while taming the caterpillars on my forehead into Kardashian-worthy works of art. “The right brow will enhance, and not distract,” she says. “And tweezing is still the most detailed work.” The effect was to die for. I’ve been a regular client of Holly’s ever since.
Over the course of once-monthly visits all last semester, my brows have gone from crooked squiggles that always made me look a little bit surprised to polished arches that I feel in control of. And Holly’s talents do not stop with her eye for brow shaping. Before fall formal, friends and I went to Holly to have our make-up professionally done in Bobbi Brown’s signature styles. The difference, again, in my appearance walking into Holly’s studio from how I looked walking out, was enormous, and worth every penny. Holly also offers Novalash eye lash extensions, airbrush tanning, facial treatments, and a myriad of waxing and threading services. Holly recently expanded the space below the 4th Street Brow Studio to include a hair salon called “The Parlor,” home to three stylists, each carefully selected by Holly, of course.
*Photo from brit.co.
It’s the question we’ve all heard asked a million times: “Does anyone know a good eyebrow place in Winston?” Ladies of Wake Forest, now you do. The hunt is over. Go see Holly in her charming 4th Street Brow Bar. You’re in for a good experience, a great time with Holly, and the perfect eyebrows.
*Cover photo from teenvogue.com.